Chuy's opens first Oklahoma City location with a 'Boom-boom'

The new kid on the block in the Chisolm Creek area is Chuy's Tex-Mex, purveyors of "Boom-boom" sauce.

The fourth Oklahoma location of the Austin-based Tex-Mex chain flung open its doors Tuesday more than 11 years after its first metro spot set up shop in Norman.

"Our Chuy's fans, they wanted something closer up north so we're happy to accommodate all the northside Oklahoma City areas," said Jennifer Callaway, general manager of the Oklahoma City location, who has worked with Chuy's for almost 10 years.

Chuy's north Oklahoma City location, 13621 North Blackwelder Ave., has the capacity to seat 258 people, and, of course, features the same favorite Tex-Mex flavors the chain has been known for since its inception in 1982.

Down to the details

From fan favorites like "Chicka-chicka Boom-boom" enchiladas and the "Chuychanga" to classic options like fajitas and tacos and even "Big As Yo' Face Burritos," the menu is quintessential Tex-Mex flavors with a signature sauce for everyone at the table.

"We're a scratch restaurant, everything's fresh, we get here bright and early to make everything," Callaway said. "You're never going to have day-old enchiladas, it's always from scratch. We make to order — we're not going to sit and make 200 enchiladas for everybody that we may seat today — it's made with love and we take great pride in it."

That same pride, Callaway said, extends to the bar where lime juice is squeezed daily and simple syrup and other items are produced in house for use in cocktails.

Much like the flavors at Chuy's, the decorations are part of the restaurant's signature. Bright colors and individualized interpretations of key features make each location unique. From "hub-cab rooms" with ceilings decorated as an ode to the founder's love for cars to the signature Elvis shrines, Chuy's is as interesting to look at as it is to eat at.

"If you've seen one Chuy's, you've seen one Chuy's," Callaway said. "Everything's a little different, a little awkward, a little eccentric, because we don't want everything to looks so matchy-matchy."

At the new location, the signature hand-painted fish customers can see swimming through Chuy's locations across the country continues, with 678 and 1/4 fish weaving throughout the building along the ceiling line.

"They are hand-painted and made in Mexico. Every Chuy's has some," Callaway said. "It's fun and exciting."

In addition to aquatic life, the walls of the bar area of Chuy's known as "La Chihuahua Bar" are decked with framed photos of area dogs. Guests can bring a framed photo of their pet when visiting Chuy's to help adorn the walls and receive a free appetizer.

More than just good times and good food

Chuy's also makes a point to give back both locally and nationally through each of its more than 100 locations, across 17 states.

To build up its pup photo collection for the north Oklahoma City wall prior to opening, the restaurant hosted a fundraising campaign with Bella SPCA, a local animal rescue. Chuy's donated $1 back to the non-profit for every photo they received, raising over $500 for the organization.

Nationally, the chains does an annual spring fundraiser for St. Jude's. The North Oklahoma City location also partnered with Autism Oklahoma to donate 100% of proceeds from preview events to the organization and will look to work with even more local community organizations in the future.

Callaway said the new Chuy's will be a family-friendly "no-pressure zone" for parents to bring kids for a family meal.

The restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Happy hour is 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and includes discounted cocktails and $5 chip and dip specials.