Tex-Mex chain to make area debut

TAMPA — Austin, Texas-based Tex-Mex restaurant Chuy's will open its first Tampa Bay area location this spring.

The new location is near Cypress Creek Town Center in Wesley Chapel, at 25750 Sierra Center Blvd. It will be the ninth Chuy's in Florida. The company has other locations in Orlando, Jacksonville, Gainesville and Tallahassee.

According to a press release, Chuy's uses authentic recipes from south Texas, New Mexico and Mexican border towns.

The new location will be 8,500 square feet with a 605-square-foot patio. The decor will include elements like a custom Elvis shrine, the La Chihuahua Bar with framed pictures of local dogs, a school of hand-carved wooden fish, metal palm trees and a hubcap-covered ceiling.