Our Story | Tamales De Reina – A Family Tamale Tradition

Fresh, Handmade Tamales — Ready to Heat

Find us at local markets every Saturday. Weekly updates posted on Facebook HERE.

Desirae and Ivan Foster of Bulverde Best Tamales De Reina

About Us - Tamales De Reina

Tamales De Reina was born from the warmth of family, the power of tradition, and the memories of my grandmother, Dominga Gonzalez Hill, whom we lovingly called Grandma Minga. Growing up, she was the heart of every holiday. Her home was where we gathered year after year, where laughter filled the kitchen, and where the smell of masa and simmering meats meant the season had truly begun.

As soon as the weather turned cold, we all knew—it was tamale time. My grandmother would prepare every ingredient with care, and my mother, my sisters, and I would come together around the table to spread masa, fill husks, and share stories. We made hundreds of tamales every year, and every batch held the love, unity, and tradition that defined our family.

As Grandma Minga grew older, I felt a calling in my heart. I knew this tradition couldn’t fade—it was too precious, too much a part of who we were. I invited her into my home and asked her to teach me her process step-by-step. I’ve always loved cooking, and she would tell me in Spanish,

“Tú tienes el toque”—“You have the touch.”

To her, it meant cooking came naturally to me, that the flavors lived in my hands and in my heart.

Over the years, my passion for cooking and clean eating shaped how I carried her recipes forward. I returned to the ingredients our grandmothers relied on—simple, clean, wholesome, and full of flavor. We use real lard and rendered tallow, never seed oils, because quality matters and tradition deserves respect. Every tamal we make is crafted with intention: light, fluffy masa, tender meats, rich flavors, and premium husks carefully selected to honor the recipe passed down through the generations.

At Tamales De Reina, we take great pride in creating tamales the way they were meant to be—authentic, honest, and full of heritage. Every batch reflects the stories, lessons, and love my grandmother shared with me. And now, it is my joy to share those same flavors with families across our community.

We are proud to be a family-owned small business. My name is Desirae Foster, and my husband, Ivan Foster, stands beside me every step of the way. Together, we have two beautiful daughters, Natalia and Hazel, who inspire everything we do. Building Tamales De Reina is part of the legacy we want to leave for them—something meaningful, something rooted in tradition, and something they can remember, cherish, and carry on long after us.

With the support of our amazing family and community, we are growing every day. Our dream is to share our tamales not only locally, but eventually with people all over the world. Because to us, tamales aren’t just food—they are memories, history, and love wrapped in every husk.

Welcome to our table.

Welcome to our tradition.

- Desirae Foster

Frequently Asked Questions

Are your tamales fully cooked?

Yes. All of our tamales are fully cooked before packaging.

Are the tamales ready to eat?

They are ready to heat. We cook them, then freeze and vacuum seal them so they’re easy to store and reheat.

How are your tamales packaged?

All tamales come:

• Fully cooked

• Frozen

• Vacuum sealed

• With heating instructions on the label

Where can I buy Tamales De Reina?

You can find us at local markets and events throughout the month in the Bulverde and Hill Country area.

Where are you located?

We are proudly based in Bulverde, Texas.

Where do I check your weekly schedule?

We post our exact times and locations each week on our Facebook page.

What flavors do you offer?

We currently offer:

• Pork

• Spicy Pork

• Chicken Queso Verde

• Bean Queso Jalapeño

• Queso Poblano Jalapeño

• Beef Birria

How much do your tamales cost?

• $20 per dozen (select flavors)

• $30 per dozen (Beef Birria)

• $12 per half dozen (select flavors)

• $15 per half dozen (Beef Birria)

Can I mix flavors?

Yes. You can mix half dozens and receive a discount when combining two (excluding Beef Birria).

Do you offer samples?

Yes. We bring hot samples to our market events so you can taste before you buy.

Do you offer delivery?

Yes, during the holiday season (November–January), we offer Friday deliveries in select local areas.

What areas do you deliver to?

Local:

• Bulverde

• Spring Branch

Extended:

• New Braunfels

• Canyon Lake

• Blanco

• San Antonio

Are your tamales gluten-free?

Yes. Our tamales are naturally gluten-free.

What makes your tamales different?

We use traditional family recipes, clean ingredients (no seed oils), and handmade methods to create light, flavorful tamales rooted in real tradition.