Experience authentic Central American comfort food with El Padrino's homemade tamales. Crafted using traditional recipes, our tamales feature seasoned masa filled with savory meats or vegetables, wrapped in corn husks and steamed to perfection. Each tamal is tender, flavorful, and served with crema and salsa. Made fresh to order, our tamales deliver the genuine taste of Central American home cooking that has been passed down through generations.
El Padrino's tamales are crafted using time-honored Central American techniques that have been perfected over generations. We start with fresh masa harina, carefully seasoned and whipped to the perfect consistency with rich chicken broth and lard for authentic flavor and texture. Each tamal is filled with your choice of tender, well-seasoned pork, chicken, or flavorful vegetables, then carefully wrapped in soaked corn husks. The tamales are steamed for hours until the masa is tender and the flavors have melded together beautifully, creating a comforting dish that's both satisfying and deeply flavorful.
What makes our tamales exceptional is our dedication to authenticity and quality. Every tamal is made by hand, from preparing the masa to wrapping each one individually in corn husks. The filling is seasoned with traditional spices and cooked until perfectly tender. We serve our tamales with Mexican crema for richness and house-made salsa for a touch of heat and acidity. Whether you're familiar with tamales from childhood or trying them for the first time, you'll appreciate the care, skill, and tradition that goes into every single tamal we serve. This is comfort food at its finest – warm, satisfying, and full of authentic flavor.
Food Enthusiast
"It was so delicious. I have been spoiled to have very good friends back home who's mother makes amazing pupusas. This restaurant's pupusas were delicious, fresh and juicy, the tacos wonderful, and the tamales.. just yum. The service was topnotch, the server, the barman, the chef. Everyone very friendly and kind."
September 28, 2024
Calgary Resident
"Finally, a hidden gem I've been searching for. These are the hidden spots that make the search worth while. Expect authentic Mexican and Salvadorian food. We were stuffed after ordering enchiladas and papusa and taco dish. To find it you'll have to go park at the back which is where the entrance is. As mentioned it's a hidden spot. Go out of your way for authenticity."
August 20, 2024
Regular Customer
"The restaurant is small but once you get inside, you are transported to somewhere south of the border! The owner was very friendly and explained the menu and the food items. There are many choices and the food is authentic!"
October 5, 2024