Chi-Chi’s first location set

[HFCS]

Mister Donut is the actual good chain that should come back, for whatever reason they're massive in parts of Asia but there's only like one hanging on in the US. I don't know if there were everywhere in Iowa but my town in Iowa had one for at least a few years.

 

[cytor]

I loved Donutland on the corner of Duff and Lincoln Way.

 

[ISUATC]

I'll take a Garcia's comeback over a Chi Chi's

 

[AgronAlum]

Going to a Chi-Chis over a local Mexican joint is absolutely moronic. There's good Mexican food almost everywhere. Certainly everywhere that would have a Chi-Chis location.

 

[AgronAlum]

More importantly, bring back Loco Joe’s. It’s not a true Chi-Chi’s experience if I can’t start the night with some arcade games, billiards, underage drinking, and fights.

Woof, I forgot about that place. I dated a girl from the south side for awhile and that's not quite a complete list of debauchery that occurred at that place. Drunk and early 20's was a wild time.

 

[Nothingman]

Woof, I forgot about that place. I dated a girl from the south side for awhile and that's not quite a complete list of debauchery that occurred at that place. Drunk and early 20's was a wild time.

It was the Wild West there. I frequented it when I was like 16-18 years old. Crazy stories.

 

[Zed_One]

I vote for a Garcias of Scottsdale relaunch.

 

[somecyguy]

Cedar Rapids people seem to go nuts for new chains even when they are very average, but at the same time, this city arguably has more locally owned Mexican restaurants per capita than any other city in Iowa. So if a Chi-Chi's opened up, it would be comical to see what happens.

 

[HFCS]

Cedar Rapids people seem to go nuts for new chains even when they are very average, but at the same time, this city arguably has more locally owned Mexican restaurants per capita than any other city in Iowa. So if a Chi-Chi's opened up, it would be comical to see what happens.

Absolutely dead serious: There are several authentic Mexican restaurants in Sioux City and especially South Sioux City I like better than anywhere I've tried in Los Angeles. When I get to visit home it's my top restaurant choice.

 

[dcxme1183]

Back in the 90s, twin 2 hit wonders and grandsons of Ozzie and Harriet, Nelson were in the Chi-Chi's in Davenport. My sisters and I went over to them and they invited us into their booth and signed "how was our service" cards.

That is my best memory of Chi-Chi's and exactly why that chain should stay dormant.

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

Why? These died out when authentic Mexican food starting migrating north. Mexican Chain restaurants are garbage. (see on the border)

I had the tacos al pastor at El Rodeo last night. Ambrosia.

 

[12191987]

Such BS … should be in the Southridge Mall parking lot and the mall should also bring back the indoor waterslides. #southsidethuglife

Wait, I thought it was in West Des Moines?

Am I misremembering? I don’t remember it at Southridge, and I was there all the time in the ‘80s and early ‘90s.

 

[Ankency]

Baker's square?

Or was it Poppin’ Fresh Pies?

 

[dcxme1183]

Or was it Poppin’ Fresh Pies?

Same thing. Also, wasn't a Minnesota chain per se, only when Pillsbury bought them.

 

[dcxme1183]

If this place doesnt have a salsa and queso self serve bar, do not open, you will fail. Good chance, you fail anyway but without, its guaranteed.

Don't underestimate Minnesota nostalgia.

 

[dcxme1183]

Don't underestimate Minnesota nostalgia.

That said, it's West End so yes, it will fail.

 

[Althetuna]

Mrs. Althetuna and I had three go to restaurants when we were dating and first married.(Late 80's. Early 90's)

1. Perkins (at Euclid and I235) Typically lunch, the occasional breakfast or a quick dinner.

2. Chi-Chi's in Urbandale. Typically inconjunction with a trip to the mall.

3. Christopher's in Beaverdale. That was our high end dining for special occasions. (We went back to Christopher's for my son's 30th birthday. Unfortunately, it was disappointing. Not sure what happened.)

So yes, for nostalgia's sake we'll go to the new Chi-Chi's at least once.

 

[IASTATE07]

Mrs. Althetuna and I had three go to restaurants when we were dating and first married.(Late 80's. Early 90's)

1. Perkins (at Euclid and I235) Typically lunch, the occasional breakfast or a quick dinner.

2. Chi-Chi's in Urbandale. Typically inconjunction with a trip to the mall.

3. Christopher's in Beaverdale. That was our high end dining for special occasions. (We went back to Christopher's for my son's 30th birthday. Unfortunately, it was disappointing. Not sure what happened.)

So yes, for nostalgia's sake we'll go to the new Chi-Chi's at least once.

Where was the Chi-Chi's in Urbandale?

 

[JP4CY]

Where was the Chi-Chi's in Urbandale?

22nd and University IIRC.

 

[Big Daddy Kang]

I, for one, welcome their mass-market Americanized version of Mexican. Was it great, no, but it was usually pretty good. And they had great lunch specials.