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 ...
I won’t be shocked over how many will recognize that hilarious Les Nessman moment from WKRP
“A Minnesota-based Mexican restaurant chain”
NO. I have been spoiled with real Tex-Mex for 50 years.
Don’t eat Mexican food east of the Mississippi river and north of the Texas/Oklahoma line. H/T Lyle Lovett.
Guess he hasn’t been to OK and AR lately lol
Nothing says Tex-Mex better than “Minnesota” and “Hormel”...and a business named after a body part.
Perfect timing, the ChiChi’s in our town has changed names 4 times since ChiChi’s closed.
The building is now vacant and for sale or lease.
“...Wiki claims Chi-Chi the nickname of the wife of one founder...”
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They were real, and they were spectacular!
That’s why he won the Buckeye Newshawk Award
If you think the Mexican food east of the Mississippi is bad, you should try the Mexican food in Australia. It’ x10 worse. In fact, only thing Mexican food there has in common with good tex-mex are the names and colors.
There was one exception. My friend started up a Tex-Mex place in Old town Alexandria VA. He brought cooks up from Austin. I lived 2 hours north but would make the drive on a Saturday to get some good enchiladas and homemade tortillas.
Chi-Chi’s claim to fame was mild Mexican food.
Yep. OKC has a ton of great local tex-mex restaurants. We also have a growing number of authentic mexican food places. Especially food trucks. That’s the big thing around here now.
I never understood why they disappeared, although a quick search indicates Chevy’s might still be around, just not in my neck of the woods.
I always loved their salsa and margaritas.
We all do but a restaurant aint bringing it back.
...deep-fried ice cream...
If you eat chicken of any kind today there’s a good chance it was processed by Hispanics in Arkansas. Many great food places and trucks in ok and ark
They could actually go back into the original building for the closest one to me, one that they built-to-order stucco hacienda style with truly grotesque carpet and decent food for the time. What a time warp.
Haven’t we reached peak Mexican restaurant yet? All there is within a 20 mile radius are Mexican joints. Mexican food trucks, Mexican take out, Mexican sit downs, Mexican ‘fancy’ sit down with Tequila bars. I just passed another billboard announcing the grand opening of another Mexican restaurant. Aside from a couple brew pubs and a lousy pizza joint it is all Mexican. We need some Italians, Greeks, and Koreans to move in...,,
Undoubtedly a victim of all the illegal aliens opening a Mexikin restaurant on every street corner in America.
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