Hot Tamales

There’s great Mexican street food (tacos, burritos and more) sold from counters in several markets and a liquor store in Carp, but Reynaldo’s—a second-generation bakery run by the Cardenas family —is where you will discover homemade pastries and tamales. Sweet aromas of Mexican pastries fill the bakery and waft down Linden Avenue, but the real draw here are the tamales made from moist, steamed corn meal dough offered with a choice of fillings including shredded pork with red sauce or chicken with mild tomatillo salsa. There’s a vegetarian (made with vegetable oil instead of lard). The rajas also get our seal of approval, but matriarch Diana Cardenas came up with the recipe for the tasty breakfast chorizo tamale topped off with an egg that’s a dynamite way to start your day. Order from the lovely smiling gals (often Carp high school students who know this is a great summer or after school job) who work behind the counter. It’s casual dining inside and out - with outdoor tables providing a nice view to people watch. A locals’ favorite for many years, Reynaldo’s has earned something of a cult following amongst tamale aficionados. It’s not uncommon for tamale addicts to pop off the freeway and buy them by the dozen ($24$27 per dozen), wrapped in cozy cornhusks and sealed tightly to go. And if you need a made to order birthday cake, they can send you off with that too! --LAW

Reynaldo’s Bakery, 895 Linden Avenue, Carpinteria, 805-684-4981. Reynaldosbakery.com