Michael McDermott, the son of Chi-Chi's co-founder Marno McDermott.
The inside of a new Chi-Chi's restaurant at 1602 West End Blvd. in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. The restaurant opens on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025.
A Chi-Chi's restaurant set to open at 11 a.m CDT on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. The location will be at 1602 West End Blvd. in St. Louis Park, Minnesota.

Chi-Chi's Mexican restaurant is making a comeback, and its first location in over 20 years is slated to open in Minnesota next week.

The location will open on Monday, Oct. 6, in St. Louis Park, bringing with it a “refreshed design” as well as some original and new menu items, the company announced this week.

Menu additions include items such as the restaurant’s Quesabirria Tacos served with consommé dipping sauce, as well as a Manchego Burger made up of grilled angus beef, manchego cheese, pico de gallo, avocado and chipotle mayonnaise, according to the news release.

Michael McDermott, son of Chi-Chi’s co-founder Marno McDermott, said in the announcement that the company is “back stronger than ever."

"We're bringing back the food, energy, and fun that people love, now with a fresh twist for a whole new generation,” he said in the release. “We're incredibly grateful to our supporters and investors who have helped make this moment possible, and we can't wait to welcome both familiar and new faces to experience Chi-Chi’s.”

Chi-Chi’s filed for bankruptcy in October 2003, according to Marler Clark, the law firm that later represented families in a lawsuit after multiple people became sick due to green onions served at a Pennsylvania Chi-Chi’s location.

Four people died and more than 650 people fell ill, and the company agreed to pay $800,000 to compensate the 9,489 people who got sick as a result of eating at the restaurant, Marler Clark reported.

The company closed its last U.S. restaurant in 2004. Chi-Chi's announced in December 2024 that it had reached an agreement with Hormel Foods, a Minnesota-based global food company that owns Chi-Chi's trademarks, to use the name and open future locations.

What’s new at Chi-Chi’s?

According to Chi-Chi’s, the St. Louis Park location will have more modern decor, “inviting ambiance,” as well as original menu items customers may remember such as the Nachos grand made up of refried beans, ground beef, cheese, jalapeños, the original Chimichanga, and seafood enchiladas.

New menu items include:

  • CHI-CHI's Original Chimichanga – Crispy chimichangas stuffed with beef, chicken, short rib, or red chili and served with guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo, rice, and beans.
  • Quesabirria Tacos – Three corn tacos filled with slow cooked beef, oaxaca cheese, onions, cilantro, and consommé dipping sauce.
  • Seafood Enchiladas – Shrimp and crab smothered in Chi-Chi’s signature lobster cream sauce. Served with sour cream, guacamole, beans, and rice.
  • Manchego Burger – Angus beef topped with manchego cheese, pico de gallo, avocado, and chipotle mayonnaise. Served with fries.
  • Original Nachos Grande – House tortilla chips topped with refried beans, ground beef, melty cheese, and jalapeños.
  • El Burro Con Queso – A burrito packed with ground beef or shredded chicken, cheese, chili con queso, and ranchero sauce. Served with beans and choice of rice

Where is the restaurant located?

Chi-Chi’s is opening its first location at 11 a.m. local time on Monday, Oct. 6. The restaurant is located at 1602 West End Blvd. in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. Diners can make reservations via OpenTable.

The restaurant will be open:

  • Monday through Thursday – 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Friday through Saturday – 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
  • Sunday – 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

What’s next for Chi-Chi’s?

Chi-Chi’s said the St. Louis Park restaurant will act as a flagship location for the company’s relaunch, and there are more locations planned.

According to the company, more than 2,000 people have invested over $2.3 million through an equity crowdfunding campaign that the company started on StartEngine.

Chi-Chi’s said the campaign is closing soon, but those wanting to invest can learn more at www.startengine.com/offering/chi-chis-restaurants.

This story has been updated to add new pictures and information.

Contributing: Ahjané Forbes

Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Chi-Chi's is making a comeback after 20 years. See where it will reopen.

Reporting by Saleen Martin, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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