Tamale Guy
Claudio Velez, often referred to as the Tamale Guy,[1][2] Authentic Tamale Guy[3] or the Tamale Man,[4] is a cook and mobile caterer of tamales in Chicago.[5] Originally from Acapulco, Mexico,[6] 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
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[16] Velez had opened a restaurant, which due to popularity had customers waiting in a line 10 blocks long on opening day.[17] On August 29, media reported that Velez had contracted COVID-19 and was on a ventilator.[18][19] On October 1, he had recovered and a GoFundMe fundraiser for his medical bills had raised tens of thousands of dollars.[20] While Velez was hospitalized a Naperville brewery named a limited edition beer after him.[21][22]
References
- ^ Selvam, Ashok (2021-07-29). "The Saga of Chicago 'Tamale Guy' Claudio Velez". Eater Chicago. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
- ^ "Meet Chicago's Tamale Guy". Social Hospitality. 2012-03-15. Retrieved 2020-01-06.
- ^ Syska, Justyna (2021-09-30). "Chicago 'Tamale Guy' feeds city's bar scene". ABC7 Chicago. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
- ^ Helm, Eliza (2016-11-08). "An Interview With Chicago's Dive Bar Hero, the Tamale Man". Thrillist. Retrieved 2020-01-06.
- ^ "Welcome to Chicago: Now Officially the Greatest Drinking City in America". GQ. 2014-09-17. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
- ^ October 17, Evan Garcia |; 2020; Pm, 5:07. "Chicago Portrait: Tamale Guy". WTTW News. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
{{cite web}}:|last2=has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Dadayan, Doris (26 January 2012). "Hot on the trail of Tamale Guy". Red Eye Chicago. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
- ^ Casillas, Ofelia (1 April 2009). "'Tamale Guy' an icon at bars where kitchens close early". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
- ^ "Best Chicago Drunk Junk Food". 2012-01-20. Retrieved 2020-01-06.
- ^ REPORTER, Ofelia Casillas, TRIBUNE. "All a-Twitter over 'Tamale Guy'". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2020-02-01.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Tracking the Tamale Guy". WBEZ. Chicago Public Media. 28 February 2009. Retrieved 2 February 2016.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Gardner, Kyla (14 April 2015). "Is Running Into The Tamale Guy a Religious Experience? Yes, Yelpers Say". DNAInfo. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
- ^ Selvam, Ashok (2020-03-27). "As Bars Stay Closed, Chicago's Legendary Tamale Guy Tests Home Delivery". Eater Chicago. Retrieved 2020-03-28.
- ^ "Chicago's Iconic Tamale Guy Doing Deliveries — If You Can Track Him Down". WBBM-AM. 2020-03-28. Retrieved 2020-03-29.
- ^ "Neighborhood Groups Are Placing Big Orders To Help 'Tamale Guy' Get Through The Coronavirus Crisis". Block Club Chicago. Retrieved 2020-04-09.
- ^ October 17, Evan Garcia |; 2020; Pm, 5:07. "Chicago Portrait: Tamale Guy". WTTW News. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
{{cite web}}:|last2=has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Chu, Louisa. "Chicago's Tamale Guy, Claudio Velez, hospitalized with COVID-19 and placed on ventilator". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
- ^ Chu, Louisa. "Chicago's Tamale Guy, Claudio Velez, hospitalized with COVID-19 and placed on ventilator". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2020-08-29.
- ^ Selvam, Ashok (2020-08-31). "'Tamale Guy' Claudio Velez Remains on Ventilator in Critical Condition". Eater Chicago. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Naperville Brewery Names Limited-Edition Beer in Honor of Chicago 'Tamale Guy'". NBC Chicago. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
- ^ Guerrero, Rafael. "Solemn Oath releases limited-edition beer in honor of 'Tamale Guy' Claudio Velez". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2021-01-19.