Chasing a rumor through Clarksdale’s dusty backroads is a rite of passage, and let me tell you, the payoff is a warm, masa-wrapped epiphany. Around here, we judge newcomers by whether they know to ask for extra gravy at Larry’s or brave the hunt for Hicks’ smoky pork, and both joints deliver the kind of slow-burn devotion that makes you skip the juke joint for one more bite.

From Larry’s unforgettable, rib-tipped welcome to Hicks’ tangy slaw that cuts the richness like a sharp little friend, these two prove the Delta’s tamale game is all about persistence and pork. So grab a cold one from the cooler and read on, because your new Sunday ritual starts now.

Hicks Tamales & BBQ Shop

Let me tell you, finding Hicks Tamales & BBQ Shop is like chasing a rumor that turns out to be the gospel truth. I drove past it twice, then three times, my stomach growling in protest at my navigational stubbornness. But persistence pays off deliciously, because when I finally walked in, I was handed the best tamales I have ever tasted. The masa is so tender it practically dissolves, and the filling packs a slow, smoky warmth that lingers like a happy memory. And do yourself a favor: grab the slaw sides, too. They’re outstanding, tangy and crisp, cutting through the richness like a sharp little friend. Worth the extra effort? Absolutely. I’d get lost again on purpose.

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Larry's Tamales

Pull up to Larry's Tamales and you feel it before you even order: a welcoming buzz that makes you grin for no good reason. The friendly service is an unforgettable welcome, and then the tamales arrive, and wow. These are the best tamales I’ve ever tasted, hands down, no contest. The secret, I suspect, is in that gravy, a glorious ladle of pure kick that warms your chest and sets your tongue tingling. I also ordered the rib tips on a whim, and they are equally amazing, smoky, meaty, and falling apart. That combo made the drive home almost too quiet, because I was already planning my return trip. Worth every mile, every minute, every bite.

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