Yvolina's Tamales

“First time here! Just walked out of this place so satisfied & yummy full! Tried the chicken tinga &...”

First time here! Just walked out of this place so satisfied & yummy full! Tried the chicken tinga & poblano tamales both dinner style & it was such a unique but delicious meal!! My husband commented on how moist the tamales were! We hate dry tamales! Haha. We also got to try the kale limonade made in house & that was so refreshing! (Not pictured bc my son was drinking it) Their waiter & waitress were very welcoming, she let me try the mole sauces before deciding which one I wanted as my topping. They sell jars of their homemade mole sauces, so we took two home! Definitely recommend!!

YOLANDA CANALES

Nov 2025

“The most DELICIOUS guacamole 🥑 and chips, tamales 🫔 , and horchata’s!”

The most DELICIOUS guacamole 🥑 and chips, tamales 🫔 , and horchata’s!! 😋 I discovered Yvolina’s Tamales at the South Loop night market/farmers market and was thrilled to see the restaurant is not far from the South Loop at all! The poblano tamale is HUGE and the masa is sooo delicious, it’s the best I’ve tasted for sure 💗 the guac is addicting, and I only wish there were much larger containers for it because it’s the best in the city to me 💓 the chips are so much better than anything sold at the store, I wish they were sold in stores for the convenience of getting them more often lol. And the horchata is so sweetly refreshing it is another one I wish I could get a larger size to enjoy 😊 I saw they have vegan tamales in one of the reviews, so now I’m even more happy the restaurant is so close! I highly recommend stopping by their booth in the farmers market at the Roosevelt Collection on Thursday’s 💝 or the actual restaurant which is a short drive down Halsted off Roosevelt if you’re coming from the South Loop.

Courtney Smith

Jun 2025

“I got the chicken tamale dinner and cauliflower ceviche.”

I got the chicken tamale dinner and cauliflower ceviche. The ceviche was so good I forgot the tamale existed 😩 I've never had anything like it, it was packed with so much flavor and the cauliflower was so tender and soft! Even the chips were good and fresh. I'll be back to get a few containers 😅

Candace

Nov 2024

“Wonderful Tamales Oaxaca style.”

Wonderful Tamales Oaxaca style. Vegan and vegetarian options, including meat options. Best of all no artery clogging lard, it's been so hard to find a place like this. I plan on coming here often and recommending it. Try it today!

David Nonato

Oct 2024

“stopped here on my way into pilsen due to its proximity to the halsted metra station and WOW.”

stopped here on my way into pilsen due to its proximity to the halsted metra station and WOW! this place is amazing! customer service is excellent and the food itself was amazing! tamale dinner was perfect. they pride themselves on using no lard, no preservatives, no gluten, and no chicken broth, and you can taste the difference! lots of vegetarian options too, which i’ll have to try next time! the horchata was probably the best i’ve ever had - so creamy and flavorful! great restaurant in a great space!

Joshua B

Jul 2024

“This place is such a hidden gem.”

This place is such a hidden gem! They have THE BEST tamales and I drive about an hour to get them everytime! There is literally no place that I’ve found that has the soft and flavorful masa and the most delicious mole in this entire area! They know what they’re doing and I’m addicted! Can’t wait to return!! 🥰🥰🥰

Chelseas World

Mar 2024

“Delicious homemade tamales.”

Delicious homemade tamales. I love the spicy chipotle chicken tamales. They have vegan options. Looks like the MASA is made without pork, so it’s not as flavorful as most tamales but still delicious. Very friendly employees

Vann V

Mar 2024

“Get ready for an amazing meal!”

Get ready for an amazing meal!! I’m so happy to be able to get vegan mole and tamales in one of Chicago’s best locations for authentic Mexican food! I had the quinoa and lentil tamale with green and red mole, a side of rice and pinto beans. Also had the kale mango lemonade. So friggin good!! I dined in for this beautiful meal served hot on a banana leaf. Absolutely delicious!!

jaieats plants

May 2023

“First time trying Yvolina’s Tamales and so happy we did.”

First time trying Yvolina’s Tamales and so happy we did! The selections of tamales were out of this world—never have I seen, lentils and rice or eggplant and chihuahua cheese in a banana leaf! The chili bean and vegan cheese tamale was so flavorful and filling…it was devoured in 5-7 minutes flat! Will definitely come back and bring others! Check out the current menu below (couldn’t find one online anywhere)!

Tamiko N.

Jul 2022

“I tried Yvolina's for the first time last week and I can not wait to go back.”

I tried Yvolina's for the first time last week and I can not wait to go back! Their tamale dinners are incredible and the ingredients are so fresh, from the rice and beans to the tamale itself. I got Chicken and Green Mole for my boyfriend and Tofu & Green tomatillo for myself. Edgar at the front helped me out with his recommendations on what to get. He was patient and had great customer service from beginning to end!

Zuri Girón

Dec 2020

“My husband and I went here on a weekday afternoon.”

My husband and I went here on a weekday afternoon. It wasn't busy at all. We were greeted by a friendly gentleman who happily explain the menu to us and let us know their options for drinks. They have bottled beverages as well as homemade. We had a kale lemonade that was delicious, the gentleman letter sample it ahead of time which I thought was super nice. Our food came shortly after ordering, but you can tell that it was definitely made with love. The tamales were super moist and the mole was delicious! They have many different options for fillings, meat lovers, vegetarian, and vegan options. I would definitely recommend this place and I will definitely be back.

erica montelo

Oct 2018

“Usually in the neighborhood the best tamales are from street vendors.”

Usually in the neighborhood the best tamales are from street vendors. Yet this place has been crowned Tamale King!! The Dinner combo filled me up more than expected. It included rice, mole and beans on top. Quite a selection of classics and new options. Also Vegan friendly styles. Try the Kale Mango Lemonade as well. Instant favorite will be back soon.

humberto abad

Apr 2018