I'm not sure if the rumor mill is stuck in a circle. I saw on Facebook the day after it closed that there was rumored to be a Garage Burgers going in. I then asked Pete if he could confirm, and in the meantime I've seen more posts on Facebook with the same rumor. I'm just wondering if they're hearing the rumor from here, or if they have other sources. I would love to see a Garage go in there, but I have heard nothing concrete at all.

Yeah, I'm not dead sure on the Garage thing but trying to confirm.

It certainly does make a lot of sense and they would be wildly successful there.


As I've said elsewhere, May Avenue is generally underserved and much of what is there is old and tired. That's starting to change now with several new projects.

Since I never went to El Chico, any restaurant option would be an improvement since I live so close to that corner. Thanks for checking it out.

Its nostalgic like Casa Bonita but the food was very mediocre

Back when I was in HS I had an argument over which Mexican place was better, Teds (just introduced in Tulsa) or El Chico. Looking back I realize we were both wrong.

Their food has been going downhill for a while. Its a far cry from what they used to offer when they were in Shepard Mall circa 1980s.

Their food has been going downhill for a while. Its a far cry from what they used to offer when they were in Shepard Mall circa 1980s.
Is it that the food is worse or that we just know better now?

Is it that the food is worse or that we just know better now?

I'm very sure it's the latter.

We've discussed this before but restaurant standards from even 10-15 years ago are far lower than what they are now.

El Chico is a great measuring stick because it was virtually unchanged for decades and it just doesn't hold up against newer places.

Everyone wants to remember these old places fondly but if you plopped them down in modern times, I think we all would be shocked by how badly they compare.

Is it that the food is worse or that we just know better now?

I'm very sure it's the latter.

We've discussed this before but restaurant standards from even 10-15 years ago are far lower than what they are now.

El Chico is a great measuring stick because it was virtually unchanged for decades and it just doesn't hold up against newer places.

Everyone wants to remember these old places fondly but if you plopped them down in modern times, I think we all would be shocked by how badly they compare.

El Chico wasn't good even in the good old days.

Any idea what they did with the party bus?
If you had a group of 6 or more they would pick you up in it.

I enjoyed two Pesos or La Roca more than El chico

Any idea what they did with the party bus?
If you had a group of 6 or more they would pick you up in it.

I enjoyed two Pesos or La Roca more than El chico

OKCretro,
Two Pesos? They were an upscale Taco Bell (in my opinion). I will admit, I enjoyed their tacos but I tried some other things and they weren't very good. They were a fast food version of Pancho's, very mediocre.
C. T.

Yeah, I'm not dead sure on the Garage thing but trying to confirm.

It certainly does make a lot of sense and they would be wildly successful there.


As I've said elsewhere, May Avenue is generally underserved and much of what is there is old and tired. That's starting to change now with several new projects.

I highly agree! With Nichols Hills, Belle Isle, Lakeside, the Village and Quail Creek all neighboring May, this is area is dying for some new development. There are plenty of people to support whatever goes in. This seems like it will be the start of a development trend!

Omg. Garage burgers would be fantastic!

The location at May and Britton is now closed. Signage painted over. Not sure who kept this place in business other than The Village PD. Great location, wonder what will take its place??

The location at May and Britton is now closed. Signage painted over. Not sure who kept this place in business other than The Village PD. Great location, wonder what will take its place??

I saw a rumor that The Garage is going in there. No idea how accurate that is so take it with a grain of salt.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/elchico012316.jpg

I saw a rumor that The Garage is going in there. No idea how accurate that is so take it with a grain of salt.

Confirmed:

The Garage will replace closed El Chico restaurant

By: Molly M. Fleming The Journal Record February 19, 2016

OKLAHOMA CITY – The metro area has fewer places for Mexican food after some El Chico Mexican Food Cafes closed.

The El Chico restaurants at 2900 W. Britton Rd., 3903 S. Western Ave. and 6801 Northwest Expressway have permanently closed. The Enid location closed in November.

An Oklahoma City site and the Enid store will have new tenants, though the Enid tenant has yet to be announced.

The El Chico restaurants were operated by Dallas-based Consolidated Restaurant Operations. Marketing Vice President Bill Watson said via email that the restaurants closed as the leases expired, but did not give any further information. The El Chicos in Quail Springs Mall and Sooner Mall in Norman remain open.

Watson said the company operates restaurants in Tulsa, Muskogee, Ardmore and Broken Arrow. ElChico.com shows three locations in Tulsa and single sites in Lawton, Ardmore, Muskogee and Broken Arrow. Watson could not be reached Friday to discuss those locations

The Britton Road site is being renovated into The Garage: Burgers and Beer, operated by Hal Smith Restaurant Group. The Garage Managing Partner Brandon Kistler said the former El Chico site sits on a good corner in The Village, at W. Britton Avenue and N. May Avenue.

He said the 7,000-square-foot building is larger than the concept’s typical footprint, so the restaurant will occupy about 5,000 square feet, and the remaining space will be storage. Demolition has started. Kistler said he’s still working on the project’s budget.

The restaurant expects to open in late summer, when a Shawnee location will start serving guests as well. A Moore store opens in mid-March.

“There are a few other (sites) we’re looking at,” said Kistler. “We’re looking to grow the concept in the state and outside the state.”

There are nine Garage locations, with seven in the metro, one in Stillwater and another in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

In Enid, a new restaurant in the El Chico location will be announced soon, said Brent Kisling, executive director of the Enid Regional Development Alliance. He said the restaurant that sits on W. Owen K. Garriott Road, near S. Oakwood Drive, is adjacent to a new shopping center. It’s in one of the highest traffic-count areas in northwest Oklahoma. He said the site drew attention from national chain restaurants and local entrepreneurs. El Chico was the first sit-down Mexican restaurant in the city, opening in 1984.

“We hate to see El Chico go, but it provides an opportunity to bring something new to the area,” Kisling said.

I will miss it very much. I often went to the one at Hefner and May and enjoyed the soft tortillas with their caliente salsa (by request) and their avocado enchiladas. Too, it brought back many memories of occasions when I ate there with friends and families. I think the food was quite good, especially when compared to places such as Poblanos (Velveeta and water for queso?), Abuelo's, Ted's (so overrated). I don't know what places people think are so superior to it, but I suppose it's a matter of taste and trendiness.

So now we compare it to Ted's or half a dozen other similar restaurants that are no better than El Chico's or worse?

Ok first admission, I've been out of the OKC area since about 2006. . .A lot has changed.

For better or worse, El Chico was predictable. I totally agree that Ted's is WAY overrated. . .I've never been impressed with Teds.

So, Here it is, 2016. . . The last great mexican (Alright, Tex-Mex) restaurant was the original location of Cocina De Mino on 29th. That absurdity that passes of the name on South Western is a hideous caricature promulgated upon the citizenry of South Oklahoma city . . .

SO SOMEONE. . . Who has a REALLY GOOD MEXICAN RESTAURANT IN OKC???

Abel's at NW 50th & MacArthur and Casa Perico at NW 63rd & Meridian are both very good.

Alfredo's is good on NW 39th & Macarthur

If you are in Edmond, try Hidalgo's on Edmond rd and Sante Fe. Homemade tortillas, he makes great food. He did the food for our parishes Our Lady of Guadalupe festa. Very few anglos by lots of Hispanics so the food he did was the real stuff. I've eaten at his restaurant and its good.

I'm a fan of the Chelino's North of Hefner on May.

Ok first admission, I've been out of the OKC area since about 2006. . .A lot has changed.

For better or worse, El Chico was predictable. I totally agree that Ted's is WAY overrated. . .I've never been impressed with Teds.

So, Here it is, 2016. . . The last great mexican (Alright, Tex-Mex) restaurant was the original location of Cocina De Mino on 29th. That absurdity that passes of the name on South Western is a hideous caricature promulgated upon the citizenry of South Oklahoma city . . .

SO SOMEONE. . . Who has a REALLY GOOD MEXICAN RESTAURANT IN OKC???

I love Alfredo's like Brian72 said as well. Mama Roja's and Iguana are my favorites in town. I used to love Ted's until I moved here and it was , "Eh, let's eat at Ted's..."

The last great mexican (Alright, Tex-Mex) restaurant was the original location of Cocina De Mino on 29th.

SO SOMEONE. . . Who has a REALLY GOOD MEXICAN RESTAURANT IN OKC???

That old house on Southeast 29th was their first location and it was really good. The couple that started it opened up a place (I've forgotten the name) on Shartel and 50th in that strip center on the N. E. corner. As for my current choice for Tex-Mex, I like Casa Perico at 122nd and Penn and Zarate's in Edmond.
C. T.

1492 in Casady Square.

Abel's at NW 50th & MacArthur and Casa Perico at NW 63rd & Meridian are both very good.

I agree with you Pete on Abel's. I went there recently and was really impressed. Haven't made it to Casa Perico yet.

I've eaten at Abel's on south May by I-240 a time or two and found it to my liking. I'm also fond of San Marcos on SW 59th between Agnew and Pennsylvania. Neither place is fancy or trendy and you won't find them advertising on the ten o'clock news, but the food tastes good and I like the way they take care of me.

Abel's at NW 50th & MacArthur and Casa Perico at NW 63rd & Meridian are both very good.

Yes, these, but the Casa Perico on NW 122nd/Penn has gone downhill, as mentioned in another thread, so the 63rd one is apparently still good. Also 1492 (which isn't your traditional Tex-Mex place) is excellent, and whatever the one on 33rd/Broadway is called (Alvarado's or Alfredo's, can't remember offhand) is decent. Zarate's used to have great South American food, but not so much the last times we went, but we never tried their Tex-Mex, so maybe that's better than their South American dishes are now. And I'll bet Chiltepe's has good Tex-Mex (since their Guatemalan dishes that they no longer serve were great).

I like La Luna in Newcastle ,and San Marcos reminds me, in a good way of Nino's maybe because that's where they got their start.... But,Nothing and I mean nothing has ever replaced the original Cocina De Mino IMO that place was soooo good....

I used to eat at Cocina de Mino in Norman (late 1980s), at least I think that was the name, just east of the courthouse, and thought it was good. There was (is?) another Mexican restaurant on Main, just about across from where Sprouts is now. I think it was On the Border, or maybe I'm just thinking of the Al Stewart tune. I enjoyed that place, too.

^
that one was called border crossing. -M

Sure was. Thanks

Are there any El Chico's left now? I've lost track.

Sure was. Thanks

Are there any El Chico's left now? I've lost track.

Just the Sooner Mall and Quail Springs locations.

I'm a fan of the Chelino's North of Hefner on May.

The last time I ate at this Chelino's (or any) was the day OJ was running from the law in the white bronco

OKCTalk - New Garage Burgers and Beer coming to N. May and Britton (http://www.okctalk.com/content/267-new-garage-burgers-beer-coming-n-may-britton.html)

Well, so far .. . the best contender in my book is Chilino's. ..

Just the Sooner Mall and Quail Springs locations.

Not any more as of last Sunday... they've apparently closed with no plans to reopen in Quail Springs. The one in Norman is the closest open one now.

Not any more as of last Sunday... they've apparently closed with no plans to reopen in Quail Springs. The one in Norman is the closest open one now.

The funny thing is, the Norman location in the mall is always packed at lunch and dinner. Like a line waiting around the mall to get in.

Is El Chico yet another restaurant ruined by hedge fund ownership? It used to be very good Tex-Mex. Not surprised to hear about the Quail Springs closure; I finally visited that location a couple of months ago and it was not good. The Norman one has always been reliable.

Is El Chico yet another restaurant ruined by hedge fund ownership? It used to be very good Tex-Mex. Not surprised to hear about the Quail Springs closure; I finally visited that location a couple of months ago and it was not good. The Norman one has always been reliable.

el chico has never been "very good"

el chico has never been "very good"

Wrong. You're too young to remember when it was a family-owned regional chain. It was very good Tex-Mex at one time, before the family sold it.

Wrong. You're too young to remember when it was a family-owned regional chain. It was very good Tex-Mex at one time, before the family sold it.

Agreed. Until Pepe opened up his restaurant in Edmond, I grew up eating at El Chico weekly with my extended family. I'm not blind that there's some nostalgia, but I can say El Chico now is significantly different than it was then.

Agreed on the change.. it use to be great Tex-mex.. I miss that El chico.

I don't think it is that El Chico changed, but that it didn't change. When they first were popular there was very little commercial TexMex to compare it with. Now, there is all kinds of adapted and improved offerings here in OKC and elsewhere. Comparatively, El Chico is the same basic food with commercial ingredients it has always been.

I don't about taste, but service wise, The El Chico at Quail always had bad service like a lot of other places along Memorial. Can't find good servers.

I don't think it is that El Chico changed, but that it didn't change. When they first were popular there was very little commercial TexMex to compare it with. Now, there is all kinds of adapted and improved offerings here in OKC and elsewhere. Comparatively, El Chico is the same basic food with commercial ingredients it has always been.

i think this is spot on

I disagree, and I think it's unfairly harsh. They may seem basic because they pretty much defined the space, and every one else has been building off El Chico's brand of tex mex. But in their heyday they were catering events for royalty and at the White House. They've changed hands half a dozen time, and I've seen their quality take wide swings in that time period (I can remember when the salsa suddenly was different). So yeah, there is nostalgia, but there are differences, and honestly, when you've got 75 years of history, and multiple ownership and management changes, to think they were the same through all that would be absurd.

Now, if someone's first experience with El Chico was at a mall in the late 80's or 90's, then yeah, that feels like forever ago, and that would definitely taint my impression downwards.

Here's a short history of the El Chico brand that was done by D magazine. https://www.dmagazine.com/publications/d-magazine/2013/november/dallas-1963-the-cuellars-and-el-chico/

They did pioneer the space, that much is true, but to say to ignore the last 50 or so years of a 75 year history is denying the reality is they are basically the same or worse food than they've been for half a century while the genre has passed them by. I doubt many here in OKC or outside of Dallas have ANY recollection of El Chico in the "good ole days" of the 40s and 50s. If you are an octogenarian, maybe. Otherwise, for our lifetime they have been serving the same basic menu without distinction. It has been known as a price alternative for quite awhile. Biggest draw was always $4 enchilada Thursdays.

I don't think it is that El Chico changed, but that it didn't change. When they first were popular there was very little commercial TexMex to compare it with. Now, there is all kinds of adapted and improved offerings here in OKC and elsewhere. Comparatively, El Chico is the same basic food with commercial ingredients it has always been.

The quality noticeably declined overall. The one in Sooner Mall in Norman is fairly decent.