![timeline_pre_loader](https://iltaco.com/wp-content/plugins/Ultimate_VC_Addons/modules/../assets/img/timeline_pre-loader.gif)
1920
![](https://www.iltaco.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/womens-vote-e1551237979304-150x150.jpg)
to vote in the U.S.
1921
The World Series is broadcast on the radio for the first time
1927
![](https://www.iltaco.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Elisha.jpg)
Elisha Shabaz begins selling tamales to pushcart vendors in downtown Chicago, founding Illinois Tamale Company
1929
1934
1938
1940
![](https://www.iltaco.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Elisha-with-family-.jpg)
Elisha’s youngest son Edward starts working at Illinois Tamale Company with his dad
1946
![](https://www.iltaco.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Warren-with-bday-cake-cropped.jpg)
Edward’s son Warren is born
1947
1949
![](https://www.iltaco.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Elisha-and-Iltaco-truck-BW-300x190.jpg)
The tamale business continues to grow steadily
1952
![](https://www.iltaco.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Warren-with-his-grandma-brother-and-cousin-1-297x300.jpg)
The Shabaz family continues to grow steadily as well
1955
1958
![](https://www.iltaco.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Elisha-and-Warrens-grandma-making-tamales.jpg)
Elisha and his wife Nancy diligently rolling tamales
1961
1964
![](https://www.iltaco.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Tamales-brochure-cover.jpg)
Warren assumes management of Illinois Tamale Company, incorporates the business and condenses the name to Il-Ta-Co (Iltaco) Foods Company
1965
![](https://www.iltaco.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Warrens-dad-and-grandma.jpg)
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
![](https://www.iltaco.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/iltaco-on-the-moon-1.png)
1970
![](https://www.iltaco.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Warren-in-the-American-Legion.jpg)
Warren resumes management of Iltaco upon his return from military duty and gets straight to work
1971
![](https://www.iltaco.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Warren-and-Mariams-wedding-day.jpg)
Warren falls in love and marries his lovely bride Mariam
1973
![](https://www.iltaco.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Exterior-of-Iltaco.jpg)
Iltaco moves operations to its current location at 1376 W Hubbard Street
1974
![](https://www.iltaco.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Alishas-first-birthday.jpg)
Warren & Mariam have their first child, a daughter named Alisha, her namesake being her great grandfather and Iltaco’s founder Elisha
1976
![](https://www.iltaco.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Alisha-kissing-baby-Andrew.jpg)
![](https://www.iltaco.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ORIGINAL.CARTOON.png)
1978
![](https://www.iltaco.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/BeefPuff-Lid.jpg)
The Beef Pizza Puff is added to the Puff product line
1980
![](https://www.iltaco.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Crying-baby-Adam-with-Alisha-and-Andrew.jpg)
and the Ham & Cheese Puff is added to the Puff line
1981
1985
![](https://www.iltaco.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Burrito-Counter-Card.jpg)
The Burrito is introduced and the Taco Puff is added to the product line
1986
![iltaco burrito fun](https://www.iltaco.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Warren-and-Mariam-out-on-the-town.jpg)
The Chicago Bears win the Super Bowl and everybody partied hard
![](https://www.iltaco.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/The-three-Shabaz-kids-with-cupcakes.jpg)
1987
![](https://www.iltaco.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/1987-Four-Cheese-spinach.jpg)
Four Cheese, Spinach & Cheese, and Deluxe Puffs are added to the product line
1989
![](https://www.iltaco.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Big-Pizza-DELUXE-label.png)
The Big Pizza is
introduced and added to Iltaco’s product line
1991
1992
![](https://www.iltaco.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Iltaco-Chicago-Location-300x129.jpg)
Iltaco expands its current location
1997
![](https://www.iltaco.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Andrew-with-Warren-1.jpg)
2001
![](https://www.iltaco.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Alisha-at-trade-show.jpg)
Alisha Shabaz begins working at Iltaco Foods
2005
2008
2009
![](https://www.iltaco.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Adam-at-trade-show.jpg)
Adam Shabaz begins working at Iltaco Foods
2010
2012
![](https://www.iltaco.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/PUFF.FS_.GYRO_.jpg)
The Gyro and Breakfast Sausage flavors are added to the growing variety of puffs
2013
2014
![](https://www.iltaco.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Buffalo-Chicken-puff-in-front-of-bags200-300x200.jpg)
The Buffalo Chicken puff is added to the roster
2015
![](https://www.iltaco.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Andrew-at-trade-show.jpg)
Andrew Shabaz begins working at Iltaco Foods; the Chicago Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup
2016
2017
2018
![](https://www.iltaco.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Warren-and-the-kids.jpg)
Warren and Mariam now have all of their children working in the family business
2019
![](https://www.iltaco.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Alex-in-Iltaco-smock.jpg)
Andrew’s first son Alex begins his Iltaco training, becoming the fifth generation of Shabazs to learn the family biz