[6] Originally from Acapulco, Mexico,[1] 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.
[11][12] 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.
[16][17] On October 1, he had recovered and a GoFundMe fundraiser for his medical bills had raised tens of thousands of dollars.
[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.