Posted on 12/05/2024 9:33:50 PM PST by Morgana
A Minnesota-based Mexican restaurant chain is preparing to reopen some locations in 2025 after it shut down 20 years ago.
Chi-Chi’s trademark owner, Hormel Foods, said Tuesday it will allow the son of the chain’s co-founder to use the name for the openings, CNN reported Wednesday.
Co-founder Marno McDermott and Green Bay Packers player Max McGee opened Chi-Chi’s in 1975, and the chain grew to 200 locations:
However, the chain closed in 2004 following a hepatitis A outbreak at a Pittsburgh-area location traced to green onions served in its complimentary salsa, sickening about 650 people and resulting in four deaths and several hundred lawsuits. It’s the largest hepatitis A outbreak in United States history and led to nationwide food safety changes.
McDermott’s son, Michael, said, “I still have fond memories of growing up in the Chi-Chi’s restaurants that my father built throughout their time, instilling in me the passion and determination to pursue my own career in the restaurant industry,” per Local 12.
The outlet noted the brand still sells items such as salsa and tortillas in some grocery stores. It remains unclear how many locations will be opened for business or where they will open, according to the Hill.
A Chi-Chi’s commercial from 1991 shows people enjoying the restaurant’s Sonoran Sampler which at the time had a price tag of $7.99 and included fried ice cream for dessert:
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
Ch-i Ch-i Rog-ih-weez
Looked up—boobs
Unless them meant chic-chic and spell poorly
>>Hormel
Famed for Spam
DING DING DING WE HAVE A WINNER!!!
No more phone calls please.
yes chi chis means tits.
Very nice! You can never go wrong with a WKRP reference.
Well, Hooters was taken, so...
That and hooters was not mexican food.
Wiki claims Chi-Chi the nickname of the wife of one founder
I hope they are successful. It would be nice to put the original one back where it was in Richfield, Minnesota, but that spot is now in a Menards parking lot and it would be right next to a Taco Bell.
My roomie worked there back in the day and I was able to either eat free or half price which really improved the already excellent flavor.
Sonoran Sampler---burrito, chimichanga, fried ice cream.
Many years ago when I’d travel from central NY State to do research at the National Archives, I used to stay with a friend who lived in Clinton, Md. There was a Chi Chi’s not far from her home, and we’d go there for dinner occasionally. I enjoyed their beef fajitas.
Bayze-boll bin BELLy-BeLLY good to ME
It's almost as though someone wants to open a business that they don't want actually patronized. Is it for a distribution deal with companies in Mexico? Money laundering?
I tended bar at a Chi-Chi’s in college. They had the best margarita mix.
That was the original one? Huh. I grew up about a mile from it in E. Bloomington. Only went there twice that I recall, a bit too expensive and sophisticated (lol) for a HS kid. Prior to being Chi Chi’s the site was home to an early discount store; ‘Atlantic City’, or something like that.
Chi Chi's now intending comeback after going tits up - interesting.
Who doesn’t refer to their wife as Tits....aka chi chis.
LOL
There is a Yabos Tacos in Westerville, Ohio. Yabos has a similar meaning.
Welcome back! I wish you a very successful relaunch and hope to see you in my area soon.
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