Frelard Tamales runs out of a storefront on N 36th Street in Fremont, with a second location in Bellingham. It's a gay, family-owned business that frames its work around a simple idea: immigrants, like tamales, are part of what makes the country work.
The menu organizes its tamales by color rather than a straight list, and regulars have adapted to an ordering system built around flags to flag down what they want. Vegetarian options sit alongside the rest of the menu rather than as an afterthought.
Beyond the counter, the operation runs home delivery service into both Seattle and Bellingham, plus catering, and the Seattle location shares its taproom space with El Sueñito Brewing. Loyal regulars and attentive service have become part of the shop's identity.
The menu organizes its tamales by color rather than a straight list, and regulars have adapted to an ordering system built around flags to flag down what they want. Vegetarian options sit alongside the rest of the menu rather than as an afterthought.
Beyond the counter, the operation runs home delivery service into both Seattle and Bellingham, plus catering, and the Seattle location shares its taproom space with El Sueñito Brewing. Loyal regulars and attentive service have become part of the shop's identity.