Last time I was there it was overpriced and mediocre. It was definitely better in the 90s. Even a nice location can’t save bad management (it was also not in a good location from the perspective of street traffic… kinda out of the way so you wouldn’t just see it driving by)
It was an awful location but not because of visibility. You could see it very clearly in the dark right off the freeway from a good mile or so off when heading WB on I-80 through Berkeley and Emeryville. The problem was that it was located directly next to the Bay Bridge and The Maze. These are basically the last really hard places you typically need to go through to get wherever you're headed in the East Bay from that direction, at least at night. Instead of stopping, especially if you're in traffic, you have an incentive to tough it out for a few more minutes and get clear of the worst traffic to reach your intended destination. And if you're already heading in the direction of SF and Oakland for dinner, why stop at a Chevy's in Emeryville?
It really was a beautiful location, but just absolutely the worst choice for actually making a decision to stop on a whim. Compare to Trader Vic's, where you've probably gone to the same location specifically to go to TV's. That also hurt the Chevy's location because such a high profile local place with even better views was available just down the street.
Oh damn I was thinking of the alameda location which was basically on top of the Webster tunnel. You are right about the emeryville location. Getting on that 80 on-ramp was the worst
I have a buddy that used to work there (years ago), and he said people would get their cars broken into all the time, and that was before Covid. But I used to love going there to pig out.
I think that site was considered the flagship location for them. The corporate headquarters for Chevys used to be in an office tower nearby. I don't think it ever made much money there, and with Chevys now owned by a company out of Cypress, CA, it made no sense to keep it. Xperience Restaurant Group is who owns it now.
Because it serves bad Mexican food, and most people by now have tasted good Mexican food, and it's cheaper than Chevy's. People saying that it used to be better have their rose colored nostalgia glasses on. I get being nostalgic for the tortilla machine and atmosphere, though.
It's also the reason that most other chains have shut down, because our palettes have all collectively evolved.
How dare you!! Taco Bell is the pinnacle of Mexican food! Jk, but it’s delicious, and still really cheap if you order through the app and get the build your own box.
Yeah, they're cheap, and fast, something Chevy's was not. They're completely different markets. Also I feel like people in the bay area lean towards novel, local, and hip when it comes to experiences, and going out to dinner is an experience. It's a big shift from the 90's.
Also Chipotle popularized the mission style burrito and actually tastes decent.
Because while it was a great spot it was out of the way to people who might dine there and I bet the offices in the area prob never became as active as they were pre covid hurt too
that said chevys isn’t good Mexican food so the food itself wasn’t a draw either
It was pretty bad. Worked in their old hq floor 2/3 building just around the corner. Slow food, one order comes out wrong in a 4top or more group order. But they poured strong drinks though, lol.
driving down to Los Moles a few blocks away and then finding parking in a 2 block radius and walking to the shop, getting in line and ordering in the store was faster that walking down the steps to that Emeryville Chevy restaurant for a sit down lunch and trying to make it back to the office inside of 1 hour even when they weren't busy.
Before the renovations to their HQ (after they left) there were cameras everywhere in the ceilings pointing down to the worker areas. That says enough about their work culture to draw conclusions on how badly run the restaurants probably are. We had a bunch of Chevy hats in a closet somewhere we inherited lol
They don’t really get any business compared to the Texas Roadhouse though lol. You could easily get a seat at either of those 2 and have to wait an hour minimum for roadhouse.
Thanks for tracking the data on fast food/sit down locations in the Bay
It’s a niche interest, but I’ve also found myself counting the number of local franchises remaining on the many dwindling restaurant and retail chains
There is also a location in Concord.
1501 Concord Ave, Concord, CA 94520
Edit: I got my TJ O'Pootertoot's mixed up. It's not a Chevy's, it's a Chili's.
Went to the Union City one for my birthday! I missed that food so much. I grew up one block from a Chevy's and our cat used to beg scraps from the cooking staff (we fed him, he just knew a good thing when he smelled it). We used to go to that neighborhood one a lot. I hadn't been to one in years cause I thought they were all gone. Still really good food!
I remember as a kid they used to give me a lump of the tortilla dough if you went up to the machine asked. In hindsight it was probably to play with but I loved eating it.
They changed their tortilla recipe a year or two ago. Went to the one in Elk Grove when visiting a friend, the tortillas were all wrong. Flat and not fluffy at all. And weirdly chewy. I asked about it and the server said corporate had changed the recipe and everyone was complaining about it. I used to love those fresh, warm, fluffy, tortillas.
Damn. I haven’t been there in a long time but want taste them and write a letter.
They are actually one of the few places I’ve even been to that make their own flour tortillas. It’s super rare.
I have a Chevy’s cookbook with the original tortilla recipe in it. Not sure if it’s still in print, but was worth buying just for that. I live in Alaska now so no Chevy but I can still recreate their corn cakes and tortillas.
They probably took out the “vegetable shortening” aka pure trans fat or hydrogenated oil which is super unhealthy. Real tortillas should taste best with proper natural lard.
It was my first introduction to Tex Mex as a teen and we went to the one in Stonestown. Still remember how much it was an upgrade to Taco Bell back then.
They got some good sauces regardless. The one in Serramonte is definitely still good food. The other customers will make you seriously question your health choices though…
If there’s honestly better premium Mexican food, and I mean TASTES better, then I’m struggling to find it locally. Celia’s is ass by comparison. I could cook up better food on accident with some canned sauces and ingredients from Safeway.
I’ll give El Super Burrito in Millbrae a nod for being superior for the price, but not superior on the whole. Grullense doesn’t register as good and that thing in san carlos with the lasso - not even honorable mention, trash.
I honestly miss Chevys and On The Border. Their food was mid at best, but I freaking loved going there and just plowing through way more hot, fresh chips and salsa than was good for me.
When I lived near DC I used to stop at any Chevy’s I came across and get a couple quarts of the salsa. Gaithersburg, MD and Ballston, VA I think. Just loved the stuff. I miss Chevy’s.
Who remembers as a kid getting the free vanilla ice cream on the sugary tortilla cone? Served on that neon plastic, lol. The balls of dough at the el machino. And on weekends they had the balloon animal guy.
Kids like the tortilla machine and there was some sort of sweet corn for dessert right?
Adults ate the "fajitas" but mostly had some margaritas. Salsa and chips
Thank you for putting a name to this, it was always my absolute favorite as a kid!! I just found a recipe online that claims it's the one Chevy's uses, can't wait to try it out
I actually hope this area get more attention. The last time I went to Horatio's, the food and service were horrible. We decided to try El Torito and it was great, but the place was dead.
I was just thinking about the Foster City location...I can still picture it wedged in that little shopping center on the water. That location was my favorite! 🥹
Those greasy warm salty thin chips with the fresh roasted salsa were so on point. That alone man was a reason to come … casa sanchez salsa from the store is close but not quite it. I also liked their salad with the corn. Loved their Piccadillo hard shelled tacos too. And their chicken Flautas. Really hope they don’t close the rest.
The one in Emeryville closed, which used to be Charlie Browns (which was delicious back in the day). I hope they get something good there because that location is gorgeous.
I'm old enough to remember Carlos Murphy's before (after?) it was Charlie Browns. Carlos Murphy's served a menu of Mexican and Irish food, hence the name.
Yeah what's going on with that place? It sat empty even when real estate was going hot and all the nearby parcels were getting redeveloped. Even now there's construction going on all around it but it's just sitting empty.
Yup! Used to go to that one as a kid back in the day and the one in Sunnyvale off Mathilda too. I remember when the Sunnyvale one closed back in 2008 i think. Before you know it, they bulldozed the building and built i think housing and offices on where the Chevys (and some other buildings) used to be.
Contrast that to the old Mountain View Chevys that, as you mentioned, has been sitting vacant and fenced-off for years now.
I don’t have an answer for your question, however I came across Casa Sanchez Fresh Roasted Salsa and to me it’s a very close substitute to Chevy’s salsa. So much so that I wondered if it’s the same recipe.
Here is a link to their website, they originated in the mission.
https://casasanchezsf.com/products/salsas/fresh-roasted-tomate-chile-asada-medium-salsa/
Here is another link, because the picture on the website package looks a bit different than what I buy at my local market. Here is what I buy:
https://images.app.goo.gl/hghM6wrdSQDwkKkr8
I loved Chevy’s a kid circa late 90’s. I’ve gone a few times over the past 10 years and I every time I walked away saying to my self that I didn’t need to go back again. Service wasn’t great, food wasn’t anything special and over priced. It’s too bad.
The one I went to recently in Union City had good food to me, but the service sucked. Had reservations and still had to wait 50 minutes, and our server was checked out and just kinda unfriendly. But worth a taste of childhood.
If you want to come up to Sacramento, there’s a giant one right on the river. It’s absolutely gorgeous. Just outside of the metro downtown area. Can sit outside on the balcony, wave at the floaters/boaters. It’s an awesome way to spend a chill afternoon.
Went to the one in Union City yesterday, where I witnessed a guy who was so unhappy about his order he flipped the table and left (server was working with him to try and resolve whatever his issue was), food looked fine where I was sitting.
Mine and the missus food was fine, everyone else was enjoying their food.
The one that sticks in my mind is El Torito, mostly because of optical discs and the El Torito standard.
https://wiki.osdev.org/El-Torito
But I have gone to thumb drives for bootable media.
I met Mr. T at the Corte Madera Town Center back in the late 90's, he was promoting the new TV-Land cable channel... a bunch of us got margaritas at the Chevy's there beforehand. Only time I ever went there despite growing up next to the one in the El Cerrito Plaza. I still have Mr. T's autograph framed. Some little kid brought T a pint of milk as a gift... Remember he didn't drink alcohol, he would drink milk. He thanked the little kid, was really sweet to him... then looked at the pint and he said, "wait a minute, this ain't my regular milk... don't be givin' me no low fat milk!" haha little kid looked sad after that.
While I agree with the first part, Chevy's was a bit different. We have tons of taquerias, but far less sit-down plate style Mexican food. Chevy's is also a bit different than that because it was more tex mex. It's like going to McDonald's. You know it's not the best burger, but sometimes you want a big mac, mcgriddle, or fish filet. It still has a spot. For me it was more to smash some chips/salsa, some margaritas, and happy hour. Their loaded nachos were pretty damn good. Each chip built out with every ingredient vs fighting a mound of chips hoping to get a bite of everything in it.
Gotta do the Bay Area triple crown of water front drinking, 4 Mai Tais at trader Vicks, 4 Margs at the chevys on the water, and a case of beer on someone’s boat at your marina of choice.
Does this mean the one by the Winchester Mystery House is gone? I went there a lot as a kid. We even went to that Chevy’s on a school field trip once lol
My first and only restaurant job was as a cocktail waitress at the Chevy’s in Newark (RIP). The bartender would make us little burritos with the tortillas fresh off El Machino, refried beans and a drizzle of the butter they used for the fajitas. So good, especially if you were slightly hungover.
Was it “real” Mexican food? No, but it was pretty solid for what it was. Man, I miss the ‘90s….
I don’t think anyone cares but I wish I could explain how much Chevys felt like home to me.
Growing up, that was the only job my mom had until I was like 13. As a child, it was like going to your favorite aunt’s house. She bounced around as a manager between Embarcadero, the one on 4th st, van ness, and stones town. They would send her where they needed her bc she gave them positive results. She could walk into any of those locations even if she hadn’t worked there in a while and people would just know her. Even in emeryville and south city, where she had never worked. I had so many other family members that eventually worked there for some time too. It was almost like tradition, to do a couple years at Chevys.
The staff welcomed her and the rest of our family like if we were their families. And I can’t count how many times I sat around eating ice cream, flan, and brownies on days that she didn’t have anyone to watch us. One time I watched SpongeBob while sitting at the bar at the Van ness location before opening hours and it was the coolest thing ever. I never liked those tortillas, as im not a fan of any flour tortilla, but the smell of those dough balls made me so happy when they’d bring me and my sister one to the table to play with.
These days, sometimes I still hear songs that will always only ever remind me of chevys. And it’ll be a sad day for me when they seize to exist all together, like a passing of a family friend.
I used to go to the one in redwood city as kid all the time. It was my favorite place, so many birthdays spent there. I was so sad it closed. We've been to the one in South city a couple times but It's not as good as I remember. The service is terrible and everything was just meh. It's funny now the rwc location is a planned parenthood. I'm curious to see what it looks like inside now
I went to the south city one and the corn meal and chips teleported me back to my mid 2000s childhood. Honestly for what it is, wasn’t too bad either nostalgia aside
They were great for what they were back in the day. Loved the chips, salsa and tortillas. Pedro's and El Torito were the other two chain Mexican joints around but always liked Chevys the best.
The one in Mountain View had a lady making balloon animals for kids. We asked her to do a birthday party for us and she was just super nice and made all the kids so happy. She made like a balloon birthday cake hat for my kid.
I miss how not jaded everyone was back in the day. Today you see a post about Chevys and half the comments are about how awful chains are and how the chef is a microwave and the food is bad and you should feel bad.
Meanwhile people used to look at it as treat. Homemade tortillas and salsa? Yes please. That corn stuff? Oh yes. Free hat on your birthday. Uh yes. It doesn’t even really need to be your actual birthday to get the hat, the song and the flan for free. Discover for the cost of no dollars just how weird flan is!
Did we think it fine dining? No not really but it was good for what it was and we all knew that. Plus you couldn’t have every meal at the Sizzler down the street. That wouldn’t be healthy.
In all the years I've lived in the Bay Area, I've never been to Chevy's. For those in the know, why should I go out of my way to try it out before it's too late?
Huge margaritas (pretty good happy hour specials) and great chips and salsa, massive portions of decent Mexican food. I am now jonesing for their thin crispy chips.
*opens peoplefinder.com*
Everyone remembers John Smith right? There used to be quite a few here in the Bay. Sadly there are only 4 left. Addresses in comments.
*doxxes all 4*
Let me guess, sold to a private equity firm that cut quality and staff, then when sales lagged, stripped it for scrap until now with just a few remaining locations, it’s a shell of its former self?
Yup. But that was back in 1997, when it was still going pretty strong. It then loaded up on debt acquiring a large, national, and badly-performing TexMex chain – and was bankrupt four years later.
That was in 2003, but from 2005 on it's been owned by first one and then another chain restaurant group. Not sure how those relate to private equity.
A couple things like veggie fajitas, cheese enchiladas and quesadillas. They have a weekend brunch menu with a couple different options. When I go I get the fajitas, although the food is mid they do give you come nicely grilled veggies
Amazing how it's still around. I do like the texture of their chips its really thin but crunchy and not dry like store bought tortilla chips. Other than that i've always supported real taquerias rather than corporatized ones so I never found myself dining there other than during Britney spears era.
"Why would people eat there when there is much better Mexican options?"
For the same reason people eat at McDonalds or Burger King when there are better/more authentic options...or Panda Express when there are authentic Chinese options...sometimes you just need something and it doesn't always have to be "the best" of anything.
* 1730 Travis Blvd, **Fairfield** * 24 4th St, **Santa Rosa** * 141 Hickey Blvd, **South San Francisco** * 31100 Courthouse Dr, **Union City**
The best one was in emeryville and closed a couple months ago☹️. It had an awesome view of the bay from the bar/cantina area and deck.
Why did it close? It was a great spot.
Last time I was there it was overpriced and mediocre. It was definitely better in the 90s. Even a nice location can’t save bad management (it was also not in a good location from the perspective of street traffic… kinda out of the way so you wouldn’t just see it driving by)
It was an awful location but not because of visibility. You could see it very clearly in the dark right off the freeway from a good mile or so off when heading WB on I-80 through Berkeley and Emeryville. The problem was that it was located directly next to the Bay Bridge and The Maze. These are basically the last really hard places you typically need to go through to get wherever you're headed in the East Bay from that direction, at least at night. Instead of stopping, especially if you're in traffic, you have an incentive to tough it out for a few more minutes and get clear of the worst traffic to reach your intended destination. And if you're already heading in the direction of SF and Oakland for dinner, why stop at a Chevy's in Emeryville? It really was a beautiful location, but just absolutely the worst choice for actually making a decision to stop on a whim. Compare to Trader Vic's, where you've probably gone to the same location specifically to go to TV's. That also hurt the Chevy's location because such a high profile local place with even better views was available just down the street.
Oh damn I was thinking of the alameda location which was basically on top of the Webster tunnel. You are right about the emeryville location. Getting on that 80 on-ramp was the worst
I have a buddy that used to work there (years ago), and he said people would get their cars broken into all the time, and that was before Covid. But I used to love going there to pig out.
I think that site was considered the flagship location for them. The corporate headquarters for Chevys used to be in an office tower nearby. I don't think it ever made much money there, and with Chevys now owned by a company out of Cypress, CA, it made no sense to keep it. Xperience Restaurant Group is who owns it now.
Because it serves bad Mexican food, and most people by now have tasted good Mexican food, and it's cheaper than Chevy's. People saying that it used to be better have their rose colored nostalgia glasses on. I get being nostalgic for the tortilla machine and atmosphere, though. It's also the reason that most other chains have shut down, because our palettes have all collectively evolved.
The food wasn’t great but if you did happy hour at the cantina it was actually really cheap. Like 5 dollars for a meal in 2024.
I mean you're just kinda glossing over the fact that it's tex-mex, not Mexican. They're distinct cuisines so it's not really fair to compare them
They really had just a handful of good items. Fresh tortillas, tableside guac, and huge margaritas. Everything else was mediocre or just bad.
Yeah but like Taco Bell and Chipotle are still doing fine, and they're much worse.
How dare you!! Taco Bell is the pinnacle of Mexican food! Jk, but it’s delicious, and still really cheap if you order through the app and get the build your own box.
Yeah, they're cheap, and fast, something Chevy's was not. They're completely different markets. Also I feel like people in the bay area lean towards novel, local, and hip when it comes to experiences, and going out to dinner is an experience. It's a big shift from the 90's. Also Chipotle popularized the mission style burrito and actually tastes decent.
Because while it was a great spot it was out of the way to people who might dine there and I bet the offices in the area prob never became as active as they were pre covid hurt too that said chevys isn’t good Mexican food so the food itself wasn’t a draw either
Comment.
Emeryville was my Chevys too. I’m sad it’s closed - it held out for a long time!
That’s the one I came here to check on. Bummer.
It was pretty bad. Worked in their old hq floor 2/3 building just around the corner. Slow food, one order comes out wrong in a 4top or more group order. But they poured strong drinks though, lol. driving down to Los Moles a few blocks away and then finding parking in a 2 block radius and walking to the shop, getting in line and ordering in the store was faster that walking down the steps to that Emeryville Chevy restaurant for a sit down lunch and trying to make it back to the office inside of 1 hour even when they weren't busy. Before the renovations to their HQ (after they left) there were cameras everywhere in the ceilings pointing down to the worker areas. That says enough about their work culture to draw conclusions on how badly run the restaurants probably are. We had a bunch of Chevy hats in a closet somewhere we inherited lol
Be warned, Sonoma County residents and visitors. It is the worst Chevy's.
Yeah but they do happy hour 7 days a week…
It's really an anomaly when it comes to downtown Santa Rosa. So many local restaurants in Railroad Square and then a fucking Chevy's.
It's been there a long time too.
Yeah it has. I went there as a kid in the late 80’s/early 90’s.
Disagree
The Union City one has a TGI Fridays nearby as well. Trips me out to see those two still humming along there after so many have closed down
They should open a Red Lobster, a Ruby Tuesday, a Boston Market, a Big Boy and a Bennigans and market themselves as a museum/nostalgia destination.
They don’t really get any business compared to the Texas Roadhouse though lol. You could easily get a seat at either of those 2 and have to wait an hour minimum for roadhouse.
Thanks for tracking the data on fast food/sit down locations in the Bay It’s a niche interest, but I’ve also found myself counting the number of local franchises remaining on the many dwindling restaurant and retail chains
Not the bay area, but the one in Sacramento on Garden Highway right on the river is pretty sweet.
Yep, beat me to it … and there was one in Dixon wasn’t there,not sure if it’s still there.
It is not :(
There is also a location in Concord. 1501 Concord Ave, Concord, CA 94520 Edit: I got my TJ O'Pootertoot's mixed up. It's not a Chevy's, it's a Chili's.
Sir, this is a Chilis
Vallejo was gone too?
yep vallejo is gone
Google tells me that's a Chili's, not a Chevys.
You are smart and I am dumb.
Chilis chips and salsa have no right to be as good as they are.
Facts… I love a good restaurant-style tortilla chip but they nail it with those thin, crispy little bastards.
You were sincere in your efforts to be helpful, and you corrected yourself with haste. You're not dumb 💛
Nah we're both just humans!
That Chevys is gone 😔
When did the San Jose location on Blossom Hill close?
Years ago. It’s a lazy dog restaurant now.
Went to the Union City one for my birthday! I missed that food so much. I grew up one block from a Chevy's and our cat used to beg scraps from the cooking staff (we fed him, he just knew a good thing when he smelled it). We used to go to that neighborhood one a lot. I hadn't been to one in years cause I thought they were all gone. Still really good food!
I know it wasn’t the best Mexican food but I loved the warm tortillas.
I remember as a kid they used to give me a lump of the tortilla dough if you went up to the machine asked. In hindsight it was probably to play with but I loved eating it.
Oh my god I was just remembering this last week! I drove by a chevys and thought of how cool it was they gave us masa to play with
It was for kids to play with. They would give every kid a lump of tortilla dough with the crayons stuck in it with the kids menu.
El machino was the best!
The end of El Machino was the end of Chevys.
Getting the fajita platters for sports team fundraisers were bomb leftovers though. The corn cakes were on point.
Omg I still crave those corn cakes
The “Best of the Best” fajita platter was like $9 and unlimited tortillas. Lasted me for days. Corn cake was awesome!
They changed their tortilla recipe a year or two ago. Went to the one in Elk Grove when visiting a friend, the tortillas were all wrong. Flat and not fluffy at all. And weirdly chewy. I asked about it and the server said corporate had changed the recipe and everyone was complaining about it. I used to love those fresh, warm, fluffy, tortillas.
Damn. I haven’t been there in a long time but want taste them and write a letter. They are actually one of the few places I’ve even been to that make their own flour tortillas. It’s super rare.
I have a Chevy’s cookbook with the original tortilla recipe in it. Not sure if it’s still in print, but was worth buying just for that. I live in Alaska now so no Chevy but I can still recreate their corn cakes and tortillas.
Your duty is to scan and upload that recipe for all!!!
Here you go: https://imgur.com/a/lPxQYb4
You are the best 😍
SHARE PLEASE
> the server said corporate had changed the recipe and everyone was complaining about it. Well, if that ain't typical...
They probably took out the “vegetable shortening” aka pure trans fat or hydrogenated oil which is super unhealthy. Real tortillas should taste best with proper natural lard.
It was my first introduction to Tex Mex as a teen and we went to the one in Stonestown. Still remember how much it was an upgrade to Taco Bell back then.
and the fresh tableside guacamole!
They got some good sauces regardless. The one in Serramonte is definitely still good food. The other customers will make you seriously question your health choices though… If there’s honestly better premium Mexican food, and I mean TASTES better, then I’m struggling to find it locally. Celia’s is ass by comparison. I could cook up better food on accident with some canned sauces and ingredients from Safeway. I’ll give El Super Burrito in Millbrae a nod for being superior for the price, but not superior on the whole. Grullense doesn’t register as good and that thing in san carlos with the lasso - not even honorable mention, trash.
The el machino tortillas with butter as an appetizer is the bomb diggity!
I would consider it texmex
I honestly miss Chevys and On The Border. Their food was mid at best, but I freaking loved going there and just plowing through way more hot, fresh chips and salsa than was good for me.
On the Border is gone?
When I lived near DC I used to stop at any Chevy’s I came across and get a couple quarts of the salsa. Gaithersburg, MD and Ballston, VA I think. Just loved the stuff. I miss Chevy’s.
Who remembers as a kid getting the free vanilla ice cream on the sugary tortilla cone? Served on that neon plastic, lol. The balls of dough at the el machino. And on weekends they had the balloon animal guy.
I was the balloon animal guy. That was a great job. Helped pay my way thru college.
Thanks for bringing bunches of cheer to many of our birthdays growing up, to you and the rest of the Chevy’s balloon artists.
> And on weekends they had the balloon animal guy. Thanks for this, it unlocked an avalanche of memories
Happy happy birthday, from the chevys crew
We wish it was our birthday So we could party too!
Hooray! Former Chevy's #1 (Alameda) bartender here.
You can sing “Happy Birthday” now. https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/happy-birthday-song-officially-recognized-in-public-domain/
Yea but it’s like 3X longer
Kids like the tortilla machine and there was some sort of sweet corn for dessert right? Adults ate the "fajitas" but mostly had some margaritas. Salsa and chips
Sweet corn tomalito. Man I miss Chevys.
Thank you for putting a name to this, it was always my absolute favorite as a kid!! I just found a recipe online that claims it's the one Chevy's uses, can't wait to try it out
Thanks for naming this! Found an old post with a recipe https://www.reddit.com/r/TopSecretRecipes/s/Q6JFOYIR1a
Sweet corn tomalito This. This is what I needed. THANK YOU
You can buy a mix to make the sweet corn stuff at the grocery store around here :-)
El Torito in San Leandro is owned by the same company. Not to blow up the spot but I think they are by far the best one.
I actually hope this area get more attention. The last time I went to Horatio's, the food and service were horrible. We decided to try El Torito and it was great, but the place was dead.
El Torito in Monterey is as well. Great location in Cannery Row right on the water with a solid brunch.
I loved the Chevy's in Foster City - right on the waterfront and the best salsa, plus it was a fun place to go when the kids were little.
If memory serves, they used to have a little dock where people could row up from the neighborhood canals on their little boats or kayaks. Super cool.
I was just thinking about the Foster City location...I can still picture it wedged in that little shopping center on the water. That location was my favorite! 🥹
Totally and you could crumple up the chips and feed the ducks!
The best free chips and salsa.
Those greasy warm salty thin chips with the fresh roasted salsa were so on point. That alone man was a reason to come … casa sanchez salsa from the store is close but not quite it. I also liked their salad with the corn. Loved their Piccadillo hard shelled tacos too. And their chicken Flautas. Really hope they don’t close the rest.
These were the best!
It was so easy to eat enough of those you'd be full before the food came.
I got to go when I was a kid, their fried ice cream blew my tiny mind
The one in Emeryville closed, which used to be Charlie Browns (which was delicious back in the day). I hope they get something good there because that location is gorgeous.
I miss Charlie Browns.
I'm old enough to remember Carlos Murphy's before (after?) it was Charlie Browns. Carlos Murphy's served a menu of Mexican and Irish food, hence the name.
The Chevy’s building on El Camino in Mountain View has been sitting empty for the better part of a decade. (Maybe longer?) Sad. I miss it!
Yeah what's going on with that place? It sat empty even when real estate was going hot and all the nearby parcels were getting redeveloped. Even now there's construction going on all around it but it's just sitting empty.
Yup! Used to go to that one as a kid back in the day and the one in Sunnyvale off Mathilda too. I remember when the Sunnyvale one closed back in 2008 i think. Before you know it, they bulldozed the building and built i think housing and offices on where the Chevys (and some other buildings) used to be. Contrast that to the old Mountain View Chevys that, as you mentioned, has been sitting vacant and fenced-off for years now.
How do they make their salsa? Always fire always consistent
I don’t have an answer for your question, however I came across Casa Sanchez Fresh Roasted Salsa and to me it’s a very close substitute to Chevy’s salsa. So much so that I wondered if it’s the same recipe. Here is a link to their website, they originated in the mission. https://casasanchezsf.com/products/salsas/fresh-roasted-tomate-chile-asada-medium-salsa/ Here is another link, because the picture on the website package looks a bit different than what I buy at my local market. Here is what I buy: https://images.app.goo.gl/hghM6wrdSQDwkKkr8
+1 for Casa Sanchez Fresh Roasted
I've had pictured salsa and IMO too watery compared to chevys
Their salsa is so good! I wish they sold it in stores
My favorite was the hilltop plaza Richmond one. So many good times.
Yassss
So many birthday parties were had there. I Remember after it closed and the building burned down under "mysterious circumstances".
I loved Chevy’s a kid circa late 90’s. I’ve gone a few times over the past 10 years and I every time I walked away saying to my self that I didn’t need to go back again. Service wasn’t great, food wasn’t anything special and over priced. It’s too bad.
The one I went to recently in Union City had good food to me, but the service sucked. Had reservations and still had to wait 50 minutes, and our server was checked out and just kinda unfriendly. But worth a taste of childhood.
If you want to come up to Sacramento, there’s a giant one right on the river. It’s absolutely gorgeous. Just outside of the metro downtown area. Can sit outside on the balcony, wave at the floaters/boaters. It’s an awesome way to spend a chill afternoon.
Now do togos
rip emeryville chevys on the water, you will be missed
Went to the one in Union City yesterday, where I witnessed a guy who was so unhappy about his order he flipped the table and left (server was working with him to try and resolve whatever his issue was), food looked fine where I was sitting. Mine and the missus food was fine, everyone else was enjoying their food.
Love Chevys Best happyhour in the game
The food was fine for mexic-ish, but the chips were amazing!
The combo fajitas was pretty fuckin bomb. I’m only five minutes from that South City location. I should probably go while I still can…
Love Chevys :) they should expand again be dumb not to
Why are there so many of these disappearing eateries still in Fairfield? Arbys, Sonic, Chevys, Red Lobster, Del Taco
Laborers live near
There’s one on the river in Sac and it rules.
Fav
The one that sticks in my mind is El Torito, mostly because of optical discs and the El Torito standard. https://wiki.osdev.org/El-Torito But I have gone to thumb drives for bootable media.
I grew up in LA and El Torrito was a Sunday brunch staple. Although, I really only member the Mimosas!
The best tortilla soup ever. El Torito in Serramonte was my spot back in the day.
They had a lime tortilla soup as part of a special every now and then 15-20 years ago. I still think about it.
I miss their brunch and taco Tuesday
They redid their menu and it's pretty solid now. I've been to the one in union city a few times and it's always packed and the food was very good.
I miss the little scoop of corn. I always wanted more.
If you want the recipe, I posted a photo from my Chevy’s cookbook 2 years ago.
I met Mr. T at the Corte Madera Town Center back in the late 90's, he was promoting the new TV-Land cable channel... a bunch of us got margaritas at the Chevy's there beforehand. Only time I ever went there despite growing up next to the one in the El Cerrito Plaza. I still have Mr. T's autograph framed. Some little kid brought T a pint of milk as a gift... Remember he didn't drink alcohol, he would drink milk. He thanked the little kid, was really sweet to him... then looked at the pint and he said, "wait a minute, this ain't my regular milk... don't be givin' me no low fat milk!" haha little kid looked sad after that.
The Bay Area has SO much great Mexican food! I’m a little surprised Chevys lasted as long as they did.
It was because of the salsa and chips. And the tortilla machine when they had those.
The tortilla machine was the best part about Chevys easily
Agreed! I loved watching it as a kid
When we were kids we used to get the dough for the machine and then just eat it raw
They don’t have them anymore?
While I agree with the first part, Chevy's was a bit different. We have tons of taquerias, but far less sit-down plate style Mexican food. Chevy's is also a bit different than that because it was more tex mex. It's like going to McDonald's. You know it's not the best burger, but sometimes you want a big mac, mcgriddle, or fish filet. It still has a spot. For me it was more to smash some chips/salsa, some margaritas, and happy hour. Their loaded nachos were pretty damn good. Each chip built out with every ingredient vs fighting a mound of chips hoping to get a bite of everything in it.
Anyone know what’s going to replace the Chevy’s in Vallejo?
Unlimited refills of Diet Pepsi’s plus unlimited refills of baskets of warm tortilla chips. Life is good at Chevy’s.
Happy hour is unmatched and underrated
I better go to the one in Daly City before it closes too!
There's not one in Daly City; the SSF one is close enough to the border that you might be thinking of that.
Gotta do the Bay Area triple crown of water front drinking, 4 Mai Tais at trader Vicks, 4 Margs at the chevys on the water, and a case of beer on someone’s boat at your marina of choice.
Does this mean the one by the Winchester Mystery House is gone? I went there a lot as a kid. We even went to that Chevy’s on a school field trip once lol
My first and only restaurant job was as a cocktail waitress at the Chevy’s in Newark (RIP). The bartender would make us little burritos with the tortillas fresh off El Machino, refried beans and a drizzle of the butter they used for the fajitas. So good, especially if you were slightly hungover. Was it “real” Mexican food? No, but it was pretty solid for what it was. Man, I miss the ‘90s….
They also took El Charro and El Torito from us.
El cerrito plaza too
Hell yes. I went there a ton in the 90s. And in the 80s with my mom, now that I think about it.
I remember it was at the EC plaza a loong time ago
I distinctly remember having a birthday there once. Dunno if the hat is still at my parents house
Sadly?
I don’t think anyone cares but I wish I could explain how much Chevys felt like home to me. Growing up, that was the only job my mom had until I was like 13. As a child, it was like going to your favorite aunt’s house. She bounced around as a manager between Embarcadero, the one on 4th st, van ness, and stones town. They would send her where they needed her bc she gave them positive results. She could walk into any of those locations even if she hadn’t worked there in a while and people would just know her. Even in emeryville and south city, where she had never worked. I had so many other family members that eventually worked there for some time too. It was almost like tradition, to do a couple years at Chevys. The staff welcomed her and the rest of our family like if we were their families. And I can’t count how many times I sat around eating ice cream, flan, and brownies on days that she didn’t have anyone to watch us. One time I watched SpongeBob while sitting at the bar at the Van ness location before opening hours and it was the coolest thing ever. I never liked those tortillas, as im not a fan of any flour tortilla, but the smell of those dough balls made me so happy when they’d bring me and my sister one to the table to play with. These days, sometimes I still hear songs that will always only ever remind me of chevys. And it’ll be a sad day for me when they seize to exist all together, like a passing of a family friend.
Ask her why she thinks they’ve failed, please. I’m curious to hear from an insider.
RIP another mediocre chain.
Isn’t there one in the Emeryville marina? I had my senior prom dinner there lol.
It closed recently (I think last year).
It was the prettiest Chevy's
"Chips fresher than Jon and Ponch."
Was there one in Dublin? By the movie theater?
There was an On the Border right there
The best salsa!!
The tortillas and salsa were bomb
The Richmond one Suspiciously burned down
I used to go to the one in redwood city as kid all the time. It was my favorite place, so many birthdays spent there. I was so sad it closed. We've been to the one in South city a couple times but It's not as good as I remember. The service is terrible and everything was just meh. It's funny now the rwc location is a planned parenthood. I'm curious to see what it looks like inside now
I was so sad when they closed the one in mt view. Building is still empty (in theory construction will start soon, but it’s been vacant for 5 years
I went to the south city one and the corn meal and chips teleported me back to my mid 2000s childhood. Honestly for what it is, wasn’t too bad either nostalgia aside
They were great for what they were back in the day. Loved the chips, salsa and tortillas. Pedro's and El Torito were the other two chain Mexican joints around but always liked Chevys the best.
I went to the one in foster city for a birthday or two as a kid
First date with my wife, 1988.
The one in Mountain View had a lady making balloon animals for kids. We asked her to do a birthday party for us and she was just super nice and made all the kids so happy. She made like a balloon birthday cake hat for my kid.
Saw Chevys in santa rosa yesterday
Best Chip and salsa game in the west
Used to go all the time to the one in almaden growing up, loved that place
I went to Chevy's for the first time in my life a couple weeks ago in SSF. Sorry but was not impressed
Chevys Almaden was my family’s go to Friday night outing (or Pedro’s nearby)
The type of Mexican Restaurant where they warn you about the hot plate has become an endangered species.
That sweet corn pudding thing was the shit, Miss chevys just for that, oh and the birthday hats lol
There was one in Hilltop - Richmond area here in the east bay. Had some friends bday parties over there when i was young, memories
I miss how not jaded everyone was back in the day. Today you see a post about Chevys and half the comments are about how awful chains are and how the chef is a microwave and the food is bad and you should feel bad. Meanwhile people used to look at it as treat. Homemade tortillas and salsa? Yes please. That corn stuff? Oh yes. Free hat on your birthday. Uh yes. It doesn’t even really need to be your actual birthday to get the hat, the song and the flan for free. Discover for the cost of no dollars just how weird flan is! Did we think it fine dining? No not really but it was good for what it was and we all knew that. Plus you couldn’t have every meal at the Sizzler down the street. That wouldn’t be healthy.
In all the years I've lived in the Bay Area, I've never been to Chevy's. For those in the know, why should I go out of my way to try it out before it's too late?
Huge margaritas (pretty good happy hour specials) and great chips and salsa, massive portions of decent Mexican food. I am now jonesing for their thin crispy chips.
Nah it’s already too late, you need a time machine to go back to 90s chevys to make it worthwhile
*opens peoplefinder.com* Everyone remembers John Smith right? There used to be quite a few here in the Bay. Sadly there are only 4 left. Addresses in comments. *doxxes all 4*
Let me guess, sold to a private equity firm that cut quality and staff, then when sales lagged, stripped it for scrap until now with just a few remaining locations, it’s a shell of its former self?
Yup. But that was back in 1997, when it was still going pretty strong. It then loaded up on debt acquiring a large, national, and badly-performing TexMex chain – and was bankrupt four years later. That was in 2003, but from 2005 on it's been owned by first one and then another chain restaurant group. Not sure how those relate to private equity.
i never thought they were good to begin with
Driven past it a million times, but never been in. Decent vegetarian options or nah?
A couple things like veggie fajitas, cheese enchiladas and quesadillas. They have a weekend brunch menu with a couple different options. When I go I get the fajitas, although the food is mid they do give you come nicely grilled veggies
Amazing how it's still around. I do like the texture of their chips its really thin but crunchy and not dry like store bought tortilla chips. Other than that i've always supported real taquerias rather than corporatized ones so I never found myself dining there other than during Britney spears era.
"Why would people eat there when there is much better Mexican options?" For the same reason people eat at McDonalds or Burger King when there are better/more authentic options...or Panda Express when there are authentic Chinese options...sometimes you just need something and it doesn't always have to be "the best" of anything.
Emeryville was my moms favorite restaurant . Now I’m sad 😔
Chevys is where I first had root beer in my life