What tropical tree was this? Several years ago I saw this mural at Factory Tamal's former location on Essex St.. Like most security-shutter artwork, it was visible only when the business was closed and no one was around to ask.
The mural itself hasn't survived, but after coming across it again in my photo archives, I stopped by to inquire at the shop's current location, around the block. The artwork, as it happens, predated Factory Tamal; painted in 2014 by Jessica Blowers for the 100 Gates Project, it honored the neighboring Cafe Grumpy. Although the trunk and fruits were rendered extra-robusto, this was a coffee tree.
It's no mystery, to be sure, that the shop makes excellent tamales. Below is a breakfasttime mole poblano with chicken.
Factory Tamal
34 Ludlow St. (Grand-Hester Sts.), Manhattan
917-691-5524
www.FactoryTamal.com
