Hey Jim,
Former Dallasite here myself...I think you're chasing your tail on this one, although I have some ideas for you. But first I think there are alot of people here who would love to know where you found a high-end Mexican joint in this town! I've yet to find one that doesn't have pinatas hanging from the ceiling...or at the very least they missed a great opportunity to hang one up.
We have some out of this world Latin places, but high-end Mexican not so much.
As for tamales, a few options:
1. Havana Rumba. Pretty close to a mexican tamale served in hush with garlic butter on the side. A nice variation.
2. On the Border. True Mexican/Tex-Mex style tamales. They like to serve them ice cold with mystery meat in the middle (at lest when i tried them).
3. Whole foods. They probably ship them in from Dallas/Austin so they are not fresh, but are some of the best traditional style you will find in Louisville. You can get 2 for the same price you can get a dozen or more at one of the Mexican tamale/tortillia houses in Dallas.
4. There are a couple of places on Preston highway that may have them. I have only been down there a couple of times and don't remember seeing them.
5. I have my mom ship them from Dallas. You can buy them frozen by the dozen at Central Market (they are hand made on site and then frozen-not the best in Dallas, but by far the easiest to transport b/c they are vacuum sealed.) They are always a huge hit at parties because...well, no one has ever had them!
For fresh Tortillias I used to place an order from Don Pablos. While this would be an unthinkable thing to do in Dallas they have the only on-site fresh made tortillias in town that I am aware of and frankly, they are quie good...it's flower and water for cying out loud...hard to screw up. If anybody knows another place please chime in.
Hope that helps!
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