OUR STORY
Way back in 1982, Austin, Texas became the home of the place that does real Tex-Mex better than anyone. Yes, we are talking about us! Let’s take a trip down memory lane to see where we started and how we have stayed true to our original vision.
Chuy’s opened on April 16, 1982 in an old, abandoned Texas Barbeque joint on iconic Barton Springs Road in Austin, TX. There was seating for about sixty, a women’s restroom the size of a broom closet and a men’s restroom that was, well, outside. Founders Mike Young and John Zapp had a vision of a fun and funky Tex-Mex restaurant that served authentic and fresh food in an atmosphere that appealed to everyone. From these humble beginnings Chuy’s was born.
Our founders, Mike and John, along with their “decorator” Jose Cuervo, made some interesting decisions on restaurant décor. Mostly due to lack of money and the creativity of their “decorator.” Those Chuy’s touches you love, like the hand-carved wooden fish “swimming” from the ceiling, hubcaps hanging bright and shiny above your booth and the Elvis shrine, are still alive and well in our restaurants today. Although we have kept many of these original eclectic touches in our restaurants, we want each Chuy’s to be unique to the community they serve. Our dedicated team searches far and wide for those special pieces that will make your Chuy’s unlike any other.
