Our Story

The Heart Behind Chuys — Bold Food, Real People

Name: Chuys
Address: 7314 Waverly Walk Ave E8, Charlotte, NC 28277, USA, US
Telephone: +1 704-849-0017
Price range: $$

At Chuys, we believe great food starts with genuine passion. From our first kitchen in Charlotte, NC, we've built a restaurant around fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and a community that feels like family. Welcome to the story behind chuy's.

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Chuys restaurant interior with warm lighting

Fresh food being prepared at Chuys kitchen

12+ Years Serving

50K+ Happy Guests

4.8★ Avg. Rating

Chuys founder cooking in the original Charlotte kitchen

How It All Began

A Small Kitchen, a Big Dream

Chuys was born in 2012 from a single belief: that honest, scratch-made food has the power to bring people together. Our founder, Carlos "Chuy" Mendez, opened our first location on Waverly Walk in Charlotte, NC with nothing but a cast-iron skillet, his grandmother's recipes, and an unshakeable love for bold, vibrant cuisine.

What started as a 12-table neighborhood spot quickly earned a loyal following — not through flashy gimmicks, but through the kind of food that makes you close your eyes with the first bite. Word spread fast in Charlotte. By 2015, we had grown to a full dining room, a bustling weekend brunch, and a catering operation that brought chuys flavors to events across the city.

Today, Chuys is more than a restaurant — it's a gathering place for the community. We partner with local farms, support neighborhood events, and hire from within. Our kitchen has evolved, but the soul of what we do has never changed: real food, real people, real hospitality.

12+ Years in Business

50K+ Guests Served

25+ Team Members

3 Local Farm Partners

Why We Exist

Our Mission & Core Pillars

Everything we do at Chuys flows from three simple commitments — to our guests, our team, and our community.

Fresh. Always.

We source produce daily from local Charlotte-area farms. No freezer shortcuts. Every ingredient that enters our kitchen is selected for quality and handled with care — because you can taste the difference.

Community First

Chuys exists because of Charlotte. We reinvest in the neighborhoods we serve — from sponsoring local schools to donating meals to families in need. Our success is your success.

Bold, Honest Flavors

We don't do bland. Our recipes are bold, inspired by generations of culinary tradition, and crafted to leave a lasting impression. Chuy's food is an experience — every plate, every time.

Genuine Hospitality

From the moment you walk in, you're a guest — not a transaction. Our team is trained to make every visit feel personal, warm, and memorable. That's the Chuys difference.

Sustainability

We're committed to reducing waste, sourcing responsibly, and making our operations greener every year. From compostable packaging to energy-efficient kitchens, we're building for the future.

Uncompromising Quality

Every dish that leaves our kitchen meets the same standard: would we be proud to serve it to family? If the answer is ever no, it goes back. Quality isn't a goal at Chuys — it's the baseline.

What We Stand For

Our Values Shape
Every Decision We Make

At Chuys, our values aren't just words on a wall — they're the criteria we use when hiring, sourcing, cooking, and serving. Here's what guides us every single day.

Integrity in Every Ingredient

We never substitute quality for convenience. If we can't source it fresh, we don't serve it. Transparency with our guests about what's on their plate is non-negotiable.

Joy Through Food

Food is one of life's great pleasures. We want every guest to leave happier than when they arrived — and every team member to feel proud of what they create.

Respect for the Earth

We source seasonally, reduce food waste daily, and partner with farms that share our commitment to responsible land stewardship. Good food should leave the planet better, not worse.

Invest in Our People

Every Chuys team member receives ongoing culinary and hospitality training. We promote from within, pay fairly, and celebrate the humans who make this place great.

Chuys team collaborating in the restaurant kitchen

Our Journey

The Chuys Story, Year by Year

From a 12-table neighborhood spot to a beloved Charlotte institution — here's how we got here.

2012

Doors Open on Waverly Walk

Carlos "Chuy" Mendez opens the first Chuys location in Charlotte, NC with 12 tables, a hand-written menu, and recipes passed down through three generations.

2014

Best New Restaurant — Charlotte Observer

Just two years in, the Charlotte Observer names Chuys "Best New Restaurant." The recognition brings a wave of new guests and puts Chuys on the city's culinary map.

2016

Full Dining Room Renovation & Brunch Launch

Chuys expands to a full 60-seat dining room and launches its legendary weekend brunch — which quickly becomes one of Charlotte's most sought-after reservations.

2018

Catering & Events Division Launches

Demand for Chuys at private events leads to the launch of our full catering operation, serving weddings, corporate events, and celebrations across the greater Charlotte area.

2020

Community Kitchen Initiative

During a challenging year for Charlotte, Chuys launches its Community Kitchen program — providing over 8,000 meals to food-insecure families across Mecklenburg County.

2022

Online Ordering & Franchise Program

Chuys launches its digital ordering platform and opens the Franchise Program, allowing passionate food entrepreneurs to bring the chuys experience to new communities.

2024 — Today

50,000 Guests & Still Growing

Chuys celebrates serving its 50,000th guest, completes a kitchen sustainability upgrade, and continues to expand its team. The best chapter is still being written.

The People

Meet the Faces Behind Chuys

Our team is the heart of everything we do. Passionate, talented, and deeply committed to making your experience unforgettable.

Carlos Mendez, Founder and Head Chef of Chuys

Carlos "Chuy" Mendez

Founder & Head Chef

The visionary behind Chuys. Carlos brings 20+ years of culinary passion rooted in family tradition and a relentless drive to create food that connects people.

Maria Santos

Executive Sous Chef

A Charlotte Culinary Institute graduate, Maria joined Chuys in 2014 and has been instrumental in developing our seasonal menus and refining every recipe on the board.

James Okafor

General Manager

James ensures every guest leaves with a smile. With 10 years of front-of-house leadership, he sets the standard for service excellence and team culture at Chuys.

Priya Sharma

Pastry Chef & Dessert Director

Priya crafts every dessert from scratch using seasonal fruits and artisan chocolate. Her creations have earned Chuys a reputation as the city's go-to destination for indulgent finishes.

Want to be part of the Chuys family? We're always looking for passionate people.

Get in Touch

Ready to Taste It?

Come Experience Chuys for Yourself

Every story is better told over great food. Visit us in Charlotte, NC, order online, or explore our full menu — we're ready for you.

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Visit Us

7314 Waverly Walk Ave E8,
Charlotte, NC 28277

Call Us

+1 704-849-0017

Hours

Mon–Fri: 9am–6pm
Sat: 10am–4pm

Email

[email protected]