Tamale Boy is a Mexican restaurant chain with multiple locations in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area, in the United States.
Description The menu has included tamales, burritos, enchiladas, mole, and pozoles.
History Initially operating as a food cart, Tamale Boy opened as a brick and mortar restaurant on Northeast Dekum in the Woodlawn neighborhood in 2014. In 2016, a second location opened on Russell Street in the north Portland part of the Eliot neighborhood. In 2020, owner Jaime Soltero Jr. announced plans to expand into a food hall in Happy Valley. In 2022, Soltero announced plans to relocate the business's headquarters from Portland to Tigard. Tamale Boy also caters large events.
Reception Michelle DeVona and Brooke Jackson-Glidden included Tamale Boy in Eater Portland 2021 list of "13 Dynamite Dog-Friendly Bars and Restaurants in Portland". Jackson-Glidden also included the Dekum location in a 2022 list of "Where to Find Tasty Tamales in Portland and Beyond" and wrote, "Likely the most famous spot in Portland for tamales, Tamale Boy’s wide range of both Oaxacan and Northern Mexican variations make it a local favorite." Krista Garcia included the business in Portland Monthly 2025 overview of the best tamales in the metropolitan area. Tamale Boy was a finalist in the Best Catering Service category of Willamette Week annual 'Best of Portland' readers' poll in 2025.
See also
Hispanics and Latinos in Portland, Oregon List of Mexican restaurants
References
External links
Tamale Boy at Fodor's