Rockville construction update: Chuy's (Photos)

The lighted sign has been installed on the front facade of Chuy's, the Tex-Mex chain restaurant opening next month at Federal Plaza on Rockville Pike. Some furniture is in place in the dining room, as well as some stringed, colored lights under the front overhang.

Chuy's throws a party in Rockville (Photos)

Tex-Mex restaurant Chuy's celebrated its upcoming first restaurant in Montgomery County with a Redfish Rally last night. The new restaurant is scheduled to open in October at Federal Plaza, but the party was held at another nearby Federal Realty property, Montrose Crossing. Chuy's pitched a tent atop the parking garage there, and served up food and drink samples.

Chuy's chefs make fresh
guacamole on the spot

To emphasize the chain's commitment to fresh ingredients, chefs were making fresh guacamole and bartenders were squeezing fresh lime juice for margaritas all night long. To emphasize the company's commitment to the community, Chuy's announced that the local charity they will support is Hero Dogs, a Brookeville-based non-profit that trains and places service dogs with veterans who need them free of charge. Several hero dogs were in attendance, joining Chuy the Redfish and former Rockville City Councilman Tom Moore among the notable guests.

Chuy's plans to hire an impressive 175 employees at this restaurant. Those interested can apply in-person Monday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the Chuy’s hiring office located at 1776 E. Jefferson Street, Unit #117, in Rockville.

Banner touts that
"everything is made
from scratch" at Chuy's

Another promotes their
fresh hatch green chiles

Free t-shirts

...although you could make
a charitable donation if you wanted

I can report that the
fresh-squeezed lime juice
made a noticeable difference
in the margaritas

Fiesta essentials
on display

Stringed lights hung
over the crowd

Chuy himself (herself?) made
an appearance

Montgomery County is
gaining on Austin in the
weird department every day

Sauces are so important
at Chuy's, that they have
their own webpage

Speaking of sauces,
a chef adds one to
an attendee's nachos

Chuy's brought along
some of their trademark
interior design accents -
hubcaps and...

...redfish

Meet hero dog
Mitch

Chuy's aiming for October opening at Federal Plaza

Chuy's, the Mexican restaurant chain, is planning to open its first Montgomery County location at Federal Plaza this October. The restaurant has been under construction for the past several weeks; the target opening date was just announced by their PR firm.

Chuy's replaces Ruby Tuesday at the Federal Realty shopping center. It will be located at 12266 Rockville Pike.

Chuy's is coming to Rockville (Photos)

Austin-based Tex-Mex chain Chuy's has leased the vacated Ruby Tuesday space at Federal Plaza. Construction is now underway inside and outside the future restaurant.

Like all Chuy's locations, this one will have a shrine to Elvis, and hubcaps and wooden fish hanging from the ceiling. It will also have the recipes taken from towns on both sides of the border, and emphasis on fresh ingredients, found in all of their restaurants.

Chuy's started in 1982, but only began to expand outside of the Lone Star State in 2009. The Rockville location is part of a planned expansion in the D.C. area. Get ready to order a Big As Yo Face burrito, pay further tribute to The King with the Elvis Presley Memorial Combo, and cool off with one of their signature cocktails.

The restaurant will be located at 12266 Rockville Pike.