Chi-Chi's

We frequented chi chi's when they were here eons ago. We were excited it came back! Overall very nice experience! Our server Sade was lovely and provided fabulous service. Some of the chips were quite over salted but some were really good. The Strawberry Margherita was really strong but as I let it sit it I could taste the strawberry lol. Overall food was reported as good. I got the chimichanga and it was good. Chicken was flavorful and tender. Atmosphere was upbeat and lively!

We got there around 5 on a Saturday without a reservation, 1.5 hour wait they said but we ended up finding seats at the bar in about 30. I really wanted to love it because it was my favorite back in the day but the el grande ground beef burro had no seasoning and wasn’t hot, I should have sent it back so that’s on me. The chicken enchiladas were hot and much better. The guy next to us had chicken tacos and when he was trying to eat them, juice/liquid was pouring out with each bite, his plate looked like he spilled water on it. Guacamole had way too much lime. We liked the sweet rice much better than the Spanish rice. Beans and the little bit of corn cake were good although needed seasoning. Fried ice cream had a lot of whole cereal flakes instead of all crushed but it was frozen solid and perfect amount of honey. The free chips and salsa were good as was the margarita. Service was attentive and friendly even though they were really busy. I don’t think we’ll be back.

The food is delicious here. The ground beef is seasoned perfectly, and the birria taco meat is fall apart tender. I do wish the dining room wasn’t reservation only right now but I’m sure it’s because of how popular the restaurant is given its history in the twin cities. We will be back for sure. Also Jason the bartender is fantastic! Super helpful with drink recommendations.

A blast from the past! We had a mexican pizza for our appetizer and it was delicious!The chimichanga was excellent but the Queso Burrito was not my favorite. The chicken inside had no seasoning or flavor..and the queso tasted like marshmallow fluff?? Hubby loved the Fried Ice Cream. Bring back the Seafood Chimichanga!

Just like I remember. Went opening week without a reservation so we waited a bit. Tight seating but food was good. A little too much cheese but otherwise good. The chips were hot and crispy. I ate way too many.

This restaurant was a blast from the past. Up on visiting Minneapolis this weekend I couldn't resist stopping buy a restaurant that left my city decades ago. This visit was nostalgic and fun at the same time. We landed there during happy hour and the Margaritas were great. The food was pretty good as well. We had queso with chorizo. We also had a couple of tacos. But the star the show was the fried ice cream a chi chi's original and it was so good!

Chi-Chi’s Is Back — And So Are the Memories If you grew up in Minnesota, there’s a good chance Chi-Chi’s was part of your family’s dining story. Believe it or not, the very first Chi-Chi’s opened in 1976 right in our beloved Richfield neighborhood. For years, it was the go-to spot for chimichangas, fajitas, margaritas, and those unforgettable baskets of warm chips and salsa. Eventually, hard times hit, the chain closed its doors, and all we were left with were memories of a place that once felt like a little celebration every time we walked through the doors. But after nearly 20 years, Chi-Chi’s has made its comeback—right here in 2025. And let me tell you, stepping back inside felt like being transported straight into memory lane. With all the media buzz and “talk of the town” hype, I was beyond excited to visit. And the moment I sat down, it all came rushing back: the energy, the nostalgia, and yes… those free chips and salsa. Love, love the chips and salsa—still addictive and still the perfect start. Of course, I had to sample the margaritas. The spicy strawberry marg? Incredible. The Cadillac? Smooth, balanced, and absolutely “the bomb.” Chi-Chi’s did not disappoint. The Food That Made the Comeback Worth It I started with the Quesabirria Tacos—slow-cooked beef, melty Oaxaca cheese, onions, cilantro, and a warm consommé for dipping. The flavors were rich and comforting, though I wouldn’t have minded a touch more seasoning in the consommé—maybe just a pinch more salt. Still, undeniably delicious. Next up, the Chicken Enchilada. Shredded chicken, onions, manchego cheese, and a poblano cream sauce. This one was a standout—creamy, flavorful, and absolutely satisfying. And because no Chi-Chi’s visit would be complete without dessert, we ended with the tres leches cake. Moist, sweet, and nostalgic. Pure joy. A Minnesota Institution, Reborn What makes this comeback so special isn’t just the food—it’s what Chi-Chi’s meant (and still means) to Minnesotans. Every time I walk by the new West End location, I see a packed dining room, a full bar, long wait lines, and a whole lot of happy diners. It’s clear Minnesota still has a soft spot for this iconic restaurant. There’s something magical about seeing an old favorite return—something new, but not so new. Something familiar, but even better. Chi-Chi’s may have disappeared for a while, but the love for it never did. Welcome back, Chi-Chi’s. We missed you.

my mother and i went for a birthday lunch, about 1pm. we were seated right away. water and chips at the table within minutes! Our drink order was taken and delivered quickly. the staff was all friendly and helpful the entire time. the food was awesome! the chips and salsa taste just like we remembered from 20+years ago! the beef enchiladas were awesome, and plenty of food, enough for leftovers (not for a college age boy tho)!!! We ordered the chips and queso which was really good. i would definitely order it again. the chips are so light and crispy and just enough saltiness! yum. 😋 my mother had the original margarita and loved it, she said it tasted the same as she remembered. overall, great experience! we’ll take my sister for her birthday lunch next month. i hope they continue to do well! we missed Chi-Chi’s!!! 🍋‍🟩🥑🍅🌶️🫑🧄🥩🫓🌯🌮🌮🌮🌯🫔🥗🍨🍹🍽️ P.S. the fried ice cream was AWESOME, again, like we remembered! 🥰

Chi Chi's was a great date-night destination back during the 90s, and this new incarnation hits a lot of the same notes: endless chips and salsa, huge icy margaritas, and heaping combo platters of American-Mexican food. If the above doesn't ring any bells for you, this might not be a good choice for you. Don't expect a curated, authentic Mexican experience. We loved it then, and loved this now.

Chi Chi's is fine. I guess everyone was obsessed with this place back in the day? I'm a transplant so I never had it when it was a thing originally but I heard alot of people talking about it. I went for lunch with a few co-workers. The restaurants layout is cute, the decoration is nice. Service was a little spotty. There were 5 of us, and 2 of the groups orders were messed up and different than requested. Mine was fine but I didn't do any changes or substitutions. This being said the waitresses were super nice and took care of the issues right away. The food.....well the food is actually really well seasoned and pretty tasty but I feel like this place is trying to be a Mexican restaurant. Which it's clearly not. Don't get me wrong, some of the elements were good, the corn tortillas were fresh and tasted great, but the menu makes it clear that this isn't traditional Mexican. Tons of ground beef and cheese, no al pastor, just alot of americanized versions of dishes. That being said the food was decent, just wildly overpriced for ground beef tacos with cheese. The tacos also don't come with salsa so they're kind of dry unless you use the salsa that comes with the chips. All in all I wouldn't boycott this place, but I'm not going to seek it out again. I'd go if I was going with a group that really wanted to go.

One of my favs when growing up. Maybe it's being an adult now, maybe it's not being there with my grandparents, whatever it was I felt no nostalgia. Thankfully we thought ahead and made reservations. Crazy how busy it was at 5:30 on a Tuesday! Service was average. She was nice but not super attentive. I had a burro and it was lacking in flavor. Husband had chicken fajitas and the chicken was so overdone and dry-like shoe leather. Chips and salsa were good, pretty much what Rojo served. Love that they kept the Rojo sweet rice on the menu- one of my favs. May go back in time to try again but overall left disappointed.

I was not in MN when Chi Chi's was around in the 90's, but did live in Texas for several years and was excited to have a new Mexican spot to try in on the west side of the cities. I was unable to make a reservation over 2 weeks in advance, so we opted to try walk in. My group split between 2 tables to get our group in faster. We sat right beside the open concept kitchen were you could see fresh food being plated and taken to the guests. The decor was light and bright, even on a cold morning. We were greeted with fresh warm tortilla chips and salsa and we ordered a queso! I decided on the N/A Margarita, but I really wish the mocktail came in a cocktail glass rather than a pint glass. The fajitas and cheese enchiladas were great - it wasn't my texas texmex but it was a good runner up. Refried beans amazing and I would recommend getting the sweet rice!!

Happened to be in the Minneapolis area for work when I heard that ChiChi's was back open! Of course, I had to make a quick pit stop to check it out. The ambience and overall vibe were fantastic. It somehow feels modern but still captures that classic ChiChi's charm we all remember. The place was packed for a Sunday night, which was great to see. Service, however, was a little off. Our waitress seemed overwhelmed with too many tables, so things moved a bit slow. I ordered the taco salad and fried ice cream. The taco salad was decent, but not quite what I remembered. I was hoping for that signature ChiChi's dressing, and this one just didn't come close. The fried ice cream, though, was absolutely spot-on. The same crunchy warm coating and perfectly cold center--it was a trip down memory lane. Overall, they've got some work to do, but considering they just reopened a few weeks ago, I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt. If I'm back in town, I'd definitely stop in again to see how things have improved. Right now, it's more about the nostalgia than anything else, but I'm rooting for them.

I wanted to love this place. My husband and I used to go to Chi Chi's when we dated 30 years ago so we are a bit nostalgic. We made a reservation for a Sunday afternoon. It was busy but not chaotic. The hostesses and server were very courteous. There are Pepsi products so I had water and my husband had ice tea. The chips and salsa were good. You can't mix and match with enchiladas so my husband had chicken enchiladas and I had a chicken bowl. Everything was satisfactory. The ambiance was bright and cheerful. There was plenty of space around the tables so you don't feel crowded.

The restaurant is large with lots of plants and high ceilings- good for big groups. Free chips and salsa- I thought the salsa was bland. The guac was amazing and unique. Mango gave it an extra special flavor. My husband enjoyed the beef enchiladas and I really liked that steak taco. I will be back.

Ok... nostalgia kicked in... needed some Chi Chi's but was very little when I was at this chain in the past so I only have a few memories but they were good (sadly the corn didn't make it on the menu!) It needs to come back!! Please?!? We thought showing up at 2:30 on a Saturday would be slow... wrong! We waited an hour for a table for 2 in the bar area. After being seated at a high top and people were standing/ leaning on our table and in the way of the server station. Not quite the date night we were expecting but the food made up for it. The servers need a stanchion to keep people waiting out of the way. Also so those sitting in the bar area can have a little space. We were told that you NEED to make a reservation to sit on the dining side. Odd because not all the tables were being used over there? Cancellations? Learn from me and make a reservation ahead of time. The interior layout was the same as Rojo but changed somewhat to reflect some of the old Chi Chis flair but modernized. The chips and salsa were great! The homemade chips were thin and crispy. I will be craving these. We shared a house margarita with Prickly Pear. It was well balanced and tasty. Food: Chicken Chimichanga- I was expecting the cheese sauce like other restaurants but surprised I enjoyed the gravy like sauce on it. It tasted like the 90's... Tampico combo plate (3 chicken enchiladas): this tasted like how I remember the smell of Chi Chi's. Not a bad thing but of corn tortillas/ verde and oil. It wasn't my favorite but it was decent. Fried ice cream- this was a MUST and it was exactly as I remember it. The cornflake coating was perfection- it was frozen solid and I was afraid we were going to break the dish or the table chopping into it!! Haha Total: $61 Good value as we brought home leftovers. Plus, the Andes mints on the bill. Perfect touch. Overall happy Chi Chi's is back in MN. Not sure if I need to come back but those chips and fried ice cream might be calling me again!

Michelle was an excellent server and answered all of our questions. The location is great with a lot of light, but not overly glaring. Easy parking underneath the restaurant. Nice both seating plus the bar and high top tables are great. The food was awesome. The original salsa and house made chips made for a delightful start. My wife had the cheese enchiladas and loved them. Saying they tasted like the originals from when she worked there 30+ years ago while in college. I had the classic Chimichanga and it was excellent. Glad we have leftovers for another meal. We also had the fried ice cream as a treat and it was excellent as well.

Nostalgia is a funny thing. You can never go back to what you remember. Things change and you change as well. Chi Chi's in Richfield was one of our go to places. Everyone loved Chi Chi's because it was a family restaurant and a place for after-work get togethers. We had to make a weekend reservation about a week in advance. Anticipation builds ... then it is the day. We drive the 45 minutes and find that parking was a pain. We stand in line for a few minutes waiting for the restaurant to open. Everyone around us has a Chi Chi's story. Two people drove 1 hour 45 minutes for nostalgia. Chi Chi's delivered. Not the same vibe in the West End as Richfield. We had beef chimichangas and fried ice cream. I had the house margarita vs. the classic one and it was very good. The chips and salsa were great. The thin, crunchy chips were excellent. And the chimichangas were almost as good as I remembered. They were on a high nostalgic pedestal that could never be matched. They are a don't miss. You won't go home hungry. The sweet rice was very good too. The fried ice cream was a hit. But I remember when Chi Chi's used to deep fry their fried ice cream. It was sensational. But there was a problem. They must have used the same fryer as the chimichangas. Sometimes you would receive a chimichanga topped with whipped cream and sauce and other times fried ice cream topped with chimichanga sauce. Those combos did not work well. Service was good, especially since the restaurant was packed. We will be back. Partly for the nostalgia and partly for the great food.

We were on our way to Minneapolis from Chicago for the weekend when we heard a news report about ChiChi's reopening a single location in Minneapolis after a 20+ year hiatus. The soonest reservation we could get was for lunch the following Monday, so we decided to stay an extra day and check it out. It was everything we'd hoped for (all our old menu favorites were still there) and more (we met and chatted with Mike, the owner, our server was awesome, and the food, including an updated queso dip with chorizo, was outstanding). And the margaritas (mine was house mango, his was house strawberry) took us back to the many happy hours during our dating and early marriage days in the late 80s! Mike mentioned that he had another location planned in the Minneapolis area, and if both of these were successful he hoped to expand elsewhere in the Midwest. It can't come soon enough for us! Bring it on!

I've been so excited to try Chi Chi's! I am so happy they returned to MN. I loved it back in the 80's & 90's. We had a reservation so we didn't have to wait for a table. We were immediately greeted by the friendliest server, she was so sweet. I ordered a margarita with grapefruit. Let me tell you, it was strong and delicious. You receive free chips and salsa when you sit down, which is great. The chips are thin and crispy and the salsa was on the chunkier side with mild spice. For my meal, I ordered the El Grande Burro with ground beef. For my sides I chose the sweet rice and asked for beans. The burro was large and stuffed with meat. It's covered in an enchilada type sauce with a little bit of cheese. The sweet rice was different, but good. It's made with condensed milk and corn. I actually really enjoyed it, I was surprised! The beans were average. My only complaint is the food was like warm, at best. I don't know why so many restaurants cannot get this right! Overall, we had a fun and enjoyable dinner. I'd definitely go back.

Like many, I was excited to check out the "return" of Chi-Chi's. Unfortunately, fun atmosphere couldn't make up for decidedly average food and ambivalent service. Food was decidedly average and neither better nor worse than what Rojo had when it was here. Margarita was large and strong, which was a pleasant surprise. I'm sure Chi-Chi's will be a hit, but nostalgia can only go so far.

Stopped in on Thursday for lunch. Never thought I'd need a reservation at such an obscure time but I did. We waited to be seated, not too long. Had their spicy strawberry margarita, and their combo meal with 2 enchiladas and a taco. Delicious!!! The sweet rice was delicious too. The chips and salsa the brought out were fresh, warm and delicious as well. The ambiance was cute with the greenery around the place. We will be back for sure.

Chi Chi's was not good. It probably never was really good, but I had to try it for old times sake. I did enjoy the fried ice cream.

Nostalgia is a crazy thing. The new Chili's was PACKED on the weeknight we went. Reservations recommended! I don't recall too much about the old Chi-Chi's. I hadn't eaten there in about 25. What I do remember is the sweet corn cake which sadly is no longer included :( The food was fine, service was fine. Everything was just kind of ~fine. I can't imagine that the brand will be able to expand much (if that's the plan) or stick around for any length of time. 25 years ago there weren't the abundance of (Tex?) Mexican restaurants that we have now. Maybe I'm more adventurous than most suburban diners but I'd 100% pick a local place over Chi-Chi's. All that being said - go and enjoy a bit of nostalgia. The chips were great!

I was excited to try Chi Chi's after so many years and didn't know what to expect. I kept my expectations low, assuming it might feel dated or the food quality might be low. But wow to my surprise it was amazing. We went on Saturday afternoon without reservations to try our luck. The wait was about 30mn. And yes that's about how long we waited. The place was packed. Always fun to see a place lively and buzzing with energy and enthusiasm. The service was fast, servers were well versed , organized and very friendly. Started with the chips and salsa. Yes, the chips are very thin , but they were salty and flavorful and the salsa was much better than I expected. I assumed it would taste like tomato paste, but it actually had fresh flavor in there. It might have been canned but didn't taste like it. I ordered the cheese enchilada plate and carne asada fajitas. Tasted just like I remember, but probably better. The quality seemed a notch above from what I remember 20 years ago. The meat was overcooked, but that was expected here. And the enchiladas were heavy and cheesy, again nothing that you wouldn't have expected. I thought I would come once to check it out, but I think I will go back. Good vibes. Good food!

Absolutely brings back amazing memories for nearly 30 years ago when I would eat at the location in Roseville! The chips and salsa are the exact same which is an absolute home run! Got the Tampico (3 chicken enchiladas) and btw the street corn is outstanding! Service is amazing and great location! Warning make reservations a week in advance! Definitely can't wait to go back and get the famous chimichanga!

I don't know what could have been better. My experience was like visiting an old friend who I hadn't seen since high school. We picked up right where we left off, great experience, nice open kitchen. I will be bringing my family with me next time.

We got there around 5 on a Saturday without a reservation, 1.5 hour wait they said but we ended up finding seats at the bar in about 30. I really wanted to love it because it was my favorite back in the day but the el grande ground beef burro had no seasoning and wasn't hot, I should have sent it back so that's on me. The chicken enchiladas were hot and much better. The guy next to us had chicken tacos and when he was trying to eat them, juice/liquid was pouring out with each bite, his plate looked like he spilled water on it. Guacamole had way too much lime. We liked the sweet rice much better than the Spanish rice. Beans and the little bit of corn cake were good although needed seasoning. Fried ice cream had a lot of whole cereal flakes instead of all crushed but it was frozen solid and perfect amount of honey. The free chips and salsa were good as was the margarita. Service was attentive and friendly even though they were really busy. I don't think we'll be back.

I tried this place out with a friend purely based on nostalgia from the original Chi-Chi's restaurant that closed 20+ yrs ago. Chips and salsa were great. Fajitas were not very good. I got the mixed (chicken and carne asada) fajitas. The seasoning was not evenly covering the chicken. It was more like a strip of seasoning across the middle before it was cut. The carne asada looked more like minute steak slices. The whole meal took the nostalgia away...but the chips and salsa were great.

Just like old times! Chimichanga with chips and salsa nostalgia! But they also kept their sweet rice a favorite from Rojo. I was sad to see Rojo go. I used to work at Chi Chis in college but couldnt get a discount. Still enjoyed the meal and catching up with friends. Service was good. The decor was fancier than the traditional bright gold painted walls from the 90s. An improvement I'd say.

Great service. Really enjoy the mix between nostalgic style of Chi-Chi's from the past and new, more modern elements. The food was also good. Chips and salsa were fresh and abundant. I got the chicken chimichanga which also delivered.

Went to try Chi Chis Super packed, as everyone was trying to get in after their open. Excellent vibe and decent service. Beef Chimichanga was average. I wouldn't get it again. The beef had no flavor. The beans and the rice were terrible. The fried ice cream was amazing , I would 100 percent go back and get it again.

We went to Chi Chi's for the first time a couple of days ago. We made reservations a couple of weeks ago and it was definitely worth the wait. The ambiance was great, food was hot and fresh. Our server was very good, she checked on us multiple times during our visit. Someone on the management team also made the rounds chatting with customers which was nice to see. We will definitely go back.

The reincarnation of Chi Chi's is finally here. Visited last week and was a little disappointed. We were seated at a high-top in the bar area, every table was crowded and at the bar - standing room only. This was at 2:30pm on a Friday afternoon. When we looked in the dining room, at least 10 empty tables. The service was good, but we saw no less than 4 managers walking the floor, and not once did I see them stop at a table and ask how things were going? The food was just how I remembered - good, but not great. We started off with the Poblano Queso and chips - very good. We ordered two entrees: Chicken Bowl and a El Burro Con Queso. The bowl was ok, but the Burro was cold in the middle. I sent it back to the kitchen. Round two on the Burro was better, but still only average. Will not order it again until they figure out food temperature. For drinks had a House Margarita - good, and a Paloma that had zero grapefruit - a 1 out of 10. They need help with the drink recipes immediately. Finally the meal was saved with an order of Fried Ice Cream. The dessert was 10 out of 10. Overall - very average, and the worst part was that no one every came by our table and asked us how things were going. We will wait a month or so to return, hoping they improve with practice.

Successfully updated take on a fondly remembered classic restaurant experience! Place was bustling, but thanks to our earlier placed reservation our wait time to be seated was non-existent. Staff was right there, anticipating refills in drinks before even being asked. We tried the cheese enchiladas (recommended!) and followed them with fried ice cream for dessert (loved it!). Looking forward to going back to try other dishes!

Spur if the moment decision and it was a GREAT idea! First- olive how the vibe invokes the old Chi Chis- lots of plants and earthy tones ~ even a few arches! If you are lucky enough to get Rodney as your bartender- you're in for a treat! Queso was fantastic- chips are thin and crispy. We split the short rib chimichangas- they definitely did NOT have these back in the day- but they were delicious. Tons of meat in them too! Had the sweet rice- so different, but sooo good! Met the owner and he stopped back after our meal to make sure everything was good- that was nice. A+

My veggie tacos were so-so. The guacamole had nice toppings, but was bland. And they brought out drinks with straws: in St. Louis Park, servers are required to ASK patrons if the want a straw. It is illegal to just stick them in a drink without asking. The place is overrated and disappointing.

We heard the buzz about Chi Chi's returning, so we decided to try it out at around 12:10 pm after running errands in St. Louis Park today. Upon arrival, we were told there was a 35-minute wait, which is to be expected at a popular (re)new spot! However, the person staffing the front desk then snidely said, "our policy is to only seat walk-ins at high-top tables." Her snideness made us feel less-than-welcome, so we said "Oh, okay, then, we are not welcome and will take our business elsewhere!" and left. Rather than apologize or express that they would reconsider that policy, the staffer then snipped, "well, alright, enjoy somewhere else!" When advising restauranteurs on KITCHEN NIGHTMARES, Chef Gordon Ramsay often suggests accommodating guests and avoiding needless restrictive policies that make people feel unwelcome. We often request booths or non-high-top accommodations when dining with friends/family who have accessibility needs, are shorter, or have sensory issues. In today's economy, there are plenty of places where we can take our business. Chi Chi's will likely not be one of them. Mistakes happen, but how a business handles those issues is a testament to whether we patronize them. Right now, I do not feel welcome at this establishment.

Name of this review: Nostalgia Only Goes So Far. While we had a fun time at Chi Chi's tonight, there is no reason to go back. Ever. The food was as mediocre Mexican-American as is found anywhere, including Taco Bell or Taco John. It was fun to order the chimichanga for old times sake, but it really was mediocre - bland short rib in a fried burrito with a bland red/brown sauce served with Spanish rice that lacked much flavor and red beans that could have come from a can. The shrimp taco was reputed to have spice, but none was evident. The short rib taco had about a tablespoon of short rib. Another nostalgic item - the fried ice cream - was much like the original, but oh how our expectations have changed in 40 years! The tres leches - usually one of favorite Latin desserts, even when only so-so - was terrible and after four of us tasted the large serving, the remainder was left on the table along with most of the (Kemps?) fried ice cream. The chips and salsa were very good, and our server was attentive enough. Very loud on a very busy night. And our booth (rez for 6) really fit 2.9 adults and each side.

I was so excited to try the new location as I loved the old Chi Chi's. I was so disappointed and won't go back. The drinks and the service were good but the food was terrible. Everything was cold. Ordered a el grande burrito with chicken and it was cold. We sent it back. Waitstaff came back and said the manager said the lettuce and salsa in the burro cooled down the chicken, but they'd make us a new one. New one was lukewarm at best.

Service and ambiance was fine. Disappointed with the food. Deserves another chance. Enchiladas were more of a soup in a bowl? Not how I remembered it.

I would not go back. Husband and I both had chimichanga's. I had short rib and he had ground beef. It was extremely salty. That was the overpowering flavor. I continue to go to my local favs.

I wanted to take a moment to share feedback about a disappointing experience my party and I had at your restaurant recently.Unfortunately, we did not even get the chance to dine or have a drink due to the circumstances. We arrived at approximately 4:15 PM and were told the wait time would be about 15-30 minutes, which was perfectly reasonable. We were also informed that we needed to remain nearby to hear our name called, which we understood and respected. After waiting around 20 minutes, we noticed that while guests were leaving, very few new tables were being seated. From where we stood, we could clearly see at least three open tables in the bar area that remained empty for over 10 minutes. Several guests who had been waiting before us asked for updates, only to be told again that the wait would be 15-30 minutes -- despite most of us already having waited that long. During this time, it appeared that the three hosts were more focused on casual conversations, sipping their drinks, and discussing a bag of new box of crayons rather than actively managing the seating process. We also observed two individuals who seemed to be managers come by multiple times to point out open tables and instruct the hosts to begin seating guests, yet no action was taken. While I understand that the main dining room may have been reserved for upcoming reservations or limited by available staff, the bar area clearly had capacity to accommodate walk-ins. After waiting a full hour, we decided to leave. Before we did, a group of four who had arrived about 10 minutes after us was seated, while we were still waiting. When I asked about this, I was told, "That table seats four, and you're only two." Considering that most of the tables seated four guests, and that multiple tables remained open for over 10-15 minutes as we left, this explanation felt dismissive and inconsistent. It was disappointing to see such a lack of organization and attentiveness, particularly during happy hour at a new restaurant -- a time when I would expect staff to be eager to make a strong impression and fill available tables. I'm sharing this feedback not out of frustration alone, but in hopes that it helps improve the guest experience moving forward. Honestly Miss rojo!

The good news is that the chips & salsa, decor, margaritas and service are great. The food, however, is AGGRESSIVELY bland. Good place for a happy hour, but there are so many better options for Mexican food out there.

If you are a party of 2, be ready to wait forever, even though they have multiples tables open they will not even acknowledge you. Menu and prices are the same wherever you seat. We waited on a Tuesday for 1 hour plus to be seated by the bar. Food was nothing special, however our waiter did very well. So, eat something prior if you are coming to try this nostalgia place.

The 2 people who were waiting on me, a trainer and trainee, tried very hard. But I still have no silverware, napkins or plate for my chips and salsa. I was charged twice for my beverage and had asked to have it removed. The food was terrible. Chips and salsa were ok. Salsa was nothing special and chips were very salty (chips are salty but this was way too much). Chimichanga was very blah. Just chicken - I didn't sense any peppers, onions, in the chimi. And it was undercooked. One side was gooey and the other fried. The worst was the "chili con queso" that comes on the chimi. It was just cheese from a jar, but without spice. Just plain old cheese- not even velveeta, nope. I doubt it was a product of milk- just made from oil.

Chi chi's has been a staple in my childhood for me and my family. The thought going in was that they would bring the same feeling and taste back to the community. I couldn't be more wrong! They took the best thing off the menu for Quesabirria the Nacho grande. The chicken smelt like poop even after they replaced the food. the servers are spaced out most of the time I spent time telling to get one servers attention.

We were so excited to visit Chi Chi with our adult children, hoping to relive the nostalgia of the original Chi Chi's from 20+ years ago. Unfortunately, this new version missed the mark in almost every way. The food was overwhelmingly salty, and the flavors didn't resemble anything close to the vibrant, Latino-inspired dishes we remembered. The red sauce on the burrito tasted more like marinara than anything Mexican--it completely ruined the dish. My non-alcoholic blended margarita couldn't be made "blended," according to our server, yet 20 minutes later, a blended alcoholic margarita was served to the table next to us. Not a huge deal, but mine was also served in a water glass instead of a traditional margarita glass, which felt off. There was only one salsa option, whereas the original Chi Chi's offered at least two. My husband's seafood enchilada looked like soupy mac and cheese and tasted like condensed milk with a few imitation seafood bits tossed in. The best part of the meal? The Andes mint at the end. The ambiance was modern and classy, but lacked the nostalgic charm we were hoping for. We smiled through dinner, but left thoroughly disappointed. We even forgot our leftovers at the table, realized it outside, and decided to leave them--knowing we wouldn't eat them anyway. We laughed it off until we both ended up with stomach issues later that day. Service was great, but everything else was a letdown. A good try, but sadly, we won't be back.

We were really excited to try Chi-Chi's, but unfortunately, our first experience was incredibly disappointing. We were told the wait would be 15-20 minutes, but after 40 minutes, we were still being told the same thing. What made it worse was seeing multiple parties of 4 get seated before us (we were just 2 people), simply because the available tables seated four -- even though many of those tables sat empty for long periods. There were three hostesses at the front, but they seemed more focused on chatting with each other than managing the crowd or seating guests. At one point, we saw managers come over and let them know that multiple tables were open, but nothing changed -- the tables remained empty while over 20 people waited to be seated. For a brand-new restaurant, this was a surprising lack of organization and care. First impressions matter, and unfortunately, this one didn't inspire confidence. I really wanted to like this place, but right now, I'm not sure I'll be back. Honestly, I miss Rojo.

I will never go there again and would suggest people not to go there. It was very disappointing. Our waitress was horrible she had no idea what she was doing. It took almost 2 hours to get our food. She asked what we wanted to drink about a half an hour after we sat down. Well she took 2 out of 3 peoples drink order she took off so fast we couldn't get her attention to get the other drink ordered. We did get chips and salsa then. Then ordered queso. It took another half an hour to get the 2 drinks and queso. Then the 3rd person ordered their drink then. We watched her stand around most of the time we were there talking with other waitresses while we were waiting for drinks, queso and food. We finally ordered food about 45 mins or so after being there and that took another 45 mins to get . My friend just ended up getting fried ice cream because of the long wait to order. My boyfriends steak fajitas were burnt and dried out. He didn't want them to remake them because of how long it would take to make them. They were also not very hot/warm because they sat up on the warming shelf for a while. My friend, my boyfriend were very disappointed with everything that happened and so was I. We were excited to go there and eat but it was a terrible experience.

We used to dine at the Richfield Chi Chi's way back and, while the new Chi Chi's isn't exactly that, this new Chi Chi's is a tasteful update on that concept. As soon as we tasted that chips and salsa it brought us right back. We went at 6:30 on a Thursday and they initially said the wait was about 20-30 minutes for a high-top in the bar as the dining room was for reservations only. That was okay by us as we enjoyed margaritas standing near the bar. Within 15 minutes two seats opened at the bar and I let the hostess know we would just sit there. She asked if we were sure because a table had opened. Bottom line they were able to seat us quicker than the initial estimate. If you like Tex-Mex like we do (think La Casita) you'll love this. From the food to the service to the nostalgic vibe, we enjoyed everything at the new Chi Chi's and look forward to going again soon. Welcome back Chi Chi's!

So Happy Chi Chi's is back ! Note to management . I arrived to the watch the Gopher - Michigan State game for the 2nd half . Not 1 tv of the 5 in the bar area was even on the gopher game . You have a lot of loyal customers coming back , show your loyalty to MN sports as well !

Chi Chi's is back! Menu favorites and drinks from before. Waited years for the good (Chi Chi's) chimichanga. Worth it. Restaurant was crowded, but well staffed. Best of all, staff was friendly and had time to schmooze without being stressed. Kudos to Mgr. Eloise for staying on top of things and friendly attitude. Four of us had a good time for lunch. Reservations recommended, but some friends said they did walk in and only waited 15 minutes.

I was excited to go, but I was disappointed, unfortunately. I remember the rice being so good, but now it has this dark red sauce & it's just average. I had the Chimmi cuz I always did, it's not the same. I don't remember the sauce containing beef crumbles & having such a dark color, like the rice. The flavor was okay. The Tampico used to be made with your choice of flour & corn, but now it's just corn, very disappointing. Our waitress served us water & chips & then disappeared. I flagged down another very friendly waitress & she got the ball rolling for us. We were there today, Sunday & that may have been the reason our experience was lackluster. We'll try it again.

The food was a bit meh. Good service but my food was cold. Other three diners received hot food. Overall, the experience would not drive me back for another visit. Food was so so.

Wait was short without a reservation. Service was good. Food was fantastic! I had the short rib chimichanga which was great. We will for sure be going back.

Very disappointing all around. Was very excited to visit as we were regular customers to Chi Chi's when they were first around 20 years ago. Very limited menu, pre-prepared food, bad service, and no taste food ( We tried several items...all bland). Not worth the trip. Taco Bell across the street is actually better than this place. Not worth the hype.