Claudio Velez, often referred to as the Tamale Guy,[2][3]Authentic Tamale Guy[4] or the Tamale Man,[5] is a cook and mobile caterer of tamales in Chicago.[6] Originally from Acapulco, Mexico,[1] Velez has a longstanding reputation in the city's North Sidenightlife 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[1] Velez had opened a restaurant, which due to popularity had customers waiting in a line 10 blocks long on opening day.[16] On August 29, media reported that Velez had contracted COVID-19 and was on a ventilator.[16][17] On October 1, he had recovered and a GoFundMe fundraiser for his medical bills had raised tens of thousands of dollars.[18] While Velez was hospitalized a Naperville brewery named a limited edition beer after him.[19][20] Velez later closed his restaurant and moved into shared spaces, first at Lone Wolf in the West Loop, and then in Bangers & Lace, and in 2022 again to a new Logan Square bar called Quality Time.[21]