We went to
Knoxville this day to have brunch at the Baker Peters Jazz Club before our half
off deal expires, but found the doors locked and no one around, so we went to
another place Bev had been wanting to try.
Chuy’s is a
nearly 40 location chain of Tex-Mex restaurants headquartered in Austin, TX and
we ate at the one in Knoxville for our first trip. We got there just ahead of the after-church
crowd and it was already pretty full. It
was well decorated, warm and inviting with 1950’s vintage Chromcraft type
furnishings and a tortilla cooking operation behind a piece of glass for all to
see. This is a shot from our table.
They pride
themselves on good, fresh made food and everything we saw seemed to
agree. The chips and salsa were maybe
the best I’ve had, with very thin, crispy tortilla chips and fresh (not cooked)
salsa like Bev makes during the summer.
Their business model may be similar to the one Cheddar’s seems to have
(my guess here) – lot’s of good food at reasonable prices and making their
money on the high customer volume.
Bev enjoyed
her Chile Rellenos, which were made from Anaheim chile peppers and they had an extra crispy coating on them.
She and I both had the Hatch Green Chile Sauce on ours and it was plenty
spicy – I didn’t added any of the accompanying sliced jalapenos.
Pat had the
Elvis Green Chile Fried Chicken of two breast pieces which were coated with a
potato chip crust – also very crispy - and she liked hers as well.
I had the
steak burrito and thought it was very good, but about half way thru it, I
decided to remove the stuffing and eat it with the lighter chips rather than
the fill-me-up flour tortilla it was in.
It came with charro beans which were just okay (we had some real good
ones in Texas last year) and green chile rice which I enjoyed.
Our service
was outstanding and the server even sent us home with a bag of chips and a
couple containers of salsa. While I don’t
go out to eat very often, I will definitely go to Chuy’s again when I get an opportunity.
I'm now
responding to your comments and hoping you will stop back by - photos best if
enlarged by clicking on them.
Have a great
day and thanks for stopping by Almost Heaven South.
Larry
12/2/12 meal
date
Wish they made carnitas...not a single pork dish on the menu! That really seems odd to me.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't noticed that Bill - guess they are sticking with their Texas (beef) roots.
DeleteHow nice that you found some good Mexican food. It's not easy for us since we were spoiled when we lived in Texas. I could have made a meal out of the chips and salsa.
ReplyDeleteSam
I finished off their salsa, but am still dipping the chips in some good jarred tomatillo sauce.
DeleteI've got to visit their web site to see if it's the same Chuy's we have here in Denver. About 4 locations. I've never been and might give them a try after your recommendation. And I'm with you about removing the filling of that burrito and losing the flour tortilla. I just did that Sunday here at home, it was just too much.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have Chuy's here in Denver but we have 4 Chubby's locations. I should probably drink my coffee before I comment on blogs.
ReplyDeleteLOL - Don't I know it. They seem to be moving East from Texas.
DeleteThere used to be Chuy's out here, but they have been gone a while now.. they did have good food, I have no idea why they closed down. Glad you had such a good experience.. I hear of too many bad outings when eating out anymore :)
ReplyDeleteI rarely eat out as I'm so often disappointed with the food, service, or both, but this was a pleasant experience.
DeleteThe restaurant chain hasn't reached New England. Growing up in Texas, I do wish we had a good Mexican restaurant close by.
ReplyDeleteKaren - not sure how close it is to you, but we enjoyed the Margarita Grill between North Conway and Bartlett a couple of years ago - http://margaritagrillnh.com/. It's not San Antonio but it was pretty good - here's my post that included it - http://bigdudesramblings.blogspot.com/2011/05/new-england-day-5-portland-and-south.html
DeleteLarry, Thanks for the restaurant review! Laurie and I have driven by Chuy's but haven't been there yet. The options look a bit different than the typical Mexican restaurant. That fried chicken looked especially interesting! Thanks and Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
ReplyDeleteI look forward to your review, if you make it there.
DeleteI've never been to a Chuy's before but you've sold me! It all looks delicious especially those Anaheim chilies. Yum. Also still laughing about your funny yesterday. I thought my husband would never stop laughing about that one!
ReplyDeleteGlad you guys like the funny.
DeleteLooks like a delicious meal. I think we have one across town...I will have to investigate.
ReplyDeleteKathy - I hope you do, but their website doesn't show any in CA.
DeleteI've never heard of Chuy's... Guess we'll have to check it out sometime... We love 'real' Tex/Mex ---at least I do. After living in Texas for 12 yrs, I got spoiled by good Mexican food.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Betsy
Besides Knoxville, there is one in downtown Nashville and another at Opry Mills.
DeleteMmmm, looks wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan
DeleteIt all looks really good to me-I haven't seen that restaurant here yet, but we do have a Cheddars nearby. I'll have to check and see if there is one here in Missouri.
ReplyDeleteYAY for Hatch green chile! I've never been to a Chuy's restaurant, but it sounds like they know their green chile. I'm a weeeee bit partial to (NM) Mexican food, so Tex-Mex has never really been a favorite, but everything you mentioned sounds good to me!
ReplyDeleteI am glad that you got the chance to try them out before us. Trevor had been wanting to try there but I was worried it might be a bust, so wasn't thrilled about going. I'll give it a shot now.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to check this place out the next time that we're in K-town. The photos of the dishes that you ordered look mighty fine to me . . . and we LOVE to eat out for Mexican/Tex-Mex! Hope that Bev and you are having a wonderful Christmas season, Larry!
ReplyDeleteRoz