Tamal Express: Authentic Mexican Food in The Bronx, NY

Tamal Express Introduce

For New Yorkers in search of authentic and delicious Mexican cuisine, Tamal Express is a genuine culinary gem in The Bronx. This Mexican restaurant has established itself as a must-visit destination for its top-notch, authentic, and fresh food. Beyond its primary specialty, which, as the name suggests, is tamales, the restaurant offers an extensive menu that caters to a wide range of tastes, including everything from classic street tacos to hearty burritos and nachos. It's a place that prides itself on creating a welcoming and friendly atmosphere, where customers feel the genuine care and passion of the owners in every dish.

Tamal Express identifies as a Latino-owned and women-owned business, which adds to its community-focused charm and authenticity. The dedication of the owners is a recurring theme in customer reviews, highlighting their kindness and the exceptional service provided. This personal touch makes the dining experience more than just a meal; it's a chance to feel welcomed and appreciated. The atmosphere is casual, making it a comfortable spot for families and individuals alike. Whether you're looking for a quick bite or a full meal, the restaurant offers a relaxed environment suitable for any occasion, from solo dining to a family outing.

The popularity of Tamal Express for breakfast, lunch, and dinner speaks to its versatility and the quality of its offerings throughout the day. Customers rave about the freshness and taste of the food, often citing the tamales as the "best in the Bronx." The restaurant has successfully blended traditional flavors with a modern, customer-centric approach, solidifying its place as a favorite among locals and a discovery for those new to the area.

Tamal Express is located at 70 W 183rd St, Bronx, NY 10453, USA. This location makes it a convenient spot for residents and visitors in the University Heights area of The Bronx. The restaurant's presence on a well-known street ensures easy access, whether you're arriving by car, public transit, or on foot.

A key feature of the restaurant's accessibility is its wheelchair-accessible entrance, making it a welcoming place for everyone in the community. The restaurant is well-positioned to serve a bustling part of the borough, and its convenient location is a major factor in its popularity. For those who prefer to eat at home, the restaurant's delivery and takeout services, available through popular platforms, ensure that you can enjoy their delicious food wherever you are. For customers who want to visit in person, the physical address is a simple destination to navigate to for a fulfilling meal.

Tamal Express offers a broad array of services and a diverse menu to satisfy every craving for authentic Mexican food.

Service Options: The restaurant provides Delivery, Takeout, and Dine-in options, giving customers the freedom to choose how they want to enjoy their meal.
Dining Options: Tamal Express is a popular spot for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. It also serves dessert, making it a complete dining destination for any time of day.
Offerings: The menu is expansive and includes a variety of comfort foods, quick bites, and small plates. Highlights include authentic tamales, a selection of tacos (both classic street style and loaded), burritos, nachos, tortas, and quesadillas.
Beverages: The restaurant offers a wide range of drinks, including hot beverages like coffee and traditional Mexican drinks like Champurrado and Rice With Milk. They also have a great selection of fresh juices and smoothies, as well as a variety of cold bottled beverages.
Family-Friendly: The establishment is noted as being good for kids and has a family-friendly crowd, making it an excellent choice for a meal out with the entire family.
Pet-Friendly: For those with furry companions, the restaurant has a "dogs allowed outside" policy, adding a layer of convenience for pet owners.

The extensive menu and flexible service options ensure that Tamal Express can meet the needs of a diverse clientele and for a variety of occasions.

Several key features make Tamal Express a standout choice for authentic Mexican cuisine in The Bronx.

Authentic and Fresh Food: Customers consistently praise the food for being fresh and authentic. The tamales, in particular, are a highlight, with one reviewer noting they were "not overly oily" and "generously sized." The al pastor burrito was also described as "amazing and so fresh."
Fast Service: Despite the high quality of the food, the service is known for being fast and efficient. This makes it an ideal spot for a quick and satisfying meal without a long wait.
Friendly and Welcoming Staff: The kindness of the owners and staff is a recurring theme in reviews. Customers feel well taken care of, with one mentioning the cashier gave them "the absolute best service."
Extensive Menu: Beyond tamales, the menu is extensive and diverse. The selection includes multiple types of tacos, burritos, nachos, quesadillas, tortas, and even empanadas, ensuring there is something for every taste.
Payment Flexibility: The restaurant accepts a range of modern payment methods, including credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments, making transactions quick and seamless.

These highlights demonstrate a commitment to both product quality and customer experience.

To get in touch with Tamal Express, you can use the following information:

Address: 70 W 183rd St, Bronx, NY 10453, USA

Phone: (718) 676-0077

The phone number is particularly useful for placing orders for takeout or delivery and for any other inquiries. The physical address is the go-to for dine-in visits.

Choosing Tamal Express is an excellent decision for anyone in New York seeking a true taste of Mexican comfort food. The combination of authentic, high-quality dishes and exceptional customer service makes it a worthwhile visit. The food is made with genuine care, and this is evident in the positive reviews about the freshness and taste of the tamales and other menu items. Unlike many chain restaurants, Tamal Express provides a personal, neighborhood-like experience that makes you feel valued as a customer. The fact that it is a family-owned, women-owned, and Latino-owned business also means that you are supporting a local establishment that puts its heart and soul into its work.

The convenience of their services, including a full menu available for delivery and takeout, ensures that you can enjoy their food whether you are dining in, on a lunch break, or relaxing at home. The extensive menu, from a variety of tamales to different types of tacos and tortas, means there's always something new and exciting to try. In a city with countless dining options, Tamal Express stands out by offering a memorable and satisfying experience that keeps people coming back, making it a true find in The Bronx.

Tamal Express Food & drink

Tortas de Tamal
Torta Mole $4.88
Torta Rajas Con Queso $4.88
Torta Salsa Roja $4.88
Torta Chicharron En Salsa De Chipotle $4.88
Torta Piña $4.88
Torta Salsa Verde $4.88
Torta Guajillo $4.88
Torta Raisin $4.88

Bowls
Chorizo Bowl $18.53
The perfect bowl — starting with our homemade orange rice, seasoned black beans, fresh salad, and house-made pico de Gallo, large enough to share, but you won't want to
Grilled Steak Bowl $17.84
The perfect bowl — starting with our homemade orange rice, seasoned black beans, fresh salad, and house-made pico de gallo
Grilled Chicken Bowl $18.53
The perfect bowl — starting with our homemade orange rice, seasoned black beans, fresh salad, and house-made pico de Gallo, large enough to share, but you won't want to
Marinated Pork Bowl $18.53
The perfect bowl — starting with our homemade orange rice, seasoned black beans, fresh salad, and house-made pico de Gallo, large enough to share, but you won't want to

Nachos
Grilled Chicken Nachos $17.21
A generous bed of crunchy tortilla chips layered with melted cheese, homemade black beans, lettuce, pico de gallo, sour cream, and our marinated grilled chicken tender and flavorful with every bite. Built for sharing, or not
Plain Nachos $13.28
A generous bed of crunchy tortilla chips layered with melted cheese, homemade black beans, lettuce, onion, cilantro, tomato, zesty jalapeños, sour cream, and Monterey Jack/Cotija cheese, flavor with every bite. Built for sharing… or not
Nachos Al Pastor $17.21
A generous bed of crunchy tortilla chips layered with melted cheese, homemade black beans, lettuce, onion, cilantro, tomato, zesty jalapeños, sour cream, and Monterey Jack/cotija cheese. Al pastor is tender and flavorful with every bite. Built for sharing or not.
Cured Beef Nachos $17.21
A generous bed of crunchy tortilla chips layered with melted cheese, homemade black beans, lettuce, onion, cilantro, tomato, zesty jalapeños, sour cream, Monterey Jack/cotija cheese, and chorizo is tender and flavorful with every bite. Built for sharing or not
Grilled Steak Nachos $17.21
A generous bed of crunchy tortilla chips layered with melted cheese, homemade black beans, lettuce, onion, cilantro, tomato, zesty jalapeños, sour cream, and our grilled steak, tender and flavorful with every bite. Built for sharing or not
Marinated Pork Nachos $17.21
A generous bed of crunchy tortilla chips layered with melted cheese, homemade black beans, lettuce, onion, cilantro, tomato, zesty jalapeños, sour cream, and our marinated pork tender and flavorful with every bite. Built for sharing or not
Chorizo Nachos $17.21
A generous bed of crunchy tortilla chips layered with melted cheese, homemade black beans, lettuce, onion, cilantro, tomato, zesty jalapeños, sour cream, Monterey Jack/cotija cheese, and chorizo is tender and flavorful with every bite. Built for sharing or not

Smoothie/Jugo Natural
Large Smoothie $8.10
Make it your own!
The Juicer, Small $5.62
Make it your own!
Small OJ $6.56
Fresh Orange Juice
Large OJ $8.45
Fresh Squeezed OJ
The Juicer, Large $9.75
Make it your own!
Small Smoothie $7.16
Make it your own!

Quesadillas
Cheese Quesadilla $14.58
Just a regular cheese quesadilla
Pollo A La Mexicana Quesadilla $11.66
Chicken sautéed with tomato and onion folded in a flour tortilla with melted Monterey Jack cheese. Served with a side of lettuce, tomato, onion, and sour cream
Tinga Quesadilla $11.66
Chicken sautéed in a mild chipotle sauce, folded into a flour tortilla with melted Monterey Jack cheese. Served with a side of lettuce, tomato, onion, and sour cream
Grilled Steak Quesadilla $14.58
Grilled steak folded in a flour tortilla with melted Monterey Jack cheese. Served with a side of lettuce, tomato, onion, and sour cream
Marinated Pork Quesadilla $11.66
Marinated pork folded in a flour tortilla with melted Monterey Jack cheese. Served with a side of lettuce, tomato, onion, and sour cream
Grilled Chicken Quesadilla $11.66
Grilled chicken folded in a flour tortilla with melted Monterey Jack cheese. Served with a side of lettuce, tomato, onion, and sour cream
Chorizo Quesadilla $14.58
Spicy Mexican sausage (chorizo) folded in a flour tortilla with melted Monterey Jack cheese. Served with a side of lettuce, tomato, onion, and sour cream

Tamales
Regalo $3.66
A sweet tamal made with raisins
Pork Rind In Chipotle Sauce $2.82
Pork rind in a mild chipotle sauce
Piña $3.66
A sweet tamal with pineapple
Salsa Verde $2.82
Chicken in a spicy green jalapeño sauce
Salsa Roja $2.82
Chicken in a spicy red jalapeño sauce
Mole $2.82
Chicken in a mild Mole sauce
Steamed To Order $0.00
These tamales are steamed to order. Get them as fresh as they come, a minimum of ten (10) tamales per order. Cook time is approximately thirty-five (35) minutes
Guajillo $3.66
Pork in a mild Guajillo sauce

Bebidas Calientes
Café Large $3.10
Just coffee, 16 Oz
Champurrado Large $3.77
The nectar of Mexican gods, 16 Oz
Champurrado Small $3.66
The nectar of Mexican gods, 10 Oz
Rice With Milk Small $3.66
The end of year beverage you can drink every day, 10 Oz
Rice With Milk Large $3.77
The end-of-year beverage you can drink every day, 16 Oz
Café Small $1.84
Just coffee, 10 Oz

Classic Street Tacos
Chorizo - Street $5.51
Bold and smoky Mexican chorizo, cooked to a sizzle, is tucked into warm corn tortillas with fresh cilantro, onions, and lime. Spicy, savory, and straight to the point
Grilled Chicken - Street $5.51
Marinated grilled chicken seared on a hot griddle with a touch of oil, served in warm corn tortillas with fresh cilantro, chopped onion, and lime. Mild, juicy, and authentically satisfying
Cured Beef - Street $5.51
Thick cut, salted, and air-cured beef, grilled until tender and juicy. A classic no-frills taco with bold, meaty flavor in every bite
Al Pastor - Street $5.51
Tender pork marinated in mild chili adobo, grilled with sweet pineapple for a perfect balance of smoky, juicy, and sweet flavors, comes with cilantro, onion and lime
Grilled Steak - Street $5.51
Sliced steak marinated in a savory blend of spices, seared on a hot griddle, and served in warm corn tortillas with chopped onion, cilantro, and lime. Bold, juicy, and straight from the streets of Mexico
Carnitas - Street $5.51
Slow-cooked pork, tender inside with crispy edges. A no-frills taco that delivers deep flavor in every bite — pure street-style tradition, comes with onion, cilantro, lime, and spicy pickled Jalapeño
Marinated Pork - Street $5.51
Pork marinated in a bold blend of dried Mexican chiles and spices, seared on the griddle for deep, smoky flavor. A street-style classic, no extras needed

Tortas
Torta Milanesa Pollo $11.75
Breaded chicken sandwich, comes with beans, mayonnaise, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickled jalapeño
Torta Chorizo Con Huevo $11.75
Spicy Mexican sausage and egg comes with beans, mayonnaise, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickled jalapeño
Torta Pollo A La Plancha $11.75
Torta Bistec A La Pancha $11.75
Torta Milanesa De Res $11.75
Breaded steak sandwich, comes with beans, mayonnaise, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickled jalapeño.
Spiced Pork Torta $11.75
Spiced pork sandwich, comes with beans, mayonnaise, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickled jalapeño
Torta Chorizo $11.75
Spicy Mexican sausage and egg, sandwich, comes with beans, mayonnaise, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickled jalapeño
Spicy Mexican Sausage Torta $11.75
Spicy Mexican Sausage sandwich, comes with beans, mayonnaise, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion and pickled jalapeño

Pastelitos
Chorizo With Cheese Empanada $2.82
Spicy Mexican Sausage and cheese empanada
Chicken Empanada $3.10
Chicken Empanada
Cheese And Ham Empanada $3.10
Ham and cheese empanada
Ground Beef Empanada $3.10
Ground beef empanada
Cheese Empanada $3.10
Cheese empanada

Tacos Dorados
Cheese Flautas $11.22
Fried cheese tacos topped with cilantro, onion, lettuce, tomato, cheese, and sour cream. The order comes with five tacos
Sauteed Chicken Flauta $11.22
Chicken sauteed with tomato and onion topped with cilantro, onion, lettuce, tomato, cheese, and sour cream. The order comes with five tacos

Housemade Corn Quesadillas
Housemade Cheese Quesadilla $10.76
A thick, golden corn tortilla made fresh by hand, stuffed with melted Monterey Jack and cotija cheese, crisp lettuce, and a touch of sour cream. Hearty, cheesy, and satisfying
Housemade Grilled Chicken Quesadilla $10.76
A thick, golden corn tortilla made fresh by hand, stuffed with tender grilled chicken, melty Monterey Jack and cotija cheese, crisp lettuce, and a touch of sour cream. Hearty, cheesy, and satisfying
Housemade Tinga Quesadilla $10.76
A thick, golden corn tortilla made fresh by hand, stuffed with tender chicken sauteed in a mild chipotle sauce, melty Monterey Jack and cotija cheese, crisp lettuce, and a touch of sour cream. Hearty, cheesy, and satisfying
Housemade Grilled Steak Quesadilla $10.76
A thick, golden corn tortilla made fresh by hand, stuffed with tender grilled steak, melty Monterey Jack and cotija cheese, crisp lettuce, and a touch of sour cream. Hearty, cheesy, and satisfying
Housemade Marinated Pork Quesadilla $10.76
A thick, golden corn tortilla made fresh by hand, stuffed with tender marinated pork, melty monterey jack and cotija cheese, crisp lettuce, and a touch of sour cream. Hearty, cheesy, and satisfying
Housemade Tinga Quesadilla $10.76
A thick, golden corn tortilla made fresh by hand, stuffed with tender chicken sauteed with onion and tomato, melty Monterey Jack and cotija cheese, crisp lettuce, and a touch of sour cream. Hearty, cheesy, and satisfying
Housemade Chorizo Quesadilla $10.76
A thick, golden corn tortilla made fresh by hand, stuffed with spicy grilled chorizo, melty Monterey Jack and cotija cheese, crisp lettuce, and a touch of sour cream. Hearty, cheesy, and satisfying

Burrito
Cured Beef (Cecina) Burrito $13.54
Cured steak burritos are filled with lettuce, tomato, onion, cilantro, black beans, sour cream, rice, and cheese inside a Big 12" tortilla
Grilled Chicken Burrito $13.54
Grilled chicken burritos are filled with lettuce, tomato, onion, cilantro, black beans, sour cream, rice, and cheese inside a Big 12" tortilla
Grilled Steak Burrito $13.54
Grilled steak burritos are filled with lettuce, tomato, onion, cilantro, black beans, sour cream, rice, and cheese inside a Big 12" tortilla
Spicy Mexican Sausage Burrito $13.54
Spicy Mexican sausage (chorizo) filled with lettuce, tomato, onion, cilantro, black beans, sour cream, rice, and cheese. Spicy salsa verde and roja served on the side.
Al Pastor Burrito $13.54
Marinated pork with pineapple burritos are filled with lettuce, tomato, onion, cilantro, black beans, sour cream, rice, and cheese inside a Big 12" tortilla
Marinated Pork Burrito $13.54
Marinated pork burritos are filled with lettuce, tomato, onion, cilantro, black beans, sour cream, rice, and cheese inside a Big 12" tortilla

Cold Beverages
Jarritos $3.10
Mexican soda. Flavor options: Tangerine (mandarina), Pineapple (piña), Tamarind (tamarindo), Grapefruit (toronja), Tutti frutti
Canada Dry Ginger Ale $1.84
Ginger Ale, 12 Oz
Pepsi $2.83
12 Oz can or 20 Oz bottle
Sangria (Alcohol Free) $3.10
17.7oz. bottle
Snapple $3.10
Flavor options include: Mango, Fruit punch, Peach tea, Apple, and Strawberry kiwi
Coca-Cola $2.83
12 Oz can or 20 Oz bottle
Canada Dry Seltzer (Can) $1.84
12 Oz Can
Sunkist (Can) $1.84
12 Oz
Poland Spring Bottled Water $1.84
Water, 16.9 Oz
Grapefruit Squirt (Can) $1.84
12 Oz

Tostadas
Spicy Mexican Sausage $9.82
Essentially, a flat taco. Comes with lettuce, tomato, onion, sour cream, and cotija cheese.
Tostada Tinga $9.82
Chicken sauteed in a mild chipotle sauce
Grilled Steak Tostada $9.82
Essentially, a flat taco. Comes with lettuce, tomato, onion, sour cream, and cotija cheese. The order comes with two.
Tostada Pollo A La Mexicana $9.82
Grilled Chicken Tostada $9.82
Essentially, a flat taco. Comes with lettuce, tomato, onion, sour cream, and cotija cheese.
Spiced Pork Tostada $9.82
Essentially, a flat taco. Comes with lettuce, tomato, onion, sour cream, and cotija cheese, order comes with two

Sides And Sauces
Mayochup $0.52
Guacamole $7.57
French Fries $5.20
Guacamole N Chips $9.73
Sour Cream $0.52
Green Sauce $0.52
Avocado Slices $0.99
Red Sauce $0.52

Loaded Tacos
Chorizo - Loaded $6.46
Chorizo tacos piled high with lettuce, tomato, cilantro, onion, cheese (cotija), and sour cream— a bold, flavorful twist on a street classic
Grilled Chicken - Loaded $6.46
Juicy grilled chicken tacos piled high with lettuce, tomato, cilantro, onion, cheese (cotija), and sour cream— a bold, flavorful twist on a street classic
Carnitas - Loaded $6.46
Slow-cooked pork, tender inside with crispy edges. A no-frills taco that delivers deep flavor in every bite — Comes with lettuce, tomato, onion, cilantro, sour cream and cheese
Al Pastor - Loaded $6.46
Juicy marinated pork, seared with pineapple and piled high with lettuce, tomato, cilantro, onion, cheese (cotija), and sour cream— a bold, flavorful twist on a street classic
Marinated Pork - Loaded $6.46
Marinated pork tacos piled high with lettuce, tomato, cilantro, onion, cheese (cotija), and sour cream— a bold, flavorful twist on a street classic
Grilled Steak - Loaded $6.46
Grilled steak tacos piled high with lettuce, tomato, cilantro, onion, cheese (cotija), and sour cream— a bold, flavorful twist on a street classic
Cured Beef - Loaded $6.46
Cured beef tacos piled high with lettuce, tomato, cilantro, onion, cheese (cotija), and sour cream— a bold, flavorful twist on a street classic

Aguas Frescas
Hibiscus $7.49
Hibiscus, 16 Oz or 24 oz
Horchata $7.49
A refreshing rice and cinnamon drink. 16 Oz or 24 oz
Passion Fruit $7.49
Made with real Passion Fruit, 16 Oz or 24 oz

Tamal Express Details

From the business
Identifies as Latino-owned
Identifies as women-owned

Service options
Delivery
Takeout
Dine-in

Highlights
Fast service

Popular for
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Assistive hearing loop
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Wheelchair accessible restroom

Offerings
Coffee
Comfort food
Quick bite
Small plates

Dining options
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Dessert
Table service

Amenities
Restroom

Atmosphere
Casual

Crowd
Family-friendly

Planning
Accepts reservations

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Children
Good for kids

Pets
Dogs allowed outside

Tamal Express Photos

Tamal Express Location

Tamal Express

New York Bronx County University Heights West 183rd Street

70 W 183rd St, Bronx, NY 10453, USA

Tamal Express Reviews

An average rating of ★4.9 from 91 user reviews.

pricesjuicetacosrajasfamily owned businessgreen saucetortapastelitosempanadastamarind

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

This place is a must-go to spot. I got the tamales preparados and they were soo good. The tamales were generously sized, filled with plenty of chicken, and not overly oily. In addition, the prices were very reasonable. What truly made the experience welcoming, however, were the owners themselves. They were kind, friendly, and it’s clear they put genuine care into both their food and the business they are running.
September 26 · Tania Lopez
Amazing authentic food, welcomed me in and made me feel welcome especially the cashier who made sure to take care of me and gave me the absolute best service. Had the burrito Al pastor and was amazing and so fresh. Will definitely be returning since I think I found my new favorite place to eat. Highly recommend.
July 23 · Juan Clavijo
I’m gonna start off this review by saying that the service was amazing. It is a family owned business and they make you feel very welcomed. The food was amazing! The portions were generous. Best salsa verde, it is not watery compared to other places.They also make their corn flour tortillas in house for the quesadillas. 10/10 recommend.
March 22 · Oscar Merejo
Amazing food and service! One of the best places for food in the area. Family owned. Incredibly kind. I’d highly recommend
March 29 · Michael Anderson
Everything I’ve ever ordered from here has been delicious. The torta de tamal con piña y mole is one of my favorites and something I’ve never seen at any other Mexican spot. The torta de chorizo con huevo is another favorite. Lastly, their service & quick delivery is what keeps me coming back. 10000/10
September 07 · Kristie Marino