Chuy's — Restaurant in Austin

This being one of the O.G. Chuy's locations, you can't go wrong with the food here. This place just screams "Austin Cool Vibes," and I always make a point to stop in for Happy Hour when I'm in town for the annual SXSW festival. It's sort of a tradition among myself and my friends to meet here at least once, and we always have a blast noshing on tasty queso, guacamole, and getting drunk on large and strong margaritas.

Nobody does Tex-Mex food like Austin, and Chuy's is terrific. Yes, it's a chain. Yes, locals will turn their noses up if you tell them you're going here. But get over yourself! The food is so good. And the place is always packed, so it HAS to be filled with SOME locals, LOL! The portions are large (my hubby and I can share an appetizer or two and still leave with leftovers) and the ingredients are high quality. The folks in the kitchen here know how to cook, too, and we have never once been disappointed in either the food or the drinks!

They have a very tiny parking lot that fills up, so catch at Uber here if you want less stress (plus, you can drink more if you aren't driving, SCORE)! The inside vibe has a retro, 1950s Texas feel. That's not a great descriptor, but it's the image they project. Think vinyl floors and formica countertops and bright turquoise plastic booths!

The biggest caveat here is that it gets loud. Not just LOUD, but LOUD LOUD. You literally cannot hold a conversation here when it's packed, and it's unpleasantly, obnoxiously LOUD with patrons having to scream over each other. We've been here for dinner on a bustling Saturday night, and never ever again. We just sat there and couldn't say a word. It was soooo loud. Looking for a quiet, intimate date night? This ain't your place. It's lively to a fault, but surprisingly, Happy Hour is usually more subdued and chill. Go figure.

The Happy Hour specials are good, and you can get big margaritas for cheap prices. Be sure to check their website for hours and current pricing, though. Also, if you go early enough for Happy Hour, you can enjoy some peace and quiet as the restaurant isn't as busy during the daylight hours as it is packed at night.

We love Chuy's. From the magically thin and crispy complimentary chips (and super flavorful salsa) to the casual, friendly, and fast service, this Tex-Mex spot remains one of Austin's...

🌮 Chuy’s Tex-Mex Food Review 🍽️

⭐ Overall Rating: 4/5

Food: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

(Note: This review is only for the food, not for service or atmosphere, as it was delivered to me through Uber Eats.)

🍽️ Food Quality: 4/5

Chuy’s delivers a solid Tex-Mex experience, and the food definitely hit the spot. Here’s what we had:

🌯 Burrito: The burrito was massive and packed with flavor. The tortilla was soft but sturdy, holding in the juicy, well-seasoned filling. The meat was tender, and the melted cheese 🧀 on top, along with the flavorful sauce, made every bite satisfying. It had a slight spice kick but wasn’t overpowering. Definitely a comfort-food classic!

🍚 Red Rice & Beans: The Mexican rice was fluffy and well-seasoned, absorbing the flavors of the sauce from the burrito. The beans were rich and creamy, with a smoky depth that complemented the meal perfectly. A classic side done right!

🫓 Chips & Salsa: The chips were light, crispy, and fresh, served warm, which made a huge difference. The salsa had a zesty, slightly smoky flavor with a nice balance of acidity and heat 🌶️.

🔥 Highlights: ✔ Generous portions – The burrito was huge and definitely enough to satisfy. ✔ Bold flavors – Classic Tex-Mex taste with well-balanced seasoning. ✔ Fresh ingredients – The salsa and chips were freshly made, and the rice had great texture.

💰 Price & Value:

For the portion sizes and quality, Chuy’s offers good value for money. The burrito was huge and filling, and the chips & salsa were a great free appetizer. It’s not the cheapest Tex-Mex spot, but the quality justifies the price.

🔥 Final Verdict: 4/5 – Worth Trying!

Chuy’s delivers delicious, satisfying Tex-Mex flavors right to your doorstep. The burrito was flavorful and filling, the rice and beans were spot on, and the chips & salsa were fresh and crispy. Even as a delivery order, the food arrived warm and well-packaged, making it a great choice for Tex-Mex at home.

✅ Best for: Tex-Mex lovers, comfort food cravings, and anyone looking for big, flavorful portions. ❌ Avoid if: You prefer lighter meals or are not a fan of Tex-Mex spices.

Would I order again? Yes! Next time, I’d love to try their enchiladas and fajitas!

🔥 Pro Tip: If you order, ask for extra salsa—it’s fresh...

6/4/2025 @ 6:15pm. Was starving but ultimately kept from trying the food after trekking there from Barton springs day trip for early evening dinner, zero stars food. Went in, asked for a table for one and was told it would be a fifteen minute wait, or I could sit at the bar if a spot opened up. I kindly agreed and patiently waited as third customer behind me went directly for the podium, given the same run down, decided to stand in the way at the bar as they cleared a space I believed to be for me. They say him, he ordered a nice drink, bartender was very attentive to him. I pointed out to the hostess that they allowed that customer to skip me, they said they knew and that 3 other customers were going to tables and I could take a spot once they’re up. I asked them if the manager that was standing right behind them was aware that this was allowed to take place, they didn’t reply, tried to brush it off, and the manager JENN walked away. As she walked back l flagged her down so I could explain my annoyance with this disservice, she tried to ignore my presence. Once I was able to finally express my thoughts on service so far she basically explained how that’s how the bar works, that the hostesses that gave me direction didn’t have control over bar seating, and began to agree with the customer who skipped me when he decided to give the seat up he skipped for. I disagreed, one of the 3 customers left, I sat down, skipping customer slid his drink in front of me and began to argue about being allowed to now sit in the first of 3 seats I was promised, by the bartender who happily agreed. JENN agreed with skipping customer as he demanded I get out of the second spot I than argued to get and ultimately decided to ask me to leave. Zero stars for customer service. Regular customers are obviously favored and I would honestly say as a Houston, Tx. Native with Mexican descent never thought I would be thrown out of a Tex-mex restaurant by an all white staff in favor of a white customer, but this was a swift reminder of my location in central Texas. Seriously like a movie. Zero stars for atmosphere. Came to the food truck park a little future down instead and will never return to Chuy’s...