Tamale Guy

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Tamale Guy
Born
Claudio Velez

c. 1964[1][2]
Acapulco[1]
Websitewww.tamaleguy.com

Claudio Velez, often referred to as the Tamale Guy,[2][3] Authentic Tamale Guy[4] or the Tamale Man,[5] is a cook and mobile caterer of tamales in Chicago.[6] Originally from Acapulco, Mexico,[1] Velez has a longstanding reputation in the city's North Side nightlife as a food provider outside and inside of clubs, bars, and other establishments open late at night.[7][8] He has been called "Santa Claus for the drunk and hungry"[9] and sells up to 250 pork, chicken or cheese tamales a night.[10] A mobile app through a Twitter account was developed by a customer intended to help others track his location across the city.[11][12]

2020 events[edit]

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, with bars closed to the public, Velez began testing home delivery,[13][14] and by April 2020, neighborhood groups were placing large orders for tamales.[15] By August 13[1] Velez had opened a restaurant, which due to popularity had customers waiting in a line 10 blocks long on opening day.[16] On August 29, media reported that Velez had contracted COVID-19 and was on a ventilator.[16][17] On October 1, he had recovered and a GoFundMe fundraiser for his medical bills had raised tens of thousands of dollars.[18] While Velez was hospitalized a Naperville brewery named a limited edition beer after him.[19][20] Velez later closed his restaurant and moved into shared spaces, first at Lone Wolf in the West Loop, and then in Bangers & Lace, and in 2022 again to a new Logan Square bar called Quality Time.[21]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Garcia, Evan (October 17, 2020). "Chicago Portrait: Tamale Guy". WTTW News. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Selvam, Ashok; Waxman, Naomi (July 29, 2021). "The Saga of Chicago 'Tamale Guy' Claudio Velez". Eater Chicago. Archived from the original on May 28, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  3. ^ "Meet Chicago's Tamale Guy". Social Hospitality. March 15, 2012. Archived from the original on May 24, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
  4. ^ Syska, Justyna (September 30, 2021). "Chicago 'Tamale Guy' feeds city's bar scene". ABC7 Chicago. Archived from the original on September 30, 2021. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  5. ^ Helm, Eliza (November 8, 2016). "An Interview With Chicago's Dive Bar Hero, the Tamale Man". Thrillist. Archived from the original on May 22, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
  6. ^ "Welcome to Chicago: Now Officially the Greatest Drinking City in America". GQ. September 17, 2014. Archived from the original on May 17, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  7. ^ Dadayan, Doris (January 26, 2012). "Hot on the trail of Tamale Guy". RedEye Chicago. Archived from the original on October 6, 2016. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  8. ^ Casillas, Ofelia (April 1, 2009). "'Tamale Guy' an icon at bars where kitchens close early". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on November 19, 2017. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  9. ^ Morgridge, Dan (January 20, 2012). "Best Chicago Drunk Junk Food". CBS Chicago. Archived from the original on August 8, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
  10. ^ Casillas, Ofelia (April 2009). "All a-Twitter over 'Tamale Guy'". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on February 1, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  11. ^ "Tracking the Tamale Guy". WBEZ. Chicago Public Media. February 28, 2009. Retrieved February 2, 2016.[permanent dead link]
  12. ^ Gardner, Kyla (April 14, 2015). "Is Running Into The Tamale Guy a Religious Experience? Yes, Yelpers Say". DNAInfo. Archived from the original on November 16, 2017. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  13. ^ Selvam, Ashok (March 27, 2020). "As Bars Stay Closed, Chicago's Legendary Tamale Guy Tests Home Delivery". Eater Chicago. Archived from the original on March 28, 2020. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  14. ^ Parrella-Aureli, Ariel (March 28, 2020). "Chicago's Iconic Tamale Guy Doing Deliveries — If You Can Track Him Down". WBBM-AM. Archived from the original on March 29, 2020. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  15. ^ Peña, Mauricio (April 9, 2020). "Neighborhood Groups Are Placing Big Orders To Help 'Tamale Guy' Get Through The Coronavirus Crisis". Block Club Chicago. Archived from the original on April 10, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  16. ^ a b Chu, Louisa (August 29, 2020). "Chicago's Tamale Guy, Claudio Velez, hospitalized with COVID-19 and placed on ventilator". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on August 30, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  17. ^ Selvam, Ashok (August 31, 2020). "'Tamale Guy' Claudio Velez Remains on Ventilator in Critical Condition". Eater Chicago. Archived from the original on September 3, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  18. ^ Chu, Louisa (October 2020). "Chicago 'Tamale Guy' Claudio Velez discharged from hospital after more than a month due to COVID-19". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on October 2, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  19. ^ "Naperville Brewery Names Limited-Edition Beer in Honor of Chicago 'Tamale Guy'". NBC Chicago. October 24, 2020. Archived from the original on January 19, 2021. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  20. ^ Guerrero, Rafael (October 23, 2020). "Solemn Oath releases limited-edition beer in honor of 'Tamale Guy' Claudio Velez". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on January 19, 2021. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  21. ^ Bloom, Mina (June 29, 2022). "Quality Time Opens In Logan Square With Craft Cocktails, Tamales From The Tamale Guy". Block Club Chicago. Archived from the original on May 29, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2022.

External links[edit]

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