Restaurant Review
Chuy’s – Austin

Restaurant Review by Alan
Mexican & Barbecue Recipes

Tex Mex and Mexican Food

Delicious Tex Mex food isn’t the only thing that’s cooking at Chuy’s – they serve up a huge portion of atmosphere as well. Flying fish and Elvis adorn the ceiling and walls of this Austin mexican food original. If you like trendy, quiet, restaurants with starched white linen tablecloths, Chuy’s is not your kind of place.

Chuy’s has won the title of best Mexican food in Austin three years in a row and the menu contains all the standard Tex Mex food you would expect – well-seasoned but not too spicy. On the other hand, if you like your mexican food hot, they are happy to accommodate you.

My personal favorite is the Chile Rellenos, a huge Poblano pepper stuffed with beef. Be sure to bring an appetite … you’ll need it. The portions are large, especially the nachos and the “Big As Yo’ Face” burrito (the 2001 best burrito in Austin winner).

Did I mention that they really love Elvis? The Elvis Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas on the Elvis memorial combination platter is not to be missed. The frozen margaritas have perfect consistency and are strong, but not overpowering. Only freshly squeezed lime juice is used here – no concentrate, no mix from a bottle.

The wait staff is friendly and adds to the Chuy’s experience. Bring a picture of yourself wearing one of their T-shirts in front of some world-famous landmark and you will get a special treat.

They will take the picture around the restaurant and show it to the other guests before placing it with great fanfare in its place of honor on the wall alongside the Velvet Elvis and other cool memorabilia. You even get one of their tasty margaritas on the house.

The parking lot in the back is small, but you can usually park on a side street with no problems. Reservations are highly recommended most nights. Expect a 45 minute wait on weeknights and about an hour on the weekend. Have a seat at the bar and soak up some atmosphere along with a margarita.


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