This family-owned Texas business transformed a family tamale recipe into an empire with eight locations and nationwide shipping.
AUSTIN, Texas — This week marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, and KVUE is celebrating the Hispanic voices that help shape the Central Texas community.
Among those voices is a mother-daughter team that took a secret family recipe and turned it into a tamale empire.
Delicious Tamales began with $500 and a lot of determination. 45 years ago, Valerie Gonzalez rolled up her sleeves —and her tamales— and launched what would grow into a comfort food powerhouse, now boasting eight locations across Central Texas and offering nationwide shipments.
All of that success has remained in the family. Gonzalez’s daughter, Herlinda Lopez-Wood, now works alongside her mother, helping carry the business and the family tradition into the next generation. At their factory, “going to work” often means spending quality time with loved ones.
“I remember when they were really young and they used to run around in the factory, and she grew into the business. So I always remember that it’s, it’s real family oriented for us,” Gonzalez said.
Now, it’s Lopez-Wood’s children who run through the factory halls as she once did. The tamales made in the factory still follow the same cherished family recipe. Employees cook the corn and grind it fresh daily, and each tamale is packed with a unique blend of spices that gives their 13 flavors a distinct, savory kick.
Beyond serving comfort food, Delicious Tamales is also committed to community impact. The business partners with schools in the San Antonio area, helping students raise money for field trips and other events by selling tamales.
Over the years, Gonzalez and Lopez-Wood have seen tamales grow beyond a cultural staple and into a universally loved dish.
“Tamales used to be mostly a Hispanic cultural thing, a traditional thing, but now it’s cut across all cultures. Everybody loves tamales, and especially during the holidays,” Gonzalez said.
Delicious Tamales currently operates six storefronts in San Antonio and two in Austin. The business also ships nationwide, which becomes especially popular during the holiday season.
This weekend, the business is set to cater a special tailgate event for the University of Texas School of Social Work, which is another nod to the lasting impact of a small family business with big flavor and even bigger heart.