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.

The Original Chuy’s Started In Austin, Tx

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.

The Original Chuy’s Started In Austin, Tx

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.

We Don’t Take Anything seriously, Except Our Food

While we are Tex-Mex, our menu is made up of a com­bi­na­tion of flavors, with recipes and ingre­di­ents from across New Mexico, Mexican border towns, the Rio Grande Valley, South Texas and, of course, Austin. Wanna know a secret? Our fajita marinade is an old South Texas family recipe that has been used at some ​“infamous” South Padre Island beach parties. Our founders had a vision to bring FRESH to Tex-Mex, and that com­mit­ment to our food is still the core of every­thing we do today.

Bringing Tex-Mex To The People

In the late 2000’s, with only fifteen restau­rants around Texas, we decided it was time to let the universe in on our little Tex-Mex secret. It just didn’t feel right to keep our made from scratch dishes and out of this world service and atmos­phere to our­selves anymore. With that desire to ​“spread the love,” we opened the first Chuy’s outside of Texas in the Nashville, TN suburb of Franklin in November of 2009. From there we have been spread­ing our vision of fresh, authen­tic Tex-Mex across the country and bringing what started ​“Deep in the Heart of Tex-Mex” to food and fun lovers everywhere.