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Central Newsmagazine is Central St. Louis County's
exclusive direct-mailed community newspaper. |
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Central Newsmagazine Dining Spotlight |
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Olivette Chevys has fresh look, ‘Fresh Mex’By Betsy Zatkulak
 A prime location, unbelievably good Mexican food and a fun environment are just some of the reasons why Chevys Fresh Mex in Olivette is No. 1 in sales for the region. In fact, a main ingredient of Chevys’ success is the deep bond its management and staff share with the people of Olivette. “The community here loves us, and we love being a part of Olivette,” said Esam Elqunni, a co-owner of the restaurant. “We just have a great working relationship.” Centrally located on Olive Boulevard, Chevys Fresh Mex recently celebrated a complete floor-to-ceiling makeover without skipping a beat. “We never closed down,” said John Holman, Chevys’ general manager. “People worked all night and we’d come in the morning and clean up and by 11:00 we were ready to open. Everything is totally new inside – new tables, new booths, the floor – everything.” Chevys’ eclectic interior showcases the best of Mexico with indigo-stained walls, iron works and a colorful motif designed to inspire a comfortable Southwestern experience. The expansive patio is the perfect setting to enjoy Chevys Fresh Mex signature margaritas. One iconic feature is Chevys’ trademark El Machino® that produces hot tortillas every 45 seconds throughout the day for all to see. “It’s just the neatest building to work with,” Elqunni said of the historic building. “To remodel this building you really have to use some creativity to keep the architecture the same.” As for the food, Chevys Fresh Mex pledges to use only the freshest flavors for their Mexico-inspired dishes made from scratch daily by people who are dedicated to serving only the best. They are famous for their sizzling fajitas grilled over real mesquite, but Chevys promises something for everyone. “If you’re a vegetarian, we can accommodate you,” Elqunni said. “We have a gluten-free menu to accommodate people who have allergies…we do a lot of things to make sure that when your meal gets out to the table, it’s as healthy it can be.” Chevys’ zero-trans-fat menu features mouth-watering items like Juicy Achiote Shrimp Fajitas, Artichoke & Mushroom Enchiladas, Signature Combos and the top-selling fan favorites: the sizzling Fajita Burrito and Chimichangas stuffed with picadillo beef or salsa chicken, cheese and beans, and smothered in chile con queso. According to Elqunni, a must-try item is the Mixed Grill Combo, which includes baby back ribs, fuego-seasoned shrimp, marinated skirt steak and grilled chicken – all of Chevys’ best on one giant platter. With 10 locations and one more in the works, Chevys’ commitment to being the very best is unwavering. “Our goal is for our guests to come in and have great food, great atmosphere, great service and a nice clean environment,” Elqunni said. “We want to be at the top of the list of places they want to be.”
Chevy’s Fresh Mex 9119 Olive Blvd., Olivette (314) 997-3700
11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday – Thursday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday
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