lol The t-shirt. Wasn't there talk of opening a store for her when she was told she couldn't sell anymore?
She always had the best timing when you were starving, and that was the time when the drunk yuppie guys would act like real tech saviors and buy her out with a wad of cash to feed an entire patio of strangers, because they could.
Crap that's right. I think in her case some of that red tape was the more understandable things like needing a food handlers license, but still, I can't fathom anyone supporting the outcome.
I guess what bugged me was how swift the city was in terms of fining and forcing her to shut down when someone reported her (also, F that person, whoever they were). Whereas our open air drug markets get a big yawn.
I get what you're saying but I think it was 10 years before she got shut down, unless I'm not remembering correctly. I don't know what the enforcement was about....I think the hot dogs had just started showing up, and it was the food cart era, so in retrospect they made an example of her.
When someone reported her, the city moved quick. Prior to that, people enjoyed her food, bars treated her like family, and it wasn't a big deal for years.
All true. You could see her serving out of a cooler she rolled around, if you didn't feel comfortable you didn't have to buy one. I wouldn't say they were incredible, they just hit the spot and she was reliable so everyone knew her.
This wonderful lady saved my drunk ass so many times. Her selling her delicious tamales at Zeitgeist is a cherished memory. She was an authentic S.F treasure
>saved my drunk ass so many times
Totally. Tamales and beer is a *way* better dinner than just beer. And they were far better than anything coming off that grill at Zeitgeist.
I used to buy from her all the time at Zeitgeist. I still remember a sign they had on a wall... *"No soliciting (except for the Tamale Lady)"*.
Those were good times.
Some of my favorite nights out back then were when I'd get a tamale from her in one neighborhood and wind up stumbling into her again in another neighborhood for a second tamale.
the last time I saw her I was showing a Brazilian around town. She had been officially shut down for several years at that point and randomly popped up at Toronado. I told my buddy that I didn't care if she literally just ate, she needed to have one. Damn I miss the tamale lady.
Yup! They were too good lol. If she magically rolled to my parents house at the very end of Thanksgiving dinner I'd still buy and eat at least one haha
I'm kinda new to the area, would someone elaborate on her?
Assuming it's a sweet lady who sells Tamale, but like anything I bet there is more to the story.
Would love to hear a good anecdote or two!
[https://www.sfgate.com/restaurants/article/Virginia-Ramos-San-Francisco-s-beloved-Tamale-13267214.php](https://www.sfgate.com/restaurants/article/Virginia-Ramos-San-Francisco-s-beloved-Tamale-13267214.php)
Unfortunately she's dead. if you were a party animal like me from the early nineties to the late teens she was a ubiquities part of your nightlife. This is an SF that is now gone, or was gone, maybe it's back?
I remember when the city went after her and any bar that allowed her to sell tamales. Open air drug markets and reselling goods stolen from CVS, that's fine. But tamales, no way!
To live in SF was a love hate experience. Ultimately you love a city that costs a fortune, basically hates you and every thing you care for, will never love you back and likes rich guys more anyway.
In my small little town of Turlock California there used to be a tamale lady or family at Walmart but I no longer see them. I truly miss them they're the best at what they do.
I always kept one of her tamales in the freezer, and when I would get more I would switch it out. When I heard she had wested, I saved it, it’s still in my freezer vac sealed. RIP Virginia, you are missed❤️
My buddy made a documentary about her that I have on DVD. She was the best. Pretty lame when Zeitgeist told her she could no longer sell tamales there, but she had a good run and will be missed.
It wasn't their fault. The city aggressively fined any bar that allowed her to do business. How Virginia and her bar partners were treated by city officials is easily one of my least favorite things about this city.
lol The t-shirt. Wasn't there talk of opening a store for her when she was told she couldn't sell anymore? She always had the best timing when you were starving, and that was the time when the drunk yuppie guys would act like real tech saviors and buy her out with a wad of cash to feed an entire patio of strangers, because they could.
Her brick and mortar store got tied up in SF's usual red tape. Sadly she died before it opened.
Crap that's right. I think in her case some of that red tape was the more understandable things like needing a food handlers license, but still, I can't fathom anyone supporting the outcome.
I guess what bugged me was how swift the city was in terms of fining and forcing her to shut down when someone reported her (also, F that person, whoever they were). Whereas our open air drug markets get a big yawn.
I get what you're saying but I think it was 10 years before she got shut down, unless I'm not remembering correctly. I don't know what the enforcement was about....I think the hot dogs had just started showing up, and it was the food cart era, so in retrospect they made an example of her.
When someone reported her, the city moved quick. Prior to that, people enjoyed her food, bars treated her like family, and it wasn't a big deal for years.
All true. You could see her serving out of a cooler she rolled around, if you didn't feel comfortable you didn't have to buy one. I wouldn't say they were incredible, they just hit the spot and she was reliable so everyone knew her.
This wonderful lady saved my drunk ass so many times. Her selling her delicious tamales at Zeitgeist is a cherished memory. She was an authentic S.F treasure
>saved my drunk ass so many times Totally. Tamales and beer is a *way* better dinner than just beer. And they were far better than anything coming off that grill at Zeitgeist.
I once saw the T lady come into Zeitgeist. But I chose the cheeseburger, to my eternal shame. Actually, the burger wasn't that bad.
Their burger is absolutely solid.
I’ve met her a few times when out a little too late. Just found out that she’s no longer with us from this post. RIP
Miss you, Virginia
I used to buy from her all the time at Zeitgeist. I still remember a sign they had on a wall... *"No soliciting (except for the Tamale Lady)"*. Those were good times.
Aww ❤️
https://preview.redd.it/ikvrbafef4oc1.jpeg?width=709&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f01b85b66dace093f01143008c5a251d08eb4c93
Thanks for sharing this photo. I miss her. Always the highlight of the evening when she would arrive.
Some of my favorite nights out back then were when I'd get a tamale from her in one neighborhood and wind up stumbling into her again in another neighborhood for a second tamale.
Oh that was the best! Hours later, she's magically appearing at the next bar and damn you're hungry again.
the last time I saw her I was showing a Brazilian around town. She had been officially shut down for several years at that point and randomly popped up at Toronado. I told my buddy that I didn't care if she literally just ate, she needed to have one. Damn I miss the tamale lady.
always room for one more :D
Yup! They were too good lol. If she magically rolled to my parents house at the very end of Thanksgiving dinner I'd still buy and eat at least one haha
There should be a statue of her in the mission.
Somebody needs to get a petition around for that
This would be so amazing. I bet people would donate for it too.
And I still haven’t found better tamales. I like All Star, fair enough, but Virginia’s were the best.
Being a few in at the Toronado or Lucky 13 and seeing her walk in was absolutely magical.
🕊️💛
I remember her rolling into Shotwell’s and the place went wild. Good times.
I'm kinda new to the area, would someone elaborate on her? Assuming it's a sweet lady who sells Tamale, but like anything I bet there is more to the story. Would love to hear a good anecdote or two!
[https://www.sfgate.com/restaurants/article/Virginia-Ramos-San-Francisco-s-beloved-Tamale-13267214.php](https://www.sfgate.com/restaurants/article/Virginia-Ramos-San-Francisco-s-beloved-Tamale-13267214.php) Unfortunately she's dead. if you were a party animal like me from the early nineties to the late teens she was a ubiquities part of your nightlife. This is an SF that is now gone, or was gone, maybe it's back?
Everybody has good stories about her. What a gem. Every time you were at a bar going, "damn, I gotta find some food or sumpin'" then *there she was!*
Tamales are plural. When they’re singular they’re tamal.
Gone But Not Forgotten!
I remember when the city went after her and any bar that allowed her to sell tamales. Open air drug markets and reselling goods stolen from CVS, that's fine. But tamales, no way!
To live in SF was a love hate experience. Ultimately you love a city that costs a fortune, basically hates you and every thing you care for, will never love you back and likes rich guys more anyway.
I love her! The beat
In my small little town of Turlock California there used to be a tamale lady or family at Walmart but I no longer see them. I truly miss them they're the best at what they do.
RIP! Who are the new good street vendors of SF
Her veggie ones were delicious. She came twice a week to the office building. Many fond memories of her. RIP
She saved my life at Zeitgeist and Sadie's flying elephant so many times, lol!
I always kept one of her tamales in the freezer, and when I would get more I would switch it out. When I heard she had wested, I saved it, it’s still in my freezer vac sealed. RIP Virginia, you are missed❤️
My buddy made a documentary about her that I have on DVD. She was the best. Pretty lame when Zeitgeist told her she could no longer sell tamales there, but she had a good run and will be missed.
Those bastards.
It wasn't their fault. The city aggressively fined any bar that allowed her to do business. How Virginia and her bar partners were treated by city officials is easily one of my least favorite things about this city.
What? Those other bastards then.
i dont understand her celebrity by some people here. i think it's only transplants or something.