Prior Lake's newest restaurant, Chula's, broke ground and is now under construction in the location formerly known as T-Shirts & More. Owner, Manny Perez and business partner, Dan Stanley, along with city leaders held a groundbreaking ceremony at the end of May.  

"One of the things we hear in our community surveys quite often is, 'We'd like to see more restaurants,'" smiled Prior Lake Mayor Kirt Briggs. "You're going to get yourself a beautiful new restaurant and I want to thank Manny and Dan, not only to build a beautiful new building, but also for the investment in our community."

The Mexican and Latin themed restaurant will include indoor, outdoor, and open-air seating along with authentic cuisine, and a modern look. Construction is underway and is expected to last through the winter, with a grand opening in the spring of 2026. The restaurant's name, Chula's, is in honor of Perez's granddaughter. "Chula" is a term of endearment, generally translating to cute or pretty in Mexican culture. 

Perez has been in the restaurant business for decades and owns the Subway in town as well as one at MSP airport. In 2024, he earned the honor of the Small Business Administration's Minnesota Minority Small Business of the Year. 

"We are beyond excited to begin this new adventure," Perez said. "Thank you to City Manager Jason Wedel and Mayor Kirt Briggs. We are so grateful to the city for backing our vision."