The Tamale Guy

 

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Payten C.

Chicago, IL

OMG I can't believe he is on yelp! He came into local option last thursday and offered us some tamales, We thought it was kind of weird so we didn't end up getting end. Next time I will make sure to order some though- they sounded amazing.

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122

Jonathan C.

Chicago, IL

This man is amazing.  6 tamales for $5.  They're so tasty and he randomly appears at the bars to serve the drunken folks.

He is the superhero of Chicago bars.  I wonder if I buy him a cape and costume if he'd wear it as his brings food

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7

Jeff H.

Chicago, IL

This guy gives you a fucking lot of tamales for $5, and on top of that he goes to every bar in the whole fucking city at least 4 times every fucking goddamn night of the motherfucking week. Jesus never did that with no fishes and no loaves of bread in no baskets.

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2

David A.

Chicago, IL

You're not a Chicagoan until you've had that night where you're at the bar, hungry, sad the kitchen has closed, and then the Tamale guy comes along and makes you happy.

Seriously, his tamales are freaking delicious and a great bargain.  Usually I see him around WIcker Park, Bucktown, Ukrainian Village, but he may go out further. Only a wimp avoids his tamales for fear of food poisoning - it does not happen. If you're sick the next day, then you should probably lay off the tequilia shots, not the tamales.

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33

Julie P.

Chicago, IL

He is like a magical food fairy who appears as soon as you feel the first twinge of hunger.

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43

Carolina P.

Chicago, IL

The tamale Guy makes the best tamale's I've ever had I swear! Plus tamale's have been my favorite food since I was 5 so I've had a lot. They are awesome and inexpensive.

Oh and please be sure to tip him. He walks around in the freezing cold from bar to bar every night.

I wonder who makes them. Does his wife make them? And can I give her a hug?

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2

14

Fionn M.

Chicago, IL

I love that the Tamale guy shows up when you need him, after drinking too much and you have that rumbling in your stomach for nourishment.  

That said, I don't find his tamales all that tasty. Even that day after, fried up in some corn oil with scrambled eggs.

I will be giving him a second (maybe third) try, everyone has off nights.

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Elite '08

58

146

Nicole V.

Chicago, IL

Ode to Tamale Guy....

O Tamale Guy is that your windbreaker swooshing I hear?
The shuffling comes and then the bar cheers!
I think, "Gee, I could use a tamale with this beer"
"Tamale? Tamale?" is the next thing I hear
Oh yes, for sure....let us buy ten
Even if it is a group of chicks we'll still eat them like men
Your sauce is so spicy
Them tamales taste nicy
I look at my beer and see your smiling face in my foam
That must be the sign...it's time to go home
Thank you tamale guy for all the good times
You know you are special when you cause me to rhyme.

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Elite '08

85

216

Jonathan C.

Chicago, IL

To be read to the tune of Ghostbusters...roughly:

"When you're in a bar, and there ain't no food...
Who you gonna call?
TAMALE GUY!"

"When you drank too much, and you don't feel good
Who you gonna call
TAMALE GUY!"

Ok, thats all I got.  And you can't call him, he just shows up.  But seriously, this man appears at whatever bar your at, just when you starting to wish for food.  Is he a godsend?  Or is he preying on your weakness?  (Matters if you trying to diet or not I guess).  But either way, the tamales he brings are delicious!  Some of the best tamales in the city.  Internal spices have enough kick and don't skimp on the meat (or cheese, if thats your thing).  Green sauce is better than red sauce.  At $5 for eight, this is even a good value.  Keep on truckin' tamele guy.  Keep on truckin'.

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Elite '08

7

80

Kimberly L.

IL

Tamales so tasty and lard-o-licious. Had these at the Hideout one summer night. Nummy. Still thinking about them.

We've all had "healthier" versions elsewhere. As my good friend says "Tamales w/o lard, not as tasty."

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49

King T.

Chicago, IL

The legend himself...tamales guys wife makes some great tamales and he can usually be found in or near Bucktown...I love catching him at Maproom and drinking the great beer paired with a pork tamale. Two big thumbs up to him.

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Elite '08

88

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Jillianne M.

Chicago, IL

The Tamale Guy supplies Chicagoans with the best god damned tamales ever!  I have not had tamales as flavorful as these since last summer when I spent a week in California!  I payed $5 and I got about 8 tamales in a bag!  Thats a lot!  These tamales sure as hell prevented me from getting a hangover after a crazy-ass night at Delilah's.

The Tamale Guy is the real deal folks.

The real deal!

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Elite '08

6

67

Noah B.

Chicago, IL

I love this man. I have nothing more to say about the matter.

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86

shaina v.

Chicago, IL

I've written about you in other reviews, you saved my night Tamale guy! I'm so glad you had cheese and I love your salsa. I ran to you at the map room like you had the inoculation for the bro virus. Ahhh, so much love.

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Brett K.

Chicago, IL

Wow all these reviews makes me in the mood for a tamale... damn I can't wait for the sun to go down. Working at a bar I have gotten to build a bit of a repore with "tamale guy" or "hefe" or "Claudio" or what ever you want to call him. Great guy, it seems like clockwork he is in every night.

Cheese (Quesso) tamales are my favorite.

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doris d.

Chicago, IL

Dude! I don't know the Tamale Guy, never met the legend, but my friend found him last night and brought in some awesome cheese and chicken tamales for us at office! At 8 in the morning! Nice!

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E. V.

Chicago, IL

Went to the Bucktown Pub with a friend and the Tamale Guy showed up with pork, chicken, and cheese tamales.  We eagerly bought 10 tamales from him.  They were piping hot bundles of goodness.  Really tasty and quite a deal - $5 for 5 tamales.  I've made tamales before and trust me, it's a heck of a lot easier just to buy them from the Tamale Guy  :)

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Rob R.

Chicago, IL

Hard to believe, but tamales and I were unacquainted back in the day when I was a wild-eyed small town boy and first met this rascal.  Back in the day when I used to confuse beer for unfiltered Chicago tap water, I was walking backwards with my head up in the air, balancing an ashtray on the tip of my nose.  I crashed into the man, the ash tray struck him in the shoulder, and unflinching, he shouted "tamales!"  Offended by the presumed curse, I shouted back, "scone!"  "Tamales!" he shouted back.

Now I know better.

This man goes where no food is served, unannounced, at any time.

He takes the "what" out of "what's for dinner?"

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13

JAMES M.

Chicago, IL

Im giving my guy the Tamale guy 5 stars!  Good tamales
Last time I ran into this guy was at the green eye, even the people from Australia I was with loved these things!

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Elite '08

58

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Justin V.

Chicago, IL

Tamale Guy, my sweet, sweet Tamale Guy.

When i tried to explain you to my Philadelphian friends, hoping they had their own patron saint of drunks and cornmeal, they gave me blank eyed stares and said things like "What are you, retarded?"

that's because they don't know, Tamale Guy.  They've never been caught at 1:30, hanging onto the edge of the bar like it's Leonardo DiCaprio in Titanic, knowing that something terrible will befall you if you slip, knowing that your friends will have to tell you about it later because you won't remember, when you hear an angel's trumpet blare right through the noise of smelly poseurs and uptight art students, a trumpet that rings pure and clean: "TAMALES" it sounds like.  
You can almost make it out through the whiskey.
"TAMALES."
Yes, that's the sound of Heaven come looking for you.
"Excuse me sir, tamales?" asks the tiny Mexican angel.

You nod, and for half the price you'd shell out anywhere along the route home, such a large and filling bounty of husk-wrapped goodness (with multiple sauces!) is thrust into your blindly groping hand you want to fall on the ground and praise Jesus (or Hay-soos or whatever).

But you don't have to fall, do you?  Oh no, you're borne upward on a wave of tamale love.  You're carried merrily from the dim recesses of your overdrinking to the bleary half light of not-going-to-die-anymore by the power of delicious mexican food AND YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO MOVE.

I love you, Tamale Guy, and if your damned Latin machismo wasn't such an impediment i would MAKE LOVE TO YOU.

Unlike many people i consider very close friends, you have actually saved my life on numerous occasions, and i want to thank you and your tribe for all you've done for the people of this city.

Sexy, sexy Tamale Guy.

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Elite '08

19

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Nick S.

Chicago, IL

I see this guy all over Wicker Park and Bucktown. I'll admit it,  first I was afraid, I was petrified. One night I had enough liquid courage in me to fork over $5 and got a few tamales. Mmm.. tasted good! I've had them on three different occasions and have yet to get a malady of any kind.

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1

Michael H.

Chicago, IL

I was out at the hideout last Tuesday, and the Tamale Guy sang a duet with the bluegrass band there. Is there anything this guy can't do?

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5

Jeremy H.

Chicago, IL

This man is 5'7" of pure business genius.

If you want to find the tamale man you must
1. be too drunk or lazy to want to go somewhere to eat.
2. talk about how great the tamale guy is.
The tamale mans ears will now burn with an intense heat that shoots down his arm and into his cooler warming the tamales just for you. He is on his way.

By this point there should be a newcomer questioning you about who this man is. Approximately half way through your explanation you'll hear "TAMALES" and both the problem of your dim-witted pal's ignorance and your hunger will be solved.

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11

Katie C.

Chicago, IL

I love that there are reviews on the Tamale Guy.  He IS everywhere...and they are always hot and delicious...hmmm...

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Elite '08

120

321

Vanessa M.

Chicago, IL

The Tamale Guy is the best example of supply and demand: he goes into a bar and sells out his supply of ridiculously cheap tamales to all our drunkasses that want it.  He is amazing.  Almost like god, but better because I get fed right away.  I am not sure how he does it -- being in every bar on the North side...  Maybe he's Santa instead.  I love him.  

And having vegetarian tamales?  Brilliant.  I once kissed him because I was so excited.  He blushed and then actually giggled.  Who knew The Tamale Guy could giggle?

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Eric R.

Chicago, IL

Holy crap.  I love the Tamale Guy!  He truly is a Chicago institution!!!

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10

M. B.

Chicago, IL

Claudio is the original and best Tamale Guy. I wanted to let all of you know that he works during the day while his sister prepares the tamales, then he works all night until he sells every last one. I like to support them because the tamales and salsa are delicious and I'm impressed by their entrepreneurial and hardworking nature. He has come through for me numerous times for parties as I've been able to place an order with him.  

Be kind to the Tamale Guy!

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5

58

Ross R.

Chicago, IL

Unbeknownst to most, "Tamale Guy" is not his given name. I'm sworn not to reveal it here, it cannot be uttered during daylight hours. It can, however, be screamed at the top of your lungs when you've had too many shots and you spot him across the room at your favorite bar.

I am allowed to reveal, however, the Tamale Guy Incantation. You see, he has no posted hours, but when you're overcome with drunken hunger you can cause him to appear by performing the following ritual:

1 - Order 10 tequila shots. One for yourself, one each for the 4 people to your right and left, and one for the bartender.

2- As a group, shout "TAMALES!" while raising your glasses. Down the shots.

3- Turn around (counter-clockwise) three times while standing in place. Only you have to do this, but others can feel free to join in.

Tamale Guy will appear within 30 minutes. If he does not, repeat. Trust me, it works.

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jamie k.

Lansing, IL

I love the tamale guy.  I got some from him last week when I was at innertown pub.  That guy walks from bar to bar in the cold ass winter to give drunks food.  Whata guy.  Also, my friend told me that he ordered some from him & the tamale guy didn't charge him.  He was all, "You can hit me back next time" woow

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3

13

Sarah W.

Chicago, IL

These are some hot and delicious tamales, $5 for 6 in chicken, pork, or cheese.  Sadly, I'm usually not hungry when the Tamale Guy makes his grand entrance, so last weekend my husband and I decided to plan our eating schedule around the Tamale Guy.  We had a late lunch, skipped dinner, and showed up at The Long Room to wait for that sweet siren call:  "Tamales!  Tamales!"

He never came and we ended up ordering a crappy cheese pizza instead, horror of horrors.

That's when we decided to invent the Tamale Guy Bat Signal.  In times of tamale crisis, a bright light would project the great and noble tamale symbol (a straight line) onto the sky, thus summoning the food-bearing superhero to your local watering hole.  You don't starve to death and the Tamale Guy makes five bucks.  Win win!

Or I guess he could just get a pager.   Either way, I'm sick of missing out on the Tamale Guy.

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Cliff E.

Chicago, IL

Chicago's Tamales Guy is like a modern Johnny Appleseed, only he carries delicous pork and chicken tamales and salsa roja and verde.  In fact, he's even better than Johnny Appleseed, because all J.A. ever did was toss out apple seeds.  And if you've ever eaten an apple seed you know it tastes like crap.  

I'm going to start telling an even better American Legend.  The Legend of Chicago's Tamales Guy.  He comes in the night, not stealthily, oh no.  You can hear the call...

"TAMALES!  TAMALES!"  

And he brings with him warm steamed pork, chicken and masa goodness to all the hungry boys and girls of Chicago.  And like a ninja of nourishment, he vanishes into the dark, only to return another night, fighting the evil forces of booze induced hunger.  

I've been able to find him at The Hungry Brain, The Hideout, and the L&L.  God bless his delicious tamales, and his work ethic...

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Emily T.

Chicago, IL

This is one of the joys of living in Chicago. Every time I see him, I must buy these tamales. I have no idea if they are good- I've never eaten them sober. But I know that they soak up liquor well. And the sheer joy of this deserves stars. Tamale guy, you are doing the Lord's work.

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3

Jason O.

Chicago, IL

When I first moved to Chicago years ago, I was heisitant  to buy from someone who enters an establishment selling food. I finally caved in one drunken night at Beachwood and was pleasantly surprised at how delightful the cheese tamales were. The Tamale Guy has since popped into several bars I have been in around the Bucktown/Wicker Park area and saved the day.

When it is past midnight, drunk off my ass, and hungry I wait for the melodic trance inducing call of "Tamales!" I can't resist.

PS - Where the deuce does this guy go? Seems like he is all over town.

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Ilina K.

Chicago, IL

I heart you, Tamale Superman...a business model truly to be admired by food enteperneurs round the world.

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2

12

mike m.

Chicago, IL

The tamale guy is awesome - he always feeds our soccer team after we've been humilated on the pitch and we're once again drowning our sorrows in booze at 3 Treys (3333 N Damen). The guy has an awesome range, because he actually lives a block from my house at Grand and Ogden (I was walking down the street and he came out of his house with his family -  we shared a moment and an hola - the tamale guy doesn't forget his regulars), but he's always headed north when i see him at Trey's, so who knows how far his range extends.

However, BEWARE, because there is also a fake tamale guy. Don't buy tamales from the fake tamale guy - they are dry and bland. The real tamale guy has the world's hottest tamales (how the hell does he keep them so hot?) and some good homemade hot sauce options. Also, The real tamale guy is named Jaun (... I think) and has pork, chicken and cheese tamales. If you're buying from anyone else you're a sucker.

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Elite '08

133

200

Liz S.

Chicago, IL

How much better can life get than when you're sitting with friends at a bar having a bunch of drinks and in comes great drunk food?  I mean really.  You don't even ask for the food and magically it appears.  The Tamale Guy is the best and he's a savior when it comes to hangovers.  

But on another note, I asked him to come back to the bar 3 hours later and he did.  What other kind of food establishment does that?  They don't just reopen their doors because you asked....Nope, but the Tamale Guy does.

I'd give him 5 stars, but sometimes he doesn't have the tamale that I like (he only carries two kinds with him).

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15

61

Neil A.

Chicago, IL

This guy is amazing. He is everywhere at once. I think it's actually a set of quadruplets. I swear I've seen this guy show up at a dozen different bars on the North and West side.

Thing is: None of the bars mind that he's soliciting. "Tamale?" "Sure come on in!"

These Tamales are delicious too. They really hit the spot. Probably because I'm usually half-drunk when I get some. The man is brilliant. He must have a house in the Hamptons with the money he's gotta make doing this.

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6

20

Matt H.

Chicago, IL

Tamale Man uses similar technology to Santa Claus to provide food for every bar in Chicago in a single night.  If you watch him leave the bar, you will see a flash of light and a puff of smoke just after the door closes behind him.

His tamales are made by mixing equal measures of unicorns, pure white light brighter than the sun, and cornflour.  Do not try to look too far into the depths of his magic cooler, it's contents are so beautiful it will send you blind.

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Elite '08

77

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Matt L.

Chicago, IL

I probably can't say much that hasn't already been mentioned about this gentleman or his product, but I would like to add a couple minor things. Back in the day - we're talking like 2002 or 2003, when my Spanish was better, I actually successfully bargained him down to $3. I'm not proud of it, but if you're out and you're really hard up, this may be possible, but I don't recommend it. Also, with regard to the quality of the his product: I have seen a bagged tamale thrown against the side of a building and subsequently run over by a car, only to remain formed and edible. These tamales are the Jack Bauer of food.

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Elite '08

245

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Lindley E.

Chicago, IL

Providing vittles to the wasted and hungry in drinking establishments all across the city, the Tamale Guy is the go-to vendor of stomach-lining snacks that provide the needed intestinal fortitude for a heavy night out.

Know what I mean?

On more than one occasion, the Tamale Guy has supplied me with six, count-'em, six cigar-sized tamales for $5 that have supplied me with a needed dose of energy at the beginning or middle (never, ever, ever the end) of a night out. I'm not a heavy drinker, so I can't state definitively how many hours of protection one of his tamales provide, but I can say that his tamales have prevented me from giving into my baser instinct to eat chips.

Tamale guy, so far I've been unimpressed by your tamales, but at the right time and place, I can't imagine what I would do without you.

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