Now Open: Chilpa, a Colourful South-Side Sibling to Kensington’s La Tortilleria

White-corn tortillas and tortilla chips have always been the main game at Kensington’s La Tortilleria , as the name suggests. The 10-year-old company supplies these important goods to restaurants and boutique grocers across Australia, while also running a small no-frills taqueria on-site.

With 75 seats and a fully stocked bar, new sibling Chilpa (a slang term for “kid” in Mexico) is a restaurant of greater ambition. Owners Gerardo Lopez and Diana Hull always planned to open a second venue, so they were delighted when La Tortilleria customer and long-time friend Steve Kingi offered the keys to Hot Lips Hacienda , the Mexican restaurant he started in Highett in 2017.

“This was very close to his heart,” Lopez says, “but he no longer had the time to put in. He wanted someone he trusted to take over the venue and take it where he always wanted it to be.”

At Chilpa, Lopez and Hull plan to do just that. With space La Tortilleria never had, they’ve now got large tables that can accommodate entire families. As Lopez puts it: “Same food, same menu, same flavours, same amazing tortillas – but with this idea that it’s a family place, with more menu items for kids and more share plates.”

Like he says, the menu is much like Kensington’s: tacos filled with pulled meats, fish and plant-based meat substitutes by Fable ; crisp-on-the-outside, melty-on-the-inside quesadillas; and crunchy tostadas and chilaquiles (a dish similar to nachos). Chilpa has one big advantage, though: a chargrill. It adds a distinctive smoky flavour to several dishes, shining brightest on Lopez’s favourite dish from the menu – alambre de asada, or chargrilled beef with assorted veggies and bacon, topped with melted cheese.

The cracking drinks list features an extensive array of tequilas and mezcals; four types of Margarita (smoky, spicy, classic and Jimmy’s); local and imported wines; and Mexican lagers such as Pacifico and Dos Equis, which you can enjoy as is or in a Michelada (beer, lime, hot sauce and clamato juice with a Tajin -salt rim).

The interior has the same warm, welcoming vibe as its predecessor. Its deep colour palette is offset by traditional tapestry wall-hangings and a peachy-pink exterior.

Before you leave, be sure to pick up some house-made tortillas, salsas and a few pre-prepped meals for home.

Chilpa
2 Railway Parade, Highett
(03) 8358 0400

Hours
Wed & Thu 5pm–9pm
Fri & Sat 12pm–10pm
Sun 12pm–9pm

latortilleria.com.au/chilpa/