A coworker brought these into work and I have been thinking about them for weeks! I used to pass this location going between the grocery stores on Cermak and never thought to stop by. Finally today I had a chance to park in the loading zone and grab a few of what was left: green and red salsa pork tamales and then 1 of each of the sweet ones for my kids. The pork tamales were great and had a lot of flavor. My daughter loved the strawberry and will try the other ones later. I will be back! read more

The Tamale Lady - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I usually think the great tamales are sold only on the streets in Pilsen, I normally see pop-ups and buy a dozen. I saw a store front called "The Tamale Lady" and I had to give it a try. I was surprised how reasonably priced these tamales are. I asked them which is most popular and she told me the green chicken tamales are most ordered. I bought a dozen of the red sauce pork ones also. Both choices are a hit with my family and I been coming here weekly for my tamale crave Payment is Zelle or Cash. Street Parking available too. read more

The Tamale Lady - Menu - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Y'all she now has a brick and mortar!! It's around the corner from where she usually sells. This is such great news that she has a storefront now!! I stopped in today (Sunday) around noon. There was no line. Of course the tamales are delicious!! I ordered 8, with a total of $20! there is street parking and lots of tables inside. Looked very clean inside, but I took it to go. They still accept cash and Zelle at the store. Storefront Address is 1932 W. Cermak Rd. Chicago, IL 60608 read more

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Payment options: cash, zelle, and I believe one more. I went here as she is my favorite tamale person in that area. The atmosphere offers seating for at least 6 different parties. The service is quick and they are kind. The tamales were still hot to be the middle of the afternoon with plenty of options. I wanted pozole but they were out. They had plenty options including chicken with salsa verde, pork salsa rojo, spinach and cheese, cheese/pepper, and sweet tamales. Hot drinks and soups available. Metered Street parking. read more

After 30 years she finally had her Store front Congratulations to The Tamal Lady They accept Zelle!! The place is spacious and the service is great! The food is savory and just right on the spicy! See photos below so you can see just how big the Oaxaqueño Tamal is. I didn't order a regular Tamal bc I wanted to taste the Oaxaqueño ones first and they didn't disappoint! The price for it is $6.06 and it is worth it. It's like having 4 tamales in one. I'll be going back to taste the regular ones. For now my review is only on the Oaxaqueño Tamales. read more

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The food is great! I swear they have the best tamales in town! They are huge and don't skip on the meat. My favorite is that the flavor of the sauce is in the entire tamal and not just the center. Happy to support this business and drive almost 45 minutes from the north side to get their tamales. FYI, it's a cash only place and they also accept Zelle. read more

Always been going here for tamales don't care for price always went for the good tamales but today they was dry . Tasted bland , and but the first one and tasted like something was expired read more

The renowned tamale lady that used to sell delicious tamales off 21st and Damen now opened up her own brick-and-mortar establishment. read more

The Tamale Lady - Brick-and-mortar restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The former street vendor now has a brick and mortar business. Great portions for the price plus the flavor that others lack on their tamales. The champurrado is as close as to authentic as you can get. Fast and friendly service. Now you can dine in not just carry out. Come check them out on Cermak where the old ice cream place used to be a few doors down from the breakfast place. read more

The Tamale Lady - Strawberry tamales, Red pork tamales and large Champurrado (caramelized sugar cane, cinnamon and chocolate drink) - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I have never had tamales before until my co-workers introduced me to the tamale lady absolutely delicious absolutely addictive we used to get the tamales on break and we would get over in that area by any means necessary I no longer work at that company but I still love the food of the tamale lady it's worth the trip I have been missing out on goodness for years but no more give it a try I'm sure you'll love it read more

Masa to meat ratio perfect! Salsas were just delicious. Support small local businesses. Quick friendly staff. read more

Put together an order of several dozen tamales and had it ready on time! Super nice on the phone and in person!

I'm sorry but I have tried these over and over thinking maybe today wasn't their best ? But no after trying her tamales about 5 times (just trying to support my people) it was not good to me. The chicken was always dry the corn was decent but we want spicy and saucy not dry :( I'm glad others love her but as a tamales enthusiast this one is a no especially if you have chefs in the house than you're gonna be underwhelmed. Also there's another señora in this same area she's by herself near the alley if yall want something spicier she's my go to every time . read more

no type of chicken or salsa they fucking suck now !!!!!!!!! Don't forget dry as fuck to !!!!!!!!!

The tamales where all Mazza. If there was meat in them they might have been good. Will not be going back. ​ read more

In 2019, been to Chicago twice. Twice. Also the number of times I got tamales from The Tamale Lady. Keep this in mind. I live in Southern California. Rain or shine. Or even snow. She's out there. Until she runs out. Heard people line up to get some of her $1.25 singles or $15 dozens. Pork. Chicken. Spicy. Non. I liked them both. I prefer the pork. Decent size for the price. I like the meat to dough (masa) ratio. Not all masa. Vendor operates out of a cart. No table service. No food delivery. Cash only. Limited English. But delicious food. Haven't had their drinks. Yet. Side note: Tamales will warrant an inspection by TSA at O'Hare. Happens when you're carrying two dozen in your carry on. read more

The Tamale Lady - Da Tamale Lady! - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

hands down one of the best, if not the very best tamales on the south side of Chicago

Fantastic street food with most affordable price and authentic taste, also quite friendly and suitable for a solo traveler as a breakfast. read more

The Tamale Lady - a banana in a plastic bag - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

In my opinion, they make awesome tamales but their drinks are even better! Don't know what it's called but it's a thick hot rice and cinnamon drink that is amazing. Was there a week ago and she was already gone. She's gone when she sells out. read more

Best tamales in the city. Don't tell my grandma I said that. I go probably twice a week. Don't judge me.

Went there again the other day, two dollars each -still delicious- still huge -still great. I get the green chicken and red pork. There are others along the same street trying to cash in on her business, selling their tamales but make sure you go to her. You won't be disappointed. Shes on the north corner of the bank. read more

Best tamales I've had in a long time and they are huge and I've eaten quite a few in my day the only thing that would come close is my uncle's recipe that passed away and no one ever bother to learn it BUT these are awesome indeed read more

I understand that there are many tamale ladies out there in the streets of Chicago, but this is the only place that I consistently get my tamales from on the weekends. The specific location is at the southeast corner of 21st. Place and Damen. Typically street vendors that sell Mexican breakfast-related items would be out early in the morning and be done by 10am or so. The tamale lady crew seems to have their "kitchen team" that supports their inventory so that they can extend the business hours. My go-to flavor is pollo verde. The sauce is spicy but it's exactly how I like it. Each tamal is priced at $1.25. If you get the ones wrapped with banana leaves, each costs $3. I have had pollo rojo in banana leaves. They were equally delicious! Street parking across along Damen can be found. If you would like some coffee to go with these addicting tamales, there's one inside the CTA Damen Pink Line station. I also enjoy their coffee very much. Of course, it's cash-only with the tamale lady, so save your bartending tip or get some green bucks from an ATM. read more

Looooove me sum tamales!!! This lady is well known throughout Chicagoland for turning out DELICIOUS tamales.Im born and raised here and TRUST ME everyone knows this lady.Lucky me I just recently moved to Pilsen.Been here a year already.So Im a regular at this spot now.But I've known about her FOREVER.She definitely does em' right.Today I was there just waiting for her because I KNEW she would come AS USUAL.Sooooo HAPPY!!! read more

The Tamale Lady - the tamale lady cart - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Bought tamales this morning and noticed that the masa was not fully cooked. It was multiple tamales that were raw. For the money i paid, completely unacceptable. Will not be going back again. read more

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I had my first authentic tamale in my life today here in this amazing spot, my cousins were kind enough to share and then I ordered my own later on in the day. I will definitely be ordering first thing in the morning I have never had anything and that was jalapeno. Everything was great except their tables and chairs; it is not enough to the number of customers they have every day. Hope they can improved and expand their place also the seatings. I am looking forward to pay a visit again soon. I highly recommend this spot! read more

I live in Southern California so I have very high expectations of Mexican food so when I learned that Chicago has a thriving tamale scene I had to see it for myself. After extensive research many reviewers gave high marks to "The Tamale Lady" in Pilsen and raved about her hand-made pockets of joy especially the ones with spicy green sauce. A few even stated that there would be long lines bright and early in the morning and that they were worth the wait. The weather forecasted rain, but since I saw photos of her standing in the snow during the winter months I had no doubt she'd sell her goods in case it poured cats and dogs - and I was right! There was no line at 9am (probably because of the rain and humidity) and she had everything available. I decided to grab a dozen of the tamales with green chicken (spicy) and a half dozen with red pork (mild) to bring back home for my family and friends to enjoy a piece of Chicago. But before packing them up, I took it upon myself to be a guinea pig and taste test one of the red ones. Oh-Em-Gee, it was delicious!! The corn to meat ratio was perfect and the flavor brought everything together cohesively. I recently went to a "must eat" tamale shop in LA recently, and I would rather have the tamales from THIS lady. I think I might have been ruined for life lol For $15 a dozen or $1.25 for a single, I would definitely come back and buy more! read more

Tamales are so good and freshly made. Champorado and Arroz con Leche are even more amazing!!!

Varias veces hemos comido estos tamales y han estado buenos. Pero hoy nos tocaron tres tamales rojos que estaban echados a perder. Hasta las ganas de tomarme el champurrado se me quitaron. We have eaten tamales from here a few times and they have been good. But today we had 3 red tamales that were spoiled. Didn't even want to drink my champurado anymore. read more

The Tamale Lady - a tamale wrapped in plastic - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Best I've had never fails every time i get I know it's going to taste exactly how i like my verde chicken tamales.

Simple operation for authentic Mexican tamales! Like other reviews stated, she's usually setting up right on the corner around 7am. **NOTE SHE HAS RAISED HER PRICES** (at least since I last visited her in Oct) $1.25/each, $14/dozen cash only. still reasonable, but just be prepared! I think she also has increased her selection, but I don't read Spanish, so I'm not sure; I should've taken a pic of her new signage with the menu, but was in a rush this morning, but her staples are still available. read more

The best tamales around. Sells out quick. Get there early. Yum yum Red and green all good. read more

My first tamale was from here; it started it a lifelong appreciation. I never realized that tamales could vary in quality because I lived so close to the Tamale Lady and was spoiled with the tender masa and spicy, meaty filling at a great price. Small wonder people drive to this corner early in the morning. Always a staple if you're in the area. I feel bad for the other vendors nearby but this one can't be beat!!! Get the pollo verde asap the run out first! read more

Amazing!!!! These are fatties! Rajas and red pork are fire! Even the masa has flavor. They are also well-filled.

All I have to say is there's a line every morning for these tamales. People know they're getting the best here. I always get two tamales de rajas (jalapeño with cheese) and a champurrado (thick Mexican hot chocolate). So freaking good. I'm super picky about my champurrado, finding that some people are stingy with amount of milk they add and lack of flavor, but this lady makes the most creamiest concoction. Also, fyi for those who haven't eaten a tamal before, don't eat it with "the shell". read more

Amazing tamales!!! More expensive but sooo worth it, they are steaming hot and she will even bring them to your car if you pull up in front. I will be back!!! read more

Probably the best place to get tamales in the south side of Chicago. Having been born and raised just south of Pilsen, I may have my biases, but there is no doubt that they churn out some AMAZING tamales. The texture and flavor of these tamales are to die for (i'm not kidding when I say I literally have dreams about them). These tamales are amongst the few things in this world I would set an alarm to wake up for (the tamale ladies go home after about 1PM) I also wanted to make mention of the dedication of these strong women. They are consistently out there in the cold, even when the bitter Chicago winters drop in to the negatives. I admire them so much for all their hard work and dedication and I would NEVER EVEN DREAM of buying a tamale from anyone else. If you're from Chicago (or not) and you haven't had these tamales yet, you're missing out. You've got to get some! PS: it's obviously CASH ONLY, so bring some! ($1.50/tamale) read more

The Tamale Lady - The green salsa pork and red salsa chicken tamales. To die for. - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

There started to put little meat on it. It seems it's not the same person making them. Will I continue going maybe, seen it's convent. Cerdo RojoGreen Chicken Tamales. El champurrado it's good, so it's the service. read more

Ordered a red pork tamale and a green chicken tamale. Unfortunately they had no meat inside it was strictly maza with with spicy salsa and she's charging $2 per tamale. I've had better tamales at a better price. read more

Just. Wow. I stopped by for a dozen tamales to take to a friend who moved away from Chicago and has been missing homemade tamales. The Tamale Lady did not disappoint! First, the pricing is extremely reasonable: a dozen fresh, homemade tamales for $18. Next, they are so good. A great balance of stuffing to masa. Finally, they traveled extremely well. I am definitely going to make the Tamale Lady a regular stop when I am in Pilsen and need a tamale fix. read more