The menu at the new Chuy's is Tex-Mex, but it doesn't look like a Mexican restaurant.
Hubcaps hang from the ceiling, and there are metal palm trees in the dining room, along with a shrine to Elvis, but the menu offers authentic family recipes from South Texas, New Mexico and border towns.
Central Kentucky's first Chuy's opened Tuesday at 3841 Nicholasville Centre Drive, across the road from Bella Notte. The original Chuy's was created in 1982 in Austin, Texas, and the first Kentucky location opened in Louisville last year.
Specialty dishes include chicka chicka boom boom enchiladas, big as yo' face burritos (eat two and get the third free), and a steak burrito with hatch green chile sauce. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Call (859) 245-2489 or go to Chuys.com.
Labor Day specials
■ Alfalfa Restaurant, 141 East Main Street, will serve its popular holiday brunch on Monday. The menu includes farmers market omelets and fresh peach pancakes. Hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The restaurant staff now is using only local free-range eggs. "We use 120 dozen a week, so we feel like we'll have an impact on the local economy while serving our customers a fresher product and a product that has fewer health safety concerns than commercially produced eggs," Jake Gibbs said. The eggs are from Home Pickins Farm of McKee and Garey Farms of Paris. Call (859) 253-0014 or go to Alfalfarestaurant.com.
■ Staxx BBQ, 11 Carson Place, Frankfort, is offering a Labor Day weekend special: Buy 5 pounds of barbecue (pork, brisket, chicken, turkey, sausage) and receive 4 quarts of sides for free. Sides are jambalaya, baked beans, green beans, coleslaw, potato salad, and macaroni and cheese. The special is good through Sunday. Staxx will be closed Monday. Call (502) 352-2515 or go to Staxxbbq.com.
Announcements
■ Thai Orchid Café, 1030 South Broadway, is closed for vacation and will reopen Tuesday. Call (859) 288-2170 or go to Thaiorchidcafe.net.
■ The Julep Cup, 111 Woodland Avenue, is accepting the University of Kentucky's Plus account. To welcome back students, the restaurant will offer 10 percent off its Saturday brunch and Monday night dinners. Call (859) 226-0300.
■ Greentree Tearoom, 521 West Short Street, is turning to fall for inspiration for its September menu. Included are carrot and ginger soup, apple-walnut scone with apple butter, and herbed tomatoes in phyllo cups. Call (859) 455-9660 or visit Greentreetearoom.com.
Events
■ Saul Good Restaurant, 1808 Alysheba Way, in Hamburg, is having a mural dedication party from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday. Artist Jeff Schaller's mural depicts the history, personality and progression of Lexington and the Hamburg Place area. Call (859) 317-9200 or go to Saulgoodpub.com.
■ Winchell's, 348 Southland Drive, is kicking off the NFL season with a lobster boil Wednesday. The menu, served from 4 to 9:30 p.m., features whole Maine lobster with corn on the cob and new potatoes, New England clam chowder, and fresh fruit cobbler. Call (859) 278-9424.
■ On Thursday, Modern Mercantile and Wine will introduce Entwine, Food Network's own brand of wine. The party, 5:30 to 8 p.m., will feature four varietals. The cost is $8. Call (859) 223-0471. The store is at 3101 Clays Mill Road.
■ Holly Hill Inn, 426 North Winter Street, Midway, will have its first-ever vegetarian feast at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. The multicourse dinner celebrates the local harvest with okra fritters, stuffed eggplant and "wacky" tomato dumplings. The regular menu will not be available. The cost is $35. Call (859) 846-4732 or go Hollyhillinn.com.
Farmers market report
■ Bluegrass Farmers Market has corn, tomatoes, peaches and beans. Hours and locations are: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and 3 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at 3450 Richmond Road, in the parking lot of Pedal the Planet and Fast Signs; and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and 3 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Mill Pond Shopping Center. Go to Localharvest.org/blog/29529/.
■ East End Community Farmers Market will have Customer Appreciation Day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. For every $5 spent on Electronic Benefits Transfer card transactions, customers get an additional $2.
■ Lexington Farmers Market is open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in Cheapside Park in the Fifth Third Bank Pavilion, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday on Southland Drive near Sav-a-Lot, and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday at South Broadway and Maxwell Street.
■ Woodford County Farmers Market locations and hours are: 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays at Courthouse Square, Versailles, 3 to 6 p.m. Mondays in downtown Midway and 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays at Versailles Presbyterian Church.
