Growing Taqueria Chain Chilacates Doubled in Size Over the Weekend

A popular Mexican restaurant with two locations in Jamaica Plain doubled its reach over the weekend, expanding to Mission Hill and Chestnut Hill. Chilacates opened at the Street (33 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill) on Friday, February 8, and added its fourth restaurant (1482 Tremont St., Mission Hill, Boston) on Sunday, February 10. Owner Socrates Abreu said the restaurant’s forthcoming South End location (275 Shawmut Ave., Boston) could also open sometime this week.

This quick unveiling of three new Chilacates locations isn’t the end of its growth: Abreu and his sister-in-law and business partner Kaurys Ramirez have also secured a location in Roslindale, where Chilacates will move into the former Redd’s in Rozzie space (4257 Washington St., Boston) and the adjoining Tony’s Market space.

Chilacates first opened in Abreu’s neighborhood in the summer of 2015 (224 Amory St., Jamaica Plain, Boston). The restaurant quickly gained a loyal following and added its 658 Centre St. restaurant in early 2017, also in Jamaica Plain. In growing his presence in the JP neighborhood, Abreu also took over Grass Fed (605 Centre St., Boston), planning to keep its focus on burgers and boozy milkshakes — it should reopen in the next month or so.

Each of the Chilacates restaurants focuses on counter-service Mexican dishes, including burritos, tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, tortas, and tostadas. Diners can customize each item, choosing from a variety of fillings, including chicken, carnitas, roasted pork, and vegetables. Chilacates offers selections of side dishes as well, like tamales, elote (roasted corn), and rice and beans. To drink, there’s horchata, Mexican sodas, and agua fresca.

Chilacates joins a bustling street in Mission Hill, adding to a collection of restaurants including Milkweed, the Puddingstone Tavern, and the forthcoming Tavern of Tales. In Chestnut Hill, Chilacates’ neighbors include the Bagel Table, Shake Shack, Ronsky’s, Tender Greens, and more, not to mention a forthcoming mystery project from the O Ya and Hojoko team.

Update: 2/17, 9:00 a.m.: Chilacates is now open in Boston’s South End.

• Chilacates Is Expanding to Roslindale [EBOS]
• Mission Hill, Get Ready for Some Chilacates [EBOS]