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The transition of tamales from their Mesoamerican origins to a beloved dish in the United States began after the Spanish conquest. Over time, they became associated with the lower classes, only to later evolve into a "guilty pleasure" for the wealthy. Tamales were popularized at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, leading to their spread across the nation. The emergence of "tamale men" selling their wares on street corners signaled the dish's ascendency into American fast food.