Yvolina's Tamales
If you ever find yourself wandering through Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood, make a stop at Yvolina's Tamales—you’ll be glad you did. Nestled at 814 W 18th St, this cozy spot dishes up tamales that feel like they were crafted straight from abuelita’s kitchen, wrapped in love (and sometimes banana leaves).
The moment you walk in, there's a casual, welcoming vibe. It’s lively without being overwhelming—think moderate background noise, the chatter of friends catching up, and kids happily munching away at tamales. Whether you're rolling in solo or bringing the whole crew, Yvolina's easily caters to groups and families alike.
But let's get to the good part: the food. Their Green Mole Tamales pack a punch with fresh herbs and that slow-cooked richness you just can’t fake. Prefer something more traditional? Go for the Red Mole—deep, smoky, and unforgettable. If you're into plant-based eats, don’t sweat it—the Vegan Tamales are a crowd favorite, flavorful and filling without compromising on authenticity.
Then there’s the Banana Leaf Tamales, which might just be the star of the show. Wrapped and steamed in banana leaves, they deliver a slightly earthy aroma that pairs perfectly with the tender filling inside. And for classic tamale lovers, the Chicken Tamale hits all the right notes—juicy, savory, and perfectly spiced.
Yvolina’s isn’t about flashy decor or trendy fusions—it’s about staying true to flavors that matter. The tamales here are handmade, hearty, and served with heart. It's the kind of place where you come for the food but stay for the homey atmosphere and welcoming faces.
Reviews
My boyfriend been wanting to find a tamale place. And we finally found this place. We first try the tamale in Water Tower where there is an indoor farmer market for the whole month of March. The flavor and texture of the tamale worth the wait and price. So then we try to hunt down where the restaurant. They were not that far away from me! So we went there one weekend to grab a bit of tamale. Pollo verde! Highly recommend. There salsa omg to die for! Street parking and there is space for you to dine in. The server was friendly and helpful.
The tamales wrapped in a banana leaf??? Yea please! There's a reason why this place has won best mole awards. So good! Even their frijoles and arroz are fantastic. Highly recommend!
Ordered carryout tamales. Banana leaf tamales were excellent with unique flavors. Would definitely come back. Very small place. Not sure if there is room to eat there. Parking was pretty easy to find.
I'm a sucker for leaf-based steam cooking from the zhongzi I would often eat for breakfast on the street in Taiwan to the tamales that run out early in the morning from popular vendors in CDMX. So I was naturally excited to try a tamale specialist operating just to the east of the main restaurant drag in Pilsen. The vegetarian variety stuffed with beans was a satisfying meal in itself, served topped with a delicious rich mole that may not have been brewing for thousands of days but for my purposes more than held its own.
Glad I found this place. Other spots around Pilsen seem to be closed before 3/4pm. Really glad they can assure you they don't use lard or chicken broth if you are looking for vegetarian tamales. The guy was super friendly and helpful. The tamale itself is special too. Look forward to going back.