You don’t have to be a devotee to “The King of rock and roll” or an aficionado of black velvet paintings to appreciate the sense of humor behind the folks who own and run Chuy’s – but it helps.
That’s because every one of the Austin-based chain’s restaurants features a special shrine area that pays tribute to the iconic Elvis Presley. The Chuy’s in Shenandoah is no exception.
The restaurant itself is a garishly colorful assemblage of tables, chairs and bar space surrounded by ethnic accents, novelty items and antique framed photos. There’s enough ambiance and atmosphere to distract you if you’re bored or enhance your dining experience if you’re simply out for a meal with friends.
Chuy’s probably won’t impress the sophisticated set, but for a night out with friends and family, the atmosphere and ambiance are appropriate and entertaining.
Ditto with the service. While the waiters at Chuy’s are working a sizeable portion of the dining room, it doesn’t mean they are without a sense of humor or responsibility. It’s a sense of pride some other restaurant owners and managers should instill in their own crews.
My luncheon companion, humorist Mark Hayter, asked about replacing the meat in a chicken enchilada combo, $8.99, with beef. The server didn’t bat an eye and said he’d be happy to accommodate the request. His only complaint was the chips were too thin and the salsa was too hot.
He was right about the chips; they broke easily trying to pull them out of the salsa. He was dead wrong about the salsa. Yes, it was a bit spicy, but with just the right amount of heat.
I really wanted to order the Elvis special, but a sizzling order of fajitas went past me right when I was about to order and I surrendered to my primary weakness at Mexican restaurants: beef fajitas.
The lunch order of fajitas at Chuy’s, $11.79, are good, made of a good grade of well marinated flank steak. The meat was flavorful and tender, not rubbery and, forgive me, chewy. It’s possible to take a bite out of a handmade fajita without pulling large chunks of meat and half the ingredients out onto your lap.
I was also impressed with the running commentary of humor and interaction our waiter used to check on our progress throughout the meal. He was attentive, if not original, in his material and made sure our beverages were refilled promptly.
Any beyond that, I don’t require a lot from a casual dining restaurant. Good food, ample portions, a pleasing atmosphere and a waiter that gets the job done – that’s more than one can get at a lot of eateries these days.
So if you’re looking for a place to put on the feedbag with friends and family and Mexican food is an option, think about Chuy’s. It’s not the newest restaurant in Montgomery County, but it’s one worth considering.
And in a nod to the power of social media, our weekly video restaurant reviews are also available on Facebook. Look for “Whine and Dine with Brad and Mark.” Feel free to stop by and check out our reviews, make fun of Mark or point out how wrong we are about local restaurants. You won’t be alone.
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