When something is meant to be the paths that life take you on will always lead you there, that is the story of Tamale box. This local business just celebrated their 1 year anniversary on June 20th so we thought it would be fun to take a look back on some of the parts of the journey that has brought them to where they are today. Owner, Enrique recalls that while his mom was visiting at the end of the year in 2017, he said to her, “Just to pass some time, let’s make some tamales.” So he texted some friends to let them know and then he and his mom were solidly booked for the next 2 weeks making tamales. They were a big hit!! Over the next several years that followed the idea of Tamale box was there in Enrique’s heart and mind it just had yet to make itself known. He visited Budapest and was inspired by a hummus bar which he started to brainstorm about bringing to Spokane. Enrique said, “I realized there was already a product in my family and heritage that people loved, the tamales.“ He had aspirations of being a business owner during the time that he was working at the Davenport in the Safari room as a server. He shares that as his was looking at different career paths, they all kept coming back to and pointing to tamales.

Fast forward to June of 2019 when Tamale box officially kicked off as a local business. When it first began Enrique and his mom, Candelaria each had different roles in the business. His Mom made the tamales while he focused on the business side of things. He also tied the tamales and helped with the mixing of the masa. As we visited and I listened, I realized with there’s a real science to the magic of the masa. It’s not just about mixing the right ingredients and the right amount of ingredients it’s about making the “masa magic”. Enrique remembers many occasions growing up as a kid when his mom would say, “Prueba la masa” which means “try the masa”. Little did he know that all those times of tasting the masa and making those special memories with his mom would lead to him pursing a dream and opening a tamale business of his own one day.

One of the best parts of getting to know more about Tamale box was hearing about the sweet and special relationship that Enrique and his mom have. The love, respect and dedication they have for one another shines through in the quality of the tamales, I really think it does. I asked Enrique, at what point he learned the craft or when the official mantle of tamale making was passed along to him from his mom. While he had watched his mom make tamales his whole life and had helped with the mixing of the masa, when his mom headed south last November for the winter it was time to make the tamales himself. He did just that and he figured it out. He shared the joy he feels, with what his mom has passed along to him, he’s taken all that she has taught him and made it his own and the Spokane community is giving it their stamp of approval and support big time! Spokane LOVES Tamale box!! Enrique says they want their tamales to be authentic and intentional. Those are definitely words that I would use to describe their tamales in addition to flavorful, delicious and spicy (if that’s the kind you order, haha). Curious what the plans are for Tamale box in the future? I was too, so I asked. Enrique said that he would love to open a brick and mortar space that would also house his tamale production space. I am definitely cheering on Tamale box and I hope after hearing more of their story you will too.

So without further ado::

Meet Enrique Mariscal

::Why/How/When did you start Tamale box?::

“I started Tamale Box because I wanted people in Spokane to experience my family recipe that had been enjoyed by so many people (friends, teachers, etc) in my hometown in California. My mother visited in 2017 and made tamales to sell to my coworkers, and they were such a hit that I realized I had a great business opportunity. The farmers markets seemed like the perfect place to launch, since my vision has always been that people would buy our tamales to take home and share with their families and friends”.

:What is your perspective on the Spokane food scene?::

“Since I moved to Spokane in 2015, I've seen so much growth in the restaurant scene, watching new businesses open and expand, and local chefs who really care about making the community better. That in combination with the great long standing food establishments has made it a very exciting scene to be a part of."

:What do you love about Spokane?::

“I feel like we have a little of everything here. There is a strong sense of community which makes it feel like a small town, but we have these awesome events every year like Bloomsday and Hoopfest that make Spokane fun and big and exciting. There is a lot going on to attract young people to the city which gives us a bright future. But I'd have to say my favorite thing about Spokane is the Centennial Trail, since I love being active and it is the perfect connection between city and nature."

::What is your favorite tamale?::

“The chicken recipe is probably my favorite since it reminds me the most of my childhood, although I have a mostly vegan diet now. It really is hard for me to choose a favorite kid!”

:: What is your first memory of eating a tamale?::

“I remember being a little kid, probably 5 or 6 years old, coming inside after running around outside all day and grabbing a tamale with my bare hands, unwrapping it and eating it like a banana.”

::If you could travel anywhere in the world for a month, all expenses paid where would it be?::

“Although I've been to Mexico many times, there are so many parts of the country that I haven't seen and would love to experience. Then perhaps Central and South America.”

::If you were a dessert what would you be and why?::

“Honestly, I would take chips over dessert any day, so I'm going to say I'd be Lime Lays. Maybe with some Tapatio."

::Is there anything else you would like to share?::

“I'm just very grateful to the people who make the Spokane food scene thrive, and I'm really glad I get to be a part of it.” Mama Candelaria adds, “Overall I’m happy because tamales have been a blessing to my life and to my family. We are excited to see what the future holds and grateful for the support we have received from this great city!”

Tamale box on Facebook

Tamale Box on Instagram

Tamale Box website

You can find Tamale Box at local farmers markets:

South Perry farmers market - every Thursday

Kendall yards night market - every other Wednesday beginning on July 8th

Fairwood farmers market - every other Tuesday beginning on July 13th