Chuy's
Tex-Mex restaurant · Zilker
1728 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
Highlights
Tex-Mex chain with "big as yo' face" burritos, creamy jalapeño dip, & fun decor
Tex-Mex chain with "big as yo' face" burritos, creamy jalapeño dip, & fun decor
"It’s easy to take Chuy’s for granted now that the decades-old institution has franchised throughout the South. Even at their original location on Barton Springs Road, most dishes are mediocre, especially compared to Austin’s many Tex-Mex alternatives. Still, Chuy’s perks are unimpeachable, like the ability to walk in with a large-ish group and have a good time in the kitschy space. Nowhere else has a large school of colorful metal fish swimming across the ceiling, and few places are this reliably upbeat (even without a few margaritas in your system)." - nicolai mccrary, matthew jacobs
"It’s easy to take Chuy’s for granted now that the decades-old institution has franchised throughout the United States. In terms of quality, it’s a mixed bag, even at the original location on Barton Springs Road. Most dishes are mediocre, especially compared to Austin’s many Tex-Mex alternatives. But nowhere else has a large school of colorful metal fish swimming across the ceiling or a room full of hubcaps, and few places are this upbeat even before you've ingested a few cheap margaritas. The biggest perk of Chuy’s is the ability to walk in with a large-ish group and have a good time in a kitschy space buzzing with activity. Despite what the menu claims, there aren’t any true specialties here, aside from their queso that gets an upgrade from the green chili and ranchero sauces mixed in. Beyond that, grab whatever enchilada, burrito, or taco combo calls out to you. photo credit: RICHARD CASTEEL photo credit: RICHARD CASTEEL photo credit: RICHARD CASTEEL Pause Unmute Food Rundown Queso This is the only thing that no Chuy’s visit is complete without. It has all the meltiness of a standard Velveeta-based queso, plus a few other cheeses and green chili and ranchero sauces mixed in to enhance the flavor. photo credit: RICHARD CASTEEL Chicka-Chicka Boom-Boom Enchiladas The chicken runs a bit dry, but the green enchilada sauce on top—Chuy’s calls it boom-boom sauce—has a creamy tang that balances well with the serrano peppers and hatch chilis. photo credit: RICHARD CASTEEL The Elvis Presley Memorial Combo Elvis is the mascot of Chuy’s original location, largely because in 1982 the owners spent their $20 decorating budget on a velvet portrait of him. Now there are menu items named after the hip-swiveling rock god, like this one that serves up three types of enchiladas, a crispy taco, and queso for less than its namesake's painting cost. It’s a fine way to sample a bunch of things at once, even if none of those things are remarkable. photo credit: RICHARD CASTEEL Chuy’s Famous ‘Ritas Everything goes down smoother with one of these. We prefer the traditional frozen margarita, but you can also get it in strawberry or a combination of both. photo credit: RICHARD CASTEEL" - Matthew Jacobs
"Chuy’s has been an Austin institution for longer than you’ve understood how babies were born, let alone how to make one of your own. The kids' menu has plenty of options, and you can get a huge burrito, along with the Texas martini you earned after playing an unintentional and terrifying game of hide-and-seek with your 3-year-old in Target today. There are hubcaps on the walls, fish hanging from the ceiling, and brightly colored decor, so your kid will feel like they’re inside a coloring book and you’ll be the hero who brought them there." - adele hazan, nicolai mccrary
"For the parent who wants queso and margaritas If you’re an Austin transplant and it’s your parents’ first time in town, Chuy’s is always a good idea. The Tex-Mex mini-chain was born on Barton Springs Road back in 1982, which makes it the ideal spot to give your parents a good taste of the town. It also happens to be easy on the bank account, since you plan on “showing them around” via many, many meals while they’re in town. Enchiladas and fajitas are the must-order items here, but so is the Elvis Presley Memorial Combo. The original location is the best, and it helps keep Austin weird." - nicolai mccrary, raphael brion
"There are roughly 100 Chuy’s locations across the United States, but this Tex-Mex empire started right here in Austin on Barton Springs Road. And it’s an empire built largely on melted cheese. This queso has all the melt factor of a typical Velveeta-based version, but with a few other cheeses mixed in to add some great flavor and texture, while a bit of green chili and ranchero sauce add some much-needed kick. We like the fully loaded version with ground beef, guacamole, and pico, but the cheese in this holds up on its own. The chips can be a little brittle, but not enough to prevent us from enjoying each bite. What we got: Queso, fully loaded" - nicolai mccrary
