I MADE IT! It's over! Yet, my back has been through more in the last few days that it probably has been in months. I managed to work "safely" and not jack my back up anymore on Christmas Eve. I will attribute that to my sidekick, Rudolf the red nosed reindeer, aka the 11 year old son of our employee Panfila. He is truly a lil guy, almost elf like in size but very sharp mentally and physically strong. I would joke that he was like an ant, he could lift his own weight and then some! I will give him credit for my back not breaking on Monday.
Sleep has been a good friend and our family meal went well. As well as hanging with a couple of my least favorite family members can go. Prime rib, mashed potatoes, blackberry pie...DELICIOUS. Not ONE tamale to be seen! We love providing for folks who like them for the holidays but that's not my family.
Today was chill. I stayed in my PJ's till I had to go to La Borinquena to rerecord the outgoing messages and check on things. One last hurray, some more tamale orders and more masa to sell for leading up to NYE's. Tamale Season is almost over for this year...then we keep going for 2008!
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Sunday, December 23, 2007
To see another day
Wow, yesterday felt like one of the L O N G E S T days of my life, yet it went by SO QUICKLY. This was the first time I wrote the work schedule for our two crazy days. Gilberto and I went in at 1:30am and the drunk, LOUD fools coming out of Mexicali Rose were just as obnoxious as ever. Renee had turned on the ovens at 11pm Friday so we could get a jump start with the first load of tamales. So the first half hour was a blur, Gil and I had to pull out 24 trays (each holding about 3 dozen tamales), then reload the ovens, continue by making 6packs to sell in these boxes called Bio-Pack. They look like larger, flatter Chinese food box and can be a pain to work with since you don't want tamale juice on the outside. So, we work in 130 minute cycles: unload, reload, pack, repeat. We did the first two loads by ourselves but then reinforcements came in every couple hours after that. Things were going well except for when I threw my back out around 7am. POP a painkiller, stretch a bit...the show must go on! Our regular crew, some of their children who work as runners and clean up for a couple of days, and one of my fave Yelpers, Steven G VOLUNTEERS to help out. Like for reals, he has just a great personality and spirit, asks if I'm sure I only want him to work 8am to noon. I say to him, "How about we start there and play it by ear"...the novices are so cute, they have no idea what they are getting themselves into! (to read more from him, http://www.steven-g.com/)
All of the sudden it's time to open, 9am came around so quickly. Customers lined up at the front door ready to pick up tamales, masa and other Mexican treats. I switch to working my tamale corner that takes up the rear dining area. Familiar faces as well a new people walk up to me prepared with their customer numbers to look up the order the placed weeks and days before. Before I know it, hours are ticking by like minutes, so many customers, SO MANY TAMALES. I bop by the grocery dept to see how things are going with Mami and Sweet Bratty Niece. So far, so good and everyone is leaving happy. "Mis Ninas", the "girls" who staff our restaurant are making plates, burritos and making sure peeps who need sides for for holiday meals are all set. I check the messages on our main voice mail and on my cell phone (it's the tamaleline for questions and changes on tamale pre orders) fix things and confirm changes.
Around 2pm, I decide I'm going to try to head out...mush mind is settling in. You know how the saying goes, "The lights are on, but nobody's home"...my mind is not lost but just not working anymore! I finally make out the front door at 3pm, ok, it's been 13 1/2 at La Borinquena but now I got to make it up the stairs in the TALL and winding staircase in my home to make it to my bed! I make it and a two hour nap later, I feel human again. Gil, SBN along with Gracie B head out to Chinatown because I NEED Honey Walnut Prawns and a tapioca drink...I don't want no stinkin' tamales for dinner! Later, we hang in my kitchen drinking Screamin' Lise's (limade, sparkling water and vanilla vodka), minus the screamin' for Sweet Bratty Niece (she's only 17). I got a really good night's sleep and here I am seeing another day. We close on Sundays, always, so no customers today. Gil and I have to reload the ovens before we nap tonight, Renee will fire things up again at 11pm, Gilbeto and I will be there again at 1:30am.
Unload, Reload, Pack, REPEAT...so goes another day in Tamale World.
All of the sudden it's time to open, 9am came around so quickly. Customers lined up at the front door ready to pick up tamales, masa and other Mexican treats. I switch to working my tamale corner that takes up the rear dining area. Familiar faces as well a new people walk up to me prepared with their customer numbers to look up the order the placed weeks and days before. Before I know it, hours are ticking by like minutes, so many customers, SO MANY TAMALES. I bop by the grocery dept to see how things are going with Mami and Sweet Bratty Niece. So far, so good and everyone is leaving happy. "Mis Ninas", the "girls" who staff our restaurant are making plates, burritos and making sure peeps who need sides for for holiday meals are all set. I check the messages on our main voice mail and on my cell phone (it's the tamaleline for questions and changes on tamale pre orders) fix things and confirm changes.
Around 2pm, I decide I'm going to try to head out...mush mind is settling in. You know how the saying goes, "The lights are on, but nobody's home"...my mind is not lost but just not working anymore! I finally make out the front door at 3pm, ok, it's been 13 1/2 at La Borinquena but now I got to make it up the stairs in the TALL and winding staircase in my home to make it to my bed! I make it and a two hour nap later, I feel human again. Gil, SBN along with Gracie B head out to Chinatown because I NEED Honey Walnut Prawns and a tapioca drink...I don't want no stinkin' tamales for dinner! Later, we hang in my kitchen drinking Screamin' Lise's (limade, sparkling water and vanilla vodka), minus the screamin' for Sweet Bratty Niece (she's only 17). I got a really good night's sleep and here I am seeing another day. We close on Sundays, always, so no customers today. Gil and I have to reload the ovens before we nap tonight, Renee will fire things up again at 11pm, Gilbeto and I will be there again at 1:30am.
Unload, Reload, Pack, REPEAT...so goes another day in Tamale World.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
The Calm before the Storm
Ah, it's the Wednesday before Christmas and all was well at La Borinquena. The tamale pre-order deadline was Monday but once it again it was extended a day. What does that mean...no more answering the phone! I made the phone recordings explaining how the tamale purchasing process works, if you don't already have a pre-order it's walk in only, pork only and first come first serve. I love my customers, really I do, but I've been the tamale order phone operator for the last three weeks and I'm DONE. Well, not really, more like ready to move on to working the floor and the back room. The tamale cave (our office) was starting to make me claustrophobic!
Renee thought it was odd how calm it was today but this happens every year. There is always one day when we get to prep, get set and psych ourselves for the MADNESS the the next few days will bring. We start preparing for this week back in June and it's amazing how quickly time goes by. Well, the countdown has started...just FIVE more days! Now it's time to switch gears and set up the masa table since there are always the folks who still make their own tamales and buy corn dough by the stockpot that they bring in to fill. Time to get some rest so my mind won't be so mushy tomorrow!
Renee thought it was odd how calm it was today but this happens every year. There is always one day when we get to prep, get set and psych ourselves for the MADNESS the the next few days will bring. We start preparing for this week back in June and it's amazing how quickly time goes by. Well, the countdown has started...just FIVE more days! Now it's time to switch gears and set up the masa table since there are always the folks who still make their own tamales and buy corn dough by the stockpot that they bring in to fill. Time to get some rest so my mind won't be so mushy tomorrow!
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Tamale Season @ La Borinquena
From my review on yelp.com
All right people, you keep hearing my blah, BLAH, blah about "Tamale Season" and ask me...Tamales have a Season? Well Si, they do! Actually, it's a high season since in this modern day and age you can have tamales 365 days a year (gracias to fridges & freezers) but it wasn't always so. Back en el rancho grande, slaughtering a puerco was a BIG DEAL and was only done for festive occasions such as weddings, baptisms or holidays like Dias de los Muertos, Christmas and New Year's. The corn masa had to be prepared (dried, treated, cooked, stone ground and mixed) along with the meat, sauce, corn husks and then be assembled and steamed. It took many hands and was an honor to have tamales made for you. Fortunately, we have a fine staff of mujeres here ready to do the hard work for you. Nowadays, most Americanos are all hustle and bustle wanting everything five minutes ago! Now I use the term Americanos loosely since there are many American born Latinos (sometimes called the slang term pocho) but Tamale Lovers now come from all kinds of backgrounds. How do I say this so knowingly?
Well, you see my name isn't Tina Tamale for nothing. I always giggle when someone new to me asks why that's my nickname (online and in real life), I sell tamales for a living. I am a third generation member of my family to do so at our restaurant/shop that has been in Old Oakland for the last 63 years*. We sell a TON of tamales this time of year. High Tamale Season kicks off with October 31 (Dias de los Muertos) and ends with December 31 (New Year's Eve). We actually sell one thousand DOZEN ready to eat tamales the week leading up to Christmas alone. Mostly traditional pork* for walk- ins too, some chicken (both made with Mmmm MANTECA) and introduced meatless and vegetarian tamales by special order over the years. I know Grandma Rosa, our founder, would not be happy since she felt it just wasn't right to make a tamale without meat ON PURPOSE unless it was sweet. Really, a dessert tamale with no meat but sugar, cinnamon, crushed pineapple and raisins. We'll be serving sweet tamales and a couple other desserts along with aguas frescas this year at the 3rd Annual Yelp Holiday Party on December 5, 2007.
We also sell supplies if you want to make some tamales yourself including fresh prepared masa that is stone ground in house, dried corn husks and dried chile pods/powder. No time or inclination to cook? We can also provide complete meals with sides like refried beans made with freshly rendered manteca from our chicharrones* (fried pork skins), rice, our famous lardy chips and salsa. We also have lighter and vegetarian options available too. Need food for a group? No problema, just let us know in advance*!
Anyhoo, the cusp of Tamale Season is about to hit so I wanted to take the time to write a FAQ review. I am the official tamale order taker at La Borinquena, will be running my database and sending out confirmation postcards once again. I wrote this awhile back waiting to post it as my 100th review, to give a glimpse of what I do when I'm not Yelping and also to leave as an explanation as to where I went for the month of December. I think it's very sweet when folks look for me somewhat concerned via PM or text message from time to time not knowing when I'm up to my eyeballs with work. I am doing fine, my customers just need my attention for now. I promise to be back in 2008 with more reviews, nerdy history info and new tours of my favorite town, Oakland. If you REALLY miss me, call in to order tamales, the cut off for placing a pre-order is the week before Christmas (Dec 17 this year) or stop by for a meal or just to check us out. Mami and many other members of mi familia like fourth generation Renee E and Sweet Bratty Niece will be en la casa along with Gilberto Y on occasion. You may also catch a fellow Yelper filling in as a Tamale Elf, since Yelpers are some of my most favorite peeps EVER!
Por please take the time to enjoy family and friends during this Holiday Season.
Feliz Navidad y Prospero Ano Nuevo,
from mi familia to yours...
Abrazos y Besos,
Your Yelp Amiga,
Tina Tamale
All right people, you keep hearing my blah, BLAH, blah about "Tamale Season" and ask me...Tamales have a Season? Well Si, they do! Actually, it's a high season since in this modern day and age you can have tamales 365 days a year (gracias to fridges & freezers) but it wasn't always so. Back en el rancho grande, slaughtering a puerco was a BIG DEAL and was only done for festive occasions such as weddings, baptisms or holidays like Dias de los Muertos, Christmas and New Year's. The corn masa had to be prepared (dried, treated, cooked, stone ground and mixed) along with the meat, sauce, corn husks and then be assembled and steamed. It took many hands and was an honor to have tamales made for you. Fortunately, we have a fine staff of mujeres here ready to do the hard work for you. Nowadays, most Americanos are all hustle and bustle wanting everything five minutes ago! Now I use the term Americanos loosely since there are many American born Latinos (sometimes called the slang term pocho) but Tamale Lovers now come from all kinds of backgrounds. How do I say this so knowingly?
Well, you see my name isn't Tina Tamale for nothing. I always giggle when someone new to me asks why that's my nickname (online and in real life), I sell tamales for a living. I am a third generation member of my family to do so at our restaurant/shop that has been in Old Oakland for the last 63 years*. We sell a TON of tamales this time of year. High Tamale Season kicks off with October 31 (Dias de los Muertos) and ends with December 31 (New Year's Eve). We actually sell one thousand DOZEN ready to eat tamales the week leading up to Christmas alone. Mostly traditional pork* for walk- ins too, some chicken (both made with Mmmm MANTECA) and introduced meatless and vegetarian tamales by special order over the years. I know Grandma Rosa, our founder, would not be happy since she felt it just wasn't right to make a tamale without meat ON PURPOSE unless it was sweet. Really, a dessert tamale with no meat but sugar, cinnamon, crushed pineapple and raisins. We'll be serving sweet tamales and a couple other desserts along with aguas frescas this year at the 3rd Annual Yelp Holiday Party on December 5, 2007.
We also sell supplies if you want to make some tamales yourself including fresh prepared masa that is stone ground in house, dried corn husks and dried chile pods/powder. No time or inclination to cook? We can also provide complete meals with sides like refried beans made with freshly rendered manteca from our chicharrones* (fried pork skins), rice, our famous lardy chips and salsa. We also have lighter and vegetarian options available too. Need food for a group? No problema, just let us know in advance*!
Anyhoo, the cusp of Tamale Season is about to hit so I wanted to take the time to write a FAQ review. I am the official tamale order taker at La Borinquena, will be running my database and sending out confirmation postcards once again. I wrote this awhile back waiting to post it as my 100th review, to give a glimpse of what I do when I'm not Yelping and also to leave as an explanation as to where I went for the month of December. I think it's very sweet when folks look for me somewhat concerned via PM or text message from time to time not knowing when I'm up to my eyeballs with work. I am doing fine, my customers just need my attention for now. I promise to be back in 2008 with more reviews, nerdy history info and new tours of my favorite town, Oakland. If you REALLY miss me, call in to order tamales, the cut off for placing a pre-order is the week before Christmas (Dec 17 this year) or stop by for a meal or just to check us out. Mami and many other members of mi familia like fourth generation Renee E and Sweet Bratty Niece will be en la casa along with Gilberto Y on occasion. You may also catch a fellow Yelper filling in as a Tamale Elf, since Yelpers are some of my most favorite peeps EVER!
Por please take the time to enjoy family and friends during this Holiday Season.
Feliz Navidad y Prospero Ano Nuevo,
from mi familia to yours...
Abrazos y Besos,
Your Yelp Amiga,
Tina Tamale
Saturday, December 15, 2007
How tamale girl's world began...
Once upon a time, in a land once filled with oak trees, a little baby girl was born. She caused quite a stir, see her parents already had three grown children... SCANDALOUS. The baby girl hung out in her family's tienda everyday since la familia lived over it. Mami tells stories about how she wouldn't touch anything not even the machinery in the rear tortilla factory. But one day the baby in her walker spied the front door and MADE A RUN FOR IT! She was caught in time and promptly had a rope tethered to her just short of the door. This would not be the last time she would run for FREEDOM.
A couple years later, the tienda had to move down the street and the family moved to East Oakland. The baby now a girl only went to La Borinquena on Saturdays. Once she was tall enough to reach the grocery counter, she started helping Mami wait on customers. La Chiquita became her name, not because of her age but because she was so small and short. It took FOREVER for her to be able to work the the restaurant side of the shop since the counters were even higher. Ages twelve to nineteen working at la tienda on Saturdays and school vacations went ok. Then one day Pop and the girl could not deal with each other ANYMORE. The girl had been recruited to another job...she LEFT, wasn't kicked out...SCANDALOUS once again!
She RAN thinking La Borinquena was the LAST PLACE she would ever wind up. LIFE can be sneaky sometimes, you wake up one day and say HOW DID I GET HERE??? The womenfolk in la familia wanted her back, Pop was gonna limit his time working. FINE, she figured she was 27 now and who said you can NEVER go home? Obviously, they didn't come from a Latino family! The girl would go out and about in Oakland and people would look at her and say, "I know you...you're the Tamale Girl!!!" Her fate was sealed, her Pop before her was Tony Tamale, she would become know as Tina Tamale. The restaurant/shop website would become, http://tamalegirl.com
So here I am, Tina Tamale, almost eleven years from the day I returned to La Borinquena still working with Big Sis, Mami and now my grown niece Renee E with Sweet Bratty Niece on occasion. These are my stories, about mi familia, La Borinquena, Oakland, mi amigos, my projects and anything else I find cool. Sometimes I'll include pictures, links and a Yelp review (tinatamale.yelp.com) now and then.
This is mi VIDA in Tamale World...
Want to ask me a question, sure why NOT? Por please send it to: tamaleworld@gmail.com
A couple years later, the tienda had to move down the street and the family moved to East Oakland. The baby now a girl only went to La Borinquena on Saturdays. Once she was tall enough to reach the grocery counter, she started helping Mami wait on customers. La Chiquita became her name, not because of her age but because she was so small and short. It took FOREVER for her to be able to work the the restaurant side of the shop since the counters were even higher. Ages twelve to nineteen working at la tienda on Saturdays and school vacations went ok. Then one day Pop and the girl could not deal with each other ANYMORE. The girl had been recruited to another job...she LEFT, wasn't kicked out...SCANDALOUS once again!
She RAN thinking La Borinquena was the LAST PLACE she would ever wind up. LIFE can be sneaky sometimes, you wake up one day and say HOW DID I GET HERE??? The womenfolk in la familia wanted her back, Pop was gonna limit his time working. FINE, she figured she was 27 now and who said you can NEVER go home? Obviously, they didn't come from a Latino family! The girl would go out and about in Oakland and people would look at her and say, "I know you...you're the Tamale Girl!!!" Her fate was sealed, her Pop before her was Tony Tamale, she would become know as Tina Tamale. The restaurant/shop website would become, http://tamalegirl.com
So here I am, Tina Tamale, almost eleven years from the day I returned to La Borinquena still working with Big Sis, Mami and now my grown niece Renee E with Sweet Bratty Niece on occasion. These are my stories, about mi familia, La Borinquena, Oakland, mi amigos, my projects and anything else I find cool. Sometimes I'll include pictures, links and a Yelp review (tinatamale.yelp.com) now and then.
This is mi VIDA in Tamale World...
Want to ask me a question, sure why NOT? Por please send it to: tamaleworld@gmail.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)