UPDATED: Austin-based Chuy’s restaurant expanding to Plano, taking over Shady Oaks site

Updated 12:00 p.m., November 17, 2008

by Teresa Gubbins

The bad news: Shady Oak Barbecue & Grill in Plano closed on Monday August 11.

The good news: The space will become home to a second branch of Chuy's, the Austin-based Tex-Mex chain with a hugely popular branch in Dallas at Knox and McKinney.

A rather guarded employee at the Dallas Chuy's acknowledged that the site on US 75 at Parker will become a Chuy's on November 15, and that a third branch would be opening "somewhere in the area", though he would not confirm that the third location would be in the overwhelmingly-likely town of Allen.

Shady Oaks Barbecue is an upscale offshoot of the Spring Creek Barbecue chain, with a nicer dining room, bigger menu including burgers and chicken-fried steak, and a bar. A Spring Creek employee said that the Shady Oaks concept was "mostly a try-out deal", and that the Plano location never matched the brisk business of the branch in Fort Worth, which is not slated to close. A branch in Arlington has been temporarily shuttered due to construction on I-30, and will reportedly re-open once the Cowboys stadium is built. Owner Chris Carroll also owns the Mexican Inn chain.

UPDATE: The Plano branch is now open.

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Anonymous

OK. I have been really quiet on the Chuy's gone "Corporate" issue. As once, a long time customer. I have seen this place decline over the last two years. From getting great quality food and service. To skimpy portions and who are you attitude. Best of luck in your future endeavors, old friend.

btw, When you expand? Change the menu from as big as your face burritos, to as small as you pinky.

Mike Bullock Staff

1 year, 3 months ago
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Awww, Mike. I love Chuy's and actually think it's gotten better over the past few years. Just MHO but the quality is really good and the price is right. Maybe it's more corporate but at least it hasn't been Brinkerized.