Chuy's — Restaurant in Winter Park

Once upon a time, pre-Covid, I was part of the opening team for Chuy’s I-Drive. It had some of the most reasonable prices and best tasting Tex-Mex I’ve ever had. Their food was spicy. The servings were good. Everything was made fresh (with the exception of French fries and ice cream cups). The tortillas were even made right there. And it was a great deal. You could get out of there for about 10-12 dollars. Their margaritas were great and not expensive. Eventually, I stopped working there because I wasn’t making any money, but continued to go there at least once a week and brought so many friends who fell in love with it.

My favorite things were the creamy jalapeño, the chicka chicka boom boom, the green chile rice, and the kids mac n cheese. From the very first day we tasted the food, this was what I always ordered. The enchiladas were always loaded with chicken inside (ie the chicken went all the way to the edge of the enchilada roll) and the boom boom sauce (spicy queso) was poured on top and there was enough running down the sides to swirl the enchilada around in or mix in with the already spicy green chile rice.

Things were going well.

Then Covid happened.

Ever since Covid, Chuy’s has slowly lost the magic for me. Fast forward to today at Winter Park. What was once a $6 margarita - $12. Green chile rice - has never made it back in the menu despite me asking corporate multiple times now. Enchiladas - DRY, half empty, and hardly any sauce on top. Mac n cheese - as little cheese on it as they could. The plate garnish even looks terrible - some lettuce shred and diced tomatoes. It used to be a big dark green piece of lettuce and everything nicely laid in it. Even the service - today I had a bartender - a BARTENDER - who was apologizing and speaking in a whisper while at the bar if I needed a refill. And there was no manager to be found. I also saw mold all over the bar that you could very clearly see. And worst of all: for two people now it’s $50 for lunch.

I can no longer recommend Chuy’s. I’m disappointed. What was once my favorite place to eat has made me feel finally that it’s no longer a place I want to drive to. I find no joy in this place anymore. When we opened Chuy’s, they said they wanted to be like Disney and have those same standards. Well, other than raising the cost of everything while giving less, they aren’t Disney at all. The place was dirty, was not well-staffed, and the food standards and presentation are just afterthoughts now. I always thought this place cared more than most places I had worked for, but I guess I was wrong.

This was not just a one time experience. I’ve slowly felt this way ever since they came out with and decided to keep their Covid limited menu. They decided they could take advantage of customers and we would just keep coming, hoping it would return to its former glory. I want nothing more than to see Chuy’s be better, but I don’t think Chuy’s wants to be. Well, you lost me as a customer and you’ve probably lost a lot of other people who once called this their favorite place to eat.

Previous review:

Food is always good but the service today was so-so. The girl outside was overwhelmed and no one was helping her. She may not have asked for help either, but you could tell people were annoyed. I’m also mad that they do not have their green Chile rice as it is way better than bland Mexican rice. Chicka chicka boom boom is always good. Margarita tasted great today. That can be hit or...

We were in the area and looking for something for lunch. My companion said they wanted a burrito so I started listing all the places in the area that we could go. When I said Chuy's they said it sounded good as it had been a while since we had their food.

The parking garage by this location was a new thing for me but it was fairly convenient. Upon entering we were greeted in a reasonable time and seated promptly. I took a few to peruse the menu to see what would be good this visit. My companion got the Chuyichanga which is their usual. Since I have never had one I decided to try it too. I asked which was the hottest sauce they had, and it was the Hatch Green Chili I got. We enjoyed some chips and salsa along with the jalapeno white sauce which was all excellent. I really like that they have the really thin chips. You just have to be careful scooping with them so they don't break.

When our food arrived it looked fantastic and I forgot to get pictures. They let us know that the plates were really hot and that helps keep the food a good temperature while you eat.

During the course of our meal our server came by to see how everything was and I made a verbal faux pa. I told them it was really good but that I like it 'hotter'. What I really meant was that I like it 'spicier'. They proceeded to go off to get the manager to apologize to us and reprimand the kitchen. Thankfully she came to talk to us first and I was able to divine the mistake and head them off from giving the kitchen a good talking to.

We ended up having a long discussion about spicy food and some other topics. She did bring me some samples of some of the sauces so I could see if any of them were 'hotter' to my taste. I ended up putting a couple of them plus some of the salsa on my chimichanga and is was even better. I must say that we thoroughly enjoyed our meal and I felt they went above and beyond in making sure we were happy with everything.

In the end our server came over and I apologized for not being clearer and we had a good...

I had the pleasure of dining at Chuy's in Winter Park, Florida recently and the experience was nothing short of amazing. Right from the get-go, things fell into place seamlessly. I arrived just as the restaurant opened its doors and was greeted by a welcoming staff with wide smiles, instantly making me feel at home.

Seating was prompt, almost immediate, which is always a good sign. I was impressed by the cleanliness and vibrant atmosphere; the colorful, quirky decor adding an extra layer of character to the place.

Now, let’s talk about the starter. The servers were quick to bring out the complimentary chips, salsa, and their signature jalapeño ranch. The chips were crispy and fresh, and the salsa had the perfect balance of tang and spice. But the jalapeño ranch? It was a revelation, offering a creamy, zesty kick that I just couldn’t get enough of.

For my main course, I ordered their famous enchiladas, a dish I had heard much about. And I must say, it lived up to the hype. The enchiladas arrived piping hot, exuding a mouth-watering aroma that teased the senses. Every bite was a perfect blend of flavors—succulent meat, rich sauce, and perfectly melted cheese. It was apparent that the chefs at Chuy's take their time to get every detail right, and it shows.

Service throughout the meal was impeccable. The servers were attentive without being intrusive, ensuring that I had everything I needed without feeling rushed. It’s the kind of balanced service that elevates a dining experience from good to great.

In summary, Chuy's in Winter Park delivered on all fronts—ambiance, service, and most importantly, food. I left the restaurant feeling not just satiated, but genuinely pleased with the entire experience. I would highly recommend this spot to anyone looking for authentic Tex-Mex with a side of excellent service. A must-visit, whether you’re a local or just...