Don Chuy's Taco Shop Serves Up Authentic Flavor and Hospitality

Don Chuy's co-owner Maritza Garibay with plates of tacos, frijoles, and chips, free cuisine for those who dropped by during the new taco shop's grand opening, March 28. Don Chuy's Taco Shop is located at 1024 West 800 South in Payson.

Good food and hospitality are on the menu at Don Chuy's Taco Shop. And they prevailed the day March 28, as the restaurant observed its opening with celebration. Wife and husband owners, Maritza Garibay and Jesus Delgadillo, along with restaurant staff, dished up platefuls of fresh, authentic tacos, chips, and frijoles, and popular Mexican soft drinks, free for visitors throughout the afternoon.

For local businesswoman and Chamber rep, Elaine Williams, who helped organize the Chamber ribbon cutting ceremony, it was not the first occasions she had to try Don Chuy's fare. She was among earliest diners to visit since Don Chuy's opened on February 20. She had already established a favorite dish. “The tostada de cevinche,” she said, pointing to a picture of a shrimp and avocado topped tostada posted on a restaurant counter.

The tostada de cevinche is a favorite among many, added owner, Maritza. But by the taste of the tacos shared during the grand opening, it is not alone in satisfying folks' appetites.

Maritza and husband, Jesus, moved to the area from Las Vegas to establish a restaurant of their own. “My husband Jesus has been working in Mexican restaurants for about eight years,” she said, “three in San Diego and six in Las Vegas. He always wanted to have a place of his own. So about a year ago, when we were ready to start our own restaurant, we started looking at some places in Las Vegas, but they were all franchises and we didn't like the fact that we couldn't add our own dishes to the menu. So we asked friends and family if they knew about any available restaurants in Salt Lake area and they said that there would be one available in January here in Payson.”

Maritza added, “Then in November we made the first trip to Payson and we liked the restaurant and liked the town, because it looked like a good place to start a family and our first business. First we worked on the name and we decided on Don Chuy's Taco Shop, because in Mexico, if your name is Jesus, the call you Chuy.

“Then we started working on the menu and it ended up being a mix of traditional Mexican food.”

Don Chuy's menu is generous and the prices, quite reasonable. It seems the eatery has something for every desire when it comes to Mexican-American food: breakfast burritos, tacos, enchiladas, tostadas, burritos, carne asada, chorizo, carnitas, chiles rellenos, chimichangas, quesadillas, adobada, camarones dishes, and side selections. Combination platters, which include rice and beans, range in price from $5.49-9.99. Although they do have drive through window service, a fresh salsa bar awaits inside.

“We make everything from scratch except for the tortillas and everyone's favorite dishes are the ceviche tostadas and the camarones rancheros,” Maritza said. Since the restaurant opened, she added, they have had no complaints.

PHOTO: Local businesswoman, Elaine Williams (far left) leads a Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremony on behalf of Don Chuy's Taco Shop. Included in the photo are the owners and employees of Don Chuy's: Mariano Gomez, Marta Ibarra, Jesus Garibay, Jasmine Gomez, Jose Delgadillo, owners Jesus Delgadillo and Maritza Garibay (with scissors). Pictured also are local business and Chamber representatives: Norene Jensen, Rory Adams, Jordan Perry (who brought cake on behalf of Sam's Club), John Salimbene, Karra Schramm, Sherri Watson, and Payson Chamber President Eric Buchanan.