There’s a new name behind Adelaide’s hottest shop. Taras – the man behind local artisan brand Grunds Gourmet – and his brother Asa have taken over Chile Mojo, the legendary hot sauce and Mexican food store firing up tastebuds for more than two decades.
“I’ve always loved it,” Taras says.
“Having a condiment business myself, making hot sauces, being able to be in the industry and around it, it just made sense.”
The idea sparked at the Fire and Spice Festival in Lockleys.
“Morgan and Joel were there with Chile Mojo, and Morgan popped in and said they were thinking about selling. I went, ‘Ooh… OK,’ and one thing led to another. I spoke to my brother, Asa, and we put the wheels in motion.”
Chile Mojo is now in its 22nd year and the brothers are not about to meddle with a classic.
“We’re not going to do much different, maybe just modernise a couple of things, but it’ll basically remain exactly the same because what’s not broke, don’t fix it,” he says.
“The following Chile Mojo has around Australia and in New Zealand is very strong and we want to honour that.”
The scale of this business is wild.
“It’s the largest hot sauce retailer in the Southern Hemisphere. There’s no one bigger this side of the equator.”
“We’ve got over 700 different hot sauces and about two and a half thousand products in total. My head’s been exploding,” he laughs.
“I’ve got stuff coming from everywhere. Sea freight. Air freight. Australia. The States. I’m slowly getting my head around it, but wow, it’s a big undertaking.”
There will be a few fresh touches.
“We’ve already added new lines,” he says.
Grunds fans can expect a little more crossover.
“Chile Mojo has always stocked Grunds Gourmet. They’ve been a strong supporter for many years, even when my father first started it many moons ago.”
It is not just sauces here at Chile Mojo.
“We have a whole range of Mexican food. You can build all kinds of dishes like mole and tacos. We have dried chillies and spices. Even clothing and other bits and pieces,” he says.
Then there is the extreme end of the business.
“We’ve got stuff under the counter that you have to sign legal waivers for. Some of it’s seven million Scoville (Scoville is a measurement of spiciness of chili peppers and other substances)” says Taras.
To put that into perspective, law-enforcement-grade pepper spray, values from 500,000 up to 5 million!
“That hot sauce could burn your eyes out and definitely don’t put that on your old fella,” he laughs.
Taras loves his condiments hot, but can still get caught out.
“There was one I had the other day on a salad, and it was so hot. I was sweating. But it’s that endorphin kick. It smacks you right in the face. I love it.”
Chile Mojo also stocks cult favourites from the famous Hot Ones YouTube show.
“We stock all the Hot Ones sauces,” he says. “The new season is about to drop and they’re coming from the States now.”
Taras keeps the invite simple. “Get your ass in here or online. If you think you like chilli, prove it. Put your money where your mouth is!”
Chile Mojo
Where: 395 Magill Rd, St Morris
When: Tuesday to Friday 10am to 5.30pm and Saturday 10am to 4pm
For more information, click here.
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