20 | April 19, 2018 | The Homer Horizon Homer glen homerhorizon.com THINK SPRING! RIZZACARS.COM RIZZACARS.COM 8100 W. 159th Street | Orland Park 8130 W. 159th Street | Orland Park 8150 W. 159th Street | Orland Park 8425 W. 159th Street | Tinley Park
homerhorizon.com dining out the Homer Horizon | April 19, 2018 | 21 The Dish Chuy’s Tex-Mex offers a different kind of fusion Amanda Stoll, Assistant Editor True or False? Traditional Mexican tacos are served topped with cheese? If you guessed true, you would be wrong according to Jose Salazar, general manager at Chuy’s in Orland Park. Lucky for those cheeselovers out there, Chuy’s serves both traditional and Texan-inspired dishes, and some with a little bit of both. The chain started in Austin, Texas in 1982 and has nearly 100 locations, mostly spread across the South, East Coast and Central Great Plains. Hallmarks of the chain include a nacho car, a selfserve nacho bar situated in the trunk of a Buick 1958, and the chihuahua bar, where visitors can bring a framed picture of their dogs to hang up and receive a free appetizer to boot. Salazar said last week there were almost 300 pups adorning the walls and bar area, but he is hoping to get that number up to at least 1,000. One room is reserved as the hubcap room, where the ceiling in the original location was painted purple, and — because of the owners’ displeasure with the color — consequently covered with a variety of hubcaps. Upon closer inspection, the iconic purple paint can be seen between the gleaming hubcaps at the Orland Park location. Many of the same things can be found at all Chuy’s locations — including the menu, nacho car, chihuahua bar, indoor palm tree decor and hubcap room — but the artwork adorning the walls, the design and layout are unique to each location. Most of the decor in the restaurant is brought in from Mexico, where Salazar said the company tries to support local artists, including those who have been making the more than 1,000 hand-carved wooden fish on the ceiling in the bar area. Chuy’s opened March 27, and so far Salazar said the Chicka-Chicka Boom-Boom chicken enchiladas ($12.29) have been among the most popular menu items. He said what sets the dish apart are the fresh ingredients, inhouse roasted chicken and, of course, the Boom-Boom sauce. The Boom-Boom sauce, one of a variety of sauce options at Chuy’s, is made with cheese, roasted New Mexican green chiles, tomatillos, green onions, cilantro and lime juice, as well as some “secret spices.” The creamy jalapeño sauce, although originally served as only a salad dressing, has become a favorite, Salazar added. It is a ranchbased sauce with a jalapeno kick, and people put it on everything from tortilla chips to burritos and tacos. Chuy’s even sells the creamy jalapeño sauce in 32-ounce take-home containers for those who cannot live without it. Their burritos ‘big as yo’ face,’ tacos, house specialties and enchiladas are served with freshly cooked Mexican or green chile rice, and house-made refried or charro beans. Their burritos are made with homemade tortillas stuffed with refried beans and cheese ($9.99), seasoned ground sirloin ($10.29), oven-roasted chicken ($11.29), or fajita chicken or beef ($11.99). Chuy’s 15610 S. LaGrange Road in Orland Park Hours • 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday • 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday For more information … Web: chuys.com Phone: (708) 403-5334 The Elvis Green Chile Fried Chicken ($12.29) is a popular Chuy’s original recipe, featuring a chicken breast breaded with Lay’s potato chips, deep fried and topped with green chile sauce and cheddar sauce. Chuy’s connection to The King includes a small shrine within the restaurant and an annual celebration in January, during which patrons who dress up as Elvis or Priscilla Presley eat for free. Happy Hour at Chuy’s is from 4-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, when visits to the fullyloaded nacho car are free of charge. Happy Hour also features drink specials including traditional or strawberry house ritas ($5.95) served frozen, on the rocks and made with fresh squeezed lime juice; the grande house ritas ($8.95), served in a pint glass with 1800 Silver tequila and extra Grand Marnier; the house Texas martinis ($9.75), made with top-shelf premium tequila and a choice of Cointreau, Grand Marnier, or Patron Citronge, and served with jalapeñostuffed olives; and domestic beers ($4). Other specialty drinks on the menu at Chuy’s include the Chuy’s Brew, a frozen lime margarita topped with a 7-ounce Corona, and seasonal sangrias made with fresh fruit. Salazar said Chuy’s regularly partners with local organizations such as The Bridge Teen Center in Orland Park and area schools for fundraisers. For more information on upcoming events and fundraisers, visit www.chuys. com/community. The purple ceiling in the hubcap room at Chuy’s is adorned with hubcaps from various cars of various eras, providing a uniquely shiny and interesting focal point. The Chicka-Chicka Boom-Boom chicken enchiladas ($12.29) at Chuy’s feature freshly-roasted, hand-pulled chicken and cheese inside homemade tortillas and topped with Boom-Boom sauce. Photos by Amanda Stoll/22nd Century Media The Welcome Place Preschool 14719 W. 163rd St., Homer Glen OPEN HOUSE Thursday, April 26 • 4:00 to 7:00pm Registration NOW OPEN! 3 YEAR OLDS (3 by Sept. 1st) Tues. & Thurs. Morning Classes 4 YEAR OLDS (4 by Sept. 1st) Mon., Wed. & Fri. Morning Classes It is our mission to help children develop the gifts they have been given in order to grow up into individuals who know how they are loved and set free to make a positive difference in this world. We strive to fulfill our mission through these strategic actions: Showing Love • Teaching Faith • Developing Skills (Spiritual, Academic, and Social) Call 708-301-3883 for any information or check out our website www.CrossofGlory.com/preschool Jamie Knutson, Preschool Director The Welcome Place Preschool is a ministry of Cross of Glory Lutheran Church 16 YEARS IN THE COMMUNITY
Change language