The Eclectic Tex-Mex Restaurant Chuy’s Is Coming To Town

By JeriLynn Thorpe

The Austin-born Tex-Mex restaurant, Chuy’s, is coming to San Marcos later this summer.

Chuy’s opened in 1982 in an abandoned Texas Barbecue venue in Austin, and has now amassed over 75 restaurant locations, with the majority of its businesses residing in Texas. The website describes the restaurant as fun and funky, serving authentic and fresh food with influences from New Mexico, Mexican border towns, South Texas and Austin.

Dining Divas, a team of restaurant reviewers, told MySanAntonio.com that Chuy’s is a five-star restaurant for food, fun and drink.

“Chuy’s is a fun place to eat what with all the memorabilia and over-the-top decorations like palm trees and Elvis figures,” the Divas said. “It’s a great place to spend a very happy hour.”

Chuy’s features signature drinks such as Texas Martinis served with jalapeno-stuffed olives, and Sangrias blended with el Jimador Silver Tequila. Homemade corn tortillas are used to make enchiladas with a variety of sauces to choose from like the Deluxe Tomatillo and Hatch Green Chile sauce.

Lindsy Gross, San Marcos resident for 14 years, said she typically goes to Mamacita’s or Herbert’s Taco Hut for her dose of Mexican and Tex-Mex food.

“I’ve seen a lot of restaurants come in and try to compete with them, but they don’t really ever pull it off,” Gross said. “As long as it’s a place where you can go to in swim attire, I’ll patronize it. A dog-friendly area would be great (as well).”

At the end of the day, Gross said it’s all about the queso.

Chuy’s offers a Chile Con Queso and Queso Compuesto, which is seasoned with ground sirloin, guacamole and pico de gallo.

Chuy’s differentiates themselves from other Tex-Mex restaurants with its roasted, hand-pulled all white meat chicken, ten signature sauces, New Mexico Green Chiles and fresh food that is never frozen.

From August 15 until September 4, Chuy’s is hosting its annual Green Chile Festival with five new menu items that will be available for a limited three-week period. The festival will feature Hatch Green Chile in the Queso Fundido, Spinach Chicken Enchiladas, Green Chile Street Tacos, the Burrito Loco and The Valley Combo. To get a taste of what is to come in San Marcos, nearby Chuy’s locations can be found in neighboring cities, Austin and San Antonio.

Morgan Crawford, Chuy’s administrative assistant, said the expected opening is September 22.  Chuy’s will be located at 1121 N Interstate 35, next to IHOP.

This article originally published by the University Star.