Courtesy of Chuy's



The first Tampa Bay location for Austin-based Chuy’s is headed for the Wesley Chapel area. Located at 25750 Sierra Center Blvd. in Lutz (near Cypress Creek Town Center), the Tex-Mex restaurant brand is scheduled to open sometime in late spring.

Started in 1982, Chuy’s specializes in lunch and dinner dishes made with fresh ingredients, among them signature sauces and tortillas cooked on a traditional coma in the dining room. The menu — based upon classic recipes from South Texas, New Mexico and Mexican border towns — features items such as burritos, chicken-stuffed enchiladas, chile rellenos, and the famous Elvis Green Chile Fried Chicken (chicken breast breaded with Lay’s and smothered in green chile sauce).

Diners can look forward to drink specials from 4 to 7 p.m. on weekdays, in addition to the Nacho Car, a free build-your-own nacho station spotlighting chips, salsa, queso, ground sirloin and other topping options.

“We are excited to share our passion for fresh food and unique flair with this awesome community,” said Helen Bowen, owner-operator of Chuy’s Wesley Chapel. “Everything that leaves our kitchen is made from scratch, and we hope you feel the time and love we put in to each and every plate.”

The newest Chuy’s weighs in at 8,500 square feet, and that’s including the spacious 605-square-foot patio. As far as the decor goes, vibrant touches like a custom Elvis shrine, framed photographs of local dogs and a hubcap-covered ceiling are highlights.

Also serving as the ninth Florida outpost for the longtime brand, Chuy’s Wesley Chapel plans to operate 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Additional locations across the Sunshine State are found in the Orlando area, Gainesville, Jacksonville and Tallahassee.