Monte Alban

Monte Alban on Santa Monica and Brockton makes some of the best mole around, and this tamale is only $3! Unlike most tamales you see, it's wrapped in banana leaves instead of yellow corn husks. The style of wrapping is different too. The tamale isn't a big lump inside the leaf. Instead, the leaf is spread with the dough and then folded.

As a result, you get thin sheets of dough when you go to unwrap your tamale. Simply put, mole negro ("black sauce") is made from unsweetened chocolate and a lot of chilis and spices. The flavor is ever slightly sweet with a very interesting spice combination and the slightest bitter aftertaste. I liken it to certain types of Chinese beef jerky, but it's really unlike anything I've tated. This tamale had mole chicken filling. If you like dense sauces and strongly flavored jerky, give this a try.