A Very East LA Christmas: The Best Tamales in Town?

Since for many Angelenos, Christmastime is Tamale-time, our local Fox station recently asked on-air for viewers to let them know where the best tamales in town can be found. They put together a segment covering what emerged as the top four: South El Monte's El Mano Market, and Juanito's, La Indiana, and Liliana's--all in East L.A. For most, it's the quality of the ingredients that makes one tamale top another, while for many, it's the pursuit of the elusive bite that echoes something from a time gone by. Maybe they're the ones sold by your neighborhood "Tamale Man" (or woman), or maybe they're the ones you make with your family. So did the Fox viewers get it right? Are those really the best tamales in town?