#62: Tamales at Taqueria la Pasadita

Ian Froeb

Tamales, with rice and refried beans, at Taqueria la Pasadita

​For a long time I had a love-hate relationship with tamales. That is, I wanted to love them but so often was disappointed: too dry or too flavorless or both. Then, two years ago, more or less on a whim during my review visits, I tried the tamales at Taqueria la Pasadita.

Pasadita's pork tamales were outstanding. They still are. The corn masa is moist and flavorful -- not merely the sweetness of corn but with an undercurrent of chile heat. The pork is tender, with a stronger chile flavor. For added punch, squeeze some of the restaurant's red salsa over them.

Best of all, when I reviewed Taqueria la Pasadita in 2008, tamales were available only on the weekend. Now, they are part of the regular menu.

Taqueria la Pasadita
2336 Woodson Road, Overland
314-428-3832
$6.99

I'm counting down -- in no particular order -- 100 of my favorite dishes in St. Louis. Some are well-known, others obscure. Some are expensive, others dirt cheap. All of them, I guarantee, are delicious. Please do not hesitate to share your own favorites via the comments thread.

Previously:

#63: Ćevapi at Bosna Gold
#64: Lemon meringue and pine nut torte at BitterSweet Bakery
#65: Chile Morita con Puerco at Señor Pique
#66: Soda chanh duong (sparkling lemonade) at Lemon Grass
#67: Nachos grande at Nachomama's
#68: Pizza with pepperoni, sausage and mushroom at Pizza-a-Go-Go
#69: Bill's "Burger Meister Burger" at Cardwell's at the Plaza
#70: Sake (salmon) nigiri sushi at Nobu's Japanese Restaurant

#71: Massaman curry at Simply Thai
#72: The lunch buffet at Mayuri
#73: Fried chicken (spicy) at Porter's Fried Chicken
#74: Arancini at Lorenzo's Trattoria
#75: Meat shawarma at The Vine Mediterranean Café & Market
#76: The South Side Smoke at sandwich at Stellina Pasta Café
#77: Falafel at Kabob House
#78: A slice with pepperoni at Feraro's Jersey-Style Pizza
#79: Birria at Pueblo Nuevo
#80: Banh mi dac biet at Phuc Loi