Tamales by La Casita: A Holiday Tradition in Denver
In Denver, nothing embodies holiday tradition quite like the warm, savory taste of tamales. For many families, tamales are a must-have during the festive season, whether they’re lovingly prepared at home or purchased from a trusted local eatery. For decades, Tamales by La Casita has been the go-to destination for tamales, providing a taste of tradition to those who prefer to skip the labor-intensive preparation.
A Family Legacy of Flavor
Tamales by La Casita, a family-owned business, has been serving Denver for 50 years. The journey began with Paul Sandoval, who started making tamales with his parents before turning the recipe into a thriving business. Today, his wife, Paula Sandoval, oversees the operation, ensuring the tamales stay authentic while adapting to the growing demand.
The menu features classic options like shredded pork with red chile and green chile with cheese, recipes that have been refined over the years.
“Even elderly people come in and say, ‘I’m too old to make tamales, but these are just like mine,’” Paula shared. “That’s one of the highest compliments we can get.”
Meeting Holiday Demand
The holiday season is the busiest time of year for La Casita, with preparations starting as early as October. The team produces more than 12,000 tamales daily, and they’re often sold out by mid-morning.
“This time of year, our tamale workers are working overtime,” Paula explained. “Yesterday, we sold out by 10:30 a.m. It’s hard to keep up during the holidays.”
To meet demand, tamale production begins at 6 a.m. and continues until 3 p.m., including Saturdays. Every tamale is handmade by a dedicated team of workers who prepare the chili, mix the masa, and assemble the tamales without the use of machines.
A Community Favorite
On Denver’s subreddit, locals frequently recommend La Casita as the top spot for holiday tamales. One user summed it up: “Can’t go wrong with La Casita.” Customers flock from across the city and beyond, forming lines outside the establishment as early as 6 a.m. during the holiday rush.
For some, waiting in line has become part of their holiday tradition. “It’s just traditional to wait in line; it’s part of the experience,” Paula said.
Wholesale and Future Growth
In addition to serving customers directly, La Casita operates as a USDA-inspected wholesale facility, supplying tamales to local businesses. This dual role often contributes to daily sellouts, especially during the holidays. Paula recommends purchasing tamales early—sometimes as early as November—and freezing them for Christmas celebrations.
“They freeze really well,” she noted. “We’re doing the best we can; there’s only so much we can make without overworking the team.”
Despite the challenges, Paula is optimistic about the future. She hopes to expand the business to continue serving the Denver community and those who travel long distances for La Casita’s tamales.
“We take our business very seriously and appreciate all of our customers, even those who only come once a year during Christmas,” Paula said. “They’re the reason our small business remains strong.”
A Taste of Tradition
As the holiday season approaches, Tamales by La Casita continues to bring families together over one of Denver’s favorite traditions. Whether it’s through a warm dozen red or green tamales or the joy of waiting in line, La Casita has solidified its place as a cherished part of the city’s holiday celebrations.
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