Nonetheless, Chuy’s does plan to open in late May in Norman. There is one other Oklahoma location in Tulsa. As the restaurant gears up to serve diners hefty plates of tacos, enchiladas and burritos at 760 N. Interstate Drive, it is in the process of hiring a staff of 150 full-time and part-time positions.

The restaurant is in the former 8,330-square-foot Santa Fe Cattle Co. building. Eric C. Fleske, with Equity Commercial Realty LLC, and Grant Stewart, with Adwon Properties, handled the lease transaction.

The local owner and operator is Oklahoma native Carl McCauley.

“We’re eager to introduce our famous Tex-Mex and unique culture to Sooner Country, which will start with the training and hiring of our Norman team,” McCauley said. “We’re looking for experienced staff.”

Each restaurant includes a whimsical décor with menu favorites from Mexico, Texas and New Mexico. McCauley, who has been with Chuy’s in Tyler, Texas, encourages team members to be themselves, and flex their blithe and merry personalities.

“We pride our restaurant on its employee culture,” he said. “We encourage our team members to bring their unique personality to work each day, which only fuels the funky, welcoming environment at Chuy’s.”