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Tamale Spaceship to Open Wicker Park Restaurant Before Year's End

By DNAinfo Staff on September 16, 2013 6:47pm

 The Tamale Spaceship, known for its quirky food truck, is opening a new location in Wicker Park by the end of the year.
The Tamale Spaceship
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CHICAGO — The Tamale Spaceship, a food truck known for its "Masked Lunchador," has plans for a new home base.

With its planned Pilsen location delayed, the truck will open its first physical location in Wicker Park within "a couple of months," co-owner Manny Hernandez said.

He and his partner Pepe Balanzar, the man behind the mask, have always recognized the neighborhood as one of the most lucrative in the city, before signing a lease for a small location at 1341 N. Damen Ave.

The duo signed the lease for the location last week, Hernandez said.

"We are extremely excited. It's only taken us four years to get to this point," Hernandez said.

The menu will include all of the highlights from the food truck, including several different types of tamales, soup and "Space Guacamole."

Hernandez said there could be additional items served at the restaurant.

Earlier this year, the team launched a Kickstarter campaign aimed at funding a Pilsen location.

That restaurant, at 1735 W. 18th St., is still in the works and will likely open next year.

Asked if the quirks of the food truck, including its masked server, will be a feature of the Wicker Park location, Hernandez said: "We plan to keep it a surprise."