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Hog and Hominy: The Tale of Knoxville Tamales

Whether it’s Good Golly Tamale or someone selling them out of their trunk at a church sale, the tamale tradition is alive and well in Knoxville.

William Winnett

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Published: 8:24 AM EDT September 28, 2022
Updated: 6:22 PM EDT September 28, 2022

Eighty years before the first Hispanic restaurant opened in Knoxville, the people of the city were enjoying the savory taste of tamales.

The idea of consuming corn-based dough wrapped around various meats, cheeses, vegetables and other foods dates back to 8,000 B.C Mesoamerica.

“Every country in the Americas has a tamale tradition, but it’s a very old, old food that’s been preserved and traveled with Native people," Good Golly Tamale owner Matt Miller said. 

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