Something interesting I've noticed in our travels is that most of the BBQ joints in west Mississippi and in Arkansas serve Tamales. I wonder what the back story is to that?
it is a Delta thang...a few bbq places in east ms have "Delta tamales", but most don't know how to serve them....it's all about the juice, man...the juice! taking the tamale from the freezer, putting it on a plate and letting chef mic (microwave) handle it ain't a Delta tamale...I don't care that the tamale was made and frozen in the Delta!!!
as long as I can remember, there's been somebody near each little Delta town (most were just outside of town) that makes the best local tamales. used to take your own coffee can and get it back with plenty of tamales and, most importantly, the juice!
seriously, if you like tamales, plan a road trip to the Delta Tamale Festival in Greenville...you'll get to try every type of tamale imaginable!