Late last week I learned that Monday, 3/23 was National Tamale Day. I discovered that fact from a Chicago History Museum facebook post. If you’ve partaken of any nightlife in Chicago for around the past quarter century you’ve likely encountered a ‘tamale person’. Claudio has become a local legend as he was one of, if not the, original tamale guy. There are others these days, to be honest most of them do serve a quality product, but there’s always something a little special about seeing Claudio wend his way through a crowd with that red cooler. I saw him a couple months ago (I don’t get around much anymore) at the Hideout and didn’t get anything. Next time I see him out I really ought to. Typical menu is pork, chicken, or cheese and pepper. I like them all!

Header image is Claudio in front of Phyllis’ Musical Inn, the last vestige of Nelson Algren’s Division St., Chicago.