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Mississippi Delta Style Tamales in Chicago, Found at Last

Mississippi Delta Style Tamales in Chicago, Found at Last
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  • Post #31 - April 20th, 2008, 3:42 pm
    Post #31 - April 20th, 2008, 3:42 pm Post #31 - April 20th, 2008, 3:42 pm
    Welcome to the forum Yoland. Your desire to make your customers happy is encouraging. I will stop by soon.
    What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all about?
  • Post #32 - April 20th, 2008, 5:07 pm
    Post #32 - April 20th, 2008, 5:07 pm Post #32 - April 20th, 2008, 5:07 pm
    This whole thread is just amazing! The fact that Roland is now on LTH looking for constructive criticism is awesome!! The power of LTH.
  • Post #33 - April 20th, 2008, 5:48 pm
    Post #33 - April 20th, 2008, 5:48 pm Post #33 - April 20th, 2008, 5:48 pm
    Yoland - thank you for posting, and for providing this regional specialty to the West Side. Please do not feel pressured to change anything about your recipe or process on the basis of the reactions (including my own) here, as the tamales are obviously already successful! The way you like 'em is either the way we like 'em, or not, but it's the authentic way, and you shouldn't have to compromise on it. I personally would like to pick up a batch dry some time, but that wouldn't change your preparation, and could be worked out individually.

    I saw notes in J's posted about soft shell tacos and other items - are there any other home-cooked specialties we should be keeping our eyes out for?
  • Post #34 - October 26th, 2008, 2:03 pm
    Post #34 - October 26th, 2008, 2:03 pm Post #34 - October 26th, 2008, 2:03 pm
    Hello, it's the Mississippi Delta Hot Tamale Man, Yoland~

    I would like to welcome everyone to my new location;

    Happy Dog Inn
    5614 West Chicago Ave.
    Chicago, IL 60651
    773-621-1929

    I will be posting new locations soon.

    Come out to eat and enjoy those delicious 'Mississippi Delta Hot Tamales'!

    Thank you!
  • Post #35 - October 26th, 2008, 11:20 pm
    Post #35 - October 26th, 2008, 11:20 pm Post #35 - October 26th, 2008, 11:20 pm
    Thanks for the update, Yoland. I stopped at Happy Dog Avenue once already and was hoping to make another visit before posting. I suppose now is as good a time as any.

    Like J's Meats, Happy Dog is the sort of place most would drive by without a thought. Only the bright Mississippi Hot Tamales sign in the window gives any indication it's more than the usual doggery.

    Image

    I believe Happy Dog is run by a family from Thailand. The menu is pretty much standard Chicago fast food (but note the Thai-influenced lettering) without any mention of tamales. We had to ask about them—yet another secret Thai menu!

    Image

    Two types, beef and turkey, are now available. Both had good flavor but were wetter than anything we had before at J's Meats, and wetter than anything we encountered on a recent trip to the Delta.

    Image

    Image

    We visited Happy Dog in their early days of serving tamales so hopefully by now they've perfected the simmering schedule. There's nothing similar in Chicago so fans of Delta hot tamales will want to get over to Central & Chicago. I'll be back soon and look forward to hearing of other locations.

    Happy Dog Avenue
    5614 W Chicago Av
    Chicago
  • Post #36 - November 8th, 2008, 1:39 pm
    Post #36 - November 8th, 2008, 1:39 pm Post #36 - November 8th, 2008, 1:39 pm
    Thanks for the continued support Rene G!

    Below is another location where my 'Mississippi Delta Hot Tamales' are being served;

    Quench
    5815 West Madison Avenue
    Chicago, IL 60644
    773-287-FOOD (3663)

    Ask for the 'Turkey' Tamales.

    Go check em' out! :D
  • Post #37 - November 8th, 2008, 2:40 pm
    Post #37 - November 8th, 2008, 2:40 pm Post #37 - November 8th, 2008, 2:40 pm
    I'm confused. Is "Jay's" the same place called "J's" at the beginning of this thread? And are they now not selling tamales? But Happy Dog gets them from the same people at J's? Who's on first?
    What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all about?
  • Post #38 - November 8th, 2008, 9:24 pm
    Post #38 - November 8th, 2008, 9:24 pm Post #38 - November 8th, 2008, 9:24 pm
    Hi,

    The original location identified by Rene G no longer provides the Mississippi Delta Tamales. Quench and Happy Dog Inn are the new locations identified by Mississippihotamaleman who provides them to the stands.

    Regards,
    Cathy2

    "You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
    Facebook, Twitter, Greater Midwest Foodways,
  • Post #39 - November 8th, 2008, 10:31 pm
    Post #39 - November 8th, 2008, 10:31 pm Post #39 - November 8th, 2008, 10:31 pm
    Cathy2 wrote:Hi,

    The original location identified by Rene G no longer provides the Mississippi Delta Tamales. Quench and Happy Dog Inn are the new locations identified by Mississippihotamaleman who provides them to the stands.

    Regards,

    I this the same guy who was making them for J's? Who is Yoland then?
    What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all about?
  • Post #40 - November 8th, 2008, 11:28 pm
    Post #40 - November 8th, 2008, 11:28 pm Post #40 - November 8th, 2008, 11:28 pm
    Yoland Cannon = Mississippi Hot Tamale Man
    Cathy2

    "You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
    Facebook, Twitter, Greater Midwest Foodways,
  • Post #41 - April 25th, 2009, 2:44 pm
    Post #41 - April 25th, 2009, 2:44 pm Post #41 - April 25th, 2009, 2:44 pm
    Rene G wrote:Thanks for the update, Yoland. I stopped at Happy Dog Avenue once already and was hoping to make another visit before posting. I suppose now is as good a time as any.


    Happy Dog Avenue
    5614 W Chicago Av
    Chicago


    Fine example (if one can say that) of a Delta in Chicago tamale today. Happy Dog's a bit of a trip; one sign notes "30 years of expert experience". Then there's the extra's: 15 cents extra onions; 15 cents extra sauce and yes a note, 15 cents extra anything [sic]. I wish I spent the 15 cents for the fork or at least brought my own, as a couple of tamales on the hood was quite the messy experience.
    Think Yiddish, Dress British - Advice of Evil Ronnie to me.
  • Post #42 - April 26th, 2009, 8:45 pm
    Post #42 - April 26th, 2009, 8:45 pm Post #42 - April 26th, 2009, 8:45 pm
    Hi,

    By happy coincidence, I dropped by this afternoon. The tamale was so hot and the filling so loose, it was impossible to eat comfortably without utensils. I tucked it back into the bag to let it rest. I finally got back to it when it was lukewarm and corn mush congealed, it was a much easier eating experience. I liked it better lukewarm than the tamale swimming in its own juices when hot.

    It was my first experience with a Mississippi Delta tamale made with ground turkey. While it had a kick, it was milder than Willie's Tamales.

    Regards,
    Cathy2

    "You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
    Facebook, Twitter, Greater Midwest Foodways,
  • Post #43 - September 26th, 2009, 11:25 pm
    Post #43 - September 26th, 2009, 11:25 pm Post #43 - September 26th, 2009, 11:25 pm
    Yellow cart advertising "Delta tamales" spotted on Central this evening. Regretfully, did not stop (I wasn't driving, of course).
    "Don't you ever underestimate the power of a female." Bootsy Collins
  • Post #44 - September 27th, 2009, 12:04 am
    Post #44 - September 27th, 2009, 12:04 am Post #44 - September 27th, 2009, 12:04 am
    David Hammond wrote:Yellow cart advertising "Delta tamales" spotted on Central this evening. Regretfully, did not stop (I wasn't driving, of course).

    Where on Central?
    What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all about?
  • Post #45 - September 27th, 2009, 4:26 am
    Post #45 - September 27th, 2009, 4:26 am Post #45 - September 27th, 2009, 4:26 am
    Cogito wrote:
    David Hammond wrote:Yellow cart advertising "Delta tamales" spotted on Central this evening. Regretfully, did not stop (I wasn't driving, of course).

    Where on Central?


    South of North Avenue and north of Lake.
    "Don't you ever underestimate the power of a female." Bootsy Collins
  • Post #46 - September 27th, 2009, 10:40 pm
    Post #46 - September 27th, 2009, 10:40 pm Post #46 - September 27th, 2009, 10:40 pm
    David Hammond wrote:Yellow cart advertising "Delta tamales" spotted on Central this evening. Regretfully, did not stop (I wasn't driving, of course).

    Thanks very much for letting us know about your sighting. It's especially important because this cart may be the only current source for Yoland Cannon's tamales. I'll discuss the cart in a bit but first here's an update on the other places that sold Yoland's Delta-style tamales.

    PIGMON and I toured the West Side today looking for tamales. J's Fresh Meats (5615 W Madison) is out of business, replaced by M & S Food Mart. They don't carry tamales.

    Image

    Happy Dog Avenue (5614 W Chicago) was another source for Yoland's tamales. Comparing this current picture with the one earlier in this thread, you'll notice the "Mississippi Hot Tamales" sign has been removed from the window. They stated they no longer sell them.

    Image

    Quench (5815 W Madison) was yet another source. In keeping with Quench's "no beef, no pork" policy they sold only the turkey version but they aren't available any longer.

    Image

    Heading north on Central past Chicago, it's tough to miss the big yellow and red sign standing next to a color coordinated tamale cart. I think this is exactly the same sign I spotted a year and a half ago at the abandoned shack on Chicago near Laramie (see the very first picture in this thread). It's a beautiful little cart that would be very much at home in the Mississippi Delta.

    Image

    We chatted with the nice young woman running the cart. She confirmed they were indeed Yoland's tamales and told us she'd been at the cart only a couple weeks.

    Image

    Opening the package there was no doubt they were Yoland's. It's great having them back again and especially nice to know there's an authentic Delta tamale cart on the streets of Chicago.
  • Post #47 - September 28th, 2009, 3:14 pm
    Post #47 - September 28th, 2009, 3:14 pm Post #47 - September 28th, 2009, 3:14 pm
    Driving by today I noticed it was on the corner of Rice (1 block north of Chicago) and Central.
    "Very good... but not my favorite." ~ Johnny Depp as Roux the Gypsy in Chocolat
  • Post #48 - September 28th, 2009, 3:19 pm
    Post #48 - September 28th, 2009, 3:19 pm Post #48 - September 28th, 2009, 3:19 pm
    Does this cart sell the pork, turkey, or what version? I just noticed beef and chicken painted on the cart, if that is accurate?
    What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all about?
  • Post #49 - September 28th, 2009, 4:49 pm
    Post #49 - September 28th, 2009, 4:49 pm Post #49 - September 28th, 2009, 4:49 pm
    Cogito wrote:Does this cart sell the pork, turkey, or what version? I just noticed beef and chicken painted on the cart, if that is accurate?

    As advertised on their spiffy new cart; chicken and beef. But I'd be surprised if very many folks could actually tell the difference. Note the level of mushiness for both types of tamales.

    Image

    Image
    (Photos courtesy of Peter Engler)

    Since both types were completely super-saturated in the typical Mississippi-style spiced broth and, most likely, had been macerating in it for hours on end, it is truly brutal to make that distinction between meats…even side by side. That said, I'd still say they're a delectable yet sloppy Dixie treat nonetheless.
  • Post #50 - September 28th, 2009, 7:58 pm
    Post #50 - September 28th, 2009, 7:58 pm Post #50 - September 28th, 2009, 7:58 pm
    I just went past Central and Rice--no cart. What time do they roll out?
    What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all about?
  • Post #51 - September 28th, 2009, 8:05 pm
    Post #51 - September 28th, 2009, 8:05 pm Post #51 - September 28th, 2009, 8:05 pm
    Cogito wrote:I just went past Central and Rice--no cart. What time do they roll out?


    I saw them around 6:00PM on a Saturday night, but my guess is that their schedule may be a little irregular. I can see the wind today as a discouragement.
    "Don't you ever underestimate the power of a female." Bootsy Collins
  • Post #52 - September 28th, 2009, 8:39 pm
    Post #52 - September 28th, 2009, 8:39 pm Post #52 - September 28th, 2009, 8:39 pm
    Cogito wrote:I just went past Central and Rice--no cart. What time do they roll out?

    I was by about 1:30 this afternoon.
    "Very good... but not my favorite." ~ Johnny Depp as Roux the Gypsy in Chocolat
  • Post #53 - October 1st, 2009, 11:06 pm
    Post #53 - October 1st, 2009, 11:06 pm Post #53 - October 1st, 2009, 11:06 pm
    Image

    Drove by this sign on a shop along Kostner tonight. Have to believe ReneG has not already spotted it, but I don't recall any discussion/description of "rag bologna" or other Mississippian elements on this street-side menu board. Also seems a good source for braws and human hair. Boostmobile?
    "Don't you ever underestimate the power of a female." Bootsy Collins
  • Post #54 - October 2nd, 2009, 12:15 am
    Post #54 - October 2nd, 2009, 12:15 am Post #54 - October 2nd, 2009, 12:15 am
    David Hammond wrote:ImageBoostmobile?


    Prepaid cellular service, $50 a month for unlimited nationwide calls and text messaging. Talk about a one stop shop!
    Fettuccine alfredo is mac and cheese for adults.
  • Post #55 - October 2nd, 2009, 7:34 am
    Post #55 - October 2nd, 2009, 7:34 am Post #55 - October 2nd, 2009, 7:34 am
    David Hammond wrote:Image

    Drove by this sign on a shop along Kostner tonight. Have to believe ReneG has not already spotted it, but I don't recall any discussion/description of "rag bologna" or other Mississippian elements on this street-side menu board. Also seems a good source for braws and human hair. Boostmobile?

    Last year I purchased half a pound of rag bologna at the little market on the northeast corner of 15th & Kostner, whose sign you show. They sell Starling Brand from Memphis, the only brand I’ve seen. Rag bologna is common in the South but it’s not unknown in these parts. I’ve also seen it for sale in Detroit and, most recently, in Decatur IL. I’ve been meaning to write something about rag bologna but for now I’ll just say it’s a thin-diameter, filler-rich bologna that’s encased in a waxed cloth sack (hence rag).
  • Post #56 - October 2nd, 2009, 7:37 am
    Post #56 - October 2nd, 2009, 7:37 am Post #56 - October 2nd, 2009, 7:37 am
    Blown Z wrote:
    David Hammond wrote:ImageBoostmobile?


    Prepaid cellular service, $50 a month for unlimited nationwide calls and text messaging. Talk about a one stop shop!


    Plus, panties and human hair.
    Ed Fisher
    my chicago food photos

    RIP LTH.
  • Post #57 - October 2nd, 2009, 10:12 am
    Post #57 - October 2nd, 2009, 10:12 am Post #57 - October 2nd, 2009, 10:12 am
    gleam wrote:
    Plus, panties and human hair.


    Please please, NOT the tagline. K thx bai.
  • Post #58 - October 6th, 2009, 8:25 pm
    Post #58 - October 6th, 2009, 8:25 pm Post #58 - October 6th, 2009, 8:25 pm
    Found a hint of a remnant of what might be Delta-style tamales in KC this past summer, for those interested in other Midwest representations or variations on the theme:

    http://lthforum.com/kc/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=107
  • Post #59 - September 1st, 2013, 9:08 pm
    Post #59 - September 1st, 2013, 9:08 pm Post #59 - September 1st, 2013, 9:08 pm
    These days, Yoland sets up in front of the ComEd substation at 909 N Laramie, just north of Iowa.

    Image
  • Post #60 - January 22nd, 2016, 9:04 am
    Post #60 - January 22nd, 2016, 9:04 am Post #60 - January 22nd, 2016, 9:04 am
    338 S. Laramie, if anyone is still looking. ImageMulti-ethnic Chicago part 1. Mississippi Delta Hot Tamales--Explored by Ann Fisher, on Flickr

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