Chilte

Perks

• Complimentary chef's choice item any time you dine at the restaurant

About

Beginning life as a pop-up in 2020 and opening its brick-and-mortar establishment in 2023 on Grand Avenue, this exceptional contemporary Mexican eatery has been showered with accolades, including a spot on both Esquire’s and Bon Appétit's 2023 Lists of “Best New Restaurants in America.” What’s more, Chef/Owner Lawrence Smith, a college football player who turned to cooking when his NFL career fizzled, is a 2024 Food & Wine “Best Chef” Winner and a 2025 James Beard “Emerging Chef” Semi-Finalist. Chilte is known for its innovative and exciting food, from jet-black tortillas using squid ink to macha pepino (cucumbers dressed in a sweet and spicy salsa macha), mole de la casa (butternut squash flautas with mole negro), and a Thai-inspired riff on carne apache that’s all funk and fire. Diners also lap up his desserts, like baklava cheesecake with pistachio and agave filling and PB & J semifreddo. “[Chilte] brings a carnal joy to new Mexican cuisine,” raves Esquire. “Every bite is a wonder.” Need we say more?

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Category

• Restaurants