Chuy’s Tex-Mex, once among the arbiters of “weird” Austin, is venturing into the central(ish) city this year.

According to public records, construction at 2027 Aldrich St. will begin in June 2023, and should be complete by November 2023. Does this mean that we’ll be hoisting frozen margs and dipping tortilla chips into jalapeño ranch by Christmastime?

That remains to be seen, but holy moly, Mueller is truly going to be an embarrassment of dining riches by the end of the year. Chuy’s will join national chains like sweetgreen and Marafuku Ramen, as well as local favorites like Colleen’s Kitchen, L’oca D’oro, and Veracruz Fonda.

Chuy’s opened its original location on Barton Springs in 1982 and quickly became known for its quirky art, generous plates, and strong margaritas. The restaurant expanded slowly across Texas during the 2000s, then opened its first restaurant outside of the state in 2009, setting up shop in a suburb of Nashville, Tennessee. There are now 58 Chuy’s locations in 14 states.

This article appears in April 21 • 2023.

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