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At Last, The Tamale Guy is Getting His Own Restaurant

At Last, The Tamale Guy is Getting His Own Restaurant

The Chicago icon is opening up a place in Ukrainian Village
July 27, 2020 (July 27, 2020) // Riot Fest

After nearly two decades of selling tamales out of his iconic red coolers, Claudio Velez—better known as Chicago’s legendary Tamale Guy—is getting a restaurant of his own in Ukrainian Village.

The restaurant is located at 2018 W Chicago Ave, which currently has some coolers in the window with a sign that reads “”You want tamales? See you soon.” Pierre Vega, a longtime customer of Velez, teamed up with Velez to make the restaurant happen—and to make his dream come true. The goal is to open up shop sometime in August.

ICYMI: The Tamale guy is opening a Ukrainian Village restaurant. https://t.co/TsOtdUHTLI pic.twitter.com/z1tvHYTfNN

— Block Club Chicago (@BlockClubCHI) July 24, 2020

Velez had his operations temporarily shut down earlier this year after the city issued him a cease-and-desist for selling his trademark tamales without a retail food license. Thankfully, the community started a GoFundMe in response and raised over $34,000 for Velez—far surpassing the initial $10,000 goal.

“I am very excited, especially with everyone who helped make this dream possible,” Velez told Block Club Chicago. “This has always been my dream.”


 

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Riot Fest

Punk Rock (& more) Music Fest | I'm sorry we didn't book the exact bands you wanted, in the exact order you wanted, in the exact location you wanted, for free. September 19-21, 2025.

Posted in Chicago, Food + DrinkTagged chicago, food, restaurants, Tamale Guy, tamales

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