Fighting for attention along the bustle of International Drive is Chuy’s, a restaurant of vibrant colors, lights, and campy pieces. It’s been hailed by some as the Tex-Mex destination of Orlando, bringing these legendary flavors of Texan culture to Mickey Mouse’s doorstep. However, with oddities like welded foliage and a 12 ft. tall bust of Elvis outside its doors, curiosity draws you in even if the promise of great food hasn’t already.
On an overcast day, I walked in with some friends and was lucky enough to be seated immediately for lunch. After being greeted by friendly host staff, I was struck by the very energetic and funky vibe of the restaurant. Envision folk crafts fused with the festive designs of Mexican décor. Throw in a few dated touches of formica and vinyl, and you have the aesthetic context of Chuy’s. It sets your expectations a bit high as you anticipate a pleasant and fun meal, but what I discovered is that this may not be the type of experience that follows.
THE GOOD
Chuy’s on International Drive is set in a prime location. Being near the corner of I-Drive and Sand Lake Road, it is a short walking distance from some popular attractions like the I-Drive 360 complex, King’s Bowling, and The Escape Game. Shopping is also easily accessible with specialty stores nearby like Tervis, Flip Flop Shop, and 360 Gifts. As a result, it is incredibly easy to pair a day of activity with a meal, and that is a great convenience when hunger strikes.
In addition to its great location, Chuy’s has a few things on its menu worth mentioning, and all of them are served in ample portions. The chips that they bring to every table are fried and salted with an extremely thin and crispy texture. Their chile con queso gives quite a kick and has you take note, and the tres-leche cake is so delicious and moist that it might make you cry. However, the real winner is the chicken tortilla soup. The flavor packed into this bowl is difficult to capture in words. It is a homemade chicken broth with hand-pulled chicken, avocado, roasted corn, green chiles, tomatoes, and cilantro with cheese and tortilla strips topping it all. I would return to Chuy’s for this menu item alone.
Not to take away from the previously mentioned virtues, but Chuy’s real strength is its ambiance. As mentioned before, the set-up is visually appealing. Odd art, retro-inspired furnishings, and today’s popular music are combined to bring an avant-garde energy. At the same time, the place remains mainstream enough for comfort. Sitting among metal palm trees and strung party lights, I was aware of my unusual surroundings without being made uneasy by them. The balance of kitsch and convention was rather entertaining, and I started making a mental list of people I might want to bring on a return visit.
THE BAD
The idea of a return visit waned a bit once we were seated due to the service. It wasn’t that the staff was hostile or apathetic. In fact, our server was involved and friendly. There was quite a problem, however, when we sat with our complimentary chips and salsa for an extended period of time. Feeling famished from an extensive morning of activity on I-Drive, my group was eager to eat. Unfortunately, though, we had an uncomfortable wait before any of our ordered items were delivered.
After filling up on chips, salsa, and soda, our food finally arrived…ALL OF IT AT ONCE. There was no pacing of courses. The appetizers and entrees filled the arms of two food runners and were delivered together. Once they were on our table, the large plates filled every space available. It felt as if a truckload of fried tortillas, rice, and charro beans had been dumped. It was a tad overwhelming. Would we get to all of the food before it cooled to room temperature? I didn’t know where to start, and I wasn’t sure if I even wanted to anymore.
Once we actually did begin eating, I felt a bit of disappointment. While Chuy’s does have a handful of dishes that really hold their own, much of what we were served wasn’t memorable. I ordered their signature combination platter, the Comida Deluxe. At $11.49, it came with cheese tex-mex enchiladas, chicken flautas, a ground sirloin taco, guacamole, and tostada chips dipped in chile con carne. The rice was bland. The chicken was slightly dry. The guacamole had little flavor, and the taco was on par with family taco night at home. I wasn’t displeased with my meal. I was able to eat it without complaint. It was food, and it wasn’t bad food. It’s just that when you consider the price that you are paying for cheese, beans, and rice, you expect a little more quality with your quantity.
THE TRUTH
In short, Chuy’s looks more impressive than it actually is. The appearance of the establishment grabs you immediately. Unfortunately, though, the menu struggles to maintain the grip. Finally, the staff (while eager to please) is capable of dropping it altogether.
All that being said, my experience at Chuy’s still wasn’t unpleasant enough that I am willing to write it off entirely. I feel that in taking its spot on International Drive, it will find its place with Orlando’s tourists. Some of the food may lack pizzazz, but there is something about being in that space that still calls you back. With its eclectic atmosphere, upbeat music, and casual appeal, I am inclined to give Chuy’s a second chance even though it fails at giving a great first impression.
