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.

Chilau Stew Base: A New Era for Southern Cooking

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.

Today, Chilau Foods is redefining Southern-inspired cooking, giving families an authentic shortcut to deep, rich flavors that once took hours to develop. What started in Tampa Bay has now spread across the country, bringing bold, comforting flavors to kitchens nationwide.

Grab a jar of Chilau, download our free recipe guide, and taste the history in every bite!