Chili's at 45th and Lamar

Chili's at 45th and Lamar
Map
Restaurant information
EstablishedSeptember 1999 (1999-09)
Street address4420 N Lamar Blvd
CityAustin
StateTexas
CountryUnited States
Coordinates30°18′48″N 97°44′18″W / 30.3133°N 97.7383°W / 30.3133; -97.7383

The Chili's at 45th and Lamar is a Chili's restaurant located in Austin, Texas that has been the subject of internet memes[1][2][3] promulgated chiefly through the /r/Austin subreddit since at least 2011.[4]

History

Chili's at 45th and Lamar opened in September 1999[2][5] at 4420 North Lamar Blvd. From October 1985 to at least 1994, the site contained a Goodwill concept store.[6][7][8]

On April 5, 2024, mayor Kirk Watson officially declared April 5, 2024 as Chili's at 45th & Lamar Day.[9][10][11][12]

Meme

According to the San Antonio Express-News, the meme is based on a running joke that the restaurant is the best restaurant in Austin and that "the joke is that every Chili’s is exactly the same, including the one at 45th and Lamar, but this one is ours."[1][3]

On February 20, 2023, Austin punk band Trunk released a song titled "Chili's 45th and Lamar".[13][14]

References

  1. ^ a b O'Connell, Chris (January 17, 2023). "Why is the Chili's at 45th and North Lamar famous online?". San Antonio Express-News.
  2. ^ a b Bradshaw, Kelsey (March 6, 2023). "Chili's forever: How a chain restaurant became Austin's favorite spot". Austin American-Statesman.
  3. ^ a b Reese, Ginny (January 17, 2023). "See Why This Texas Chili's Is Infamous Among Residents And Visitors". iHeartRadio.
  4. ^ Falcon, Russell (December 10, 2022). "Is Austin's best restaurant really the Chili's on 45th and Lamar?". KXAN-TV.
  5. ^ "Now Hiring". Austin American-Statesman. September 12, 1999. p. 79 – via newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Goodwill puts fund raising on book store shelves". Austin American-Statesman. November 7, 1985. p. 9 – via newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Grand Opening Announcement". Austin American-Statesman. October 4, 1985. p. 24 – via newspapers.com.
  8. ^ Fort, Marc (July 21, 1994). "Once more for the (vinyl) record". Austin American-Statesman. p. 17 – via newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Falcon, Russell (April 6, 2024). "Austin mayor names April 5 'Chili's at 45th and Lamar Day'". KXAN-TV.
  10. ^ Castro, Johann; Eubank, Britny (April 5, 2024). "Austin's Chili's at 45th and Lamar Day Is Real and Official". KVUE.
  11. ^ Chaudhury, Nadia (April 10, 2024). "Austin mayor declares April 5 'Chili's at 45th and Lamar Day'". Eater.
  12. ^ "Austin Mayor Gives Chili's at 45th and Lamar Its Own Special Day". Austin Monthly. April 8, 2024.
  13. ^ O'Connell, Chris (February 21, 2023). "Austin band Trunk drops song to beloved Chili's at 45th and Lamar". San Antonio Express-News.
  14. ^ Anderson, Jack (February 20, 2023). "Trunk: "Chili's 45th and Lamar" [PREMIERE]". KUTX.
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