A new street food spot and café in the east end of Newcastle is bringing the city's first taste of Chile.
At La Chilenita, murals show some of the country's most famous landmarks, including the Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley), Atacama Desert and Valparaíso - a hilly city which has inspired poets and artists for centuries. But it's the food that is offering a real taste of South America, with its owners serving up breakfasts, hot dogs, sandwiches and a signature dish of Chilean empanadas.
The café is the work of mother and daughter Jessica and Blanca Gonzalez, who arrived in the UK as refugees in May 2018 after violence in their home region of Chile and threats to their family's safety. The pair started cooking together during the Covid pandemic as a reminder of home, alongside Jessica working full time for a charity in Newcastle.
