Shorty the Hot Tamale Man.

If you were here during the time period of 1931-1969, you may remember the hot tamale man named Vincent “Shorty” Guiterrez. Mr. Guiterrez settled in Monroe from Mexico in 1919. In 1931, he decided to sell tamales, using his father-in-law’s recipe. Mr. Guiterrez and his wife Stella would make the tamales with cornmeal, meat, chili powder, ground cumin seeds, garlic, salt and other seasonings. The meat would be boiled and ground fine. The cornmeal mush would be spread on a boiled corn husk, the meat added and then rolled to be boiled again. Mr. Guiterrez would load his wooden bicycle pushcart with the tamales and go to the corner of North 4th and DeSiard to sell his wares. Some of his best customers came from Selman Field. He took great delight in introducing northern soldiers to the treat! Some days he sold as many as 90 dozen for about 30 cents a dozen in the late 40’s! Mr. Guiterrez lost his beloved wife Stella in 1966 and finally retired in 1969. He passed away in 1980 and is buried in St. Matthew Cemetery.