I needed some ingredients for carnitas that I was making, so I headed over to the Mexican grocery store on Washington St. in Painesville. Now, I’ve talked about my love of this place before, but like any old love, I’m always finding new reasons to love it even more.

So my big gringo ass walks in there looking for some limes and peppers when I see these two big pots in the middle of the store. I think nothing of them, but as I walk by I feel this heat radiating off of them.

Not seeing anyone around, I take off the lid to find this beautiful sight:

Tamales! And lots of them.

Intrigued, I opened the other pot, it too was filled with tamales, but these had green centers.

I asked the lady working the counter what exactly was in each. She came over to explain that one was pork and tomato, the other was poblano and cheese. Only $1.50 each too.

Not knowing the quality here, I picked up one of each just to try them. That was a mistake.

Surprisingly, the pork tamale was merely ok. It had a crapload of dried peppers in it and I couldn’t feel my tongue after two bites. Still good flavor though.

What’s going to have me going back next Saturday to pick up more of these where the poblano and cheese tamales. There were the best tasting tamales I’ve ever had. Bar none. And I’ve had em from the little Mexican grandma who makes them once a month. The little salty pieces of cheese cooled down the spicy poblanos, a perfect combination.

If you’re planning on making a trip for these, and I’d highly recommend that you do, do it early. From what I was told, by noon those giant pots are empty.

And you could pick up a few for me while you’re there, no?

• Taco Thursday at the Mexican Grocery Store
• Carnitas Recipe – Easy Oven Method
• Deep Fried Pork Butt
• Food During My Trip to the South
• I Need Your Help