Tamales are the heart and soul of the menu at Evelia\u2019s Tamales in East Elmhurst, Queens.<\/p>\n
The business started when Evelia Coyotzi, who came to the United States from Mexico in 2000, lost her job at a McDonalds\u2019s near the World Trade Center after Sept. 11, 2001. To make a living, she started selling tamales from a cart under the 7 train in Queens.<\/p>\n
In 2022, Coyotzi was able to open a shop on Northern Boulevard, not far from the cart location.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe still have the cart on Junction Boulevard and Roosevelt Avenue. It stays open until 1 p.m., but we only sell tamales on the pushcart. Here we sell a lot of traditional dishes,\u201d said Evelia\u2019s son, John Coyotzi, manager of Evelia\u2019s Tamales.<\/p>\n
The shop is a favorite of Council Member Shanel Thomas-Henry, who represents the 21st Council District in Queens and is also chair of the Council\u2019s Committee on Small Business.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy personal favorite is the chilaquiles,\u201d Thomas-Henry said. \u201cI usually get it with a side of pollo \u2014 chicken \u2014 on the side. It\u2019s a breakfast dish, but I come in for breakfast or lunch. That\u2019s my go-to.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thomas-Henry shared his love of Evelia\u2019s Tamales with The New York Hospitality Alliance District Dining Guide, now in its third year, which supports and promotes New York\u2019s restaurant and nightlife industry.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have more than 40 New York Council members, borough presidents, who have all given us a go-to restaurant and a go-to dish in their district, with a little story behind it: why the restaurant is special, why it means a lot to the community, so it\u2019s a really great way to help people,\u201d Andrew Rigie, executive director of the NYC Hospitality Alliance, said.<\/p>\n
The guide also shows the impact the industry has in the five boroughs, where there are more than 23,000 restaurants providing more the $28 billion of economic impact.<\/p>\n
For Coyozti, she says being part of the guide can only help bring more customers in.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really great for a small business because I think a small business is the backbone of the community,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n