I am very disappointed in my last visit to Chuy's. I normally love eating there. This time the Jalepeno ranch was bland. The chip bar had nothing but salsa on it instead of all the other toppings. The kids meal of chicken nuggets was burnt and the chicken inside was bland. The beans and rice were bland as well. They used to have the best beans in Waco. I had the #6 meal (taco, chalupa, enchilada, beans and rice) and even the chicken on the chalupa was tasteless and bland. I do not have plans to visit Chuy's in the future because of this change in their food. Oh and the portions have also gotten smaller. NOT a good meal at all.
I love the Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Sauce! It's a blend of creamy cheese and spiciness. It's got a kick with a yum! I try to order it on most anything I get. I also love their green ranch dip that comes with the chips. So good and their patio is nice on pretty days! While this place may not be local, it's regional with it being based out of Austin.
Why does Waco need another Tex-Mex joint? Because Chuy's.
I must admit that I rolled my eyes when I heard that Waco was bringing in another Tex-Mex chain. We have a billion Mexican places to begin with--what's the point?
That was before I knew what Chuy's was. Chuy's is one of the few places where the things listed as spicy on the menu are actually somewhat spicy. I love the green chile and boom-boom sauces. Even the queso has a little bit of spice to it. The chunky salsa that they bring with the chips reminds me more of pico de gallo, but it's spicy, too.
Then there's that fabulous creamy jalapeno sauce. I hate ranch but somehow love that stuff. I think it's secretly not ranch, but love, jalapenos and unicorn farts crammed into a blender. You have to ask for it, but it's well worth asking for (not to mention buying tubs of to take home). It's good on everything--on chips, on top of your enchiladas, mixed in the queso--everything.
Chuy's has a place in Waco because it's different than your average Tex-Mex place. Sure, the service isn't as good as the one they just opened in Tyler, and it's quite noisy inside, but I need boom-boom and Hatch sauce in my life. Yes. Need.
I love Chuy's. They have one of the best happy hours in Waco, and consistently have great food. I could go through and tell you the things I order, but right now I'd rather talk about the REAL reason I go to Chuy's. The Sauces!
The creamy jalapeno ranch is what I like to call "Fat Kid Soup" and I could eat about 4 bowls in a sitting if I had no self control. Also, they have one of my favorite mexican salsas that is more like a blended extra spicy pico de gallo. You could (and should) try out all the great things on the menu, but if you want to go during happy hour and eat a meal of solely chips & ranch/salsa, just know that you're not the only one.
We had eaten at Chuy's in Dallas and I thought it was just OK. When I saw them building the Chuy's here my first thought was "Do we really need another Tex-Mex place in Waco?". However we have come to love Chuy's, especially after I found out about the Fish Tacos. I do wish they had some healthier options on the kid's menu.
This has become our favorite Mexican restaurant. Chips are always fresh, good salsa & jalapeno ranch for dipping. Best chile rellenos in town; great fajitas; Boom Boom chicken is good, etc. Service is good also.
Drink specials are good and free chips, queso, etc. are fantastic, but finding a table between 5 and 7pm is a battle in itself. It's a personal preference but if you find scouting for a table for 35 minutes fun then Chuy's happy hour is right up your alley.
