
1920

to vote in the U.S.
1921
The World Series is broadcast on the radio for the first time
1927

Elisha Shabaz begins selling tamales to pushcart vendors in downtown Chicago, founding Illinois Tamale Company
1929
1934
1938
1940

Elisha’s youngest son Edward starts working at Illinois Tamale Company with his dad
1946

Edward’s son Warren is born
1947
1949

The tamale business continues to grow steadily
1952

The Shabaz family continues to grow steadily as well
1955
1958

Elisha and his wife Nancy diligently rolling tamales
1961
1964

Warren assumes management of Illinois Tamale Company, incorporates the business and condenses the name to Il-Ta-Co (Iltaco) Foods Company
1965

Warren is drafted into the Army and is shortly thereafter dispatched to the U.S. Navy, while his mother and brother manage the business in his stead
1969

1970

Warren resumes management of Iltaco upon his return from military duty and gets straight to work
1971

Warren falls in love and marries his lovely bride Mariam
1973

Iltaco moves operations to its current location at 1376 W Hubbard Street
1974

Warren & Mariam have their first child, a daughter named Alisha, her namesake being her great grandfather and Iltaco’s founder Elisha
1976


1978

The Beef Pizza Puff is added to the Puff product line
1980

and the Ham & Cheese Puff is added to the Puff line
1981
1985

The Burrito is introduced and the Taco Puff is added to the product line
1986

The Chicago Bears win the Super Bowl and everybody partied hard

1987

Four Cheese, Spinach & Cheese, and Deluxe Puffs are added to the product line
1989

The Big Pizza is
introduced and added to Iltaco’s product line
1991
1992

Iltaco expands its current location
1997

2001

Alisha Shabaz begins working at Iltaco Foods
2005
2008
2009

Adam Shabaz begins working at Iltaco Foods
2010
2012

The Gyro and Breakfast Sausage flavors are added to the growing variety of puffs
2013
2014

The Buffalo Chicken puff is added to the roster
2015

Andrew Shabaz begins working at Iltaco Foods; the Chicago Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup
2016
2017
2018

Warren and Mariam now have all of their children working in the family business
2019

Andrew’s first son Alex begins his Iltaco training, becoming the fifth generation of Shabazs to learn the family biz