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^[6] 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]