Chilau History
The Untold History of Chilau: Tampa’s Hidden Culinary Gem
The story of Crab Chilau in Tampa Bay is more folklore than documented history. Unlike other iconic Southern dishes, it remained a well-kept secret, passed down through families rather than celebrated on restaurant menus. For years, many Tampa natives—including Chilau Foods founder Michael Anderson—grew up believing their grandmother had invented the dish, never realizing it was a shared cultural treasure.
The Origins of Crab Chilau
In the late 1800s, Cuban, Spanish, and Italian immigrants arrived in Tampa to work in the cigar factories of Ybor City, a thriving hub of commerce and culture. By the 1920s, the district had become a melting pot of flavors, where each community contributed its own culinary traditions.
Among them was Cangrejo Enchilado (Crab Stew), a Cuban dish rich with tomatoes, peppers, and spices. Over time, the name evolved—shortened by Tampa families to Crab Chilau (pronounced shalla or shilah). Italian influences introduced spaghetti as a common base, while African American and Spanish families layered in bolder spices, making it a dish unlike any other.
Much like New Orleans gumbo or Charleston’s seafood stews, Tampa’s Crab Chilau became a local specialty, but only within home kitchens. It never reached mainstream recognition, instead becoming a cherished heirloom recipe that families continued making for generations.
The flavors of Chilau—built on onion, garlic, celery, bell pepper, cayenne, and bold spices—capture the essence of the Southern coastal food traditions that stretch from Tampa to New Orleans and Charleston. It was this realization that led to the creation of Chilau Stew Base—a modern Southern mother sauce, making this once-hidden dish accessible to home cooks everywhere.
Chilau Foods Has Sunset — The Flavor Lives On
Chilau Foods has officially retired.
What began as a beloved Southern recipe and grew into a community of bold-flavor fans is now stepping into its next chapter under a new entity and a bigger vision: Good South Company.
Here’s what hasn’t changed:
the recipes, the bold flavors, and the way we take care of our people. The same foundations that made Chilau special—deep Southern taste, clean ingredients, and a commitment to hospitality—are still at the heart of everything we make.
What has changed is the mission.
Good South Foods is a new entity built to carry Southern flavor farther—bigger, bolder, and more proudly than ever. We’re expanding beyond a single product story into a full Southern-American platform: cooking bases, seasonings, and a culture-driven brand that celebrates the meals, traditions, and pride that bring people together around the table.
So if you came here looking for Chilau… you’re in the right place.
Chilau may be gone, but the flavor—and the family—live on.
Visit Good South Foods to shop the same recipes and discover what’s next.