Frelard Tamales offers Seattleites a taste of authentic Mexican cuisine in the Green Lake neighborhood.

Osbaldo Hernandez and Dennis Ramey opened Frelard Tamales because they noticed a lack of authentic Mexican tamales in Seattle. Their recipe comes from Osbaldo’s family, who is from Puerto Vallarta on the west coast of Mexico. This recipe has been passed down from generation to generation, and now the team at Frelard Tamales is whipping them up in big batches for the community to enjoy.

I was excited to visit Frelard Tamales because I love all the restaurant does to promote their passion for authentic cuisine, culture, and community. Recently, they have teamed up with a variety of local businesses to offer customers the option to add goodies to their orders like macarons from Alexandra’s Macarons, or a handcrafted candle from Fingerprint & Co. They also have free fresh meals available to anyone economically impacted by COVID-19. I love how their sign at the order window explains, “No questions asked. Just let someone know at the window that you are looking for a free meal. You matter.”

As I stood in the long six-foot spaced out line during a recent visit, I was admiring the mural painted on the side of Frelard Tamales’ wall that says, “Kindness. Community. Cultura.” Frelard Tamales feels like a welcoming in to someone’s home; it is clear that all are welcome, culture is respected and valued, and food made with love and attention is going to be served.

The tamale dough itself offers some flavor—especially when smothered in their homemade spicy salsa—but the filling is where the heart of the dish lies. I am partial to the fajita veggies tamale; I love how it’s packed full with black beans, fajita-style bell peppers, corn, and onion. I also enjoy the salsa roja pork tamale, which is filled with shredded Carlton Farms pork loin cooked in a mild red chile sauce. With each tamale weighing in at half of a pound, I recommend sharing with friends to enjoy a variety of fillings.

Frelard Tamales is open from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm on weekdays, and 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on weekends. You can pick up at the window or order free delivery. Delivery requires a minimum order of 12 tamales, but you can order any of their tamales (anytime) cooked or uncooked.

Frelard Tamales | ​6412 Latona Avenue NE, Seattle | (206) 523-6654