Alicia's Tamales Los Mayas

Alicia Villanueva, born in the city of Mazatlan, the northeastern part of Sinaloa, has been making and stuffing tamales since she was a kid with her mami and abuelita. After arriving in the USA in 2001 and being surrounded by the many cultures of the world, she decided to pursue her dream of making tamales as a way to share her culture and story with the community. Initially selling tamales door to door, but realizing that was not enough to support her family, she joined La Cocina, the nonprofit food incubator that works with low income women to set up businesses, to help solidify her company. La Cocina gave her the opportunity to expand her business where she now makes over 4,500 tamales a week. 

Alicia’s Tamales Los Mayas’ goal is to build a sustainable business where customers can enjoy handmade tamales, pupusa, and other loved foods from Mexico. They specifically source high quality, local ingredients to aid in their mission of sustainability. The company itself is a minority and women-owned small business. In Alicia’s family, making tamales together is a tradition, and she hopes that everyone that tries her foods will feel like they are a part of her family and feel the love within every bite.