It's More like XLNT Tamales are a Food of the 60's!!!!!!!! But, they are RIGHT, no others taste as good!! I went to HS in CA, and we had a "Snack Shak" in the Quad and I ate them for Lunch almost Every day, along w/ a bag of Cheetos and a Coke!! MMMMMMMM What a Fond Memory that is!!

These are so good, have a great recipe for them.

You can buy them in S. California - any Albertsons. S. Ca had the best food ever! Danny Dogs, Tommy's, Fatburger, InNOut, Xlnt tamales and chili. Many are available elsewhere, but you have to go to the original locations in S. Ca to get the real taste. I can't live without them so I have family send them to me in N. California.

I grew up with these. My family owned the company that made them. It was called Alex's Foods in Anaheim, Ca. I recently saw them in some store. It may have been Albertsons. They also made pinata burritos that I used to get at the snack shack at school. I used to put ketchup on them - yuk! They've since sold the co. and I have not had one in probably a decade. I think I will head to Albertsons this week to pick some up.

I lived in Southern California in the late 70's thru the middle 80's My husband and I love XLNT Tamales and would love to be able to order them problem is we now live in NC and have no idea where to purchase this product could any one help

Hey Donna y Everyone: Just found this! This is what you are looking for! http://www.donmiguel.com/

Horhay, Is your Family, Alex Morales?? I'm looking for someone from that family. Isabel Morales, daughter of Alex, any thoughts???

We just found some XLNT Tamales at a local grocer, and they are NOT what they used to be :( After I got home with them, after not having one in years, I was horrified by the smell, and taste. However, the "use by date" said to use product by 2 days ago, so they might be bad, but even so, they still smell really funny. I'm hoping they are just bad, because I loved these tamales as a kid growing up in Long Beach!

I too, have fond memories of these store bought Tamales. I used to buy these in the 70's when visiting my sister in Southern Cal. They were the "bomb" for this young Canuck teen guy back then. Frozen and Wrapped in white plastic, weeped when you boiled them at 2 AM. Damn, They were good !!! I have had authentic Tamales many times, but nothing meets that boiled bag, pasty memory from the past. Funny how the little things mean so much now. still cravin' XLNT in Canada.

I just have to say that I miss Danny's Dogs in the Valley and XLNT tamales. But, they are in Albertsons in S. Cal. Funny thing, they do have carrot strips in them now - I don't remember that part. And, Tommy's, IN N OUT and the others are what makes S. Cal the best part of the U.S. I miss that good, greasy, calorie laden food and I am a very healthy adult, just the same.

Hey Horhay: Looking for some history...where did your family purchase XLNT from?

I'm quite happy to report that XLNT tamales are alive and kicking in Northern California. You can buy them at Smart and Final (in San Mateo or Redwood City)!

I just had one. I find them from time to time frozen at the grocery outlet. I like them! The bag said xlnt foods inc. 174 w foothill blvd #322 monrovia ca 91076

Hey So. Ca Gal. You say you have a recipe for these??? It's been almost a year since you posted, so I'm really hoping you keep up on this site!

Went to Hoarce Mann JR. High in Los Angeles in the mid 50's. One of the guys at school was the son of the owner I was told. He had a neat 55 Plymouth Fury in Jr. Hi. ??? Was his dad the person that owned the Morales Bros. sprint car that raced at Ascot?

Forgot insert the name of the race car. "Tamale Wagon"

In the 60's & 70's I used to eat these XLNT Tamales and they were great! I haven't had any tamales as good as those since. I went to Washington High (L.A.) I live in Austin TX now, and would really love to taste those XLNT tamales again! Is there a store anywhere in Texas that sells them? HELP!!!

As a kid I remember the plant was on valley boulevard on the way to lincoln park. If my memory serves me correctly you could get them hot and only paid 5 cents. Of course this was back in the early 1950's. Hillside village was a great place to grow up and Multnomah was a great elementary school

Hey All... I don't think I've had these tamales before, but after reading all your comments about them, I couldn't help but look up some info. XLNT has there own website and list of stores you can find their Tamales. If you're interested to see them around your area they have a contact site that wants to hear from you! =0) Good Luck! http://www.xlntfoods.com/store-locations/

Alex Tamale Co. Factory and Vehicles, Anaheim Alex Tamale Co. factory, opened in the 1920s and located at 415 South Olive Street, Anaheim; company began in 1906 when Alex Morales, Sr. rode a horse-drawn wagon through the streets of Anaheim selling his wife's home-cooked tamales; in 1915 operated a restaurant on North Los Angeles Street (now Anaheim Blvd.); currently on Orangethorpe Avenue, Alex Foods Inc. incorporated in 1951; image shows portion of back and side of the factory at left, with eight delivery vehicles parked along the wall; vehicles painted on the side with "ALEX'S" and on the doors with "ALEX TAMALE CO. / 415 SO. OLIVE ST. / ANAHEIM, CALIF. / PHONE 3520"; residence at 424 South Olive is visible across the street in the background. Date:ca. 1950 (issued)

Founded in 1908 as Alex Foods, now Don Miguel Mexican Foods, Inc. relocated to 1501 W. Orangewood Ave.,donmiguel.com, is one of the largest premium prepared food manufacturers in southern California. Current brands include: El Charrito Dinners and Entrees, Don Miguel Burritos, XLNT Chili con Carne and Tamales, Pinata Burritos, Lean Ole'! 98% Fat Free Dinners, Entrees and Burritos. Lucca Ravioli, Tortellini and Pasta Sauce are also manufactured by Don Miguel Mexican Foods, Inc.

Several years ago I traveled to SoCal on business and returned to the East with some of the “new breed” XLNT tamales. I was disappointed! They were NOT the super tasty tamales that I remember from the 60s and 70s when I originally had them. The new ones were much smaller, had too much masa, and no black olive trapped inside! The only thing that remained unchanged was the packaging. If the company reverts to the original style, I’d make a special trip out there and buy a truck load!

Merry Christmas to all! Tamales for Christmas is a "tradition" in Arizona that I did not grow up with, but out searching for xlnt tamales, I could not find them. I grew up in Bakersfield, California in the 50's and 60's and remember the large white wrapped tamales in the frozen food department at Thriftymart. They were the best. By the way, as bad as it sounds, ketchup is the way to go with tamales in California. The only way to go!

Grew up in So. Calif. XlNT tamales are the best. Live in OK now and can't buy them. Usually pick up a few dozen when I'm in Vegas in the winter time and bring them back on the plane. My kids love them.

They use to sell XLNT tamales and chili at the Fred Meyer stores here in Oregon. The last time I bought 3 packages and when I got them home to cook I found they had expired SIX MONTHS prior to the time I bought them. What a disipointment. I have visited SoCal the past couple of summers and they still sell them there. I also spent many afternoons at my Huntington Beach HS quad eating them for lunch. Like everything else, quality has suffered in the mad quest for profits above a quality product. Too bad.

Anyone remember the XLINT mini-tacos? I still live in SoCal and I love the XLINT tamales, but I sorely miss are the XLINT mini-tacos that came in that little aluminum tray that I would heat and eat. Anyone know if the mini-tacos still exist?

Living in Dallas now, but liveD in Los Angeles in the 50's. love those tamales XLINT. Where can I buy in Dallas?

Grew up in San Fernando Valley,and one of our favorite foods was tamale pie,made with XLNT tamales. I have been in AZ for 17 years now, and no other tamales taste the same. I miss them and chili beans made with XLNT con carne.

i would like to know where to get them in nor calif

Oh how I miss those tamales. I ate them when I was pregnant with my first son. He turned out great.

I to love the XLNT tamales. In the 1980's 3 men came into Acapoco Rest. For a couple of drinks. They said they were having their 50 yr. reunion for Anaheim High School that day. They said they started the XLNT Tamale Co. That they sold it years ago. But they were the start of the Tamale, it was several different names to make the name (XLNT). They talked about the horse tieup post still on Garden Grove Blvd. I had a great day at work just listening to all of their stories. That day listening to their stories put me in a really good mood.

Xlnt tamales were great and so were the burritos at the Snac Shak at Porter Jr. High in Granada Hills. Danny Dogs on Van Nuys was even better in the 70s and you can't find chili dogs like that anymore. Love all the posts, they bring back memories.