Chi-Chi’s is back, baby. You can now relive your very best Tex-Mex memories from the ‘80s and ‘90s, complete with endless chips and salsa and oversized margaritas.
The first Chi-Chi’s location in the comeback of the century opened earlier this week, and people are filing into the restaurant. Here’s all the details about the new restaurant and what its first customers are saying about the food, ambiance, and prices.
What Happened to Chi-Chi’s?
Back in 2003, Chi-Chi’s filed for bankruptcy. Shortly after, in a one-two punch, a hepatitis A outbreak was linked to green onions served at the chain in Pennsylvania. It became the largest hepatitis A outbreak in U.S. history, with 660 people sickened and four deaths. That’s pretty hard to come back from, and the last Chi-Chi’s locations closed for good in 2004.
Who Reopened Chi-Chi’s?
Late last year, the son of the original Chi-Chi’s founder announced that he was reviving the restaurant chain. “I still have fond memories of growing up in the Chi-Chi’s restaurants that my father built,” Michael McDermott said in a news release. “We have seen the impact our restaurant has had on individuals and families across the country and believe there is a strong opportunity to bring the brand back in a way that resonates with today’s consumer.”
Fun fact: Chi-Chi’s is named after McDermott’s grandmother, who went by the nickname Chi-Chi.
Where Is the New Chi-Chi’s?
The revived Chi-Chi’s is in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis. It’s not far from its original 1975 location, which opened in Richfield, another Minneapolis suburb. If you’re in the area, the address you need to put in your GPS is 1602 West End Blvd.
What’s on the Chi Chi’s Menu and Is It Expensive?
The new Chi Chi’s menu isn’t exactly the same as it used to be, but you’ll definitely recognize some favorites. Nachos Grande and the Mexican Pizza are back, but the guacamole now comes topped with mango, something that probably wasn’t available in the ’80s. Taco salad, complete with its big, puffy fried tortilla bowl, is back, along with massive fried chimichangas and the ever-popular fried ice cream.
There are lots of new things on the menu, too, including ingredients that likely never appeared on a Chi-Chi’s menu before, including Mexican street corn with manchego cheese, shrimp and crab ceviche, and mahi tacos.
The prices are pretty reasonable, and in some cases, inexpensive. The fried ice cream, for example, is only $7. A chicken chimichanga will set you back $16, and a plate of enchiladas will cost you $18.
What Are People Saying About It?
Those who are fortunate enough to be nearby have shared their experiences on social media. In general, customers seem to love it — there’s usually a wait to get a table, so make a reservation ahead of time.
One TikToker, Sota Food Tour, said eating the short rib chimichanga was like a “time warp back to my childhood,” which sounds pretty dang amazing. He also loved the fresh, hot tortilla chips, but noted that any other birria taco in the city would have been better than the ones his wife got. Still, he gave the experience a rating of 7.2 out of 10.
The Mexican pizza looks fantastic in a YouTube video from Matt & Goo Review, and it tastes just as good as it looks. Similarly, TikToker Jason DeRusha called the flautas “legit tasty” and said the fried ice cream was “fabulous”. He just warned against getting the giant house margarita and opt for an upgrade instead.
And the vibes? They’re updated too, so you won’t feel exactly like you’re walking back in time, but customers like the atmosphere and decor, complete with hanging plants, painted tile, and vintage Chi Chi’s photos.
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