tamales Archives - Bridgetown Bites

November 14, 2025November 13, 2025

Small Bites: Tamalada, Crispy Cones, ZabPinto Thai, and More

Making tamales during a tamalada in 2019 in Portland, Oregon. — The tamalada from 2019.

Tamalada in Portland is back! I attended a tamalada—a group tamale-making party around the holidays—organized by Hot Mama Salsa and Three Sisters Nixtamal pre-pandemic (2019) and loved it. We learned how to prepare the masa, fill the corn husks, and steam the tamales—and we got to take some tamales home. It was fantastic!

So you can imagine how happy I was to see that these same two women-owned and led businesses have brought it back this year. This time it will take place at Hot Mama Salsa’s headquarters in Southeast Portland. There are two sessions on Sunday, December 14: 2pm to 3:30pm and 4pm to 5:30pm. It’s $65; you can reserve your spot and pay them on Venmo. DM them with questions. 333 SE 2nd Avenue, Portland

January 27, 2025January 27, 2025

Eat Tamales on Candelmas (February 2) in Portland

Making tamales in 2019 in Portland, Oregon. — From a tamale-making class in 2019 in Portland.

Here we are with yet another food tradition for February 2. Previously, we highlighted “ground hog” and pancakes for this day; this time, it’s about eating tamales.

December 13, 2024January 13, 2025

Small Bites: Pho DaLat, Speedboat Coffee, Tamales and Other Portland Food News

Pho DaLat turns ten. If you drive east on Sandy past 205 into Parkrose, no doubt you’ve seen this Vietnamese restaurant on the south side of NE Sandy Blvd and NE 103rd. They’ve been around for ten years, though I always had the impression it was longer than that. They are celebrating their 10th anniversary all throughout December by giving you 10% off your bill. 10232 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland

March 3, 2022March 3, 2022

Top 5 Posts on Bridgetown Bites, February 2022

It’s always interesting to see what readers especially like on this little blog—food news dominates, and it’s heartening to see you all like dumplings as much as I do. So here’s what got the most traffic in February 2022. As always, thanks for reading!

5. City Bridge & Tunnel Bar to Open Downtown in the Spring

cocktail-city-bridge-tunnel-portland-oregon

A new bar opening in downtown Portland? Maybe the pandemic really is slowing down. In any case, it’s a good thing—City Bridge & Tunnel, a cocktail bar in the old Shift Drinks space is looking to open this spring, hopefully in March.

February 17, 2022February 17, 2022

Tamales Festival at Portland Mercado February 25-27

I’m going to tell you something that’s a little embarrassing—last month was the very first time I ever visited the Portland Mercado. I’ve lived in Portland for a number of years now, and it took me all this time to make it there. So, please—don’t make my mistake. Go soon—and why not for the upcoming Tamales Festival?