Hot Tamales

Inexpensive, but better than that, a good healthy lunch that doesn't feel like you over-ate and need a nap. (I am not here speaking of their enormous California burrito, which they advertise by weight, if I recall correctly.) Burritos are less than $3: add rice or beans and you'll cross that boundary. Tacos start at $1.19, and you can splurge by asking for chicken and getting a soft taco shell: still under $1.50. The food is fresh, good, tasty, and enhanced by the chef's hot sauce, which is good enough to drink on its own. This is now my go-to place for lunch, and I regret it isn't open longer hours or weekends, because I'd love to invite friends to try it.

Today was 1st visit to this place . I ordered a veggie bean hard shell taco and a black bean burrito. Service was pleasant and fast and the price was good ($4.15 total). Like similar reviews, the food is just not flavorful. The sauce that they have is hot sauce and does not add much to the food. its so so.

I've tried this place twice and both times their food was just not very good. I've ordered burritos both times and they were so bland I can hardly call it Mexican food. Their meats are effectively flavorless and the guacamole is somehow less flavorful than if you were to just eat a plain avocado. It might be cheap, but two times is enough to learn I should just be getting lunch somewhere else.

2016-06-20 Good place for an inexpensive "American" Mexican-style lunch. If you're looking for authentic Mexican, this is not your place. If instead you want a quick, reasonably-priced eat-in or take-out lunch at/from a CLEAN, well-organized establishment with very efficient and courteous employees, this is your place. Hot Tamale's is one of my weekly lunch stops, because I'm sick of paying $12 for lunch in the Comcast Center food court, and because the food (falafel, gyro, cheese steak) carts get old.

This place is disgusting, not just the food but the people as well. They say they've been there "20 years" so they don't care at all about good food or customer service. I've seen them yell at customers when they're the ones that made mistakes on orders. Do yourself a favor and stay far, far away. The food can't be described as Mexican food anyway. It's more like canned cheese on cheap nachos.

I love HT! I have been a customer for longer than I would like to admit (going back to their days on 20th St) and back then, I would go there 4 days a week (the only reason I didn’t go a 5th day was out of embarrassment! This is a great place for a quick bite and cheap eats. And I really wish I knew what they put in that chili chilito because I’m addicted! It gets crowded mostly around noon so go either before or around 1pm. During nicer weather months, there is outdoor seating, which is nice.

I just purchased two soft turkey tacos with a side of salsa and sour cream and when I walked back to my building across the street and bit into the food it was cold. Even the meat was cold. I wrapped everything back up and came back and told the check out woman the food was cold and she sarcastically responded “well of course it is because the cheese and lettuce are cold.” At that point I said “even the meat was cold” to which she rudely responded “well what do you expect me to do?” I asked could they be made over and she said “no it’s going to be the same so I’ll just give you your money back.” She then rang up $2.76 and then placed it on the counter instead of in my hand. I grabbed my money said thank you and as I turned to walk away she grabs the bag and balls it up very loudly mumbling expletives. I know it’s 2 dollar tacos, but to treat someone that way when your food is cold is unacceptable!