The Caribbean-themed restaurant is expected to close in October, with its colorful Tex-Mex replacement targeting a November opening near Northwoods Mall.

North Charleston’s Bahama Breeze is preparing to trade its island-inspired menu for tacos, enchiladas and margaritas.

Chuy’s Tex-Mex will replace Bahama Breeze at 7811 Rivers Avenue, next to Northwoods Mall, as parent company Darden Restaurants continues winding down the Bahama Breeze brand nationwide.

Bahama Breeze is expected to serve its final customers at the North Charleston location on October 26, according to Darden spokesperson Rich Jeffers. Chuy’s is currently expected to open in the space by the end of November.

The timetable could give the company roughly a month to convert the building from Bahama Breeze’s tropical Caribbean theme to Chuy’s colorful and deliberately eclectic Tex-Mex style.

The Address Offers Some Strong Confirmation

Darden initially announced in February that the Rivers Avenue restaurant would be converted into another brand in its portfolio, but it did not identify which one.

A recent posting on Chuy’s official careers website now lists a restaurant manager position at 7811 Rivers Avenue — the exact address of the North Charleston Bahama Breeze.

The August 19 posting describes the future restaurant as a high-volume, full-service Chuy’s location with a scratch kitchen.

Darden’s February announcement identified the North Charleston restaurant as one of 14 Bahama Breeze locations that would be converted rather than permanently closed.

The company said Bahama Breeze was no longer a strategic priority after reviewing options that included selling the brand. Fourteen other locations were selected for permanent closure.

What Is Chuy’s?

Chuy’s began in Austin, Texas, in 1982, when founders Mike Young and John Zapp opened their first restaurant inside a former barbecue joint on Barton Springs Road.

The chain describes its food as a blend of culinary influences from New Mexico, Mexican border towns, the Rio Grande Valley, South Texas and Austin.

Its menu is known for handmade tortillas, fajitas, enchiladas, burritos, Hatch green chile dishes, margaritas and a selection of made-from-scratch sauces. Chuy’s says every dish is prepared from scratch daily, including its tortillas and signature Creamy Jalapeño sauce.

The restaurants are also known for an intentionally unconventional decorating style. Common features include hand-carved wooden fish suspended from ceilings, hubcaps displayed above booths, bright colors and décor selected specifically for each community.

The company’s motto reflects that approach: “If you’ve seen one Chuy’s, you’ve seen one Chuy’s.”

Part of Darden’s Growing Restaurant Portfolio

Darden Restaurants acquired Chuy’s in October 2024 in a transaction valued at approximately $605 million.

The Orlando-based company also owns Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, Yard House, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, The Capital Grille, Seasons 52 and Eddie V’s.

Several of those brands already operate in the Charleston area, including Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse locations along Rivers Avenue.

Converting the Bahama Breeze property allows Darden to introduce another of its concepts without developing an entirely new restaurant site.

The North Charleston Bahama Breeze opened in 2021, making it a relatively recent addition to the Rivers Avenue dining corridor. It is now one of the final Bahama Breeze restaurants remaining as Darden gradually retires the brand.

A Quick Transition on Rivers Avenue

If the current schedule holds, Bahama Breeze customers will have until late October to make a final visit before the conversion begins.

Chuy’s could then begin welcoming customers before the end of November, bringing a new Tex-Mex option to the growing collection of restaurants surrounding Northwoods Mall.

The exact opening date has not yet been announced, and restaurant-conversion schedules can change as renovations, inspections and hiring move forward.

However, the official Chuy’s job posting and Darden’s confirmation leave little mystery about what is coming next:

The island theme is moving out, and Chuy’s Tex-Mex is moving in.

Sources: Darden Restaurants, Chuy’s Tex-Mex, Chuy’s Careers and comments from Darden spokesperson Rich Jeffers.