More talk about tamales

The first week of shooting on the movie I'm employed by is almost over. I haven't had much time to blog this week, but I always make plenty of time to eat! A few thoughts about tamales before I hit the hay. Matamoros on Bedford in Williamsburg is closing due to a rent hike. This is a real bummer because it's a great source for delicious and cheap tamales and other Mexican treats in Hipsterville. Go there before it's too late!
I didn't know how much I thought about tamales until this week. One afternoon we were shooting near Billy's Bakery on 21st St. and 8th Ave. I had to run over to the set to drop something off, and as I was looking for a PA, I noticed there was a man selling tamales on 9th Ave. Unfortunately I didn't have any money, so I couldn't buy one. I was really bummed because the craft service tables weren't looking so hot. The production should have hired the tamale man.
I had to go to the carwash to get our car cleaned, and I was talking to the guy vacuuming the foot rugs. I was talking to him about the tamale lady and how I missed her one Friday morning and my whole day was a ruined. He told me that she actually stops by the car wash more than just Fridays!
But the best discovery wasn't my own. Our production secretary is my new best friend because she has bested me as tamale dealer. Lovely Liu lives in Spanish Harlem and must take a crosstown bus to the subway. She noted that there were ladies around her stop with coolers, but she didn't know what was in them until one day as she boarded the M116 and saw someone eating a tamale. Putting 2 and 2 together, the very next day she got herself a bag of dollar tamales and she was kind enough to get me one. I have to say, her goods are just a bit better than mine because these tamales are muy picante! I wonder if the Soho tamale dealer makes hers with the mild mole sauce because the downtown Soho crowd has a blander palate than Spanish Harlem. Nonetheless, on a cold day like the past few we've had, they really hit the spot. Check out the tucking technique. Isn't it a sight of perfection?