You’d Never Know Some Of The Best Tamales In Washington Are Hiding In Union Gap

The Yakima Valley is certainly no stranger to good Mexican food. And more often than not, you'll find the best Mexican cuisine not in the big shiny buildings, but in the out-of-the-way, unassuming buildings and the small taco trucks. Los Hernandez is no exception. If you ever pass by their small Union Gap location, you'd never know that this is the place that won a prestigious James Beard Award a few years ago.

One thing is certain: if you're a fan of tamales, you should never miss this place.

Since 1990, Los Hernandez has had a small tamale shop on Main Street in Union Gap, just outside of Yakima.

A second location recently opened in Yakima's West Valley neighborhood.

The restaurant is owned by Felipe Hernández and his family.

Felipe emigrated from Piedras Negras in Coahuila, Mexico, in 1957, growing up in Wapato before working for a now defunct retail giant. When he found himself out of a job, he asked his sister to show him how to make the family tamales.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Felipe runs the restaurant with his wife, June, who has been with him since 1972. Felipe's daughter and her husband also do a lot of the heavy lifting, with his daughter sometimes arriving at work as early as 6 a.m.

The new West Valley location serves classic Mexican fare, like street tacos ...

... but at both locations, tamales are the top sellers.

On their best days, they will sell more than 200 dozen tamales.

Asparagus is a prominent crop in Central and Eastern Washington, and locals wait all year for asparagus tamale season.

The asparagus tamales are part of what led to Los Hernandez winning a James Beard Award in 2018.

The next time you're in the Yakima Valley, give Los Hernandez a try.

Even if you don't think you're a big tamale fan, this place might change your mind.

Have you ever tried the best tamales in Washington?