If you can find his number circulating social media, the legendary Chicago Tamale Guy will bring piping hot tamales straight to your door!
With all bars in the city closed, one thing many Chicagoans are missing right now is the legendary Tamale Guy. For those of you who haven’t had the pleasure of meeting him, Claudio Velez aka the O.G. Chicago Tamale Guy, has been selling tamales at bars that don’t have kitchens for over a decade. However, with all bars closed down, Velez is having to make some adjustments to his business. Eater Chicago reported earlier today that the Tamale Guy is testing out home deliveries during quarantine.
Protect Tamale Guy/Claudio Velez at all costs. Legit one of the best things about Chicago bar culture https://t.co/2tBePxbvCS
— Tyson Leuchter (@inkybrained) March 27, 2020
The Tamale Guy is folk hero in the Chicago bar scene. He sells tamales in packages of six to hungry bar patrons looking to soak up the alcohol after a long night out. Many Chicagoans consider an encounter with him to be a sign of good luck, a spark of joy at your lowest moment. There’s even a Twitter account that tracks his movement throughout the city, although it’s been dormant since late Feb. While there are many intimidators, Velez is the original Tamale Guy beloved by Chicagoans everywhere. He’s most often seen in Wicker Park, Bucktown, West Town, and Logan Square.
https://twitter.com/brewwithyou/status/1064898675560861696
Earlier this week, Valez’ number appeared on social media with the news that he would be trying out home delivery. Eater gave the number a ring and an hour later, their reporter had tamales to enjoy for lunch. What a relief that Chicagoans won’t have to go without our beloved Tamales Guy!
When Secret Chicago called Velez for dinner delivery, he was incredibly joyful, excited that he could continue bringing Chicagoans their favorite tamales. He says business is good, despite his usual haunts being closed, and has taken on another guy to help out with the demand. We won’t be posting the number here, out of respect for Valez’ privacy, but if you want to order, it’s not hard to find online. Use it wisely.
Feature Photo by Víctor González from Pixabay