New Hot Tamale opens today in downtown Potsdam

POTSDAM – A new Hot Tamale restaurant is opening today at 34 Market St., next to Argents Jewelry.

Marc Morley of Canton, who opened his first Hot Tamale at 67 Main St. in Canton last February, believes he has a formula that will work in Potsdam, too.

His slogan, for what he calls his Americanized Mexican food, is “Home made, healthy, in a hurry.”

He has pride in his product.

“All our meat and produce are brought in twice a week, fresh, not frozen,” Morley says.

Morley says he grills fresh steak, chicken, pork and ground beef, and fresh produce, for basic Mexican dishes such as tacos, burritos and quesadillas for takeout, delivery, or to eat at the shop. He will have vegetarian options.

The new shop is about the same size as the Canton store, with seating for 30 to 40 people, and will offer takeouts and deliveries.

He says he plans to employ about 10 part-timers in the store.

The Potsdam Hot Tamale will be open at 11 a.m. for lunch every day, through to 11 p.m. Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, staying open later Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, until 2:30 a.m.

“We’ve seen a lot of growth since we opened in Canton on Feb. 8, and we’re seeing new customers every day. We’ve had really good response. It’s something different, especially late at night when usually all people can get is pizza.”

Is Morley thinking beyond Canton and Potsdam?

“The Canton-Potsdam base is the focus right now.”