Iconic Bed-Stuy Taco Spot Chilo’s Set To Reopen After Brief Closure

BED-STUY, NY — Guess who’s back? Bed-Stuy is about to welcome back a neighborhood favorite as Chilo’s gets ready to reopen on Franklin Avenue at Clifton Place.

Chilo’s, celebrated for its taqueria style and backyard food truck, is set to return on Dec. 28 after closing at the end of October.

First opened in 2015, the restaurant quickly became known for its variety of tacos—from carnitas to shrimp—freshly prepared in its signature backyard food truck. Guests could pair their meals with handcrafted cocktails or choose from a curated selection of tequilas and mezcals.

Now located at 323 Franklin Avenue at the corner of Clifton Place, Chilo’s is entering a new chapter. Acclaimed sports journalist and author Dave Zirin has purchased the spot, with plans to transform the beloved taqueria into an activist hub for the community, officials said.

"My professional life has been devoted to exposing and exploring the politics of sports," Zirin said. "But I also want to help the city that raised me get back on its feet by providing a space where people can make positive change a reality. I was born and raised here and I want to fight for its future."

Chilo’s, which will reopen with special guest DJ Mali, will feature a newly winterized beer garden that houses its famous taco truck. The reopening will also support Neighbors Together, Brooklyn, a local charity providing free meals to those in need.

In this new chapter, Chilo’s aims to join the “third spaces movement,” serving as a community hub where people can organize political and cultural events. Zirin and his team hope the restaurant will be recognized not just as a bar and eatery, but as a place where local groups can gather and make a meaningful impact.

Sports will, of course, remain part of Chilo’s vibe, but the focus will be on creating a space where everyone feels welcome, included, and safe. Guests can expect community events, live music, poetry readings, comedy shows, author appearances, athlete meetups, trivia nights, movie screenings, and Knicks and Liberty game-night specials.

On Dec. 31, Chilo’s will also kick off the New Year with a “No Cover” bash featuring karaoke and, as the name suggests, no cover charge.