The Whole Tortilla

Vanessa and Ricardo are super nice and their tamales rock. Their system of putting them in the little pie tins is genius. They reheat perfectly and are so moist, fresh ands delicious! My 4 year old son LOVES the kid-​friendly chicken and cheese one and every time he eats one he says «Vanessa makes the best tamale pies in the whole world».

I tried the tamale pies from The Whole Tortilla last year for the first time and fel in love with them so much, I called to order them monthly. I had always only ate the veggie and the spicey pork pies… but I attended Tamales and Tequila By The Bay. The Whole Tortilla was one of the vendors an offered their whole small pies for tasting and I tried the Chorizo tamale pie — the masa and flavor of the meat was incredible! I wasn’t the only one that felt that way because they won for having the Best Tamale for 2011.

The Whole Tortilla provided food for my work party this past week and they were a big hit. The tamales come in neat little pie tins which are extra awesome when flipped over and covered in guacamole sauce. Vanessa helped me order enough food for 50 – 75 people. By the end of the night no food was left and no one went hungry, so it was just right. If anything we could have ordered more tamales, and less salad and beans, but that was because we might have overestimated the number of vegetarians.
Definitely get a variety of their drinks, which were enjoyed by non-​drinkers and drinkers alike. Adding a splash of tequila to the cucumber mint and mango drinks made it a really tasty mixed drink.
If they had delivery or sold their little tamale pies in local stores here, I can see myself getting these regularly.

Super tasty and good for ya! Gourmet little tamale pies.

vanessa p.m.ed me to explain that no or little sugar is used in their drinks, thus the lack of sweetness. she offered another drink gratis. dropped by jls one sunday to take up her offer.
sampling: new mexico style enchilada (7) or ceviche (5)
–enchiladas since the ceviche seem small
–meat mostly fresh ground beef on flour tortilla skins not. typical enchilada wrap. meat fresh but i didn’t get the concept.
lemon/​lime drink (4/​gratis): nice & tart. passed on the peach since the subleties of peach would be render it almost tasteless.
foodnotes:
–appreciated the redo on the drinks. natural drinks are tricky. without sugar, the taste is too subtle to notice at times.
–fresh ingredients used.
–serving size small, pricey?
–will check periodically to see if my opinions changes.

OK, updating to rave about the newest in the WT tamale lineup, the spicy chicken one. Ricardo told me today at the Farmers Market that he got a new batch of Hatch green chiles (New Mexico, the best, and from this year’s chile harvest) and these new chicken tamales are the result. I made the mistake of only getting one and eating it right there, which means that now, several hours later, I don’t have one any more. This makes me sad. 7 whole days before I can get another one! This makes me sadder. Ric and Vanessa, you need to deliver.

delicious food. delightful service. innovative, fresh, and classic… the whole tortilla is a new business that deserve attention! these folks will be serving up their new mexico comfort food in cities beyond oakland, but in the meantime, head over to the jack london square farmer’s market on sundays for their phenomenal tamale pies.

As of today I love the Whole Tortilla! I ran into their booth at the Farmers Market while shopping. I had the spicy chorizo tamale pie with the guacamole drizzle. It was so delicious and the price point was perfect!
The over all look and appeal of the booth was professional and spotless. Both owners Vanessa and Ricardo were all smiles all the time!
I wish they sold them in stores so I could stock up.
Thank you again Whole Tortilla for a new twist on a classic!

As a relatively new vegetarian – and not the kind who convinces himself that styrofoam tastes delicious – I struggle to find savory dishes that rival those of the good ol’ meat-​eating days. Fake meats are usually bland and dry, and meatless dishes are usually unsatisfying at best. So imagine my terrific surprise when, out strolling the Jack London Square Farmer’s Market, I came upon The Whole Tortilla stand. Like many other passersby, I first delved into the Tamale Shot, fully expecting afterwards to experience the same level of guilt and awkwardness as if I had awoken after a night of debauchery in my mother’s best friend’s bed. What I experienced instead with the Veggie Delight was a moist, zesty, and savory tamale pie. It was delicious! So I purchased a pie or two, my only worry being that they may not have cooked up exactly as I had experienced them. Not to worry. Steaming the tamale pies gave me exactly what I had experienced and in a short time. So I’m sold. By the way, a five-​star review coming from me is pretty special because I’m sort of a big deal. So you know it’s good.

I had to write you to let you know I had your tamale pie for lunch yesterday day and it was A-​mazing! So delicious. I usually am hesitant about veggie tamales (because others are a bunch of corn and then 1 chili), but yours was awesome. The perfect mix of veggies, masa and chilis. I could also pour their peach salsa on everything – so god!