Manuel Hernandez: An Everyman Hero of the American Dream

I have never experienced a Tamale... but while
reading your blog I could almost taste it. :)

I have come to know many "Manuels" in my lifetime, having lived about 14 miles from the border. Sadly, the "Manuels" and the "Manuelas" are being replaced by the "Juan Give-mes"....I have seen many small businesses, including my favorite hole-in-the-wall restaurant, close down after decades of success, simply because the illegal population doesn't feel like working for a 'traitorous' business man of Hispanic descent. Now, our great Americans of Hispanic descent, who see the dangers of illegal immigration, are rising up to protect their hard-earned dreams. They have voted FOR a fence in the border area.

There is hope, after all!

Ron: As far as I know, his family is still in business. Of course, it has been quite a few years since I have been back to New Orleans, and whether or not they are still in business after Katrina is beyond my knowledge.

I do know that if I go back, that will be one of the first places I hit. :)

Sorry, I meant to include you in my last comment.

I know what you mean. I have met many decent Americans of mexican descent who look down on the illegals like dirt. It is spitting on the heritage of all the immigrants who came from Mexico and worked hard to make a place for themselves here.

The few Mexicans I have known were honest, hard working, folks who LOVED AMERICA and were THANKFUL for the opportunities America offered them and their children!

One suggestion, red against the blue background is VERY hard to read. Go with white.
EXCELLENT POST!

is from N'awlins. She can't eat any food for more than a couple of days in a row, but if she could have Manuel's Tamales for lunch every day, she'd do so for weeks at a time. They are one of the great memories of her childhood and Mardi Gras. She and her siblings and mother would be out there shivering for the parades. When the pushcarts would come along, they'd get a 25 pack of hot and a 25 pack of mild, and they'd snarf them all in a heartbeat.

I don't know Manuel's, but I grew up in Dallas. My childhood Tex-Mex food upbringing was with El Fenix restaurants and the Martinez family, who are considered the originators of Tex-Mex. Being stationed in Florida and PA for the past 5 years, I haven't had a tamale worth eating. I need to get some good ones!

BTW...that red font on blue background is VERY HARD TO READ!

I apologize for the red font color. I thought it would look good, considering the topic. I did not realize how hard it would be to read. Rest assured, in the future I will not use that color again. I will stick with the default color.

Thanks to everyone for reading my blog!