Anybody Know when the new Chuy's opens?

rumored 12/1, not sure if thats true or not. theyve been hiring for almost a month now.

I believe this morning's paper said Dec. 8.

http://www.wacotrib.com/biz/content/business/stories/2009/11/22/11222009wacBizKollum.html

From Copeland's article:

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Chuy’s reportedly received more than 800 job applications and has hired about 160 people.

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I'm no restaurant guy, but 160 people to run a restaurant? Really?

have you been to chuy's before? always. crowded.

The restaurant business has a high turnover rate, particularly in a high stress atmosphere like an opening. You always over hire, in anticipation of those who will never show or leave during training.

I used to work at a restaurant and 160 sounds high to me.

160 very high, but these days, an opening is crucial to the future success of a restaurant. Slow, bad, inattentive service scare the crap out of owners and operators. That is why they flood every position in the beginning, as well as have a full staff of experienced trainers. Word of mouth can boost or kill a new restaurant, especially in a small city like Waco where most everyone who can is going to eat there in the first 3 weeks. With increased competition in the market, most customers are not going to be understanding about waiting 45 minutes for their food after they have waited 45 minutes to sit.

In Waco, the make or break time is 90 days. The first three months locals will visit once or twice a week...if during that period service or quality is poor they will miss a couple of weeks and go back. At the end of two months everyone in town "talks" and then they all go back..........bad service, employees standing around or poor quality food...the death watch has started and you might as well limit your incoming goods.

Seriously, this is how it works here and you could check with Rib Crib, Dickies, Smokey Bones but there isn't anyone left at those places to talk to!

that's a good point, and someone I work with made that point the other day about hiring extra staff.

just try the Creamy Jalapeno ranch dip and a chuychanga and you'll be set.

anyone been yet? I've been scared away by the ginormous crowds so far.

Ive been 4 times. Its been overcrowded each time. I sat at the bar twice, was in and out in about 30 minutes that way.

My only complaint has been the small sitting area, but that's my complaint about every Chuy's so......

Food up to par with the other Chuy's?

I tried to go last night, but I refused to even check the wait time when I saw the parking lot was full and cars parked out on the street.

I'd say the food is just as good as the other places

I thought it was relatively on par with the other Chuy's. I think the one on Barton Springs in Austin is the best, but this one is pretty comparable. The wait is pretty insane...fortunately for me my wife works nights at the hospital so we have dinner at 4:30 anyway (but even when we went then it was beginning to pack up pretty fast.)

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I tried to go last night, but I refused to even check the wait time when I saw the parking lot was full and cars parked out on the street.

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From what I've heard, the parking lot is deceptive. The waitstaff parks on the edges/curbs, so it looks like it's overflowing. I've been twice, with no wait each time, but that wasn't really during peak dining hours.

Finally went today at lunch. Service was EXCELLENT. A little crowded. Food was as good as I remembered. We will go back. Can't say enough about how impressed I was with the service though. That's hard to do with a new restaurant.

I second the suggestion to sit in the bar area. We were able to walk in and be seated immediately. Also, they offered free chips and queso during Happy Hour.

Another note....the waitstaff has to park on the street.

Employees are parking on the street for a while to keep the parking lot clear.

Went the other night and was pleasantly surprised. I had been to one in Arlington and was not impressed there. We had the fajitas and they were great.

Ate there a couple nights ago. Service was average, but the food was outstanding. I've eaten at multiple locations in Austin and thought the food was just as good if not better. I had the #1. We will definitely be back. My wife and I were seated at around 5:45-6:00 and we didn't have to wait.

Has anyone been lately? I was wondering if they were still having long waits. We have two small children that keep us from being able to wait 45 minutes for a table. Just thought I would check.

I've only gone at lunch, but have been seated immediately the past two times. (Around 11:30a.)

However, there is usually only two of us.

I went the other day - around 3 on a Saturday. People were waiting outside! That's how bad it was. Apparently there's nothing better to do on a Saturday afternoon in Waco than going to Chuy's. I was disappointed with the size of the bar area and the bar itself. Good luck getting a drink while you wait!

Went last night. Our server, Ashley, was outstanding. Liked their picante. Food was average at best. I'd go again, but I wouldn't make a special trip to eat there.

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Good luck getting a drink while you wait!

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Were you wearing an A&M shirt? Ive never had a problem getting drinks.

we went last night in the evening, service was a little slower, but food was still very good. they were VERY busy. When we were waiting, we sat in the bar area and there seemed to be zero problem getting a drink or anything in there.

I ate there Saturday night. I think they are doing a good job from what I saw.