Chuy’s – All Around Good
Not usually my thing to even mention restaurants all that much unless I am going off about some crappy customer service experience I have had with them, however Chuy’s deserves my mention and more. It is a relative new coming to Lexington and really not my kind of thing so much, given that it is a big chain and a chain of Mexican/Tex-Mex food at that. I think this one will give so many of our semi-local Tex-Mex food places a good run for their money and I think the attitude and price will more than compete with the other one or two more upscale Mexican places in the local area.
For those not in the know, Chuy’s is, as stated above, one of those chains that claims to be a Mexican restaurant, but really is what anyone who truly knows is more likely to call Tex-Mex or even South Western. That is really the only knock you can make against the whole experience, if you even want to include that one mind you. The one in Lexington is out Nicholasville Road, south of the Mall on that same west side, but before you get to Applebee’s and definitely before Man-O-War. It is back off the main road though, kind of behind Outback, if you know where that is. If not, a bit of looking and maybe Garmin or something will help you find it.
As for us, it was kind of accidental trial. We were driving along and realized both that neither of us wanted to cook and that by unexpected savings we had an extra twenty dollars. My wife said she had been wanting to try this place, though I thought she said Chili’s, not Chuy’s. I was up for it either way, Mexican sounding especially favorable to my taste buds.
We arrived at that exact right time before a dinner rush. I noticed the parking lot was busy when we arrived, but we were seated immediately. The parking lot and a wait was present when we left a little less than an hour later. My first impression upon entering, was very festive – just what you would expect from a Tex-Mex kind of place. My second thought, once into the actual dining area was that I loved the retro styling. It was like the tables and chairs, of famous and sometimes infamous notoriety, but in fifty different colors. It was not completely random though, as each table setting was a matched set. I personally geeked on this aspect of things far too much.
A look at the menu found everything to be, to my delight, priced just right. A couple can easily eat for under around twenty. Throw in drinks and I think you can still be under thirty and even the most expensive dinner would run at most forty. We were looking for just dinner and settled on combo dinner #2 for me and a Chuy special for my wife. The later was chicken enchilada with green sauce with typical companions. Mine was a little bit of everything but the big items was cheese enchiladas, toquitos, and a taco, along with plenty of side items. My wife loved hers and had plenty. Mine was the crispest taco I have ever had with the toquitos being full of chunks of chicken instead of the usual shredded.
I almost forgot to mention the chips and salsa that was served when we sat down. The salsa, I will admit was a little bit on the spice side. It was the only thing that a little over spicy, but knowing they have a happy hour set up with it free I am sure it is part of the play they make to sell more drinks. The deal is a little free bar with chips, sauces, meat, and such for free if you buy drinks, during happy hour – FYI. Our wonderful server brought us a thing of jalapeno ranch dip for the chips, which was just the right blend of spicy and cool for the chips. And the chips, thin and extra crisp, my favorite.
I did check out the house drinks and specials. All were very nicely priced and I am definitely going to have to check out that free mini buffet sometime. They did have some drinks that were interesting and clearly there is a bent to Texas, with lots of Texas-based Tequila’s and of course Shinerbach (later I learned it is based out of Austin, makes sense).
Did I mention that the service was top-notch? It was superb. Just the right amount of time on check on everything and plenty of making sure everything was perfect. I noticed it was not just our server either, but rather that all of them were doing just that with their tables.
Bottom line is, if you have not yet, you need to check this place out soon!
 ** – Image is picture of Chuy’s sign.
