The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Saint Leo University receives grant to help students

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Saint Leo University’s Career Center has receive a $2,500 grant from Enterprise Holdings to help provide career-related advice to students.

Stephanie Seymour, talent acquisition specialist for Enterprise Holdings, and Felyce Starr, the company’s talent acquisition manager for the region, presented an oversized check to the university, representing the grant. (Courtesy of Saint Leo University)

The grant was presented by Enterprise Holdings Foundation on May 6, according to a university news release, and is a part of the Enterprise partnership with the university.

“Enterprise recruits [employees] heavily at Saint Leo,” said Nancy Cheek, associate director of Career Services for Saint Leo. “And, Enterprise is always willing to send representatives to share career-related advice at both campus workshops and in webinar sessions for our Saint Leo WorldWide population.

“The company is global, and the local recruiting team does a great job of providing contacts in other parts of the country to our students who are interested in a career with Enterprise but are not in this area,” Cheek noted.

Saint Leo not only educates students at its main campus north of Tampa, but also online and at its more than 30 education centers in seven states.

Jen Shaw, vice president of Student Affairs, said Career Services may use the grant to fund an Enterprise-sponsored office dedicated to helping students and employers conduct interviews by Skype and using other technology. This would allow far-away employers to interview local students, and also let Saint Leo students located anywhere to interview with local business recruiters who might come to the new office, the release said.

Published May 15, 2019

A new home health division at Gulfside

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Talk about having a good week.

Last Wednesday, after months of organizational work, Gulfside Home Health accepted its first patient. And on Thursday, it celebrated the grand opening of its new Land O’ Lakes office with a chamber of commerce ribbon cutting.

A ribbon cutting was held last week for Gulfside Home Health, a new division of Gulfside Health Services that provides skilled home nursing and therapies ordered by a physician. Celebrating with the ribbon held high is Gulfside President Linda Ward; holding the scissors is Cheryl-Ann Benn, administrator for Gulfside Home Health.

“It’s exciting to be growing and offering new services to our community,” said Linda Ward, president and chief executive officer of the agency. “Providing skilled home care to patients is a perfect complement to our hospice and palliative care services that we have been providing for a long time.”

With the launch of its home health division, the nonprofit has changed its name to Gulfside Healthcare Services, with three distinct divisions — Gulfside Home Health, Gulfside Hospice and Gulfside Palliative Care.

“Gulfside has served Pasco residents since 1988, and we are well-known for our quality care and community focus for hospice and palliative care. We are bringing this same dedication to home health, and look forward to providing this much-needed service to our community,” said Ward.

Gulfside Home Health is offering skilled home health services that are ordered by a patient’s doctors, including nursing, therapy and patient education.

Gulfside’s nursing staff provides wound care, injections, IV infusions, pain management and medication oversight. And, its licensed therapists offer physical, occupational and speech therapies. All services and treatments are done in a patient’s home.

“There are many advantages of taking care of someone in their home instead of in a hospital or rehab center,” said Cheryl-Ann Benn, who heads up Gulfside Home Health as its administrator.

“Patients are more comfortable at home, family is there for support, and no transportation is needed because our health care providers come to them.”

Benn adds that home care especially helps with patients who easily get confused in unfamiliar places, which is common toward the end of day when people with memory problems suffer from sun-downing effects.

“We plan our visits around a client’s schedule, right down to avoiding a favorite television show,” said Benn. “Families can choose the time that is best for them.”

Most appointments are scheduled between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., and only skilled care ordered by a physician is provided. Patients are not charged directly for the care they receive — Gulfside bills Medicare or private insurance, not its patients.

Benn clarifies that Gulfside’s service line features skilled nursing care and various therapies, unlike many other companies that simply offer companion care, bathing or assistance with meals and shopping.

“Our team specializes in the advanced care that must be done by a nurse or professional,” said Benn. “There are many private companies that offer non-medical services that do not qualify for payment under Medicare of private insurance.”

Benn joined Gulfside Home Health in February to prepare for Joint Commission Accreditation, to hire staff and get the office ready next to Gulfside’s thrift shop on Land O’ Lakes Boulevard.

Gulfside Home Health received its license on April 5 for Pasco and Pinellas counties, and since then has hired RN and LPN nurses, home health aides, a social worker and physical therapist, as well as contracting for occupational and speech therapists.

“We have an outstanding staff with many years of experience — I couldn’t be happier with the team we’ve put together,” said Benn.

Patient referrals come from hospitals, rehab facilities and doctors’ offices, and patients can choose which home health service best meets their needs.

Benn and Ward believe many families will chose Gulfside Home Health because of the stellar reputation of Gulfside’s hospice and palliative care services, and because it is a nonprofit.

“Being a nonprofit allows us to create programs for clients and their families they are not reimbursed for through Medicare or private insurance,” explained Ward. “We can host community events to raise funds for additional services, and are looking at developing programs on COPD, diabetic meals and foot care, caregiver support, and many others,” said Benn.

Ward added that offering home health services is taking Gulfside to a higher service level and is a logical next step. In the first few months, Gulfside Home Health expects to serve 30 to 50 patients, and then grow to over 120.

“We want to offer a continuum of service, while remaining community-based,” said Ward.

Published May 15, 2019

Prune-and-pass plants make great gifts

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There are not many more rewarding experiences in life than planting and propagating your own plants and watching them grow.

Giving someone special a gift is usually at the top of that list, too.

But, growing a gift is even more special.

The passion flower plant attracts the Gulf Frittilary butterfly. (Courtesy of UF/IFAS Communications)

Many plants can be easily grown and pieces passed along as gifts with some simple pruning and propagation techniques. The resurrection or rain lily is a great example. These Southern staples seemingly spring up out of nowhere in summer during the heavy rains.

Rain lilies grow from clusters of bulbs that can be easily dug up and divided, making them perfect for sharing. Divide them in summer and plant them in sunny spots with moist but well-drained soils. It may take them a year to bloom but when they do, they are spectacular when planted en masse or as singles. These are good butterfly attractants, too.

Four o’ clocks are perennial plants that grow well throughout Florida. Their trumpet-shaped flowers come in a variety of colors and invite hummingbirds. Four o’ clocks will bloom in late spring throughout summer in sunny locations. While they’ll grow easily from seed, they will grow from tubers that you can dig in fall and give away to friends.

Plant the tubers with roots down and deep enough so that the top of the tuber is about 1-inch deep and keep them moist but not wet. Choose planting spots wisely though as four o’ clocks can be somewhat aggressive in the landscape.

Passion flower plants with their wavy petals, and shades of purple and lavender are quite beautiful.

A must have for butterfly enthusiasts is the passion flower, which attracts the Gulf Frittilary.

Passion flower is great for dry conditions and will wind its way up and around a trellis or fence in sunny areas. The wavy petals, 3-inches to 5-inches wide— in shades of purple and lavender — are quite beautiful.

To share, simply use a sharp pair of pruners to clip off 4-inch to 6-inch-long cuttings below a node. Strip away the bottom row of leaves and plant into a moist potting soil. Keep the cuttings moist and in a shady spot. After about a month, new roots should be forming, which means they are ready for gifting.

One of the easiest plants for Florida gardening is also quite drought resistant and beautiful throughout the summer. The crinum (lily) thrives for many years with little to no care. You can plant them in moist and dry areas, and while they do prefer partly shady locations, they can withstand sunny spots.

Plan to divide these plants in the winter, when they aren’t actively growing. Dig around the clump, lift it up and remove any bulb offshoots. Replant those bulbs with the most slender portion of the bulb upright and just above ground.

Crinum care involves nothing more than removing old blooms. Just be prepared for new bulbs to take a year or more to flower.

If you have a friend with a shady spot, consider gifting them a Peacock ginger. Peacock ginger will produce pink or purple flowers in the summer, but their foliage is their most striking characteristic. Dark green, round to oval, medium to large leaves with lime green, purple or even white or silvery splotches make these groundcovers stand out. They do lose their leaves in winter, but they’ll return in spring.

Simply dig up and divide the rhizomes (underground stems) in winter and plant these about ½-inch below the soil surface in well-drained, shady areas. Keep them watered until established.

If you’re looking for an explosion of color, you’ll want to plant crocosmia. Flowers of red, orange or yellow will pop in May and June. These plants prefer sunny areas or part shade and will grow quickly, sometimes flopping over into huge “sprays” of color. You might consider adding support or using a trellis for these. Pass these to friends by lifting the clump and dividing in spring. These make great additions to most any landscape and are usually drought tolerant after established.

Most any plant can be propagated and passed along to friends and family.

Passion flower is great for dry conditions and will wind its way up and around a trellis or fence in sunny areas.

Many easily propagated plants tend to be invasive, which is what makes them so easy to grow in the first place.

Invasive plants are not something we want to share, especially with those we love.

To be sure what you want to prune and pass isn’t invasive, refer to the UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants directory where you can easily determine whether your intended gift is invasive or not, at Plants.ifas.ufl.edu/plants-by-common-name/.

There is a vast array of methods for propagating plants – some just take more ingenuity and expertise than others.

Passing along plants is a great way to tell someone special you’re thinking of them since there’s a bit of thought and elbow grease that goes into the process.

You’ll have a special connection to the recipient since you’ll share the same experience of watching the same plant grow and thrive.

For more advanced propagation methods, refer to the UF/IFAS Fact Sheet at EDIS.ufl.edu/mg108.

Just remember the first principle of Florida-Friendly Landscaping; always plant the right plant in the right place.

By Whitney C. Elmore

Dr. Whitney C. Elmore is the UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension director and an Urban Horticulture Agent III.

Published May 15, 2019

A Mixed Martial Arts School Steeped in Traditional Gracie Brazilian Jiujitsu

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Wesley Chapel MMA

By William Jacko

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

You are walking to your car in a dark parking lot, and someone jumps out from behind and places a chokehold on you. What do you do?

If you were a student at Wesley Chapel MMA, you would know exactly what to do, because you would have been trained by Ryan Deichert, the school’s head instructor.

Ryan Reichert, third-degree Gracie Brazilian Jiujitsu Black Belt.

Deichert has a third-degree Gracie Brazilian jiujitsu black belt, and he teaches jiujitsu and mixed martial arts as he learned them directly from the legendary Gracie family of Ultimate Fighting Championship fame.

“In college, I trained in jiujitsu and met Royce Gracie,” Deichert said. “Royce won the first Ultimate Fighting Championship in 1993, and that’s when jiujitsu hit the world — when Royce beat bigger, stronger and faster competitors with a jiujitsu style.”

Royce’s father, Helio Gracie, learned jiujitsu when it came from Japan to Brazil, and he spread his highly innovative interpretation of the martial art throughout Brazil – like a Johnny Appleseed of jiujitsu.

“Jiujitsu is a ground-grappling martial art that takes your opponent to the ground, where most martial arts are deficient,” said Deichert.  “Nowadays, everybody trains jiujitsu who wants to do Ultimate Fighting, because they know how important it is to have a ground game.”

Wesley Chapel MMA has professional instructors and offers numerous classes in traditional Gracie Brazilian jiujitsu — muay thai, self-defense and fitness — depending on the needs and preferences of its students.

“Our philosophy here is to win the fight, but in a humane way,” said Deichert. “We use jiujitsu to teach self-confidence and bully protection. Everybody is doing this for a different reason. A parent is concerned about a bullying issue, or a person comes here to hit the gym. Most people are not here to be an MMA fighter, but to protect themselves and their families.”

Deichert stresses that martial arts is about more than just self-defense and competitions —it also improves people in many unforeseen ways.

“There are a lot of intangible benefits from martial arts, beginning with self-confidence,” said Deichert. “People with more self-confidence get better jobs. It’s also important for parents to understand that children need some sort of discipline to master, whether it’s music or basketball or jiujitsu. I see so many people transform their lives for the better with a discipline like this, because it leads them to a right path.”

(813) 951-4865 • 2477 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. • Wesley Chapel, FL 33544 • (Across from AdventHealth hospital)

Published 5/8/19

How about making mom breakfast for Mother’s Day?

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Mother’s Day is almost here, so it’s a good time to start thinking about making a meal for mom’s special day.

One idea is turn your kitchen into a restaurant.

Dads, grandparents and the kids can come up with possible meal options, side dishes and beverages based on ingredients they have at home, or want to purchase.

This healthy breakfast cookie can be part of a Mother’s Day breakfast celebration. (Shari Bresin)

Then, the kids can draw up a menu. Be sure to make it extra cute.

While mom enjoys her mimosas, the kids can play the wait staff, handing her the menu and writing down her order when she is ready.

They also play the role of sous chef, helping dad and the grandparents make the pancakes, eggs, or whatever mom ordered.

Keep in mind that involving kids in the kitchen doesn’t have to be limited to Mother’s Day.

Getting kids involved in cooking, especially when very young, not only sets them up to enjoy this basic life skill, but also teaches math, science and reading. They also learn how to follow instructions and find out about food safety, proper handwashing, and motor skills.

Kids that help cook are also more likely to eat what was made, and are less intimidated to try new foods.

So, if you have a picky or unhealthy eater at home, consider giving them a role to help out in the kitchen, or at least to get involved in the grocery shopping.

It’s important to know which kitchen tasks are appropriate for which age group to prevent accidents and to keep messes manageable.

According to BBC Good Food, kids under age 3 begin to show interest in mimicking what their parents do, including kitchen tasks.

Under the age of 3, they can:

  • Wash produce (this is a great way to introduce them to different fruits and vegetables)
  • Stir room-temperature ingredients
  • Mash food using a fork or potato masher (make sure food isn’t burning hot)
  • Sprinkle ingredients (put a tray underneath to minimize messes)

From ages of 3 to 5, children can help:

  • Place ingredients on scales
  • Spoon ingredients with measuring spoons
  • Use a strong plastic knife to cut soft ingredients, such as butter
  • Mix ingredients with either a spoon or hands (this is where proper handwashing particularly comes in handy!)
  • Tear herbs or rip apart lettuce
  • Spread (butter, icing, etc.)

From ages 5 to 7, they can do more complex tasks. They can:

  • Cut, using a small knife (be sure they know how to properly hold the knife to keep their fingers out of the way)
  • Cut herbs with scissors (small or child-size scissors are better)
  • Measure ingredients
  • Grease a baking dish or line it with foil
  • Crack an egg
  • Peel oranges and hard-boiled eggs (make sure eggs aren’t too hot to hold)
  • Set the table

From ages 8 to 11, kids still need supervision, but can be more independent. They can:

  • Help plan a family meal
  • Follow the steps to a basic no-cook recipe, like a fruit salad
  • Gather ingredients from the pantry and fridge
  • Use a peeler, whisk or mixer
  • Chop vegetables to make a salad
  • Use a can opener

Those age 12 and up can perform all of the tasks previously mentioned, as well as following a more complex recipe or tweaking a recipe.

Kids confident in the kitchen will probably want to bake with their friends or start cooking on the stove.

Start slowly with the stove, such as scrambled eggs.

Of course, every child is different, and if you are not comfortable having your child do any particular task, then wait until you think they are ready.

Always show them the proper way to handle kitchen equipment, and explain what can happen if they use something incorrectly.

Who knows? By the time they are teenagers, you might want them to take over some — or all — of the cooking.

What a gift that would be!

And, for all of you moms out there, Happy Mother’s Day.

By Shari Bresin 

Shari Bresin is the Family & Consumer Science Agent for the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension Pasco County 

Oatmeal Breakfast “Cookies” 

Ingredients:
4 cups instant oats

3 ripe bananas

3 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons to 3 tablespoons peanut butter

1 cup milk or almond milk

Additional water as needed to produce a batter with a thicker cookie-dough-like consistency (as opposed to a thinner pancake batter)

3 tablespoons to 5 tablespoons protein powder (optional)

Instructions:
Use blender to combine all ingredients until mostly smooth

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Grease two cookie sheets

Spoon out batter on each sheet with 2 inches to 3 inches diameter

Add blueberries or chocolate chips (optional)

Bake for 25 minutes or until cookies are golden brown on underside

Serve with fresh fruit, syrup or powdered sugar.

Published May 08, 2019

New youth website from USDA

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) celebrated National Ag Day, which highlights agriculture’s crucial role in everyday life, and honors the farmers, foresters, scientists, producers and many others who contribute to America’s harvest.

As part of the effort, the USDA launched a new Youth and Agriculture website, USDA.gov/youth, to connect young people and youth-serving organizations with department-wide resources that engage, empower and educate the next generation of agricultural leaders.

Connecting with America’s youth “is a tremendous opportunity to show that careers in farming, the agricultural sciences, and veterinary medicine are rewarding, essential and profitable,” said Deputy Secretary Stephen Censky, in a release.

The USDA Youth and Agriculture website features three key components of agriculture-focused youth engagement: classroom studies, experiential learning and leadership training.

Educators can find ways to include agriculture in the classroom and beyond.

Young people can learn about USDA summer outreach programs, youth loans for business projects, and outdoor volunteering.

Community leaders can get tips on starting leadership development clubs and education programs.

The site also highlights USDA partners, such as 4-H, the National FFA Organization (Future Farmers of America), Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS), Agriculture Future of America (AFA), and many others working with the USDA to connect young people with opportunities in agriculture.

For those interested in careers, the website provides information on internships and scholarships; USDA employment; and, information on agriculture career fields, such as forestry, robotics engineering, biochemistry, and food sciences.

Follow the conversation on USDA, youth in agriculture, and National Ag Day online at USDA.gov/youth, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Published May 08, 2019

Grant encourages careers in advanced manufacturing

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CareerSource Pasco Hernando and AmSkills Manufacturing Training & Apprenticeships have been awarded a $100,000 grant to encourage students to explored a career in advanced manufacturing.

The grant will benefit 16 local students, according to a news release.

It will provide hands-on skills training, exploration of multiple career tracks, tours to local manufacturers, and the opportunity for job placement or paid apprenticeship with a local manufacturing company.

The AmSkills Pre-Apprenticeship Program is designed to replicate a real working environment, to prepare students for real-world careers.

Students clock-in and out, meet attendance goals, participate in team-building exercises and complete hands-on projects in various career tracks. They also have the opportunity to tour local manufacturing companies and experience manufacturing firsthand.

The program also includes soft skills training — including communication, presentations, setting goals and others, the release says.

AmSkills has a “dual-coaching” system, which identifies mentors within participating manufacturing companies and provides a program coach.

The program coach and company mentor work together to help students develop skills needed to launch their career. Students are matched with a manufacturer whose culture and environment is complementary for both participants.

Assessing technical and soft skills prior to placement allows for greater success between the manufacturer and pre-apprentice.

At the end of the 90-day program, the manufacturer, pre-apprentice and program coach map out each students training plan, and the student may officially become an apprentice working for the manufacturer.

The Apprenticeship Program provides students with paid hands-on experiences through on-the-job training with top local manufacturers and trade businesses, which helps students gain greater insight to determine their career goals.

For more information about the program or to register, contact AmSkills at (727) 301-1282, ext. 126, or visit their website at AmSkills.org.

Published May 01, 2019

Protection for freshwater springs makes progress

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Gov. Ron DeSantis proclaimed April as Springs Protection Awareness Month, recognizing springs as a natural resource unique to Florida.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) celebrated the month in recognition of the environmental, recreational and economic importance of Florida’s 900 iconic freshwater springs.

“Springs are vital to the environment, economy, citizens and visitors of the state,” said Brian Armstrong, executive director of the Southwest Florida Water Management District, in a release.

“The District, in partnership with DEP, the governor and the Legislature, is committed to implementing projects to conserve and restore the ecological balance of our spring systems, supporting the regional economies and quality of life,” Armstrong added.

Brett Cyphers, executive director of the Northwest Florida Water Management District, pointed out that under Gov. DeSantis and DEP Secretary Noah Valenstein, northwest Florida is making real transformative progress with springs restoration and water quality improvement.

And, Hugh Thomas, executive director of the Suwannee River Water Management District, said “Florida is entering a remarkable era for environmental protection” under the leadership of DeSantis and Valenstein.

As per the proclamation, the Bold Vision for a Brighter Future budget recommends $50 million in funding to restore the state’s world-renowned springs, and safeguard these natural resources through nationally recognized water quality assessment and restoration programs.

In celebration of Springs Protection Awareness Month, DEP partnered with Florida’s water management districts to continue the statewide public education initiative, “My Home. My Springs.”

The initiative highlights the uniqueness and importance of the state’s springs, as well as the restoration efforts and the expertise behind them.

Residents can access informative resources, such as fact sheets, videos, educator resources, a springs locator tool and more by visiting MyHomeMySprings.org.

Published May 01, 2019

NY Style Pizza at Brick City Eatery

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By William Jacko

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Steve Parisi grew up on Long Island in an Italian family that loved to cook and entertain. When he relocated to Florida, he honed his culinary skills by cooking for friends at his backyard brick oven, before opening a restaurant two years ago

Located in NorthPointe Village in Lutz, christened Brick City Eatery mainly for his love for brick oven pizza. “Coincidentally, the building is made of brick so it worked out perfect,” said Parisi.

The restaurant specializes in brick-oven, wood-fired pizza, where everything is made to order.

“We have roughly 15 different pizzas to choose from and they are prepared with a thin crust and cooked well-done. Because our oven is wood fired it gives the crust a nice char look. Very different you’re your traditional pizza place,” said Parisi.

Pizza may be the center of attention at Brick City Eatery, but the menu also includes large fresh salads; sandwiches like Cuban Panini, Chicken Parm, and Philly Cheesesteak; signature dishes like Chicken Parmigiana, Baked Ziti, and Brick City Pasta; and pizza-shop staples like calzones, Stromboli and chicken wings.

“Our best kept secret is our dry-rubbed and oven baked wings, and use 12 different dry seasonings,” said Parisi. “We rub them down and let them sit in the cooler for 24 hours before baking them.  By allowing them to marinate over night, it allows the rub to absorb into the meat for a delicious flavor.”

Steve Parisi with Arugula Wood Fired Pizza and Caprese Salad

Brick City offers an all-day breakfast menu, which includes breakfast pizzas, Avocado Toast and the famous Northern Egg Sandwich. The Northern Egg Sandwich is reminiscent of a Bacon, Egg and Cheese on a roll you would find in a NY Deli. You can add other meats like sausage, ham or pork roll to it, said Parisi.

“On the weekends, Brick City serves brunch from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. “Our brunch includes more traditional items like omelets, eggs your way and skillets. The local favorite is the breakfast quesadilla and hangover burrito,” said Parisi.  Another big attraction are the bottomless mimosas and sangrias.

Brick City Eatery is nestled in main-street themed NorthPointe Village, near the intersection of State Road 54 and the Veterans Expressway.

“We do lots of spirit nights with area schools and churches, and also donate food to local organizations. I’m happy to help in any way I can and I’ve always enjoyed feeding people.”

Brick City Eatery caters parties and special events, rents a private room that holds 40 people, and offers in-house and DoorDash delivery.

(813) 328-4169 • BrickCityEatery.com

Published 5/1/19

Fresh Tex Mex With A Fiesta Flair

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Can’t wait for Cinco de Mayo?  Then you must try Chuy’s in Wesley Chap

This fun restaurant specializes in Tex Mex cuisine, made fresh daily, that is served in a fun and colorful setting. Elvis Presley is its patron saint, and Happy Hour comes with a complimentary nacho bar served out of the trunk of a classic car, complete with tailfins.

“Nothing in our restaurant is frozen except for French fries and Push-Up Pops,” said John Bassett, bar manager. “Everything is fresh — the lime juice, the sugar water we use for margaritas, the chicken and beef in our fajitas that we marinate for 24 hours. We cut fresh salad and produce every day. We roast our tomatoes for the ranchero sauce. We use our own tomatillos for the tomatillo sauce. We make all of our sauces fresh every single day. Everything is fresh.”

Chuy’s especially prides itself on the freshness of its tortillas.

John Bassett

“We hand roll every tortilla we serve,” said Bassett. “We make the masa dough every day for our fresh flour tortillas, and shape them on a comal, which is a heated surface, right in front of our guests.”

 Happy Hour is a not-to-be-missed experience at Chuy’s, with its unique signature nacho bar set up in the trunk of a 1957 Chrysler Imperial.

“We have the back end of a car, with the trunk lid up, filled with queso, ground beef, refried beans, chips and salsa,” said Bassett. “The nacho bar is included with the Happy Hour, which is weekdays from 4 to 7.”

Chuy’s does everything with style, including its decor. Hanging above the nacho bar car in the Chihuahua Lounge is a school of wooden fish, hand-carved by a family in Mexico that supplies the fish for every Chuy’s franchise.

“Another thing that Chuy’s does is hangs pictures of our guests’ dogs on our walls,” Bassett said.  “If you bring in a framed picture of your dog, we’ll give you a free appetizer, and we’ll hang up your dog’s picture for everyone to see!”

Fans of Elvis Presley also delight in Chuy’s. Not only does Chuy’s maintain a small shrine of Presley that is adorned with candles and beads, the restaurant also keeps The King’s memory alive in its menu and calendar of events.

“Elvis was brought to us by our guests,” Basset said. “The first restaurant had an Elvis picture, and our guests just kept bringing in memorabilia. We also celebrate his birthday every year. Last year if you arrived in your best Elvis or Priscilla Presley costume, you ate for free. And, on our menu, we have an Elvis Memorial Combo that’s one of the most popular items.”

Each Chuy’s restaurant has its own charity, and the Wesley Chapel location sponsors Healing Horses in Odessa, which pairs abused and neglected horses with special-needs and at-risk children. It also is collecting donations for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“We put a lot of love into our food,” Bassett said. “We want to make sure you come get the best margaritas and Tex Mex food in the city, right here.”

Published 4/17/19