Texan Chili Joint Honored with Its Own Special Day

On Friday, a local Texas icon received a prestigious honor as the beloved Chili’s location at West 45th Street and North Lamar Boulevard was officially recognized by Austin Mayor Kirk Watson. With great fanfare, Mayor Watson declared April 5th, 2024, as "Chili’s at 45th & Lamar Day" during a special announcement held at the establishment itself. 

Embracing his role as both a fan of the Santa Fe Salad with grilled chicken and the Mayor of the City of Austin, Mayor Watson bestowed this unique honor upon the celebrated Chili's location.

For those not intimately familiar with the local lore, you might be wondering: what sets this Chili's apart? Well, the legend of the Chili's at 45th and North Lamar began its ascent to fame on the internet, particularly within the r/Austin subreddit on Reddit. 

While the exact origins of its meme status remain somewhat shrouded in mystery, it's generally agreed that the restaurant's internet celebrity status took root in the online community several years ago.

One particular Reddit thread from seven years back serves as a sort of archaeological dig into the early days of the meme, gathering some of the earliest mentions and potential origins of the phenomenon. References to the restaurant's legendary status date back over a decade, with users touting its virtues as a hidden gem and a must-visit spot in Austin.

One user, in a now-legendary post, even suggested the booth by the bathrooms at Chili's, 45th and Lamar, as an ideal location for a marriage proposal. The impact of this online promotion cannot be overstated, as evidenced by Mayor Watson's acknowledgment of the influential redditor u/anonymous10101010 in his proclamation. 

Though lost to the sands of time, this mysterious figure played a pivotal role in spreading the word about the restaurant's charms. Mayor Watson, a regular patron himself, praised Chili’s at 45th & Lamar as a cherished gathering place for University of Texas students and the wider Austin community, embodying the city's unique brand of eccentricity and warmth. 

As the Chili’s location basks in its newfound recognition, its legacy as a cultural touchstone in Austin continues to grow, solidifying its place in the heart of the city and its residents.