Tijuana Flats makes its Illinois debut at Oakbrook Terrace location

Oakbrook Terrace will get the primary Illinois location of a restaurant that payments itself as “Tex-Mex For All” when Tijuana Flats opens Could 31 on the southwest nook of Butterfield and Midwest Roads.

Headquartered in Florida, Tijuana Flats presently has 125 areas, most within the Southeastern a part of the nation, mentioned Brian Wright, chief govt officer. Of the present areas, Wright mentioned 18 are franchised, and the remainder are company owned. He mentioned the Oakbrook Terrace restaurant is owned by a franchise group that plans to open further areas within the Chicago space.

“We’re very enthusiastic about opening in Oakbrook Terrace,” mentioned Wright, who was born in Highland Park. “That space is booming, and Chicago is among the greatest meals cities within the nation.”

Wright referred to as Tijuana Flats a “fast-casual-plus” eating expertise. Clients place their orders with the cashier after which sit down, the place they’re served. The Oakbrook Terrace location has seating for about 65 folks indoors and not less than 12 open air.

“After they sit down, it’s extra like informal eating, with the meals being introduced out and drinks being refilled,” Wright mentioned. “We’re designed to be somewhat totally different, and each meals merchandise is constituted of scratch. We even have extra gadgets than a lot of the fast-food, Tex-Mex eating places, and we will customise something.”

The common menu affords wings, sides, starters and desserts, together with entrees, which embody a wide range of tacos, quesadillas, bowls, burritos, salads, flautas and chimichangas. Smokin’ Chipotle Rooster Chimichanga, Habanero and Agave Glaze Wings, and Cookie Dough Flautas are among the choices. One of many options of Tijuana Flats is a scorching sauce bar, which options 12 to fifteen flavors.

Highly regarded is Tijuana Tuesdaze, which affords two tacos, chips and a drink for $7.99. Whereas menu costs differ, Wright mentioned it’s very doable to buy a meal for $9 to $11. He mentioned enterprise at most areas usually has been break up pretty evenly between lunch and dinner.

“We even have the need to make it really feel extra like a mother and pop, somewhat than a series,” Wright mentioned. “We would like folks to really feel a reference to the group after they are available in.”

One of many methods that’s executed is with massive painted murals, that are designed with native photos for every Tijuana Flats location.

Providing a superb worth is also a precedence for Tijuana Flats, Wright mentioned.

“Individuals are searching for that worth, particularly with inflation, and we ensure they’re in a position to get that,” he mentioned. “You by no means get a second change to make a primary impression.”

Wright borrowed cash from his father in 1995 to open his first Tijuana Flats in Winter Park, Florida. In 1999, Wright’s success caught the attention of Camp Fitch of the restaurant trade, who left retirement to turn out to be accomplice and chairman of Tijuana Flats. Wright’s father, Chester Wheeler, quickly after left a 30-year profession at a Fortune 500 firm to turn out to be chief monetary officer of Tijuana Flats.

Since its inception, Tijuana Flats has given again to the group. And in January 2007, the enterprise created the Simply in Queso Basis to provide again extra and has raised greater than $4 million. As well as, workers have donated many hours to assist these in want.

Enterprise hours for the Oakbrook Terrace Tijuana Flats are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.

Chuck Fieldman is a contract reporter for Pioneer Press.