Tamaleria Nuevo Leon

Figured I would stop in and try what I heard were great tamales and boy am I glad I did. I’m not sure what was better, the food or the service, but chatting with the owner Susie was a delight and the tamales truly were perfection. ¡Gracias El León! Los tamales son muy buenos! Me encantó!!

Loved everything about this place! We are always in search of good tamales and have tried others in the Detroit area all with disappointment until now. We were advised by regular customers while ordering what to get. The pork with jalapeño was definitely my favorite, also got chicken and beef all of which were excellent. Not dry at all and had wonderful flavor. The salsa was a nice addition. Our search is over and this will be the only place we buy from even with it being an hour and half drive it’s worth it.

My friend and I visited this location on a whim yesterday and purchased two half dozen tamales. I got the pork with jalapeño and the cheese with jalapeño. I was originally going to purchase just a few of each and Suzi pointed out that I would save a lot of of money but just getting 2 half dozen, so thank you to her!
My favorite were the pork ones, which is unusual because I’m not that big of pork eater and those ones I picked out for my boyfriend. But they were fantastic. The cheese ones were also really good!
It was about $ 15 for 12 tamales, totally worth it. Check it out and don’t let the area defer you from checking it out. Say hi to Suzi, she’s super nice!
I am bummed I didn’t get a picture, but they were too good to slow down and take one.
Enjoy this hidden treasure!

Best tamales I’ve ever had. Weirdly shaped but cheap and DELISH! I take a bunch home and freeze them since the place is more than an hour away. The owner is a darling too. We chatted for some time since I’m from Chicago and they still have family there. Super great food from super nice people.

Couple of dozen and a $ 2 medium salsa is perfect to bring to work and earn points all morning. Pork with peppers, cheese and peppers my 2 faves. Never had a bad tamale in 10+ years.

I normally get my tamales from La Gloria, but one of my best friends told me about Nuevo Leon so I decided to try them out. I drove from Allen Park to get 3 dozen for my daughter’s school. What I found was a RUDE large lady behind a counter that treated me such disrespect, that I excused my self and walked out. I told my friend about my experience and he told me that since the father passed away, the «kids» inherited the business and that they just don’t know how to treat customers.
I hope that this is the typical story where a great man or woman creates a great business only to have their children take it for granted and drive it into the ground. Wise up kids (new owners)… take care of the customer and the business will take care of you. You are not doing me any favors, so don’t act like you are the only place in Mexican town where a person could buy quality tamales. But, I suspect that you (the owners) will read this and simply brush it off.
Good luck! (I really mean it)

Yesssszsss! I have a new spot for tamales! Words can’t explain they are just truly off the chain. You have to try them. I think that’s all they sell and it’s a to go establishment so there’s nowhere to sit. They put Eve’s way on the back burner.

I had never even tried a tamale when i went on a trip to Texas a few years back. The relatives I was visiting were big fans of a tiny little take-​out place close to the Mexican border. It was there I discovered this delicious little treat. Fast forward a couple years and I was almost wishing I had never been introduced to them because try as hard as I could, I wasn’t able to find anything that came close to the authentic delicious perfect balance of meat and mesa tamales of Texas. Don’t get me wrong, there are some good places in Detroit, but nothing that quite matched the superior level of that little hole in the wall in Texas… that is until we stumbled upon this place. Yes… finally. Ahhh… my perfect tamale search is over.
This is seriously a time when it was all about Unilocal.We were going to Saint Anne’s church for a tour and had about 30 minutes to kill. Thankfully this place popped up on the ‘nearby’ search. It’s just a tiny take out place. Stepping inside I didn’t dare get my hopes up right away, but it looked promising. Tiny, family run, take out only, totally lacking in décor or atmosphere, these places are the best because their food is so solid they know you will be back and they don’t have to be shiny or flashy to get your attention. No, the food is what grabs you and keeps you.
The owner overheard me mention something about tamales and Texas and literally wouldn’t let me leave the store until I tried one of her tamales and told her how it rated. Guess what, I liked it even better! We went with the spicy pork and I think it was the hint of spice that put theirs over the edge. I absolutely loved it, and stood there among corn husks, using the meat freezer as a makeshift table, sharing a plastic fork (the only one in the store apparently) with my husband and our 2 friends, and ate 2 tamales in about 3 bites. My friend polished off his half dozen standing there making small talk. So fresh and delicious, I could have done the same thing. Suzy is a gem and is very proud of her product, and she should be. I love that the only thing on the menu is tamales. I love that she has a picture of her mom and dad hanging on the wall and will proudly tell you these delicious creations are her mothers recipe.
I vowed to be back soon and my mouth is already watering thinking about it. I don’t know if I will try another variety or will stick with the spicy pork. Sometimes you don’t want to mess with perfection. Before I had even strapped my seat belt I was digging in the bag for one more while texting my aunt in Texas to let her know the search was over, I finally found authentic tamales that were as good as the ones she introduced me to a few years back. True story.

My family has been coming here since I can remember — at least 30 years! The tamales have remained the same throughout the years and are always delicious! I’ve tried other places and nowhere even comes close. Perfect amount of masa and pork.

I need a moment of silence. cricket’s. cricket’s. I’m too sad… cricket’s…and jealous to be humorous right now.
A fellow YP’er made me think of this place. I hope all my YP sistas’ and brothas’ KNOW… how lucky they are to be able to experience this place. Tamale Heaven. These ARE THA BEST.
One of y’all…COULD BE KIND ENUFF TO SHIP A SISTA’ SOME… SHEESH. Sittin’ over there… just unwrappin’ an chewin’…unwrappin’ an chewin’. You see me sittin’ ova here…
Unwrappin’ an chewin’…this is why the fabric of America is so torn. People don’t care about tha needy. Fabric of America. Who came up with that???
You…you ForeFathers you. So crackin’ dramatic.
So let’s get to business :
I can’t eat eggs. Did ju all know that?! Want to but… I…I can’t. At least not in the form of breakfast. If you put that on my plate– uncontrollable flatulence sets in. Due to horror – I become a fearful ‘Pooter’. I stare at it and realize… this also doubles as a hot, crispy drumstick. It should be on my plate… Next to some riiiicccce, some cornnnnn an an… an some… some greens — -and cornbread. The breakfast egg… messes with my Chi… my flow. I just can’t…I cant’t vibe wit that. My mind. It’s…it’s weird like that. Poot.
YEAH…there’s your answer people… the C.H.I.C.K.E.N came first.
I say all that to say:
Soooomebody has photo on here with some KING tamales topped with ‘fried eggs-​soft yolk’…on top. Look here– I don’t do eggs but… I WOULD soooooooo SQUEEZE MY EYES SHUT AN… EAT…THAT. Do you hear me… SLAM THAT. Why does that look like my soul? Good! And yes my loves… I have a good soul. I do.
Anyway, if you live near TNL… GIT THAT.

SERIOUSLY. Beef, Pork and Spicy Pork. the best. But even chicken is good. They even have or had a sweet one. I don’t know bout ‘bad attitudes’…they were always nice to me. And I’ve witnessed them the same with others. People have those ‘AND 1’s’ you know. They gotta lotta tamales to make so they be bout that bizness – I know that much .
‘EVIES’ ova there in Mex — Town, they straight but to me… Vernor Hwy. That’s where tha’ KING Tamale… lives. Go git that.
And…people – come on now! Think about a Sista’ when you sittin nere… yeah…Unwrappin’ an chewin’.

This brings back so many memories of visiting this place with my grandmother. She would order several dozen and before we could make it home, we were licking our lips wishing we had more.
Can wait to start a tradition with my boys

Unreal tamales. Our wedding party stopped in before the big event and demolished two dozen no problem. I usually shy from tamales but after these spicy pork ones, ill be back to buy a few dozen. Never had any as juicy and flavorful.

The man that rung us up had such a bad attitude that I lost my appetite. He was very mean and had an attitude about explaining the menu. The price of the tamales is a bit higher then some of the surrounding places. The salsa costs extra. Other places give salsa with food so that sucked. Due to this man’s terrible demeanor my grandma and I will probably not come here again. He also touched the tamales with his filthy hands! The tamales themselves were ok.

The best tamales. Takeout. Don’t forget the salsa

Wow, holy tamales! I had been wanting to visit this place after having biked by it during Tour deTroit. I only got 6 tamales to go. Got home, ate the tamales with the significant other, and realized, wow, I should have ordered a dozen. They were delicious. Make sure to bring cash as they don’t take cards.

Best tamales I’ve tried yet. Don’t buy just one dozen… I made that mistake. Its definitely 2 or more. Parking is a bit of an issue… there really isn’t much but its a quick in and out since its take out. I tried the pork/​jalapeño and like I said… the best. We will try more flavors next time… other than the sweet version… but they have them if those are your thing.

This is the closest thing to moms. Actually back in the day my mom bought her masa her for holiday tamales. I’ve known Suzie & family since I was a kid. Still the best in southwest Detroit. Don’t let no one steer you wrong. Thank you Suzie & family for years of pride and dedication to your fine business.

Best tamales I’ve ever had. Whenever I visit Detroit I pick up a few dozen. Great variety, as well as the best preparation. I love this place!

I love that this is a family run operation. The staff seemed very friendly, and eager to chat and explain the food choices to us. The only thing that sucks is that you can’t mix and match tamales and get a few of each — health code violations, as I understand it, so not their fault. You have to buy in either half a dozen or a dozen.
I had the pork with jalapeño tamales. They had a great, slightly smoky flavor, and were just the right amount of spicy. I’d love to go back and try some of the other flavors — they have sweet tamales that they make on the weekend that I am betting are delicious!

Awesome, awesome, awesome. Simple and to the point Tamales. I cannot suggest this place enough. They’re super cheap and super authentic.

MMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMM GOOD!!! Pork and jalapeño tamales, and queso tamales. These little gems are just the right size so that you can demolish a bag of a dozen of them. The salsa has just a bit of spice and is quite good. I discovered this from a friends tip and man was she right. Next to the geodesic dome behind the train station. Next time stop in a get a few dozen, it’s worth the trip.

Tamaleria Nuevo Leon makes a decent tamale for a decent price!
IMPORTANT: Tamales can only be ordered by the dozen or ½ dozen. The tamales are rather small, so ½ dozen would be dinner-​sized for one person. One half dozen tamales ran $ 4.25-$ 4.50, depending on the variety of tamale. What a great price! Tamale varieties included, chicken, beef, beans, a sort of dessert tamale with raisins and sugar, and many others that I can’t recall. They come heated in a plastic bag to go. Salsa is extra, available in 3 sizes. I found the small salsa, $ 0.50, more than adequate for my 6 chicken tamales. I’ve only had the chicken tamales so far, but the chicken was tender and seasoned well. The dough is cooked well and is tasty. I wish the salsa was a bit thinner so it would absorb better into the tamale, but it still tastes great.
The staff are pretty nice which isn’t always a given in Mexicantown (I recently found out I was being charged double the price for tacos at a stand on W. Vernor…). They answered my questions and even conversed in Spanish with me a little. There’s a few tables inside, but I don’t think I’d eat there. The inside of the place looks rundown and its dark. But you can see the staff making the tamales in the back, so that’s a plus.
Another Note: They seem to have weird hours. I’m not sure what they are. I’ve visited the places on different days of the week at the same time in the afternoon and sadly found them closed some days.
I think its a good thing I don’t live too close to Mexicantown or else I would wind up eating out there nearly every day. The nice thing about the Mexicantown Restaurants and bakeries is that in addition to serving really delicious food, they also cater to your wallet. Meal prices are so cheap and portions are large enough to wind up taking some home.
Finally, I like the tamales from Nuevo Leon, but after eating Pilar’s Tamales in Ann Arbor (
), which are wrapped in Banana Leaf instead of corn husks, I can’t look at corn husk tamales the same. I just think the banana leaf ones are superior.
Still if you’re in the area, pick up some tamales to take home for later. You won’t regret it.

Great tamales and masa! The ladies that work there are kind and have an excellent sense of humor. It’s right next to the blue dome on Vernor, which is near impossible to miss.

You know you’re probably driven by this place a ton of times and didn’t even realize it. You know that blue dome house that you pass by when coming into or leaving Mexican Town? Well right next to it — practically attached to it — is this amazing Tamaleria.
I think it’s mostly take out and you can pick from many different flavors of the most delicious tamales. I got the jalapeño and cheese and some sweet ones that I think had brown sugar or cinnamon and raisins in it. The salsa that they sell is very good too. It’s all very fresh and handmade stuff. The prices are very fair too. Next time you pass by — even if you aren’t hungry — stop in and grab a bag of tamales and some salsa. When you’re hungry later you’ll thank yourself. :)