Immigrant 'Who Started At Bottom Excited Her Dream Came True'

JOLIET, IL —Niko's Pizzeria was the only business in the Ohio Street retail center between South Chicago and North Scott streets, but that's no longer the case now that Korinna Hernandez opened her homemade tamale restaurant, Tamales Korinna.

Friday marked her grand opening and by 5:30 p.m., more than 500 people had visited to try her tamales or to wish her congratulations on fulfilling her dream.

Hernandez is an immigrant from Mexico who came to Joliet 10 years ago.

"Joliet really needed a restaurant from Oaxaca," family friend Leon Leal told Joliet Patch at Friday's grand opening gala.

"She feels proud about being an immigrant in this country, starting at the bottom, making tamales at home, and she became popular around the community," Leal said. "That's what basically pushed her to open her own business. She's super excited. Her dream finally came true. It's a victory for her and her family."

Her sons Brian and Cristian were also on hand for the grand opening. Leal was busy in the DJ booth playing music for everyone.

Tamales Korinna expects to draw most of its business from takeout orders.

The new restaurant on the northern edge of downtown Joliet features six different tamales, four tacos, four burritos and four tortas.

Tamales Korinna will be open from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

The number to place an order is 815-714-2721.