Chuy's Chile Rellenos

Ok. I feel obligated to post this. Now, there are some restaurants where I have a short list of entrees that I'll order--maybe 2 or 3 or so. But, the only place where I order the same thing every time is Chuy's. I always go to the Barton Springs location. I've had less luck at other locations that I've tried.

Go try their cheese chile rellenos with the spicy green chile sauce. This is one of my all-time favorite dishes. I have not ordered anything else at Chuy's since the early 90's. They are deep fried-filled with cheese (I think jack cheese) and smothered in delicious, spicy green chile.

I ate there last night and felt a moral obligation to share my views.

[swamp]

I recently tried Chuy's for the first time after hearing friends rave about their food for years. I have to say I just don't get it. Chile Rellenos is by far my favorite Mexican dish and I thought Chuy's were horrible.

Of course I understand this is all about personal taste, and obviously by the looks of these comments many people disagree. Precisely what so many here like about them is what I dislike. The deep fried batter they use. It reminded me more of a fried chicken batter than chile rellenos batter. I much prefer the soft puffy batter found on a more traditional Tex-Mex chile rellenos. My dining companion and I both left and decided we were glad we tried Chuy's but will not be returning anytime soon.

However, every time I pass the place it is packed with people sitting outside waiting to be seated so I am sure they will not miss me.

[saeyedoc]

If you like authentic Chile Rellenos, try the picadillo version at Ceilito Lindo (Stone Oak and Huebner in SA)

[Jaymes]

Don't know where you are, but we love the chiles rellenos at Rosie's Tamale House out in Bee Caves. Rosie's son opened another location in town (Austin), and it was pretty good (don't even know if it's still open).

But not as good as that Rosie's out by the lake.

[sogers]

Wow, 2003! My husband and I were trying to decide on a restaurant tonight, he requested chili rellenos especially and I set out to research who had the best when I stumbled on this thread. Chuy's is where he wanted to go originally and I guess he was right! We just go there so often and I wanted to try some where new -- can't argue with the best though!

[Prairie Song]

Oh, I am so with you when it comes to Chuy's cheese chile rellenos. They are the best ever! I order them without sauce but with the ranchero sauce and the deluxe tomatillo sauce on the side. That way, I get them three ways as they are delicious plain as well. I've been eating them for at least 16 years now and like you, that was all I ever ordered when going to Chuy's. But a year or so ago a freind ordered Special Nachos as an appetizer and I was very plesantly surprised so on occasion, I will break the chile relleno cycle with an order of the special nachos. After living in Texas and eating at Chuy's, my brother moved to Boulder. A few years ago he stated that he would give $1000 for a Chuy's Chile Relleno (the meat version) at that very moment. He was absolutely serious.

[mtleahy]

Does anyone know how these are made? They do not seem to use that thick puffy batter, but instead have a crispier almost like fried chicken crust. Are they merely rolled in egg and then flour or what? If you have a recipe for them, even better!!

[Dominic]

I can't speak for all other recipes I can only tell you how my wife makes them. After stuffing the chiles with cheese (your choice) she dredges them in whipped egg whites. Then she dredges them in flour and deep fries them until golden brown. The key is starting with good Roasted Hatch Green Chlie.

Amen and Hallelujah!

Chuy's Chile Rellenos are the standard by which all others are judged. My wife says they don't count cuz they are not traditional, but I say they rock!

My fave is the cheese-filled with Deluxe Tomatillo sauce. I usually get the combo so I can get a cheese enchilada with chile gravy too.

There was a Chuy's for a brief while in Southern California...I was there twice a week until they closed.

[Prairie Song]

You are absolutely correct! If 'terrific' is better than traditional, then screw traditional! Chuy's cheese chile rellenos absolutely rock!!!

I'm exactly the same way. Mine is the Chuychanga with lots of tomatillo sauce, the green rice, and burracho beans. You need to ask for the jalepeno ranch, too, when they bring you the salsa. Actually, my sister is in from Salt Lake and that's always her first meal when she gets off the plane and her last meal before she heads to the airport. We're having lunch there today.

On a related note, don't miss their Special Nachos.

They are awesome, at least at the River Oaks location in Houston. Served on half a taco shell instead of a chip.

They are even better after you take them home and let them sit in the fridge for a while.

Yummy!

Yummie. Chile Rellenos & nachos. My very favorite things. But my favorite place to eat both of those things is Rosie's Tamale House out by the lake. Has anyone tried them there??

Where is it located?

I'll check it out next time I am in Austin.

It's out HWY 71 - by the lake - sort of at the junction of 620 & 71 - at Bee Caves.

Everyone in town knows about it. It's an Austin institution and (so they say) Willie's favorite Mex restaurant.

[Jaymes]

I'm with you. The chile rellenos out at that Rosie's are my favorite as well.

I will say that I haven't tried Chuy's. As I no longer live in the Austin area, guess I'd better try the Chuy's in Houston.

[James Cristinian]

Wow, where you dig up this seven year old thread? Okay, I'll take the bait. I went to Chuy's in Houston a couple of years ago and never went back. I don't remember what I had, but it didn't blow me away or I would have returned.

[Jaymes]

This old thread just reappeared. And as I love chiles rellenos, I had to look.

But you can thank Prairie Song (see below) for rediscovering it.

Not I.

[James Cristinian]

Sorry Jaymes, missed that one. A chile relleno I particularly like is the one at Otililla's on Long Point. I just get the cheese one, but the sauce that comes with it is delicious. This place was once a trendy, out of the way place. Now it's trendy to bash it, not unlike a certain professional golfer. Give it a try.