Norma's Tamales And Mexican Cuisine

I live in Phoenix, Arizona so I am used to all kinds of great Mexican food, I have also been to Mexico several times. I love Norma's Tamales; they rank right up there with the best of them as far as I'm concerned! A must stop every time I'm in the area!

Great tacos and tamales. Fresh and authentic. This has become a regular stop for us. Now located behind the Elks in Traverse City.

So good. We've been stopping by Norma's since the Covid outbreak. Food is authentic. Not a huge tamale fan in general so I usually stick with the steak tacos or tostadas. Only downside is seating. I do wish there were a few extra picnic tables.

Not bad, not bad at all. The only negative I found I'll get out of the way first is the salsa that comes with the chips. It's hot (temperature oddly enough) and very watery. This is also the only other place besides Spanglish I've ever been to that charges you for salsa rather than putting it out on the table. That being said the food here is great. The tamale, while a touch on the small side was absolutely delicious. Not too much corn and it was moist and delicious. The al pastor taco was good as was the steak taco and the entire rest of the platter.

I live in Phoenix so I know what great Mexican food tastes like. I love Norma 's! Last summer when we were in Interlochen we found her in a parking lot selling tamales out of a truck, couldn 't wait to have her tamales again when we came back this summer. Was happy to see she now has a full fledged restaurant at the same parking lot she used last summer. I gave this place 4 stars only because the service I received today was sub par a bit. Perhaps the girl was new but I had to ask for everything ie plastic utensils, taco sauce, etc. with my take out order and the waitress had no clue where anything was. There were only two bottles of salsa; one super hot and one brutally hot; and they had no little cups to put it in to take it with a take out order. The waitress gave me the bottles and told me to put it on my food before I left. When I asked if they had anything milder as my tongue was burning from what she gave me she gave me a look like 'seriously '? Like I was just too much work or something. And no, they had no milder salsa. I had already asked for plastic utensils, then I had to ask for the taco sauce, etc. and finally I had to ask for a receipt! Which the waitress had put in her own pocket. There were two people standing in line behind me waiting to place their take out order and this waitress took so long finishing up with me that they turned and left the restaurant without ordering. This could have been much quicker if the waitress had her wits about her and knew where things were and how to be a good waitress. Otherwise, I love the food and will go back; just think I will phone my order in ahead of time on the next visit.