In Memory of Chi-Chi's

RE: In Memory of Chi-Chi's (IntelligentT82)

Sat, 21 Jul 2012 15:02:50 GMT

scrumptiouschef

Sundancer7

[id="quote"]quote: Originally posted by AndreaB

The Chi-Chi's in Lexington, KY, did a booming business when it first came to town and was always packed, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. I ate there many times as a teenager.
Prior to it closing, it had become a mere shell of its former self
as new Mexican restaurants came to town. I'm sure those tainted green onions didn't help either.

Andrea

Andrea: You are right about the Chi-Chui's in Lexington. I think I first ate there around 1980 and it was busy. Too bad they went so far downhill.

I think the one in Lexington was located right off New Circle Rd.???

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

I used to eat at that Chi Chi's when I was little kid. Loved the chimichanga smothered in queso. Tumbleweeds was another good Mexican spot in Lexington.

Recently I visited Lexington to see my sister and we went to La Favorita, a taqueria inside a little Mexican grocery store. It could open up out here in Austin and make good money. Real deal Mexican food.

http://www.tripadvisor.co...exington_Kentucky.html

Tumbleweed Southwest Grill is actually owned by the same entity as the existing Chi-Chi's that are overseas now. That's why the theme song on the commercial for Tumbleweed in the US and Chi-Chi's overseas is the same song ("The Whisper" by Sedona). I loved Chi-Chi's when it was open in the US and I agree that there should be a tribute page. Sorry for those who didn't enjoy the food or atmosphere but I did!!!

RE: In Memory of Chi-Chi's (mayor al)

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 19:13:22 GMT

Chi-Chi's was based in Louisville and the store in town and the one in Clarksville, IN just across the River, used to be a training ground for Manager trainees/ Back in the early 80's we held College staff meetings in one of their dining rooms on a monthly basis...Plenty of Margaritas, Fried ice Cream and other faux=Mex food that--at the time-- was pretty good--. The place billed the College for X Number of meals, No mention of the "Extras", so we did imbibe a bit more than normal !! They sure went downhill in the 90's though. I am suprised to see the Chi-Chi's salsa on the shelf at Wally World, I wonder where it's connection to the old restaurant chain remains.

RE: In Memory of Chi-Chi's (scrumptiouschef)

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 11:55:57 GMT

Sundancer7

[id="quote"]quote: Originally posted by AndreaB

The Chi-Chi's in Lexington, KY, did a booming business when it first came to town and was always packed, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. I ate there many times as a teenager.
Prior to it closing, it had become a mere shell of its former self
as new Mexican restaurants came to town. I'm sure those tainted green onions didn't help either.

Andrea

Andrea: You are right about the Chi-Chui's in Lexington. I think I first ate there around 1980 and it was busy. Too bad they went so far downhill.

I think the one in Lexington was located right off New Circle Rd.???

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

I used to eat at that Chi Chi's when I was little kid. Loved the chimichanga smothered in queso. Tumbleweeds was another good Mexican spot in Lexington.

Recently I visited Lexington to see my sister and we went to La Favorita, a taqueria inside a little Mexican grocery store. It could open up out here in Austin and make good money. Real deal Mexican food.

http://www.tripadvisor.co...exington_Kentucky.html

Re:In Memory of Chi-Chi's (njbull)

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 12:19:58 GMT

gee, 6 years later and people are still reading your post, the wonders of the internet. lol

i was chatting with my wife who used to work at chichis years ago about the place, then looked up local locations only to find out they closed in 2004, guess i wasnt that loyal of a customer, lol regardless, i stumbled across a website, have been obsessed lately with everything chichi related since. do you still have acess to your menus or recipes?

sorry if this seems random, i have a lot of spare time here at work ,lol

and thanks if you ever get this, lol

RE: In Memory of Chi-Chi's (Littlelamb)

Wed, 22 Aug 2007 04:00:37 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by Pumbaa

I worked there on and off during high school and college for 2 years. It was still my favorite restaurant. my sister and i both worked there for a while. We'd work until midnight on Saturday, go there for lunch on Sunday after church, and THEN go back in for a shift that Sunday afternoon.

I have nothing but fantastic memories of Chi-Chi's . I couldn't ask for a better first job. My managers and co-workers were fantastic. We were the most popular restaurant in town and worked our tails off. For me at least, it was a real labor of love.

I was completely devastated to hear of the closings. After digging on the internet, it seems there are still at least 2 Chi-Chi's : one in Kuwait (really!!) and one in Belgium.

Are there any sites that serve as memorials for Chi-Chi's? There should be a place where ex-employees and fans come together .

I was a cook. I still have all of the recipes. Even though I don't have the Chi-Chi's spice packets or Chi-Chi's vanilla ice cream, I can duplicate the dishes very well. (I did sign a form saying I wouldn't compete with Chi-Chi's or reveal their secrets. Now that it's gone, I wonder if that promise has expired too.)

Chi-Chi's was a phenomenon. It deserves a proper tribute. Can someone tell me if there are sites or groups related to Chi-Chi's memories?? If not, I'll make my own website.

Wes Fowler
Linecook
Dixie #18
Bashford Manor #45

"Chi-Chi's: A Celebration of Food!"

RE: In Memory of Chi-Chi's (V960)

Thu, 17 May 2007 11:37:30 GMT

Chi-Chis was an upscale Taco Bell...the booths had padding.

RE: In Memory of Chi-Chi's (chichiex)

Mon, 16 Apr 2007 19:27:32 GMT

I would like the recipes for their original regular chili (tex mex chili, and their black bean chili...as a matter of fact I too am a lover of the old chi-chi recipes and would love to make these. Any you are willing to share. You can email me at cincooks@msn.com
thanks

quote:
Originally posted by Pumbaa

I worked there on and off during high school and college for 2 years. It was still my favorite restaurant. my sister and i both worked there for a while. We'd work until midnight on Saturday, go there for lunch on Sunday after church, and THEN go back in for a shift that Sunday afternoon.

I have nothing but fantastic memories of Chi-Chi's . I couldn't ask for a better first job. My managers and co-workers were fantastic. We were the most popular restaurant in town and worked our tails off. For me at least, it was a real labor of love.

I was completely devastated to hear of the closings. After digging on the internet, it seems there are still at least 2 Chi-Chi's : one in Kuwait (really!!) and one in Belgium.

Are there any sites that serve as memorials for Chi-Chi's? There should be a place where ex-employees and fans come together .

I was a cook. I still have all of the recipes. Even though I don't have the Chi-Chi's spice packets or Chi-Chi's vanilla ice cream, I can duplicate the dishes very well. (I did sign a form saying I wouldn't compete with Chi-Chi's or reveal their secrets. Now that it's gone, I wonder if that promise has expired too.)

Chi-Chi's was a phenomenon. It deserves a proper tribute. Can someone tell me if there are sites or groups related to Chi-Chi's memories?? If not, I'll make my own website.

Wes Fowler
Linecook
Dixie #18
Bashford Manor #45

"Chi-Chi's: A Celebration of Food!"

RE: In Memory of Chi-Chi's (Jennie)

Sat, 27 May 2006 23:29:20 GMT

Oh, dear! Well, we didn't sue, but my husband once found a broken-off toothpick complete with frilly plastic attached in his chimichanga once. This was in Springfield, VA. We both got free meals. He had, after all, found it in his mouth.

On the other hand, I used to love the one in Timonium, Maryland, north of Baltimore. Years ago, in the 1970s and early 80s, it was a gardening store. There was a central pyramidal-roof hub with flanking smaller wings of the same shape, with sloping walls. It looked perfect! They didn't have to rebuild much at all. Just parged the walls and it looked great! What I loved best were "Special Beef Chimichangas," which were their beef brisket. Unfortunately, they eventually took that option off the menu, presumably because the meat was more expensive. However, friends of mine who worked there told me they still had the brisket, because it was a necessary ingredient in Diablo sauce.

Ah well. Now I make the meat in my crock pot and fry up Chimis in my DeLonghi.

RE: In Memory of Chi-Chi's (juliemoose)

Fri, 26 May 2006 16:42:40 GMT

My sister-in-law went to a Chi Chi's in or near Lancaser, PA. As she was eating, a piece of the ceiling fell down and hit her in the head. As she was inclined to do, she immediately fell out of her chair, clutching her head and neck. Now, a ceiling should never fall on a patron as they are eating, but I must admit that I was pleased that they closed and went bankrupt before they ever had to pay her any settlement, since she's sued many people in the past for accidents in which she wasn't hurt. She complained of headaches right up to the point where there was no hope of getting any money out of them, and then miraculously was healed!

RE: In Memory of Chi-Chi's (V960)

Thu, 18 May 2006 08:24:38 GMT

Let me get this straight...I'm going to Europe and eat at a Chi-Chi's? Gonna get real cold under foot before that happens.

RE: In Memory of Chi-Chi's (Greymo)

Wed, 17 May 2006 20:48:22 GMT

The most amazing part of this whole forum is that no one has yet to send it to "chains" where such a "garbage restaurant" should be

RE: In Memory of Chi-Chi's (BigboyDan)

Wed, 17 May 2006 20:30:48 GMT

There is still a Chi-Chi's in Paris:

27, Blvd. des Italiens
75002, PARIS
cuisine: Amer-TexMex
011 (+33) 01 42 66 09 57

RE: In Memory of Chi-Chi's (enginecapt)

Tue, 16 May 2006 21:17:30 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by WVHillbilly
I just remembered, the local "Chi-chis" was next to the local "Hooters."
Must be a real bunch of boobs.

Musn't. Take. Bait. Must. Be. Strong.

RE: In Memory of Chi-Chi's (WVHillbilly)

Tue, 16 May 2006 12:46:49 GMT

I just remembered, the local "Chi-chis" was next to the local "Hooters."
WTF is wrong with people who go to those places?
Must be a real bunch of boobs.

RE: In Memory of Chi-Chi's (Pigiron)

Tue, 16 May 2006 10:28:35 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by Pumbaa[/]
Chi-Chi's was a phenomenon. It deserves a proper tribute. Can someone tell me if there are sites or groups related to Chi-Chi's memories?? If not, I'll make my own website.

Nothing personal, of course, but of all the things to pay tribute to in this world, I cannot imagine anyone spending time and money in celebration of Chi-Chi's.

RE: In Memory of Chi-Chi's (salsailsa)

Tue, 16 May 2006 09:56:08 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by saps

Here's a Chi-Chi's memory:

Lying on the floor with glazed eyes and a stomach feeling like the "chestburster" from the Alien movies just popped out of it, next to a john filled with dinner from two-hours earlier.

The place deserved to die- And I hope it burns in hell.

LOL! Now I remember the place.

RE: In Memory of Chi-Chi's (V960)

Tue, 16 May 2006 09:09:00 GMT
Chi Chi's was about as Mexican as the McRib sandwich is BBQ. Glad someone had a good experience working there but I for one am glad to see them gone. And the buildings are so tacky they just get torn down unless the rent goes to the bottom.

RE: In Memory of Chi-Chi's (roossy90)

Mon, 15 May 2006 23:40:00 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by saps

Here's a Chi-Chi's memory:

Lying on the floor with glazed eyes and a stomach feeling like the "chestburster" from the Alien movies just popped out of it, next to a john filled with dinner from two-hours earlier.

The place deserved to die- And I hope it burns in hell.

HA HA.. that is a funny post, Saps!

RE: In Memory of Chi-Chi's (abe_froeman)

Mon, 15 May 2006 23:12:20 GMT
That place was awful- no one in their right mind should be mourning the loss of it! If you worked there and have some sentimental feelings of it, that's one thing, but anyone who contends that it was good should see a doctor. Taco Bell has more authentic Mexican food and I've never gotten sick off of them!

RE: In Memory of Chi-Chi's (saps)

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 13:19:59 GMT
No ETOH that night.

And yes, "fire in the hole".

RE: In Memory of Chi-Chi's (Adjudicator)

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 12:49:20 GMT
"...next to a john filled with dinner from two-hours earlier."

Somehow I believe ETOH may have been involved. Yes?

"And I hope it burns in hell"

Maybe something else was burning???

RE: In Memory of Chi-Chi's (saps)

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 12:40:05 GMT
Here's a Chi-Chi's memory:

Lying on the floor with glazed eyes and a stomach feeling like the "chestburster" from the Alien movies just popped out of it, next to a john filled with dinner from two-hours earlier.

The place deserved to die- And I hope it burns in hell.

RE: In Memory of Chi-Chi's (enginecapt)

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 03:50:44 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by MandalayVA
Mexican food, however, is getting to be like Italian where there seems to be more independent restaurants than chains.

HOORAY!!!

RE: In Memory of Chi-Chi's (Ort. Carlton.)

Sun, 23 Apr 2006 20:53:42 GMT
Dearfolk,
They must not have been too chi-chi, then.
Out Of Step And Proud Of It, Ort. Carlton in Unusual Athens, Georgia.

RE: In Memory of Chi-Chi's (WVHillbilly)

Sun, 23 Apr 2006 17:55:40 GMT
Chi-chi's. . . yuck. Went there a number of times with groups or because some woman talked me into it. . . you know, they whine and plead and ya got no choice. . . It was always poor quality quasi-Mexican food.

RE: In Memory of Chi-Chi's (MandalayVA)

Sun, 23 Apr 2006 15:30:58 GMT
I used to eat at the Chi Chi's in East Brunswick, NJ. Fried ice cream, what a novelty. Mexican food, however, is getting to be like Italian where there seems to be more independent restaurants than chains.

RE: In Memory of Chi-Chi's (baughman)

Sun, 23 Apr 2006 07:59:10 GMT
I didnt realize all the Chi Chis in the Us had closed . Man I am out of the loop. Use to eat at one in Toledo ohio all the time in college in late 80s early 90s. all my buddys would go for the buffet. Never went for a regular meal just for buffets. When I moved to Middletown ohio in early 90s there was a chi chis for like 4 months then it closed and became a Frickers( good sports bar).

RE: In Memory of Chi-Chi's (AndreaB)

Mon, 20 Mar 2006 11:29:13 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by Sundancer7

quote:
Originally posted by AndreaB

The Chi-Chi's in Lexington, KY, did a booming business when it first came to town and was always packed, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. I ate there many times as a teenager.
Prior to it closing, it had become a mere shell of its former self
as new Mexican restaurants came to town. I'm sure those tainted green onions didn't help either.

Andrea

Andrea: You are right about the Chi-Chui's in Lexington. I think I first ate there around 1980 and it was busy. Too bad they went so far downhill.

I think the one in Lexington was located right off New Circle Rd.???

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Yah Paul, it was right off the New Circle Rd. exit onto Nicholasville Road and across from the Fayette Mall. There used to be a Darryl's across the street from it that was also very popular.

Andrea

RE: In Memory of Chi-Chi's (Kitty Ritter)

Sun, 19 Mar 2006 12:07:00 GMT
If you want real Mexican food, why would you go to Chi-Chi's? Chain restaurants are the worse.

RE: In Memory of Chi-Chi's (Adjudicator)

Sun, 19 Mar 2006 12:01:26 GMT
"Those independent real Mexican places are still here. We'll see if they fit that definition of insanity: repeating the same thing over and over and expecting a different result!"

Oh. Sorry... I now see that you said "repeating". At 1st glance I read that as "reheating".