If you follow the line outside Tamales Liliana's in East Los Angeles, you'll see an assembly line of people preparing orders, and the kitchen where tamales get made.
The food is a holiday menu must for many families around Christmas.
"Basically I take orders for my family and friends," said Grace Garcia, a Monterey Park resident.
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Last year the public was advised to reconsider holding large gatherings, because of the pandemic. Customers still bought tamales to share with loved ones, but they weren't eaten together.
"We left them at the door," said Whittier resident Aurora Ballesteros. "They picked them up."
This year, some are gathering once more.
"They've already called me during the week to make sure everything's on line," said Joe Ballesteros. "We're going to do this. We're going to gather."
Tamales will be the centerpiece of their Christmas Eve meal.
"I am getting three dozen green, one red and two dozen green chili and cheese — and I never leave here without a large champurrado," Aurora said. "That is the best."
Garcia was also looking forward to her order.
"I have six corn, six sweet pineapple and two dozen pork and two dozen of the chicken," she said.
The restaurant expects to sell around 250,000 during the holiday, and nothing can kill the tradition -- including the rain.
The weather is the main challenge this year. Customers say they simply want to get their tamales, get home, eat them and relax.
For some, tamales on the table are a tradition, while for others, it's a new experience.
"We're islanders, so we’re very open to different cultures, food and everything," said first-time customer Tamara Toban.
Her 12-year-old daughter, Tamia Toban, added "We get to do something different every year for Christmas. And this is our first time having tamales for Christmas."
Mom held tight to her twins while dad stood in line, patiently waiting to join so many others hungry to add tamales to the holiday dinner table.
