Local Non Cryptic - 2 Tricky Clues

[pongodrongo]

exclamation of rejoicing [informal] [3] ?a? - know this should be easy at only 3 letters but just can't get anything

mexican meat dish [6] ?a?a?e - my mexican cullinary knowledge is not too hot

[boxtops]

Hah ?

[boxtops]

or more likely these days - YAY !

[shaneystar2]

Yay
tamale

[dannyk13]

1.Hah?
2.Tamale

[mac44]

2. tamale

[boxtops]

I can't see anything here for your letter pattern for the second one http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Mexican_dishes

[Baldric]

TAMALE

[boxtops]

Ah - the wiki list sticks an S on the end.....

[Baldric]

A tamale is a traditional Mesoamerican dish made of masa, which is steamed or boiled in a leaf wrapper. The wrapping is discarded before eating. Wikipedia

[pongodrongo]

thanks everybody - tricky one re 1st clue. i think yay just shades it