Chiltepin Mexican Grill ~ Colorado Springs, Colorado

Latest visit: Apr 2024

First visit: May 2023

Founded: 2023

I promised to come back if they added the patio furniture. And they did! So here I am again, this time enjoying my "stinky" (read: onions) meal outside for a pleasant spring lunch. Went with the same order as last time and it was as delicious as I remembered it. In fact I went back and grabbed another carne asada taco to ensure maximum happiness. The slightly crispy corn seasoned tortillas are the best I've had anywhere. On this visit they gave me a green sauce, in addition to the habanero, which is also excellent. Along with Zapata and Dr. Taco, these are the best tacos in town. I need to visit more. There isn't really that many quality food options in this part of the Springs, and I'm down here often.

---original 5/15/23 review

One of my favorite lunch destinations during the pandemic was the Del Taco at this very spot. I would go to the southern ARC thrift store, wash up, and head over here. It's a cool little structure that has a drive through and a walkup option. And they had a nice patio setup to eat outside, which was perfect for 2020. It seemed to be popular but I guess not as they shuttered the next year. I'd hoped that someone else would take over the building and not demolish it. It brings back memories of old Los Angeles to my eyes.

And the good news is that's exactly what happened! A fresh paint job and Chiltepin is ready for business. The patio furniture is gone, but they're promising to bring that back as well. Hooray. Because I really don't want to eat in the car if I can avoid it (especially this kind of food), and that's my only option right now. Hours later when Mrs. RJG got into the RJG mobile, she stated "it stinks in here - did you eat something?". Hmm-mmm.

So let's get to the matter at hand - how is the food anyway? Will this be like the usual grossgusting (Mrs. RJG trademarked word) taco shops that litter the Springs, or are we in for a Zapata / Dr. Taco like experience? Happy to say it's the latter! I ordered both a carne asada and a grilled chicken taco. They come "street" style with onions and cilantro. But that's the end of that comparison. These aren't dinky and generic. Out came two very large double layered yellow corn tacos piled high with tasty grilled meats. If you just eat them alone, you will be more than pleased. 

However when you name your restaurant Chiltepin, then I must try the salsa. Chiltepin is a popular fiery spice in Sonora where Mrs. RJG originally hails from. Her brother sends us a bucket every once in a while and we use it in homemade salsas or crushed to add to dishes like spaghetti and red sauce (10 times hotter than McCormick's for example). So... they asked me if I like it spicy. Do cats like chicken bones? So they gave me two - their signature thin red (spicy and delicious) and a thicker slightly creamy orange which I suspect to be habanero based. Very spicy and awesome.

Chiltepin is a much better option than what I could have hoped for. Go here if you're down south.

5/15/23 (new entry); 4/26/24