Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Restaurant openings Chuy's Bringing Its Tex-Mex Party to Midtown
Posted by Dana Kopp Franklin on Wed, Feb 16, 2011 at 4:48 PM
- Chuy's on Facebook
- The original Chuy's in Austin
The building — vacant for years — fronts Broadway, 19th Avenue South and Division. Situated across Broadway from the original Broadway Brewhouse, it has a quirky facade that includes a vintage geometric look. On the Division side, the property has a carhop-style awning.
“Chuy’s plan is to reuse the current structure on the corner of 19th and Broadway, maintaining the feel of the original façade while transforming the structure into one of their signature looks,” XMi said.
The Austin-based chain incorporates a lot of pop art, folk art and thrift-shop chic in their restaurants’ design. There’s always a room with hubcaps lining the ceiling and a shrine to Elvis. So in a way, the dilapidated-but-promising building makes sense.
There’s also no question that Midtown has become a bar and restaurant hub for businesses that can afford the rent.
“The restaurant folds very well into the fabric of Midtown — a walkable neighborhood that includes a nucleus of lunch and after-hours destinations. Chuy’s is the perfect fit for this property,” said Henry Menge of XMi.
Major renovation is expected to begin in late February, and will include “a thatched-roof palapa area for dining and drinking outdoors.” Approximately 150 people will be hired before a grand opening sometime this summer.
This will be the third Chuy’s in Tennessee. In addition to Cool Springs, there’s a location in Murfreesboro.
And finally, time for full disclosure. Even though it’s a chain (founded in Austin in 1982), I really love Chuy’s. When I was recently stuck without a car in Fort Worth dealing with a family illness, I walked to the Chuy’s on West Seventh Street every day. Good enchiladas, more than a dozen salsas, friendly service — it really brightened my life.
Comments (20)
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I used to work for them in Texas, and I have to say that it was the best scenario possible for a waiting job I ever had. It was a fun place to work if you had to be slinging dinner plates somewhere. And the product is actually pretty good - I think some of the backlash has just been a lack of welcome for the Tex Mex thing?
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I remember that location well ... the old Cantrell's BBQ. Yum! 2nd best beans I've ever had....
Perfect location for this concept. Pretty good food - a shade better than Rio Bravo. Fun atmosphere. I've only been to the original in Austin, however.
Never have understood how that building stayed empty so long, so whatever goes in there is welcome.
NONO and NO! That is Punk Rock Holy Ground ! We of the rip-kneed punk rock clan, have hoped to see something more deserving than a freakin' chain restaurant.....sad, sad, sad face :-(
Ah yes, Cantrell's ... and then it was Panama Red's, a decent Florida-style cuisine restaurant. Then a coffeehouse. And yes, that bldg has been empty way too long. A chain wouldn't be my first choice, but ... at least it's not an Olive Garden.
.. and then maybe Jamaica or something like that? Caribbean anyway....
Yes, would have preferred something funky and cool with lots of character ...
It is a chain, but a small one - the locations in TN are the first outside of Texas. And it totally is funky and cool with lots of character..... A welcome addition, IMHO!
Huge portions of crappy food. It is a chain in every negative sense of the word. Chuy's is owned by a bunch of former O'Charley's execs if that tells you anything. I'd rather go to Las Palmas and that is saying something. Disappointing use of that land.
Way to go Chuy's and Henry Menge at XMI!!!
As a Nashvillian who attended college in Austin and a Chuy's long time fan-AWESOME
@GrrrlRobyn -- I totally forgot that was Cantrell's. I wish I had been there during the halcyon days.
I'm a born and raised Texan and LOVE Nashville, but Chuy's cures my occasional bouts with homesickness. And yes, it is Tex-Mex, not Mexican. Give it a try, everything is great: the margaritas, creamy jalepeno dip, nachos, burritos, enchiladas, patios and generally perky service. Bottom line is: If you hate Chuy's, you hate fun.
@J-Mar, I was in Cantrell's one night when it was so packed I was pushed out of my clogs as the crowd surged, and lost both as the crowd heaved back and forth. My socks protected me from all the broken glass, and and I caught a taxi home wearing just my punk shorts and loyal socks.
@J-Mar -- Chuy's menu will memorialize that event with the Henry Rollins Cuss-a-dilla. ...
(not really)
if you know Cantrell's, then all I have to say is ..." The Exploited".. as to restaurants... I want LOCAL! But ,you know...it's hard to watch your youth turn grey and think about icky things like retirement. When the Cantrells space goes into corporate lala land, I'll just have to face the music ( or end of, so to speak )
Chuy's only has about 5 restaurants in Texas, it is really not a Chain...until they came here this state had none. The food is the kind of authentic Tex-mex the Texas expats and lovers of spicy, flavorful food will enjoy, Bravo Chuy's, I will be there often!
Chuy's has MORE than 5 restaurants in Texas!!! Please check your facts before you post false information. There are 20 locations in Texas spanning over several cities. This information can be found at www.chuys.com There is one in Alabama, 1 in Kentucky, and 2 in Tennessee (as of today). This is not corporate owned and if you knew the company (actually worked for them) you would know it's the not the same as being corporate america. It's tex-mex ...food is FRESH, made everyday. Sauces made hourly, very fun, laid back and ALL about the customer!
