Mission Hill, Get Ready for Some Chilacates

A popular pair of Mexican restaurants in Jamaica Plain will soon have another sibling: Chilacates will open at 1480 Tremont St. within a new mixed-use development in Mission Hill, The Tremont, Chilacates owner Socrates Abreu confirmed to Eater. The news was first tweeted by an enthusiastic tipster, who is “getting so much life [right now]” thanks to the “coming soon” signage.

“We signed a lease, and now we’re just working with the architects and the planners,” he said. “It’s exciting because it’s our first buildout.”

The original Chilacates (224 Amory St., Jamaica Plain) opened in July 2015, and a Centre Street location joined the mix in February of this year. Abreu said he had been looking for an additional location since last year, and that this location had “the same vibe” he felt when opening on Amory Street. The building’s owners checked out Chilacates and approved of the expansion, and now the buildout of the new space will take anywhere from four to six months.

“The hard part is building out,” Abreu said. “The easy part is making the food.”

The Chilacates menu includes burritos, quesadillas, tacos, tostadas, enchiladas, and tortas, all made with a variety of fillings. Customers choose from pulled pork, potatoes and chorizo, vegetables, chicken tinga, and lengua, along with grilled fish, steak or shrimp, and a variety of toppings that include beans, salsa, guacamole, and more. Chilacates also makes tamales, elote, and horchata. This same menu will make its way to Mission Hill once the buildout is complete.

“I feel like we’re gonna do good there,” Abreu said. “I think people need a little Chilacates around there.”

Abreu told Eater that he chose the Mission Hill neighborhood because he sees the potential in the area.

“When I was 17, I used to work at a pizza shop around there,” he said. “It’s funny, ‘cause it’s coming back full circle. I saw what Mission Hill used to be, what it’s turning into, and I truly believe in the future of it.”

The Tremont is situated near the Roxbury Crossing MBTA stop and just down the road from Brigham Circle and Harvard Medical School.

“We have great landlords,” Abreu said. “They’ve gone above and beyond to help us out. They truly believe in our concept; they believe in us as people as well. We’re just adding to our family.”

• Chilacates Coverage on Eater [EBOS]