100 Favorite Dishes: Raja Tamales From Chini's Burritos

As a countdown to the Best Of Broward Palm Beach 2010, coming in May, Clean Plate Charlie is serving up a hundred of our favorite dishes in South Florida. Send your own nominations to [email protected]...

By John Linn

February 12, 2010

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As a countdown to the Best Of Broward Palm Beach 2010, coming in May, Clean Plate Charlie is serving up a hundred of our favorite dishes in South Florida. Send your own nominations to [email protected].

No. 76: Raja Tamales from Chini's Burritos

The corn-husk-wrapped tamales at Chini's come from the kitchen so hot, it can be tough to peel them open without a wave of steamy, masa-scented air hitting you full blast. But after you manage to remove the husks, you're rewarded with a lush

and rich fluffy corn interior. Although some tamales are so dry they're grainy and others are so

wet they're gelatinous, Chini's are neither. They're smooth and creamy, with just the right salty/savory seasoning. The queso fresco and spicy,

roasted jalapenos inside just elevate the mixture even further. The cheese is so bold that you could swear it's actually meat. And the rajas, spicy sauteed jalapenos, are tart and slightly sweet. With a side of Chini's homemade tomatillo and rojo chile salsas, these tamales are an amazing snack for less than $2 a pop.

Previous 100 Favorite Dishes:
No. 77: Udon soup from Sushi 1
No. 78: Steak fries from Maguire's Hill 16
No. 79: Cheesesteak from Sonny's Famous Steak Hogies
No. 80: Sliders from Zed451
Favorite Dishes No. 81 though No. 100

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