The Salsafication of a New Generation: Chi-Chi’s Returns to the Table

Just as important is the return to what once made Chi-Chi’s feel like more than a meal. McDermott has spoken about rebuilding the restaurant as a gathering place — the kind where memories form naturally, not through marketing. To fund the effort, longtime fans were invited to invest directly, turning sentiment into shared responsibility.

The dining rooms are brighter now, lighter in tone, respectful of history without being trapped in it.

Looking ahead, expansion is planned across the regions where Chi-Chi’s first took root, blending company-owned locations with franchises. The early response suggests something deeper than curiosity is at work. People aren’t only returning for food — they’re returning for a feeling they remember.