Chi-Chi's Returns To Minnesota, Now Opening In Just Days

Chi-Chi's was a popular restaurant chain that was founded here in Minnesota and closed its last location permanently over 20 years ago. But a new version is now set to reopen in just days.

When it comes to nostalgia, few things bring up as many fond memories as those once-popular restaurants that are now gone for good. To start walking down memory lane, all you have to do is think about some of those places your parents took you when you were a kid that are now long since gone.

And, restaurants play a unique role in our economy and culture, both here in Minnesota and across the country. The National Restaurant Association estimates that there are currently over 11,100 restaurants in the North Star State, generating over $15 billion in sales.

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As we heard last year, one of those classic restaurant chains, however, is set to make a comeback. CNN reports that Chi-Chi's, the Tex-Mex chain founded in Minneapolis by former Green Bay Packers player Max McGee and Marno McDermott in the Land of 10,000 Lakes in 1975, is planning on opening several restaurants in Minnesota, with its St. Louis Park location set to open in just days.

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At its peak, the Chi-Chi's chain had over 200 locations, CNN reported, but closed in 2004 after a hepatitis A outbreak traced to green onions in its complimentary salsa sickened over 650 people and caused four deaths. (Check out the Chi-Chi's TV commercial from 36 years ago below!)

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While the last Chi-Chi's restaurant location closed 20 years ago, the Chi-Chi's brand of products, including salsas and dips, tortillas, tortilla chips, chilis, and mixes, has been available in stores since the late 80s, and is still going strong, currently owned by Hormel Foods of Austin, Minnesota.

And last year, CNN reported that Michael McDermott, son of founder Marno McDermott, signed an agreement with Hormel to bring the Chi-Chi's restaurant chain back next year. And according to BringMeTheNews, the new-again Chi-Chi's will open its flagship store on Monday, October 6th, 2025, in the Shops at West End in St. Louis Park.

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This Chi-Chi's revival isn't the first classic restaurant from the past to reopen, however. Earlier this summer, the Bold North became host to a newly reopened version of the classic Steak and Ale chain, as well.

So, a big congrats to all parties involved for bringing this classic restaurant back to life! Of course, that's not the case for many other popular chains, however. Keep scrolling to check out 50 beloved retail chains that weren't so successful and are now not around anymore.