Chi-Chi's revival: Mexican restaurant chain's first two locations revealed
Chi-Chi's, the Minnesota-born Mexican restaurant chain that vanished nearly 20 years ago, will begin its revival this year in the Twin Cities.
Michael McDermott, the son of Chi-Chi's founder Marno McDermott, told Bring Me The News the first Chi-Chi's restaurants will open in St. Louis Park and Maple Grove.
In both communities, McDermott plans to convert his Rojo Mexican Grill restaurants into Chi-Chi's.
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The St. Louis Park restaurant will open first, likely sometime this summer, and the opening of the Maple Grove restaurant is expected to follow in the fall.
"We'll have most if not all the dishes that people remember," McDermott said, adding some signature dishes from Rojo and new dishes, such as birria tacos, are planned for the menu.
His own Chi-Chi's go-to dish? The deep-fried red chili burro served enchilada-style.
Hormel Foods, which sells Chi-Chi's brand salsas, tortillas and seasonings, announced in December it had reached a new trademark agreement with McDermott to pave the way for the restaurant chain's revival.
Since then, it's been a whirlwind for McDermott who told Bring Me The News he did not expect such an overwhelming response to the news.
"It literally went viral all over the country," he said.
Among those reacting to the news are former Chi-Chi's franchisees who are interested in taking part in the comeback, he said.
McDermott, who hopes to bring Chi-Chi's across the Midwest and East Coast to start, said he's working to get the franchise program launched as soon as possible.
With a crowdfunding initiative on StartEngine, McDermott is looking to raise $3.5 million with equity given to investors who contribute $250 or more.
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