Panadería Guatemalteca La Mejor

📍 1725 S 1st St, Suite B, Garland, TX 75040

If you have only ever had Mexican-style tamales, you NEED to try these. Mexican tamales are steamed in corn husks, so the masa is firmer and fluffier. Guatemalan tamales are wrapped in banana leaves: the masa is softer, silkier, almost creamy, and the leaf gives it a subtle earthy flavor you cannot get from a husk. Theirs are filled with tender pork in a rich red recado sauce and they are everything.

This family-owned spot has been baking in Garland since 1995 and it shows. My kids love coming here to try the sweet breads, and around World Cup season they even did the cutest themed conchas.