Jaime Solis

The Pearl’s annual ode to the tamale is this Saturday, which will likely prove (again) to be a great event for friends and family a like.

Tamales! at The Pearl will include 40 different tamale vendors that will serve up their creative take on the tamale – not to mention enough drinks and entertainment to go around.

The Pearl sent a film crew to last year’s event, capturing the festive mood:

Weather reports for this weekend predict a wintry 41 degrees, but don’ let that stop you. Tamales have the power to keep you warm. Okay, not technically, but if you eat a spicy one, it might help.

These things go quick! Photo courtesy of atpearl.com.
These things go quick! Photo courtesy of atpearl.com.

Several vendors will compete for “Best Tamale”  in three categories: best chicken tamale, pork tamale, and a “Wild Card” for something unique and different.

I hope all the abuelitas from around San Antonio come out and compete for the title of “Best Tamale in San Antonio.”

Since the Tamale is as synonymous with San Antonio winters as the heat is with San Antonio summers, we would like to gauge our readers on what they think makes a great tamale.

Is it the homemade masa? The tenderness of the pork, cooked to perfection? What makes your family’s tamales unique?

In my opinion, my Mom makes the best tamales – naturally.  She’s not pinche with the meat. She fills that thing up. After eating three of them I’m stuffed, but I always find myself eating more.

Share your thoughts and you will be entered into a drawing to win a $25 gift card to be used at any of the shops at The Pearl.

No tamalada would be complete without music. Photo courtesy of atpearl.com
No tamalada would be complete without music. Photo courtesy of atpearl.com

To enter, leave your comment below this article or comment on our Facebook page story link (these comments are imported to our website) and your name will be entered into the drawing.

When commenting here, include your first and last name along with your email address in the appropriate fields. Your email will not be visible to the public unless you enter it into the comment text field. We advise you to enter it into the provided field so that only our team can see it – it will not be used for any purpose but to contact winners.

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The contest starts right now and ends tonight – Thursday – at midnight. We will announce two winners Friday morning.

Be sure to catch Tamales! at The Pearl this Saturday in front of the old brewhouse.  The event is free for everyone 12-6 p.m.

Jaime Solis is the Director of Marketing and Development for the Rivard Report. You can follow him on Twitter at @_JaimeSolis and contact him at jaime@rivardreport.com.

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Jaime Solis is the director of development and advertising sales for the Rivard Report. You can contact him at jaime@rivardreport.com.