The Tamale Lady Made Me Mad!

Decorating By Jasmine33 Updated 18 Aug 2008 , 10:13pm by Jasmine33

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Jasmine33 Posted 5 Aug 2008 , 5:21pm
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Okay so I love tamales. I usually try to pick some up 1-2 times a year though cause I will want to eat all of them!

A few weeks ago my son seen someone selling tamales to the neighbour. I ran over to ask how much? $1 each. I asked for 4. I figured my hubby and I would test them out and if they were good we could buy more another time. I asked for all pork.

2 of them were pork and 2 were cheese! icon_eek.gif

Good thing it turned out hubby liked the cheese ones.

The next week I think I ordered about 15 and I laughed and I told the lady we wound up with half cheese last week and it was ok, my hubby did like it, but he wants 3 and please make sure the rest are pork though because I do NOT like cheese and I am also ordering some for the kids. She said they also have chicken and I told her no thanx to that. Just the pork.

We got the right order.

Next week my son stops by her house and he asked her if we can have 18 pork and 5 cheese. He brings them home and the pork ones were all chicken!! From what I understand her and her sister do this. She does the chicken and cheese and her sister brings the pork ones and they go sell.

She doesn't get any money from the pork ones. So of course it would be in her best interest to sell the chicken. The kids and I are hungry anyways so we start eating some of them.

1. There is no way to tell what kind of meat it is til you open it.

We ate some but I was really disappointed with the chicken ones. Hardly any meat and we eat chicken all the time at home but rarely ever pork. The seasonings were different too.

So the other 5 were NOT opened yet so I sent my son to take those back and remind her that we ordered PORK, not chicken! Yes of course he would let her know politely.

I guess she got mad and said how do you know these are chicken and not pork?!? icon_confused.gif Hunh?

SO she gave him some pork ones.

The next week I sent my son over to buy 23/$23.00. He calls me up and says that she raised the prices to $1.25 and that we would need $26 to get 24 of them.

Well first of all I didn't want 24, I wanted 23 and second of all that would be $1.083 , not $1.25 by my calculations!

I asked him is she just charging more for the cheese ones? Not that that would work out mathematically either. icon_confused.gif

SO he puts her on the phone. Of course she has a spanish accent and is hard to understand but she sounded angry.

She said the tamales are now $1.25 and she needs $26. I told her I understand, my son doesn't have that much cash on him. He only has $23 on him so please give him whatever you can for that amount and thank you, thank you, thank you.

I have always been very polite to her and told her that their tamales are the best and they do a great job on them.

Maybe I shouldn't of. Because now the price is higher. She wound up sending him home with 20 tamales for $23.00. That is $1.15 by my calculations. I thought they were all supposed to be $1.25 now?

I guess she told my son that food is costing more now.

Now I sell my baked goods so I do understand food going up. But guess what? It has been going up ALL YEAR LONG!

We are fairly new customers so I do think it is too soon for a price increase.

When I started doing this a few months ago I marked everything up high enough so that I wouldn't have to change the prices for a LONG TIME. Last week at my costco the price of real butter went up by .70 cents a lb! I am not going to pass this on to my customers.

People get used to $2 for a small box of cookies and they don't want you showing up saying it's $2.25 now or they get 5 cookies instead of 6. Not after just a few months of buying and surely not after a month of buying.

I don't know how long she has been doing this or selling them for $1. I know eventually people have to raise their prices.

But you know when you need to and the perfect time would have been when we first started buying to tell us upfront, these are $1.25 each. We got a few new customers last weekend and that would of been a perfect time to tell them our cookies are $2.25 a box. Not let them buy for a month and then spring it on them.

It's not just the money, it is everything combined.

1.) First, are they now $1.15 or $1.25? How much are they going to be next week? icon_twisted.gif

2.) I am of the train of thought that if you don't like how someone does something, then do it yourself. If you don't like how much someone charges, then make it yourself. icon_lol.gif

3.) Am I going to get what I ordered? Or am I going to wind up with chicken AGAIN! That is 3 times out of 4 that we didn't get what we asked for. icon_mad.gif

4.) When my son asks, she says they will be ready on Tuesday, we are all waiting, then that evening she tells him, no Wed. Maybe. Cross your fingers. icon_confused.gif

5.) She seemed rude on the phone.

Yes I am extremely annoyed. So Sunday I decided we would make our own tamales! I cook alot from scratch anyways but never this.

I picked up corn husk and chile and pork and already prepped masa. (I think next week I will mix my own masa).

My 15 y.o dd said she wanted to make them. SO I found a few online tutorials for her and said have at it. We don't have a tamale pot, might just have to get one. We used the turkey roaster oven, set the brackets up in there and places a wet towel over the lid to "steam them".

It takes 4- 5 hours that way but hey, last night at midnight we had tamales!

icon_lol.gif

They were actually good too. A little bit dry. I think I am going to get that tamale pot. She is going to steam some more today so I will post pics then.

122 replies
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cakedout Posted 5 Aug 2008 , 5:29pm
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icon_confused.gif

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arosstx Posted 5 Aug 2008 , 5:31pm
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Dang, I'm envious that you can even get fresh tamales!
I'm from Austin and used to live right down the road from Rosies Tamales, a converted 7-11 building where the best tamales in the world come from! You can buy them in the grocery stores there, at least you could when I was there.

Now I'm a few hours north and no more Rosie's for me... icon_cry.gif

Just wanted to chime in w/ a fellow tamale fan - I feel your pain, but at least you get to enjoy fresh tamales if you can just get past her crazy business practices!

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Cakenator Posted 5 Aug 2008 , 5:50pm
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Sounds like she gave you a deal. I can't see what the problem here is.

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Texas_Rose Posted 5 Aug 2008 , 5:51pm
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Bean tamales are really good too. You wouldn't think they'd be good, but they are!

We've got ladies around here who go door to door to the businesses selling their tamales. I've always wondered about food safety issues and all that...but I've never died from eating their tamales.

Just curious, what part of the pig did you use for the tamales? I had a boyfriend in high school whose mom made tamales (and everything else...I think I had a bigger crush on the mom than the guy icon_lol.gificon_lol.gif ) and she made her tamales out of a pig's head. The first time I ever carried one in for her I had to peek in the bag and see what was so heavy and I almost peed my pants when I saw a big frozen snout and an icy pink tongue sticking out!!!

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Lady_Phoenix Posted 5 Aug 2008 , 5:59pm
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There is no place near me to get tamales other than the nasty ones in jars. So, I make my own. My daughter and her family prefer beef, but I sneak and make pork ones every so often. They don't dare complain about free tamales! icon_lol.gif

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roxxxy_luvs_duff Posted 5 Aug 2008 , 6:00pm
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That is just a crazy story but I do wish i could get tamles every week. The place I get them from is a group of church ladies and they make them every couple of months. They usually only take orders at offices but my friends mom works at the office she goes to so she orders them for us. Im almost positive I pay $14 a dz but I do always get my order right. Im sorry that she keeps messing your up.

BTW since you are making them now you should try chile verde tamales. I always order these from the tamale lady and they are sooo sooo good. Good luck on the next batch.

I dont have a tamale pot so I use a big pasta out and I get a stainer and turn it upside down and place a kitchen towel over it. then cover the tamales with another towel then the lid. They usually take abot 2 hours.

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OCakes Posted 5 Aug 2008 , 6:01pm
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Where are you from? I live in Sonoma, CA, and we have a very large Mexican community. We can get tamales at multiple locations - there are taco trucks everywhere, and we have a "Little Mexico" part of town... plus, a TON of my friends are Hispanic & make such good food! Hopefully you can just find someone else who's more pleasant to work with! All of our "suppliers" are SO nice & extra-accomodating.

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roxxxy_luvs_duff Posted 5 Aug 2008 , 6:08pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lady_Phoenix

There is no place near me to get tamales other than the nasty ones in jars. So, I make my own. My daughter and her family prefer beef, but I sneak and make pork ones every so often. They don't dare complain about free tamales! icon_lol.gif




In a jar? icon_eek.gif

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Tootall Posted 5 Aug 2008 , 6:13pm
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Yep we get the ones in a jar or can. Hormel, I think, is the canned brand. They're pretty good, but since I've never had a real, homemade tamale, I'm sure I don't know what a GOOD tamale is icon_biggrin.gif I'd be willing to give it a try, though! I love Mexican food! The hotter the better icon_wink.gif

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roxxxy_luvs_duff Posted 5 Aug 2008 , 6:16pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tootall

Yep we get the ones in a jar or can. Hormel, I think, is the canned brand. They're pretty good, but since I've never had a real, homemade tamale, I'm sure I don't know what a GOOD tamale is icon_biggrin.gif I'd be willing to give it a try, though! I love Mexican food! The hotter the better icon_wink.gif




Do you have a Costco nearby? I think they sell some there. The one where I live sells them and they are homade looking because they come in the husk

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Tootall Posted 5 Aug 2008 , 6:22pm
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Is that the store that's similar to Sam's? I think we do have one, but it's about 30 minutes from the house, and we don't have a membership. But maybe I can find someone who DOES to get me some icon_biggrin.gif Of course, I may be thinking of the wrong store icon_rolleyes.gif

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Relznik Posted 5 Aug 2008 , 6:24pm
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What are they, please?? icon_redface.gif

Suzanne x

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ladyellam Posted 5 Aug 2008 , 6:25pm
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We've always made our own--Mexican Mom and all. We still grind the green corn by hand-that alone is such a tough job!! If I do pork or beef tamales I always get the fresh masa and then doctor it up. It really is a labour of love because it takes all day.

I've also done tamales in the banana leaves and those are pretty good too.

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roxxxy_luvs_duff Posted 5 Aug 2008 , 6:33pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Relznik

What are they, please?? icon_redface.gif

Suzanne x




heres a link

http://mexicanfood.about.com/od/deliciousmaindishes/a/Tamales.htm

basically a cornhusk spread with a corn mixture(masa) filled with meat and chili sauce then steamed

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jmt1714 Posted 5 Aug 2008 , 6:34pm
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if you don't like the prices, don't buy. if you don't like the aggregation of not being sure what you buy is what you ordered, don't buy. but why complain about the price? From your description, she's giving you a price break (whether she meant to or not), and how you run your business as it relates to the cost of ingredients has NOTHING to do with how she runs hers.

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tx_cupcake Posted 5 Aug 2008 , 6:41pm
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When I was little I remember there was a kid in my neighborhood who, every fall, would start knocking on doors taking tamale orders. Then, later in the week he would show up again with all of the fresh tamales. My mom used to buy a bunch and freeze them so we could eat them all year. Mmmmmm... God bless my Texas childhood!

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mariela_ms Posted 5 Aug 2008 , 6:48pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jmt1714

if you don't like the prices, don't buy. if you don't like the aggregation of not being sure what you buy is what you ordered, don't buy. but why complain about the price? From your description, she's giving you a price break (whether she meant to or not), and how you run your business as it relates to the cost of ingredients has NOTHING to do with how she runs hers.




I agree. I think the price is very fair. And maybe it's just an honest mistake that you did not get the right kind. I was raised eating tamales! I'm Mexican, and you can't tell what they are made of until you bite into them. Also maybe she was just confused of the per tamale price and just gave out a number. Were I'm from people don't sell them per tamale, they usually do it per dozen... who knows. Either way....It's a very very good price. And if they are so good. whats the problem???? icon_rolleyes.gifthumbs_up.gif

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martmarg Posted 5 Aug 2008 , 6:48pm
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I always help my mom make them. Usually around xmas time. It's tradition to have them in winter and around the holidays and parties and such. They are such a hassle to make. I do not dare make them alone. I was just going through my freezer to see what freezed up meals we have to eat and found a bag of tamale meat. I still won't make them. It's too much work. Bean tamales are great, and with a strip of jalapeno in them better. I like the cheese one (queso fresco or mozzarella works fine) with jalapeno in them. I love the chicken too and beef and pork and venison with pork.

Anyway somebody was asking what a tamale is?

It's kind of like a taco. (poor analogy) but you need masa(corn flour and mix it up with chile sauce (peppers boiled and them blended and strained) and manteca (lard). This prevents the "masa" from being dry. You spread the masa on a corn husk evenly. The corn husks need to be sitting in water to soften up. Then you fill it up with the meat( only a line of meat will do or you'll end up with a big fat and overflowing tamale). Roll it up and ready to cook.

By the way you don't need a tamale pot. You can use a stock pot. Line the bottom with corn husks and you can use a big ball of aluminum or rock to put in the middle of the pot. The tamales need to be standing up piled up against each other with teh opening to the top so the filling doesn't come out. And add water to the pot. ( not a lot just enough to steam them.

Tamales vary depending on the region of Mexico or Latin AMerica. many different kinds to choose from.


OH and if your tamales are dry check the level of lard and water . The test to check if the masa is right....put the back of you hand to the masa and if it sticks you need more lard. Nothing should stick to you hand.

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sweetness_221 Posted 5 Aug 2008 , 6:56pm
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About 10 years ago I used to get them from a family that would go around and sell them. They were $5 for a dozen! So yummy! Needless to say they didn't last very long. icon_biggrin.gif

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sweetness_221 Posted 5 Aug 2008 , 6:57pm
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Oh I forgot they also sold homemade totillas! OMG! Those were awesome!

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Jasmine33 Posted 5 Aug 2008 , 6:57pm
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Hey everyone, thanx for letting me vent.

jmt1714

Quote:
Quote:


if you don't like the prices, don't buy. if you don't like the aggregation of not being sure what you buy is what you ordered, don't buy. but why complain about the price? From your description, she's giving you a price break (whether she meant to or not), and how you run your business as it relates to the cost of ingredients has NOTHING to do with how she runs hers.




I agree about the "don't buy then". Like I said in my post that is why we decided to make our own. Of course everyone's buisiness and how they run it is different. As far as comparing, people compare everything all the time.

As far as what kind of pork. lol A pigs head? Oh my goodness! I would of been shocked too! icon_lol.gif

I grabbed some pork at smart n final it said, pork cushion meat. Whatever that is it tasted really good.

ladyellam

Grinding your own corn? You really are slaving away! lol ABout a year ago I bought an electric grain mill and bought 25 lb bags of organic wheat to grind and make my own whole wheat bread.

txcupcake

Sounds great! I would probably have to buy a ton cause we eat 2 dozen a week and I am sure now that my eldest is making them a whole lot more will be eaten! lol

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mariela_ms Posted 5 Aug 2008 , 6:58pm
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All this tamale talking got me hungry... I got 2 tamales in the fridge from a neighbor....

I'm taking my lunch break RIGHT NOW!!! :>

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Jasmine33 Posted 5 Aug 2008 , 7:00pm
post #24 of 123

Mariela, the 15 that were done last night at midnight are all gone. haha She is steeming some more. Maybe we can have some for dinner?

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mommachris Posted 5 Aug 2008 , 7:03pm
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yep, should be selling them by the dozen..not individuals. So much work, I mean would you even turn on your oven for an order of five cupcakes?? icon_confused.gif

I don't like buying from home cooks around here. There was a big arrest in the area for unsafe cooking in a backyard. Turns out the people were boiling their meat in galvanized trash cans!! icon_eek.gificon_eek.gif

No telling how many people were poisoned. The heat makes the metal seam deteriorate. I politely refuse to buy from anyone now.

mommachris

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mariela_ms Posted 5 Aug 2008 , 7:04pm
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SURE!!!! I'm eating some right now! I love tamales! for breakfast with eggs...lunch with salad and beans...dinner.... anytime. I love chicken, beef, pork, tontitos ( thats what they call the ones with only masa!), the plain corn ones...sweet ones, cheese and chile verde..OMG the possibilities are endless.. One of these days I will try to make my own. My mom makes them...but I'm afraid...very afraid.....

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roxxxy_luvs_duff Posted 5 Aug 2008 , 7:09pm
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OK so has anyone every put pickle juice on there tamales? My dad swears this is what his parets and grandparents did. Ill admit I did it when I was young because I tryed anything my dad did but now as an adult I wouldnt are put pickle juice on my tamales.

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Rincewind Posted 5 Aug 2008 , 7:09pm
post #28 of 123

My mom has bought tamales made with vegetable shortening for me and my kids from a from a lady that works at the hospital that my mom used to work at (before retiring). She made some with beans and some with just cheese. They were really good! I thought they were a couple of dollars each. Anyway... Now I want tamales.

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roxxxy_luvs_duff Posted 5 Aug 2008 , 7:13pm
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I want tamales too!! icon_cry.gif Im gunna have to call my friends mom to see if she knows when they will be taking orders again

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CambriasCakes Posted 5 Aug 2008 , 7:16pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mommachris

yep, should be selling them by the dozen..not individuals. So much work, I mean would you even turn on your oven for an order of five cupcakes?? icon_confused.gif

I don't like buying from home cooks around here. There was a big arrest in the area for unsafe cooking in a backyard. Turns out the people were boiling their meat in galvanized trash cans!! icon_eek.gificon_eek.gif

No telling how many people were poisoned. The heat makes the metal seam deteriorate. I politely refuse to buy from anyone now.

mommachris




Galvanized trash cans?!?!? Ughh!!!! Mommchrish, where in CA are you? I'm originally from the Central Coast area.....but now live in AZ. I miss it!

Jasmine - you're getting a smoking deal whether you're paying $1.15 or $1.25 each! I've never sold them but if I did, they wouldn't go out my door for less than $22 a dozen!

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