Chi-Chi's Restaurants coming back

[y_p_w]

I think it was mentioned before here in a discussion on defunct restaurants.

https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/chi-chis-mexican-restaurants-return/​

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https://www.prnewswire.com/news-rel...for-comeback-after-two-decades-302321339.html​

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https://www.restaurantbusinessonlin...ts-set-return-after-disappearing-20-years-ago​

Twenty years after bankruptcy and a foodborne illness outbreak forced it to close its doors for good, full-service Mexican chain Chi-Chi’s is preparing for a comeback. And it has a familiar name at the helm.​

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On Tuesday, Hormel Foods, the owner of Chi-Chi’s trademarks, said it had struck a deal with Michael McDermott, the son of the brand’s founder, that will allow McDermott to open restaurants under the Chi-Chi’s name starting next year.​

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In a press release, McDermott said he hopes to honor his family’s legacy by reviving the brand, which he said will feature an updated take on the classic Chi-Chi’s experience.​

 

[Speedbird001]

I'll give it a shot if the open one near me... They would be wise NOT to hire any managers or executives from TGI Friday, Chilis and the like (They all really went down the toilet and price gouge for extras like $9 for a tall domestic draft). That is why when I do eat out its at a local place.

 

[skyactiv]

Back when I was young and dumb, I took a few dates to Chi-Chi's. Maybe some of you remember the silly happy happy happy birthday song.

 

[joekingcorvette]

I kind of remember the birthday song and it was unique. I loved their "cancun" which was a couple seafood enchiladas covered in a white and cheese sauce with rice and beans. Loved to order that way back in the ole days.

 

[gman2304]

El Grande Burro….

 

[Wheel366]

We used to go to the gym, then bowling and then hit up the 2 tacos for a $1 or 10 wings for a $1. Had to exercise first to burn off all the calories we were about to ingest... Miss that place!

 

[Bill Judson]

I knew Chi Chi Rodriguez was a pro golfer, but I didn't know he had Mexican restaurants too!

 

[y_p_w]

I got curious about the trademark registrations since Hormel was mentioned as licensing the name.

It looks like when they went defunct, Outback Steakhouse bought part of the company, but really just to take over prime locations for Outback and Bonefish that the company owned. Then the rights to the name were sold off to Hormel to make packaged foods. Hormel still markets a bunch of items like tortillas and margarita mixes. Also salsa from a joint venture between Hormel and Herdez. But looking at the current registered trademarks with the USPTO, they're mostly for packaged foods, but a new registration for restaurants that was filed in Nov 2024 and awaiting examination. But there are a bunch of regsitrations that were either abandoned or cancelled after the original company went defunct.

 

[JimPghPA]

There signature drink "chi-chi" was very good. I think it had pinnacle juice, coconut juice, and some liquor. I only had one with each visit, but I could have drank those until I passed out. It was one of the reasons I would go there.

That drink was so popular that the bar mixed a gallon at a time in a one gallon plastic milk jug.

 

[AZjeff]

I'd let other people beta test for a while if Chi Chi's opens in Pittsburgh again.

 

[Vil_Riker]

I don't think I've ever gone there but I remember an ad from the early 2000-s for their salsa - a fat guy in a pool doing bicep curls and saying that their salsa does miracles on your abs.

 

[SevenBizzos]

Great place when they prepared and cooked the food on site. Then they went to pre-made and reheat and it just wasn't the same. I'll certainly go back to see what's going on...

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Used to hit that Joint in the 80's. Very popular. Decent food. My first tex mex? experience. Good luck in duplicating that experience 40 years later.
I typically finished and "doused" the meal with a deep fried ice cream desert. I still duplicated that at home now and then for guests - without the fryer.
Roll a French vanilla ball (little smaller than a tennis ball in crunchy granola to coat, the sprinkle with a tiny pinch of cinnamon, finally drizzle with honey. Plays out way more than the simple ingredient list would suggest.

Sort of like the Boeuf au Poivre cooking magic. boom! wow!

 

[SC Maintenance]

Was this the place that used to have half price margarita's on Tuesday?

Asking for a friend.

 

[Chris142]

Never heard of this restaurant but There are too many taco places here already. They are literally taking over every corner and every parking lot has someone selling Mexican food. Hoping for a burger guy, hotdog or BBQ guy will show up soon.

 

[macarose]

My hats off to anyone who enters the brutally challenging casual market segment. Especially in the Tex-Mex niche.

It's like a legacy automaker competing against Tesla. You're bound to lose money for a long while no matter what.

I hope they do well. No idea how they're going to outperform today's taco juggernauts or the food trucks.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Never heard of this restaurant but There are too many taco places here already. They are literally taking over every corner and every parking lot has someone selling Mexican food. Hoping for a burger guy, hotdog or BBQ guy will show up soon.

Same here, but good luck finding a sit down Mexican place that is any good, anymore.

Although I doubt Chi-Chi's will win any awards on that front either.

 

[JavierH19]

No thanks. Don't need such a degenerate name being seen and spoken by children. I saw a burger restaurant called bun slut and wanted to gag. We're in the weimar era in terms of degeneracy.

 

[Shel_B]

In a press release, McDermott said he hopes to honor his family’s legacy by reviving the brand, which he said will feature an updated take on the classic Chi-Chi’s experience.

What is the Chi-Chi experience? What was the chain known for? I've never been to one of their restaurants, nor have I ever seen one. here were they located?

 

[JayhawkRoy]

I became first aware of Chi Chi's in Indianapolis and ate there a couple of times in 1979-80. When we moved to the KC area, a Chi Chi's was opened in Kansas City on Barry Road. I think there was also one in Independence, MO. The Barry Road Chi Chi's is now a Chinese restaurant.

I always thought it was an average Tex-Mex style restaurant, because KC has many good local Mexican restaurants. I really don't remember if I had a favorite dish there or not.

Wiki says Chi Chi's was a Midwest chain that started in Minnesota.