chi-chi's closings

The chi-chi's locations in wilkes-barre and whitehall penna have both closed, does anybody have any info? did more locations close? I'm sure the recent bad press about people getting sick at their restaurants didn't help, but i'm wondering how widespread the closings are.

Apparently, they filed for Chapter 11 before the hepatitis outbreak and are closing 26 stores. The story on the link says 30, but all the other stories I found said 26. This story just had the best content.

http://www.wtov9.com/news/2875360/detail.html

ChiChi's headquarters is here in Louisville --Obviously a hotbed of Mexican Food activity for the country--(joke, but on topic!!) Lots of press about them either already filing...or planning to file Bankruptcy to protect whatever is left after the lawyers get done butchering the corporation.
I M H O They will not survive the legal actions that are pending over the health problems they experienced. They weren't in good business shape before this last series of problems with Hepatitis happened.

quote:

Originally posted by Al-The Mayor-Bowen

ChiChi's headquarters is here in Louisville --Obviously a hotbed of Mexican Food activity for the country--(joke, but on topic!!) Lots of press about them either already filing...or planning to file Bankruptcy to protect whatever is left after the lawyers get done butchering the corporation.
I M H O They will not survive the legal actions that are pending over the health problems they experienced. They weren't in good business shape before this last series of problems with Hepatitis happened.

i just received a reply from them regarding a gift certificate i have, they told me to make a copy and send the origional to them and they would send me a check for hte face valus

In my opinion this has been overdue for years. While I loved the look of their buildings, they served crappy americanized mexican food. it will not be missed by me. the one in Framingham Ma is being renovated and taken over by a an excellent local greek place. So at least there is one instance of the location going to good use.

The ChiChi's that killed 3 and sickened 600 was in the Beaver Valley Mall which is 5 mins. from my parents' house. Their neighbor was in the hospital for 2 weeks with hepatitis! I never ate in one but after this incident, they couldn't PAY ME to eat there! Just lock the doors, everybody punch out and go home.....

I think that is happening a lot in various locations. ChiChi's made a big splash in the early 80's, The party atmosphere that boosted places like Fridays and others caught on pretty rapidly. That era seems to have come and gone..or at least slowed considerably.

quote:

Originally posted by lleechef

The ChiChi's that killed 3 and sickened 600 was in the Beaver Valley Mall which is 5 mins. from my parents' house. Their neighbor was in the hospital for 2 weeks with hepatitis! I never ate in one but after this incident, they couldn't PAY ME to eat there! Just lock the doors, everybody punch out and go home.....

That one, I believe, is to remain open.

I am happy to see Chi-Chi's go. They have the worst "Mexican food" (and I use the term loosely) that I've ever eaten in my life. Good riddance!

Good riddance to bad rubbish! I have to express my opinion here!

Chi-Chi's has been making people sick for years. It's the Mexican Olive Garden.

Yes, but this time they managed to nicely KILL a few customers. Enough is enough!!

well if those customers cant take a joke...

I just remembered that when I was traveling in Belgium I saw a chi-chi's in all its crappy glory. I was amazed because apparently it is a popular place. The only american chain in the whole town. Wonder if it will still be in business?

A Chi-Chi's in Belgium? Where? I used to live there.

Overijse, right outside Brussels. Friend of mine lives there and used to work there as a teenager....

Generic Mexican food...that made Taco Bell look authentic. Lotsa stucco. Cute "Seniorisms" on the menu. No, I wasn't a fan...but I feel sorry for the folks who are now out of work in this economy!

Lynne

I have never even heard of Chi-Chi's. Suppose they decided they would not get much business here!

Hey Renfrew,
I live a couple of miles from the Chi Chi's you mention in Framingham; you're right, it will not be missed. I'm wondering if the local Greek place you mention taking over the site is, by any chance, the Aegian, which is one of my favorite restaurants in the area and now located about half a mile down Rt. 30. If so, this is great; the only problem with the current location is that it can get a little crowded. Love their calamari, broiled lamb ribs, saganaki, moussaka, etc.

The local ChiChi's has been closed for about 2 years, and the site bulldozed maybe 6 months ago. The Smokey Bones restaurant I mentioned a few months back is being built on the site....

The latest incvident of Chi Chi's concerning a hepatitis incident was not their first. About 15 years ago, they had another outbreak in Minneapolis.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

quote:

Originally posted by Sundancer7

The latest incvident of Chi Chi's concerning a hepatitis incident was not their first. About 15 years ago, they had another outbreak in Minneapolis.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Ive heard that it was one of several times actually---imho asresult of a management philosphy that entails hiring alot of amatuers and not worrying about turnover,thus avoiding paying professionals and keeping labor cost down.

Hey Dbear,

Yep the Aegean is going here. They are renovating it now. I agree, the old location got a little crowded. now my concern is keeping the quality in the new locale!

Thanks Renfrew. Been awhile since I had Greek; I think I'll take the family over there this weekend. FYI, the location on Arsenal St. in Watertown is equally good, and usually less crowded.

Although I sympathize with all who will suffer a personal financial setback as a result of the closings, I too will not miss the poor, "americanized" version of Mexican food that they served. There are much better and more authentic local places, at least in the Washington D.C. area (and, I'm sure, in other places as well) to get Mexican food.

Another Chi-Chis in the Pittsburgh area bites the dust!!!


The Chi-Chis near my house closed last week, on the Upper St. Clair/Mt. Lebanon border on Route 19, Washington Road. It had been serving crappy mexican food for 25+ years at that locale, but I had not eaten there since high school in the 70s. It was quite popular until the hepatitis outbreak up in Beaver, PA last year. But after that, the parking lot was always empty (and it was a big lot with 100+ parking spaces!)

By coincidence, the Red Lobster located right next door closed almost 2 years ago and is still boarded up. And if that isn't spooky, there is a Ground Round two blocks down the road from the Chi-Chis, but it is still open (See Roadfood discussion on GR shutdowns nationwide elsewhere on this board). All 3 restaurants were staples for years, and had a loyal following (unfortunately) amongst the suburban dining crowd. Fortunately, there are plenty of local mom and pop eating establishments that are still open for Roadfood followers.

Alas, some people just love eating chain restaurant swill. God bless them, their wallets, their stomachs, and their taste buds (or lack of them.)

Amen.

By the way, I have now attained the coveted Hamburger status. I need to treat myself...what should I indulge in tonite????

quote:

Originally posted by jm199




Another Chi-Chis in the Pittsburgh area bites the dust!!!

YAY! Everybody head for Tambellini's or Primanti's!!
Actually there was a VERY good restaurant on the way to California (PA of course) I believe it might have been in Donora, called Peasant Village. Anyone know if it's still there?

Which Tambellini's???

Rebecca's in Bridgeville?
Louie's on Route 51 outside the Liberty tubes?
The one downtown on Seventh Avenue???


You need to be more specific...ha!!!

and as for Pirmanti's, although they have several location now, I am loyal to the original location in the Strip District!!!

quote:

Originally posted by jm199



Another Chi-Chis in the Pittsburgh area bites the dust!!!


The Chi-Chis near my house closed last week, on the Upper St. Clair/Mt. Lebanon border on Route 19, Washington Road. It had been serving crappy mexican food for 25+ years at that locale, but I had not eaten there since high school in the 70s. It was quite popular until the hepatitis outbreak up in Beaver, PA last year. But after that, the parking lot was always empty (and it was a big lot with 100+ parking spaces!)

By coincidence, the Red Lobster located right next door closed almost 2 years ago and is still boarded up. And if that isn't spooky, there is a Ground Round two blocks down the road from the Chi-Chis, but it is still open (See Roadfood discussion on GR shutdowns nationwide elsewhere on this board). All 3 restaurants were staples for years, and had a loyal following (unfortunately) amongst the suburban dining crowd. Fortunately, there are plenty of local mom and pop eating establishments that are still open for Roadfood followers.

Alas, some people just love eating chain restaurant swill. God bless them, their wallets, their stomachs, and their taste buds (or lack of them.)

Amen.

By the way, I have now attained the coveted Hamburger status. I need to treat myself...what should I indulge in tonite????

Ground Round, Red Lobster and Chi-Chi's have all gone Chapter 11 and will reorganize and join forces to become:

The Red Round Ground Chi-Chi Lobster, home of the extremely insipid Mexi-seafood-burger, where you can throw your discarded lobster shells on the floor.

If the concept goes well, via hostile takeover, they will go after Olive Garden, thus forming:

The Olive Red Round Ground Chi-Chi Lobster Garden Megaplex and Viking Food Bar.

Don't ask what Viking food is. I just know that I'll know it when I see it.

jm.......Tambellini's on Seventh Ave., Primanti's in the Strip District, Wright's Seafood in Bridgeville!

In Ohio:

An article a while back in the Dayton Daily News stated that the Chi-Chi's restaurant on Miamisburg-Centerville Road (OH 725) just east of Springboro Pike (OH 741) was closing. I don't know about the one on Colonel Glenn Highway in Beavercreek west of North Fairfield Road, tho'.

-James, who ate at the Miamisburg-Centerville Road location a few months ago, which for the record was NOT affected by the hepatitis outbreak