El Chido on the move again, this time to Chesterfield

It’s the local chain’s sixth location. (Mike Platania photo)

A popular local Mexican restaurant chain has branched into Chesterfield. 

El Chido Restaurant recently opened at 11001 Midlothian Turnpike near Chesterfield Towne Center. 

It joins three other El Chido restaurants and two food trailers for owner Cruz Albanil. Until now, Albanil’s only non-Henrico location was in the city at 4013 W. Broad St., which he took over from El Tucan about two years ago. 

“A lot of people have asked when we’d expand to a different county because all the Chidos are in Henrico or Richmond,” Albanil said. “I’m very excited to be here in Chesterfield.”

Cruz Albanil

The space on Midlothian Turnpike had previously been home to Habanero Taqueria & Rotisserie Chicken, which closed in the spring after a few months in business. Albanil said his company was able to move in and open quickly. 

The menu at the new spot is identical to that of the other El Chido restaurants. Albanil said El Chido has become known for both its birria tacos and tortas. 

“I think we make maybe 12 different tortas,” he said. “And we make homemade tortillas. That’s what the people really like.”

Albanil started El Chido in 2015 and opened the fifth location last fall at 1412 Starling Dr. near Regency. He said he didn’t set out to grow it into a regional chain. Instead, he’s hopped on opportunities when they pop up. 

“Sometimes these opportunities come up, people call me and say ‘Hey Cruz do you want to buy this place?’ I don’t really have plans –  I try to make good food with good service,” Albanil said. “If we can expand more, maybe we will. I’d open another Mexican restaurant, but maybe a little bit different, a bit more fancy. But I don’t really have plans.”

Other new taquerias to open in Richmond include Tito’s in Oregon Hill, and Juan More Taco and Nuevo Mexico Restaurante #2 in the Fan. 

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