Another Tex-Mex option in Orlando area: Chuy's opens first Central Florida location in Kissimmee near Disney

Central Florida residents and visitors longing for authentic Tex-Mex cuisine can now have their cravings satisfied with a new Chuy’s restaurant that opened in Kissimmee this week. Located in the Four Corners area and near the Osceola County resort corridor (7913 West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway), the freestanding 7,487-square-foot Chuy’s Kissimmee is the first of several restaurant locations planned to open in Central Florida. 

Founded in Austin, Texas in 1982, Chuy’s is famous for its authentic and fresh made-from-scratch Mexican menu featuring hand-rolled tortillas, margaritas made with fresh-squeezed lime juice, and signature sauces including Creamy Jalapeño, a sauce so beloved it has its own customer-created Facebook page with more than 26,000 Fans.

The Chuy’s menu showcases dishes from authentic family recipes from South Texas, New Mexico and Mexican border towns. Some favorites include Stuffed Chile Rellenos, Chicka-Chicka-Boom-Boom Enchiladas and Chuy’s Famous Big As Yo’ Face Burritos that have to be seen to be believed. In fact, the Chuy’s motto is "If you've seen one Chuy's, you've seen one Chuy's!" because each restaurant’s eclectic décor is unique and no two restaurants are the same. 

“I'm so proud to bring Chuy's to Orlando because it’s not your typical restaurant experience,” said Jack Baum, General Manager for the Kissimmee Chuy's.  “The entertaining atmosphere, incredible food that is made from scratch daily, and the relationships Chuy’s builds with the local community make it perfect for Kissimmee.”

“Our guests will find the same serious commitment to serve unique, authentic Mexican food using the freshest ingredients at all our restaurants,” said Baum. “Our first Orlando restaurant and all the Chuy’s locations planned for Central Florida will soon be known as the most fun and friendly place to eat in the area. We cannot wait for Kissimmee families’ first experiences at Chuy’s!” 

Chuy’s Kissimmee is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner with a weekday happy hour from 4-7 p.m. complete with drink specials and the famous Fully-Loaded Nacho Car, offering a trunk load of free fresh chips, salsa, chile con queso and taco meat to feast upon.

I attended a pre-opening event on Monday and I really enjoyed my visit. I'm a true Tex-Mex fan and I've gotta say they seem to know Tex-Mex at Chuy's. The fresh-made Nachos ($6.79) were awesome. Thin, light tostada chips are perfect for dipping in salsa, but not so great for piles of refried beans, cheese jalapenos, lettuce, tomato and guacamole. But the thick, large-size, in-house made tostada chips served at Chuy's were perfect for serious nacho eating. Chuy's knows nachos.

For the main course I had to try the No. 2 - The Elvis Presley Memorial Combo ($10.89). Here's all the food I got for just under eleven bucks: a beef enchilada, a cheese ranchero enchilada, a chicken tomatillo enchilada, a ground sirloin crispy taco and a couple of giant tostada chips dipped in chile con queso. Everything was awesome, and the portions were, well, Elvis-sized.

From Interstate 4 East, take exit 64 to merge onto U.S. 192 W/W Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway toward Magic Kingdom to reach the most fun and friendly destination for authentic Tex-Mex in Kissimmee. For more information about Chuy’s Kissimmee, please find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ChuysOrlando or visit www.chuys.com.

Arriba, arriba, arriba, arriba out of 5

Note: I dined compliments of Chuy's