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PHOTOS: After 34 Years, Austin's Tamale House Closes

KUT 90.5 | By Nathan Bernier
Published May 7, 2014 at 7:21 PM CDT
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A woman enters the restaurant on the final day at Tamale House #3 on Airport Blvd. Tamale House will close in the wake of owner Robert Vasquez's death.
Jon Shapley for KUT News
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A woman records video on her phone as orders are prepared on the final day at Tamale House #3 on Airport Blvd. Tamale House will close in the wake of owner Robert Vasquez's death.
Jon Shapley for KUT News
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Workers prepare orders in the afternoon of the final day at Tamale House #3 on Airport Blvd. Tamale House will close in the wake of owner Robert Vasquez's death.
Jon Shapley for KUT News
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A memorial to owner Robert Vasquez is on display during the final day at Tamale House #3 on Airport Blvd. Tamale House will close in the wake of owner Robert Vasquez's death.
Jon Shapley for KUT News
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Crystle Castro writes a personal message during the final day at Tamale House #3 on Airport Blvd. Tamale House will close in the wake of owner Robert Vasquez's death.
Jon Shapley for KUT News
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Patrons fill the restaurant during the final day at Tamale House #3 on Airport Blvd. Tamale House will close in the wake of owner Robert Vasquez's death.
Jon Shapley for KUT News
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Mark Mills and Will Hyatt, who have been eating at Tamale House since the mid-1980's, eat one last meal during the final day at Tamale House #3 on Airport Blvd. Tamale House will close in the wake of owner Robert Vasquez's death.
Jon Shapley for KUT News
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A memorial to Robert Vasquez and his two daughters is displayed in the window during the final day at Tamale House #3 on Airport Blvd. Tamale House will close in the wake of owner Robert Vasquez's death.
Jon Shapley for KUT News
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Connie Salazar, the long-time companion of owner Robert Vasquez, sits quietly on the final day at Tamale House #3 on Airport Blvd. Tamale House will close in the wake of Vasquez's death. "Everybody misses the place," she said, "I'm going to miss him too."
Jon Shapley for KUT News
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Connie Salazar, the long-time companion of owner Robert Vasquez, sits quietly on the final day at Tamale House #3 on Airport Blvd. Tamale House will close in the wake of Vasquez's death. "Everybody misses the place," she said, "I'm going to miss him too."
Jon Shapley for KUT News
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A view of the sign on the final day at Tamale House #3 on Airport Blvd. Tamale House will close in the wake of owner Robert Vasquez's death.
Jon Shapley for KUT News

Customers lined up today for their last taste of tacos from Tamale House #3 on Airport Boulevard. Owner Robert "Bobby" Vasquez died last week, and the restaurant announced on Facebook it would close the location after 36 years. Tamale House East on East 6th St. will remain open.

"Everybody misses the place," said Connie Salazar, the long-time companion of Vasquez. "I'm going to miss him too."

From 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. today, people filed through the doors and posted images of their food to Twitter and Instagram. KEYE-TV reporter Alex Boyer said the last taco served was chorizo and egg.

All the proceeds of sales today and yesterday were donated to Tamale House employees, the restaurant said. Owners requested a minimum donation of $5.

Check our slideshow above from the last day of service at Tamale House #3.
Tags
Life & Arts FoodTacosBreakfast TacosRestaurants
Nathan Bernier
Nathan Bernier is the transportation reporter at KUT. He covers the big projects that are reshaping how we get around Austin, like the I-35 overhaul, the airport's rapid growth and the multibillion-dollar transit expansion Project Connect. He also focuses on the daily changes that affect how we walk, bike and drive around the city. Got a tip? Email him at nbernier@kut.org. Follow him on X @KUTnathan.
See stories by Nathan Bernier