Tina Tamale Ramos

Currently on food industry sabbatical, Proud Oakland, CA Latina, Hardcore Localvore & Lover of Travel. Follow #adventuresoftinatamale

[tinatamale]

Mama, your love and wisdom touches me everyday. I know you are with your mama, all your loved ones and the Ancestors above hopefully remembering the good times of your life when you were here with us. Know I reminisce about you, tell funny stories and channel you when I cook. 💙 #natividadramos August 1, 1931 #imissmymama @mama tamale (at Oakland, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CgukWdPvcMr/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[tinatamale]

I always try to take a tour during my travels. Call me a tourist, but I look at it as being a seeker of knowledge. These tours take you to the lesser know #memorials with huge impact. Our tour bus stopped at the #HolocaustMemorial. The artwork is titled, 'In the Shadow of Their Absence’ and is surrounded by bilingual plaques educating about the atrocities committed against the #Jewish people. Six million people of Jewish decent were murdered during World War II. The people of #PuertoRico understand the ramifications of war and destruction. They vow to acknowledge the true history of not only their plight but also of other people in the world and stand with them. #puertorico #yomhashoah #knowledgeispower #heritagetravel #adventuresoftinatamale #diasporicanpr2022 (at El Capitolio De Puerto Rico) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cc5w-y4p-Y1/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[tinatamale]

I arrived to #puertorico first. Da Crew had multiple arrival days and times. I got a chance to explore and sleep some after starting out on a redeye from SFO. I am obsessed with produce and snackies when I travel. Giant #avocados, bags of #chicharrones and shocking...easy to find caffine free diet cola! This is gonna be a food and familia filled adventure. Here we go! #diasporicanpr2022 #adventuresoftinatamale #tinatravelstoeat #puertorico (at San Juan, Puerto Rico) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cc3JguTFJxx/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[tinatamale]

Hola, long time no post here on IG. I feel like y'all might need me to reintroduce myself. I had gone from being a full time #tamalegirl, to caregiver of Mama Tamale, to #heritagetraveller...to becoming an introvert during Covid-19. I continued cooking as meditation with my #pandemicpantry. Eventually, doing little road trips within California with daBunny, #thetinyterrors and @beezy. Here I am two vaccination shots plus two boosters later. Like I told my therapist, I *think* I'm as ready as I'm going to be to leave my Pandemic bubble. So, I'm back with what I've been #cooking and my return to travel. This is my version of #greengumbo that appeared on the latest season of Top Chef restaurant wars. I looked up the Leah Chase recipe, hers has meat too. #smokedturkey, #Andouille, #smokedsausage and a amazing amount and variety of greens. I happy to be back! Let the posts and maybe reels too begin! #cookingwithtinatamale #tinatravelstoeat #adventuresoftinatamale (at Old Oakland) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cc0mLQwp0PA/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[tinatamale]

Folks would always ask what kind of tamales we served at our family's Christmas dinner. We would laugh somewhat sheeplessly, then admit there were no tamales at our table. Prime rib was the desired entree. This year was no different with au gratin potatoes, roasted brussels and steamed cauliflower as the sides. #Christmasdinner #beefiswhatsfordinner #primerib #tinatamalecooks (at Old Oakland) https://www.instagram.com/p/CX7ndENLztv/?utm_medium=tumblr

[tinatamale]

It always warms my corazon when folks remember us. One of the hardest things to adapt to after we closed was not seeing our customers/amig@s/familia. Reposted from @secretoakland La Borinqueña Mex-icatessen & Specialty Shop was a family-run institution in Old Oakland for 71 years. Its 2015 closure marked the end of not just a beloved restaurant, but also of one of the last connections to what had been a thriving Latino neighborhood. In the 1910s-50s, West Oakland was home to a flourishing Latino community. Mexicans fleeing the revolution of 1910 built its beginnings. Puerto Ricans, Mexicans from the Southwest U.S., and Mexican nationals from the Bracero Program, would also migrate to the area. The heart of the community was around 7th St. "Urban renewal” of the 1950s-60s displaced countless Black and Latino households from West Oakland to East Oakland. (The construction of BART and the Nimitz Freeway decimated the Latino and Black neighborhoods of West Oakland) La Borinqueña’s founders - Jalisco, Mexico, native Rosa Velasquez and her Puerto Rican husband, Adriano - came to Oakland during the Great Depression. Rosa opened La Borinqueña on 5th and Brush Sts as a corner grocery store. Customers, port and cannery workers, started asking "Mama Rosa" for baked goods to take home, and so she began making her famous tamales. In the '60s, the highway was routed right through the shop. Resiliently, the Velasquezes built a new La Borinqueña around the corner. It became more of a cafeteria-style restaurant, and moved once more to 582 7th St. The restaurant was run by generations of family. The couple’s daughter Natividad and her husband Antonio took over, and then eventually their daughter, Tina “Tamale” Ramos, who grew up helping behind the counter and listening to stories of the old neighborhood. @tinatamale #secretoakland Photo 2: Rosa, in 1944 at the original La Borinqueña. (Photo courtesy of Tina Ramos via mercurynews.com (After 71 years, classic Oakland eatery is closing)). Research Sources: sfgate.com (Piece of old community survives in new), eastbayexpress.com (The Last Days of La Borinqueña), localwiki.org/oakland (History of Mexican and Latino Americans) (at La Borinqueña Mex-icatessen & Specialty Shop) https://www.instagram.com/p/CUHHW_FL59P/?utm_medium=tumblr

[tinatamale]

My ultimate goal in Life is to #chillax as hard as @littledogslouieandlady. #louiechuckramos #ladyzooeyramos #thetinyterrors #dogsofoakland #sleepingdog (at Old Oakland) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTAdr6fp7Tv/?utm_medium=tumblr

[tinatamale]

I kept walking past this place called @understoryoakland, not sure what it was. Thankfully, they started getting some press and my confusion was gone! Four young chefs highlighting heritage cuisines plus an incubator kitchen. The menu rotates every two weeks to showcase a different country. The hours are slightly odd. I had to make the effort to plan our visit. I told @dagbunny & @swseats that we had #brunch plans for Saturday. The menu is short and well thought out. Turns out we pulled a "give us one of everything" with the exception of the cheese burger, I'll resolve that a different day. We enjoyed all of it! Our critic positive for all the dishes. Our main faves were the mussels and frites, the harrisa #friedchicken biscuit, #shakshuka with kefta, and the #breadpudding. Yet, everything including the toast trio, watermelon feta salad, #merguez w grits, a #chocolatetorte and an orange blossom rice dessert made our taste buds sing. Oh, and the #mochidonut of the day was ube, was not too sweet with satisfyingly chewiness. Want to support POC chefs supporting communities in need? Eat value priced yummy food with wine, non alcoholic drinks or cocktails while supporting great people and causes. Go! Just be sure to check their open hours before you head over. #oakland #oaklandeats #oaklandrestaurants #keepitoakland #oakmyhometown #supportlocal #supportpocfood #eatindie #eatingwithlovedones #adventuresoftinatamale (at Understory) https://www.instagram.com/p/CP9BF02B80D/?utm_medium=tumblr

[tinatamale]

My mama was a funny, sweet little lady unless you pushed her. I had many nicknames mostly nice but one of them in particular was pretty harsh coming from her. You see, I had a smart mouth. Occasionally, I would say things in a tone that was totally inappropriate, but I was a ridiculous kid. Mama would look at me with lazer focus, she would lower her voice and say, "Smart Ass Kid." The interesting part was, she was supposed to be scolding me. Quite honestly, I took it as a compliment. See? Ridiculous. Flash forward a few decades later, and I'm living with her as her caregiver. She was just overwhelmed by technology in a good way, like in an exciting way. I used to love to hear her talk about the smartphones, using the Google, the Amazon, and the Uber. And one day she asked me a question about something and I responded that I didn't know. Without missing a beat, with the most sarcastic tone, she says, "Why don't you ask your phone?" To which I responded by squinting, looking at her squarely in the eyes and said, "Smart Ass Mama." There was a pause then we both started laughing, to the point where we couldn't breathe. Ridiculous. It was so funny, just so interesting how our roles had reversed. We went from her saying, "I'm the mama, you're the daughter" when my sass was out of hand. Now, I'm the daughter, she's the mama getting scolded exactly the same way. I really grew to appreciate how our relationship evolved over the years, how I went from being a smart ass kid, to a rebellious teenager, to my young adult years that I even shake my head since I was still being...ridiculous. Continued in comments... (at Oakland, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/COqdfnFBqO4/?igshid=1inv2tmaebig8

[tinatamale]

This is serious #caldoweather! @mamatamaler made the best #caldoderes with lots of chunky #vegetables. Crazy how expensive short ribs are nowadays, but every once in a while I spot beautiful ones at the right price. I hear Mama's whisper, those are good looking! I peel the chayote, use enough tomato and add the #cabbage and #cornonthecobat the end. All the things she made sure I included. I quietly take spoonfuls, warming my panza y corazon knowing she approves. Love and comfort in a bowl. #tinatamalecooks #imissmymama #cookinglikemama #cultura #heritage #comfortfood #mexicanfood (at Old Oakland) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMS1WtNBc1U/?igshid=1x7i17ydt2rzx

[tinatamale]

When Life gives you #oranges, you make #bloodorange #darkchocolate #oliveoilcake. Mama made #chocolatecake often, she would have like this one calling it #quefancy! #tinatamalesometimesbakes #CAKE #imissmymama (at Old Oakland) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMLh6afhR-T/?igshid=5b6vgzmfjw79

[tinatamale]

Once upon a time, my Pops worked at Toscana Bread Company making sourdough and focaccia. He would sometimes make us sheet pan #pizza for family meal at our Mexican restaurant. This #detroitstylepizza is shockingly close to what he would make us minus the crispy cheddar cheese edge. The sauce neither too sweet or acidic. Enough cheese. The crust, looks heavy but is NOT. It's soft and pillowy inside, crisp on the bottom and on the sides. The cup pepperoni has a little puddle of grease. The Sichuan wings are not spicy, with me being a picante wimp, they are tasty. Don't get me wrong this is truly American style but done right. I'll be back! #oakland #oldoakland #traveltoeatlocaledition #oaklandeats #keepitoakland #adventuresoftinatamale (at Square Pie Guys) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMA2DIJB2WR/?igshid=lx7c7mwb6vbn

[tinatamale]

#Pancakes, specifically, #fancypancakes are one of my weaknesses. These #princesspancakes with #razzberry and #purple #marsipan make my 💜 sing. I chose #daughtersdiner for my #birthday lunch and it was delicious. A well charred but cooked rare open face burger on toast with #cheese, #bacon and an #egg. The softest #gnocchitots with a crispy exterior. Last but not least, a #strawberry milkshake with house made #icecream, fresh #whippedcream and #sprinkles that haunts my dreams! It all felt and tasted like a warm hug. Outdoor seating with heat lamps made eating there easy. Spied the Daughter coloring with her mom. I'll be back! #oakland #uptowndistrict #traveltoeatlocaledition #adventuresoftinatamale #supportlocal #eatindie #thisis52 #keepitoakland #oaklandeats (at Daughter’s Diner) https://www.instagram.com/p/CL-EXcGhD-X/?igshid=s7xomfstjpg6

[tinatamale]

¡Felicidades to @chefnel4! 🤩👏🏾💜👊🏾🙆🏾‍♀️ So excited that @bravotopchef recognizes your talent and work ethic. You and @may.german put your hearts and souls into @alamaroakland & @sobremesaoak, so awesome for you to now have a national audience! #oakland #afrolatino #oaklandchef #topchef (at Oakland, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CLDDqjbhz7L/?igshid=163o0641dmdvr

[tinatamale]

I had an early errand in #EastOakland today. So, I accidentally bought hella #donuts at @donutsavant on the way back home! #cremebrulee #sofuganot #applefritter and more! Randomly ran into @caroly02 while waiting in line. I'm gonna call this #traveltoeatlocaledition #oakland #keepitoakland #adventuresoftinatamale #traveltoeat #ilovedonuts (at donut savant) https://www.instagram.com/p/CKo_1CEhVUX/?igshid=1xdpplbcf17xh

[tinatamale]

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#louiechuckramos love to give wet kisses...on the mouth! #somuchlove #dogsofoakland #yorkiegram #yorkiesofinstagram #yorkie @littledogslouieandlady (at Old Oakland) https://www.instagram.com/p/CKmcd3qB7lC/?igshid=31o7r11ph0fm

[tinatamale]

December 39th, 2021. Looks like my button is timely again. #lockhimup (at United States) https://www.instagram.com/p/CJzZ-cYhjc4/?igshid=1o2w82af97vla