A Celebration of Food: The Chi Chi’s Experience

If you were a typical suburban kid, your first taste of “Mexican” food came via Chi Chi’s Restaurant. These establishments usually were found in or near a shopping mall. After a hard day of scouring the stores, you would head over for a nice tasty dinner. People went to Chi Chi’s to celebrate the end of the work week, birthdays or just a run of the mill Saturday afternoon. I remember the one by us was always packed! People loved their Mexican food even if it was far from authentic. Who could forget the happiness (or embarrassment) of wearing the birthday sombrero and that annoying song?

Like I said, it was far from authentic Mexican food. But back in the 80s and 90s, we didn’t have many restaurant options. So seasoned beef or chicken slapped in a tortilla and covered with cheese and sauce were considered exotic. Even today, some Mexican chain restaurants just don’t measure up. I would still take a Chi Chi’s taco platter over some of the food that’s peddled as Mexican.

The interior was decorated like any type of generic Tex Mex restaurant of today. Brights colors, sombreros, and of course, the creepy macaw greeting you as you walked into the entrance. Seriously, that thing scared the crap of me! It’s little dead eyes staring you as you entered. Chills!

Once you had the slightly brownish menu in your hands, you were golden. So what would you choose? A burro, chimichanga, or tacos? It didn’t matter because all you really wanted was that famous Mexican “fried” ice cream. The dessert was so famous it even had its own song in the commercials.

Unfortunately, Chi Chi’s was a little sloppy in the kitchen. Those tasty green onions caused a hepatitis A outbreak that sickened hundreds and caused three deaths. Yikes! Pending lawsuits and health code violations meant the end for Chi Chi’s in 2004.

You can still get some Mexican products in the store under the Chi Chi’s label. Hormel nows owns the rights and likes to hawk their salsa in a nostalgic pitch to us consumers. But let’s face it, nothing beats the original of the restaurant (sans the hepatitis).

Surprisingly there’s a few Chi Chi’s left in the world. If you’re feeling especially daredevil-ish, hop a plane to Kuwait, China or the United Arab Emirates for your very own Twice Grilled BBQ Burrito.

 

Now who wants some ice cream?

Chi Chi’s Fried Ice Cream Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 (6 inch) flour tortillas
  • 1⁄4 cup granulated sugar
  • 4 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 4 ounces French vanilla ice cream (by weight)
  • 1⁄4 cup kellogg’s corn flake crumbs
  • canned whipped cream
  • 1 maraschino cherry
  • 1 ounce honey

Directions

  • Form 4 oz. of French vanilla into a ball.
  • Roll the ball of ice cream in the cinnamon sugar mixture until completely coated.
  • Roll in corn flake crumbs till coated.
  • Place in the freezer to harden.
  • Place the hardened ice cream ball in a fry basket and deep fry for 2 seconds at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

FOR THE SHERBET GLASS (the early years):

  • Put a dollop of whip cream in the bottom of the glass.
  • Place the fried ice cream ball on top of the dollop.
  • Drizzle a small amount of honey over the top of the ice cream ball.
  • Place 8 whip cream rosettes around the ice cream ball and one on top.
  • Top with a maraschino cherry.
  • Enjoy!

FOR THE TORTILLA (the later years):

  • Deep fry a tortilla flat until crispy.
  • Sprinkle with the remaining cinnamon sugar mixture.
  • Follow the instructions for the sherbet glass.
  • Enjoy!

If you’re getting really nostalgic and want to look at some of Chi Chi’s creations, I’ve included some of their commercials below.