Recently, my friend Crystal posted a glowing review on Chuy’s (an Austin-based Tex-Mex restaurant that recently opened in Kansas City) and I was convinced to try the place out.
After working a long day (long long long day — so long I didn’t think I was going to make it. But I did. I made it. Somehow I survived. And by the end of the day, a margarita sounded really damn good) we went to Chuy’s.
I was tempted by their Texas Martini (jalapeno-stuffed olive!) but stuck with a frozen margarita.
Why not order a frozen drink in the middle of winter? Actually it was a nice 60 degrees outside yesterday so it made sense. Not so much today now that the temperature has dropped to 15 degrees. But who is counting?
Back to Chuy’s… it is like a Tex-Mex circus in the form of a restaurant.
The dining room is boisterous and the entire restaurant feels cavernous but that may just be a misperception on my part because we sat in the first dining room and for all I know the walls to the restaurant end after the second dining room. I didn’t bother to explore. I was suckered in with chips and salsa.
The decor is eccentric and filled with vivid colors. The bar has an entire wall dedicated to chihuahuas. As you know, I’m also a sucker for chihuahuas. See Exhibit A:
The Chihuahua Wall was the main reason I wanted to visit Chuy’s. My friend boasted about the dog-love going on in the restaurant so I had to see it with my own eyes. It was pretty spectacular as you can see here in the snapshot I took:
In addition to a lot of dogs on the wall, there were a lot of children. Not on the wall. In the restaurant.
I was kind of surprised at how many children surrounded our table especially because we didn’t arrive until 9:30pm. What happened to early bed time??? I can only imagine how many miniature humans invade the space earlier in the day, like, during “normal” dinner hours. And let me say this, I don’t blame the normal sized humans for letting their miniature versions tag along. I am sure I will bring my niece and nephew to Chuy’s at some point so they, too, can witness the Tex-Mex circus.
And, so, okay, the food…. I ordered the Chicka-Chicka-Boom-Boom enchiladas because when you are offered something with Boom Boom sauce on it, you order it. 
I still don’t know what Boom Boom sauce is, but I liked it.
Once I “checked in” to Chuy’s using my FourSquare app, friends immediately started asking me for my opinion of the restaurant. Since my blog is more about story telling than about restaurant reviewing I’m not going to rate it. But, if you want my opinion, you can chew on this:
The food is Tex-Mex. And its good for Tex-Mex. If you like that sort of thing.
The restaurant is a chain. And its good for a chain. If you like that sort of thing.
I’m not opposed, but I think I’ve spoiled (conditioned?) myself more toward Mex-Mex than Tex-Mex. And I love the uniqueness of locally owned spots. Therefore,, upon leaving the restaurant, Brad Pitt and I decided we would prefer our all time favorite Sabor y Sol over Chuy’s. But for a night out with friends -or my niece and nephew- Chuy’s is a charmer and will satisfy an appetite for creamy, cheesy and/or spicy food.
Oh, yeah, and for a night out to celebrate Elvis Presley’s birthday.
Chuy’s is throwing a party on Wednesday, January 8th to honor The King. Blue Hawaiian drink specials, discounted Elvis plates and live entertainment. And free food for anyone dressed like Elvis or Priscilla. Time to put together a costume, people!! Who wants to join me??? I think a Chuy’s Chow Down is in order.
