Sounds good to me if these venues allow outside food to be brought in. Thanks DW, will wait to hear from you.

Which Saturday? 12/8, 12/15 or 12/29? what time? Which Alamo location, Berry St. or Navigation? Looking forward to meeting fellow Chowhounders.

Hey, I would love to come in and partake of the Tamale Christmas Sampling Feast. When and where? I can bring Genaro's pork 'males. Yum-yum, mouth is watering now.

ok, jaymes, I finally got to Alamo on Berry to try out their tamales (pork, hand made) and I must say they are very good, though at $10.99/doz are a bit pricey. Mom liked the fact that they were not as spicey as Gerardo/s, but I prefer the spicer ones and the $9/dz price. Feliz Navidad, everyone. PS: if the machine made tamales are the same as sold at HEB, then all I can say is Oy...no thanks.

I totally agree on Otilia's on Long Point in the Spring Branch area. Their Chile en Nogada with Otilia's special filling is to die for and their mole poblano consists of chicken breast medallions in mole sauce and are delicious. I rate my Mexican restaurants on the quality of their aroz and their frijoles. Both are made correctly and are delicious at Otilia's, in my humble opinion.

For years I have searched for pork tamales like my grandmother made. They were the best! Well, I have finally found the place that comes awfully close. It is Gerardo's, 609 Patton, 713-699-0820 and they have pork, beef, chicken, bean tamales for sure. The meat and masa are spiced to perfection with generous meat filling. They also have steam tables of authentic Mexican food that make great carry out lunches. I haven't tried their breakfast tacos, but I will bet they are good too. The place is formerly a little "tiendita" where they added some booths for people that want to eat there. It is a real "hole in the wall" find-nothing fancy, but food is delicious and economical.