Making Happy Tamales
to Make a Difference 
Making Happy Tamales to Make a Difference
About Us
Meet Imelda
Imelda Happy Tamales was born from hope, bravery, and a lot of hard work.
It all started with a dream and a tireless, courageous woman named Imelda Hartley.
Originally from Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico, Imelda came to the United States when she was 13. Imelda, a domestic violence survivor, turned her story and her struggles into triumph and joy to be shared with the community, by means of her hard work, tons of community service, and Imelda’s magic touch, the one that turn Imelda’s creations into unique, delicious flavors loved by everyone.
Imelda started making tamales for neighbors and for her children to take to school. And, in the blink of an eye, Imelda’s tamales started to sell, leaving everyone who tried them enchanted with Imelda’s one-of-a-kind flavors. Soon, tamales became her life-saver, marking the beginning of her long business journey in Phoenix, but also giving birth to Imelda’s role as a community leader.
Imelda Happy Tamales represents the significance this business brought to Imelda after having empowered herself to keep going and create a happy life for herself and others in the community.
a place to feed the body, the mind, and the soul. This is, Imelda’s creation.
Take a Taste of Imelda’s Creations!
Rest assured, you can only call yourself a true Phoenician if you’ve tried our Happy Tamales. We serve Pheonix and its surroundings, including neighborhoods like Peoria, Mesa, Glendale, Tempe, and North Pheonix, with Tacos, Burritos, and all kinds of delicious Tamales like pork, beef, shrimp, lamb, and chicken tamales. And we have vegetarian options too!
There is no limit to Imelda’s imagination. Each of Imelda’s tamales has its own identity. Whether it’s a Happy Tamal, or a Sweet Life, Hope, Harmony, Love, or Heritage one, Imelda’s tamales empowerment transmits through every bite; because each there is an Imelda creation for everyone.
You can also order from Imelda Happy Tamales if you’re close to N Central Ave in Uptown Pheonix, near Valley Lutheran High School, or if you’re heading towards Royal Palm Park and Sunnyslope High School in the Palmas Royale area.
Call us and order the BEST Mexican food in Pheonix; our main service areas also include Alhambra (near Grand Canyon University and Washington Park), Grandview, near beautiful Lookout Mountain Park and Paradise Valley High School, North Mountain Village area close to North Mountain Park and Arizona State University and the Baltimore Area, near Phoenix Country Day High School and perfect to take a stroll through Phoenix Mountains Preserve while eating an incredible Seafood Tamale. Oh, and Alta Vista neighbors, we’re close to you too! If you’re close to Arizona Veterans Hwy or preparing for a picnic at Mariposa Park, you know who to call!
You won’t just receive the best catering in Pheonix, but you’ll be contributing to a much higher purpose. You see, we don’t just sell incredible mouthwatering Tamales; Imelda’s Happy Tamales sells HOPE.
Our Mission
Our primary mission is to create social impact, empowering victims of domestic violence to break the abusive cycle by employing and helping other women that find themselves in similar situations like Imelda’s. Through our Tamales, we give hope and a light to many more domestic abuse survivors across the Valley, empowering them and helping them transform their lives, connecting women with other resources such as housing, child care, and mentoring.
Our shared dream is to own a secure facility with housing for domestic violence victims, on-site childcare, mentorships, courses, an industrial kitchen, and an organic garden to make the tamales. And we know we’ll get there! It’s time to create and collaborate on initiatives that empower women, guaranteeing the Human Rights of every woman in the world, and we know we must all be part of the solution.
Let’s unite to create a world with more opportunities for women, less violence, and delicious Tamales. We can’t wait to hear from you!