Tamale Guy

Claudio Velez, often referred to as the Tamale Guy[1] or the Tamale Man,[2] is a cook and mobile caterer of tamales in Chicago. Originally from Acapulco, Mexico,[3] Velez has a strong 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.[4][5] He has been called "Santa Claus for the drunk and hungry"[6] and sells up to 250 pork, chicken or cheese tamales a night.[7] An application through a Twitter account was developed by a customer, Clint McMahon, intended to help others track his location across the city.[8][9][10]

2020 events

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, with bars closed to the public, he was testing home delivery,[11][12] and by April 2020, neighborhood groups were placing large orders for tamales.[13] By August 13[14] Velez had opened a restaurant, which due to popularity had customers waiting in a line 10 blocks long on opening day.[15] On August 29, it was announced that Velez had contracted COVID-19 and was on a ventilator.[16][17] On October 1, he was discharged and a GoFundMe fundraiser for his medical bills had raised tens of thousands of dollars.[18] While Velez was being hospitalized a Naperville brewery named a limited edition beer after him.[19][20]

See also

References
  1. "Meet Chicago's Tamale Guy". Social Hospitality. 2012-03-15. Retrieved 2020-01-06.
  2. Helm, Eliza (2016-11-08). "An Interview With Chicago's Dive Bar Hero, the Tamale Man". Thrillist. Retrieved 2020-01-06.
  3. October 17, Evan Garcia |; 2020; Pm, 5:07. "Chicago Portrait: Tamale Guy". WTTW News. Retrieved 2021-01-19.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. Dadayan, Doris (26 January 2012). "Hot on the trail of Tamale Guy". Red Eye Chicago. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
  5. Casillas, Ofelia (1 April 2009). "'Tamale Guy' an icon at bars where kitchens close early". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
  6. "Best Chicago Drunk Junk Food". 2012-01-20. Retrieved 2020-01-06.
  7. REPORTER, Ofelia Casillas, TRIBUNE. "All a-Twitter over 'Tamale Guy'". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2020-02-01.
  8. "Tracking the Tamale Guy". WBEZ. Chicago Public Media. 29 February 2009. Retrieved 2 February 2016. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. "Tamale Tracker". Twitter. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
  10. Gardner, Kyla (14 April 2015). "Is Running Into The Tamale Guy a Religious Experience? Yes, Yelpers Say". DNAInfo. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
  11. Selvam, Ashok (2020-03-27). "As Bars Stay Closed, Chicago's Legendary Tamale Guy Tests Home Delivery". Eater Chicago. Retrieved 2020-03-28.
  12. "Chicago's Iconic Tamale Guy Doing Deliveries — If You Can Track Him Down". WBBM-AM. 2020-03-28. Retrieved 2020-03-29.
  13. "Neighborhood Groups Are Placing Big Orders To Help 'Tamale Guy' Get Through The Coronavirus Crisis". Block Club Chicago. Retrieved 2020-04-09.
  14. October 17, Evan Garcia |; 2020; Pm, 5:07. "Chicago Portrait: Tamale Guy". WTTW News. Retrieved 2021-01-19.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  15. Chu, Louisa. "Chicago's Tamale Guy, Claudio Velez, hospitalized with COVID-19 and placed on ventilator". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  16. Chu, Louisa. "Chicago's Tamale Guy, Claudio Velez, hospitalized with COVID-19 and placed on ventilator". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2020-08-29.
  17. Selvam, Ashok (2020-08-31). "'Tamale Guy' Claudio Velez Remains on Ventilator in Critical Condition". Eater Chicago. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  18. Chu, Louisa. "Chicago 'Tamale Guy' Claudio Velez discharged from hospital after more than a month due to COVID-19". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2020-10-03.
  19. "Naperville Brewery Names Limited-Edition Beer in Honor of Chicago 'Tamale Guy'". NBC Chicago. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
  20. Guerrero, Rafael. "Solemn Oath releases limited-edition beer in honor of 'Tamale Guy' Claudio Velez". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2021-01-19.


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