El Chico in Texas: See Every Remaining Location of the Classic Mexican Restaurant Chain

For many of us, Texas originals hold a nostalgic and special place in our hearts. From Fuddruckers to Bucc-ee's, they remind us of times spent with family or on epic adventures.

History of El Chico Mexican Restaurants in Texas

El Chico holds a special place in Texas restaurant history. In the beautifully written piece The Family Who Sold Tex-Mex to America written by Nancy Nichols for D Magazine, the argument is made that El Chico "sold" Tex-Mex to America.

While I highly recommend you read that article in its entirety, I will paraphrase it for you here.

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In 1940, four brothers, Mack, Alfred, Gilbert, and Willie Cuellar, opened the first El Chico in Dallas using their mother's recipes. By 1950, the brothers had five restaurants in operation. This is well before McDonald's had more than a single location. The brothers were chain pioneers.

In 1962, the brothers opened a location inside a brand new amusement park: Six Flags Over Texas. Because Six Flags was very full of people who had never tried Mexican food before, the restaurant also served chicken-fried steak and fried chicken. Of course, once people tried Mexican food, they loved it.

The brothers would go on to have many adventures and misadventures and would become millionaires before 1970. The 70s would bring about other Texas chain favorites, like Chili's and The Black-eyed Pea.

Read More: There's One Black Eyed Pea Left In Texas, Is It Worth The Trip

El Chico would go on to change ownership several times, and like some Texas chains, its numbers atrophied over the years. Now, there are only five El Chico locations left in Texas, and 13 in the Southern U.S.

So if you still have an El Chico in your hometown, count yourself lucky. You have a true "taste" of Texas history at your fingertips.

Full List of Remaining El Chico Restaurants in Texas