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    Chile-Tepin

    4.4 (1.3k reviews)
    ModerateMexican
    Open 11:30 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Chile-Tepin Photos

    Business Info

    CHILE-TEPIN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Classy
    Moderate noise

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    Recommended Reviews - Chile-Tepin

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    Menu
    Rahima J.

    This place is so cute and has so many good food options. The staff is super nice and the service is really fast. The food itself could have been a little better for me but it was solid overall!

    Complimentary chips and salsa
    Kristyl H.

    Settled on Chile-Tepin while we were downtown the other day and trying to figure out lunch. I was always under the impression that it is more upscale than it is, but was pleasantly surprised that our jeans and jackets were not out of the norm. My husband ordered the carne asada and although I ordered the fajita de pollo salad, they brought me just fajitas. Not 100% sure what the difference is with the salad, other than the obvious! My husband loved his carne asada and the pollo was delicious with the charred peppers and onions. I love guacamole and was excited to have it with my pollo, but it was a bit on the spicy side for me. The refried beans were also delicious, I wish there were more beans and maybe less rice. Overall we enjoyed our lunch and would come again to try something different.

    Smothered Chimichanga (chicken) with red sauce
    Miranda L.

    This place has been my bf's favorite, and as my first time, I wasn't disappointed! I got a smothered chicken chimichanga and some horchata, my bf always gets the carne asada burrito smothered. Food was good, no complaints! Our waitress was sweet and attentive. We went pretty late at 9 pm but the place was still really busy and full of people. Inside it's relatively clean, feels quaint with the decor, but the place is huge! My bf has said there's always a wait for dinner, but as late as we went there wasn't a line, which was nice.

    Chicken fajita
    Eric G.

    We were in town for a weekend and saw this place was near to the hotel. We enjoyed all the food we had! Queso fundido was tasty and came with plenty of tortillas. Chicken fajitas were cooked well and flavorful and was a generous portion. We also got a trio of tostada, enchilada and taco. We enjoyed all three but I'd recommend eating the tostada first so it doesn't get soggy! Service was super friendly and attentive. The inside of the restaurant had plenty of seating. Ambiance is modern and casual. Overall it's a solid choice for Mexican food in downtown SLC.

    Sara G.

    Lunch at Chile Tepin and BAM! This queso is not your average runny nacho nonsense. We're talking thiiiiccckkkk queso, the kind that lets you know it's here to party and clog an artery or two. And we respect that. Shrimp enchilada was great too. Very warm, creamy, shrimp-packed goodness that makes you wonder why you ever bothered with sad desk lunches. Service has just the right amount of hustle, and the vibe is casual with a side of don't take yourself too seriously. Would I go back? Yes. Would I drown my enemies in that queso? Also yes.

    PAUL A.

    Wow! This place is amazing. The food and the ambiance is so nice and beautiful I ordered the combo plate to go since my hotel is just across the street. Taco - Camaron Enchilada - Carnitas Tamal - Puerco Flan for dessert It tastes just as good as the pictures look and what blew me away was the flan. Oh my God that was so delicious! Five stars!

    Nikki G.

    The chimichanga was delicious! I love the free chips and salsa. Portions are generous, and the service is impressively quick. It can be loud because it's always busy and energetic, but they get you seated fast. I'll definitely be back!

    Parrillada (serves 2)
    Aaron O.

    Came back for a second time with a group and it's still good! Three orders of the parilladas (which each serve two people) and we were stuffed to the gills. Tremendous place worthy of a visit. Complimentary chips and salsa (which is spicy and I love it) always makes for a great start. Service is always fast and friendly. If you're hungry and downtown stop by!

    Tecate
    Cameron P.

    Chile-Tepin was great! From the friendly service to the nice dining area with high ceilings, it was a great vibe. The carnitas were moist and flavorful, and all the sides that came with them were also fantastic. I've never had a beer with a salt and tajin rim, but I might just need to do that with all my future cervezas! Even the free salsa had much more flavor and spice than your average Mexican restaurant. All-in-all, a great experience.

    Parrillada
    Dan S.

    Opening weekend of Les Misérables at the Eccles and therefore date night with my wife. Les Mis and Chili-Tepin. great night out. Great food, nice atmosphere and great location downtown only minutes from the theatre. A little history about the name and why some of their food has such a delicious smokey kick to it. The Chile-Tepin Pepper Our namesake is the chile-tepin pepper. As the only wild chile native to the U.S., the chile-tepin is very small in size and has an extremely pungent flavor with a distinctive, smoky bite. It is rated very hot, 8-9 on a scale of 10. At Chile-Tepin we use this beautiful little wild-harvested pepper in many of our sauces and dishes. Our go to is to share Parrillada, which gives a little bit of everything and easily big enough to share. It comes with grilled steak, shrimp and chicken, with a grilled onion, jalapeño pepper, chili-tepin sauce, pico de gallo, sour cream, guacamole and flour and corn tortillas with melted cheese in them. And is so good. 5/5 Not sure why, as there was too much food for us both, but we also tried the Queso Fundido, melted cheese you can put in a tortilla. It was so tasty. 5/5 We were told there would be no wait before 5:30pm on a Saturday, but showed up at 5:00 pm to a twenty minute wait. They do not accept reservations.

    Combination
    Bryce B.

    Service was fast and nice. Wish they were more attentive, especially when it came to drinks and refills. The vibe was bland, almost no decor but had alot of natural light. Can be a problem with sunset with light reflecting off windows across the street. As for food, the chips and salsa was good and seasoned and has a good kick. I got the carne asade, the meat was actually cooked well and nicely seasoned. With the tortillas they give you, they make good leftovers as well. A very good place near the gateway and delta center if you want a place to before an event.

    Queso Fundido
    Ian S.

    The servers here was pretty nice and the ambiance is pretty average for a sit-down restaurant in Salt Lake. The tables were pretty close to each other, which didn't really leave a lot of personal space per table. Also, the food portions were kinda weird. For the queso fundido, it only came with 3 tortillas...how would a family of 4 split up 3 tortillas? I feel like that appetizer should've come with like 6-8 tortillas minimum. Also, for the parrillada it came with 1 quarter of a lime...2 piece of queso fresco, and like 2 portions of quac and sour cream. Since the plate it listed as serving 2 people, I'm not sure 2 people are supposed to split 1 lime. I feel like a $36 plate should come with an abundance of these supporting features to enhance the meats. We likely won't be coming back here

    Paloma
    Estela B.

    Came on a Saturday night before the JT concert. Definitely packed out there were 8 of us and it was a 45 min wait. Not too bad went by quick with friends times flies! We got seated and I must have missed the part where there are no menus.. it was all of our first time there and we felt confused. I don't like when restaurants do this but understand maybe it's easier for them. I immediately said oh we need to scan the QR code. Chips and salsa were brought. Yes please! Super good chips tasted home made and salsa had the perfect kick. The waiter was kind and he immediately asked if it was separate check. We said yes and he was on it. Super nice about it too! I ordered two item dinners with a carne asada taco and chicken fluata Our drinks and food came out quick. Carne asada taco was really good! Actual steak slices! Fluata was also really good. Chicken was season perfectly. Rice and beans were good . I thoroughly enjoyed my meal! Is it packed yes! But it's worth it. You also can't beat the prices! My friends ordered Mocajete and shared between more then 2 people and they all said it was delicious Others ordered chimichanga and also said it was super good! I want to bring my husband back

    Complementary chips and salsa (spicy!)

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    4 months ago

    It was really good, fresh food. Kind of a long wait but very quick service once seated

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    Chile-Tepin Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Chile-Tepin

    Are all dishes hot spicy? Love Mexican but not super spicy

    Not all of them, most of their food can be adjusted based on your tolerance. Most of their foods are not spicy at all. They're all delicious

    Do they accept walk ins ? Or is it only by reservations?

    Walk-ins. However when we've had a large group we've been able to make reservations.

    Can you take a puppy?

    No.

    Do they have any outdoor seating?

    They do not.

    Do they have a full menu during Covid and do they offer mixed drinks and beer?

    They do have their full menu. (check out the parrillada and molcajete). They also offer mixed drinks, primarily margaritas, and beer.

    Is it a loud ambiance? Good for conversation?

    Depending on the day it can be a little noisy, but I have never had any trouble hearing anyone. I would say it's good for conversation.

    Is this place really wheelchair accessible? Street view shows only stairs leading to the front door. If I recall, there's an alternate door in the lobby but was usually locked from that side being an "emergency exit only", as stated on the door.

    I only recall there being steps to get into the restaurant

    Is it difficult to find parking?

    The Crane Bldg parking lot is theirs for dinner service and they usually have an attendant helping you find a spot and fit everyone in. At lunch we've never had an issue finding a visitor stall.

    Are their chips and salsa thick?

    They are both homemade and very good. The salsa is a favorite of mine and will sit on your chips...that is until it disappears into your mouth.

    Do they have gluten free options?

    Yes... enjoy!

    Does this place offer high chairs or booster seats? It says kid-friendly.

    Yes, they have high chairs. I don't remember seeing any booster seats.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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