Just try to miss Chile Verde while cruising along either side of the busy St. Petersburg thoroughfare that is 22nd Avenue North.
You can’t.
Recently opened, the new Mexican restaurant and grocer’s signage — a sea of capital letters that nearly engulfs the former home of a Citgo gas station and Choice Auto Repair at 2801 22nd Ave. N. (not far from popular Mexican grill TacoSon) — is bold, eye-catching and tempting AF. I mean, who would pass up TACOS, QUESADILLAS, BURRITOS and TORTAS for breakfast, lunch or dinner?
And besides, I think we all know what purpose all-caps serve; Chile Verde isn’t merely suggesting that we stop in— this place wants us to grab a table, stat.
Local Facebook groups dedicated to serial dine-outers — notably Foodies Network 727 and Tampa Bay Restaurant Review — started raving about Chile Verde in December, recommending menu items like the chicken tamale and two taco options served on flour or corn tortillas. Alongside a choice of meat, the Mexican taco is topped with onion and cilantro, while the American variation comes dressed with lettuce, tomato, avocado, sour cream and cheese.
Additional restaurant offerings include huevos rancheros, tostadas, flautas, a Mexican hamburger, taco salad, and enchiladas — on top of beer and wine, snacks and other grocery-store staples found among the aisles.
Now, go get a taste of Chile Verde, which features a few seats inside and out, for yourself. It's open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
