Ya-hooey for Chuy’s

Jim and Nancy do not disclose the fact that they will review a restaurant before they attend, ensuring their reviews are unbiased and uninfluenced by their position with the Sun Day.

If any of you have seen Jim walking around Del Webb lately, he looks like Chester from the old Gunsmoke TV show. He’s been limping along for the past year, but his time is running out. Today is his last visit when the doctor can use his knee like a Voo Doo doll and sticks needles in it with various drugs to stop the pain. I think the moron has put the new knee off long enough, as indicated by the “snap, crackle, pop” sounds whenever he walks, and I’m not talking about Rice Crispies here. On the plus side, armed with these fresh drugs, I can get Jim to do all the errands that we have been putting off lately.

After an afternoon of shopping, he started getting cranky, so I thought I would appease him by feeding him an early dinner. Since we were in the Woodfield area, we decided to try a relatively new restaurant in Schaumburg named Chuy’s.

When you walk into this restaurant, you can’t help but feel happy. It’s a large restaurant, but it’s divided into smaller rooms that make it feel cozy. The decor is unbelievable. Mexican tiles throughout are a background for the palm trees with fifties diner style tables and chairs. You can even stand and watch two senoritas making fresh tortillas behind a glass-enclosed area.

When we were seated, we noticed sealed envelopes on our table, which stated, “this silverware has been sanitized for your protection.” This is a first in our dining history. No Montezeuma’s Revenge here!

We were munching on some of the thinnest, crispiest, yummiest, tortilla chips you will ever have while scooping up the salsa, which was absolutely delicious, or dipping these chips in the jalapeno ranch dip that was unusual, but really tasty. The salsa was hot, but the ranch dip had a cooling effect.

Since Jim’s stomach was rumbling, we decided on an appetizer of Cheese Quesadillas ($8.89). The waitress suggested adding grilled onions, which put them over the top! You can really taste the difference when the tortillas are homemade.

Nancy wanted to try the Shrimp and Cheese Chile Rellenos ($11.89). These are two Anaheim peppers, fire roasted, filled with cheese and shrimp, battered and deep-fried. These were delicious and different than any chile relleno she’s ever had. This was served with Mexican green chile rice and refried or Charro beans. She doesn’t like beans, so she tried both of the rices instead. The red rice is the usual Mexican fare, but the Mexican green chile rice was really tasty and different. Nancy is not a big fan of cilantro, but this just had the right amount not to overwhelm her sensitive taste buds.

Jim saw the Chicka-Chicka Boom-Boom Enchiladas ($11.99). He only ordered them because he thought the name was cool. They could have served him anything and it wouldn’t have made a difference. These were enchiladas with freshly roasted hand pulled chicken and cheese and served with a Boom-Boom sauce, whatever that is. They weren’t chintzy with the chicken and the sauce was deliciously different. He chose for his sides the green chile rice and Charro beans.

This place is a keeper in our books. You’re guaranteed to have a good time here. Great atmosphere, friendly staff, and outstanding Tex-Mex food.

FYI: This restaurant is handicap accessible.

The price for our February fiesta was $43.40, olé!

Jim’s take: The Charro beans tasted just like chili and registered about a “5” on my sweathead meter. It’s a welcome change from the usual refried beans. Try it, you’ll like it.

Nancy’s take: Chile Rellenos is usually made with Pablano peppers. The Anaheim peppers had a crunch to them that was delicious and tasty.

Have comments or restaurant suggestions for the Dining Duo? Send them an email at thediningduo@gmail.com

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