We need you to meet someone.

No, not like that. She’s like a grandmother.

Actually, that sounded bad, too. Let’s start over.

We know of a magical place. A cart, actually. And it has the perfect tamales...

Introducing Alicia’s Tamales Los Mayas, the city’s first official tamale-laden vehicle doling out the traditional Mexican comfort fare in Justin Herman Plaza today and every weekday.

If you’re thinking what we’re thinking, yes, Mexicans know a thing or two about pulling off outstanding portable meals. And while the tamale has been traced to the ancient empires of the Aztecs, Mayas and Incas—even to kings and royalty—it’s also what you’ll be having for lunch.

Now, don’t be fooled by the temporary nature of the cart. Alicia is legit. Her recipes were passed down from her grandmother back in Mazatlán (who probably picked up these recipes from her grandmother). So when you bite into a beef tamale with salsa roja, or the house specialty chicken tamale, you might detect her native family roots in the spices and finely ground masa.

During the week, you’ll just need to look for the umbrella-topped cart under the palm trees in Justin Herman Plaza from 10am to 4pm. Then, she’s planning on rolling out to the Hayes Valley Proxy in the evenings with Friday night stops at Off the Grid.

Coincidentally also home base for the Tamale Appreciation Society.