Beloved Tex-Mex Restaurant Closes All Locations After 36 Years

After more than three decades in business, an Austin-based Tex-Mex chain has closed down all of its locations.

Z'Tejas, which still had four open restaurants at the start of the year, shuttered its last remaining outpost in Kyle, Texas on Monday. The company, which at one point also had operations in Arizona, had closed its location in the Avery Ranch neighborhood of Austin earlier this year.

In 2023, Z'Tejas shut down its flagship eatery on West Sixth Street in Austin, which triggered a domino effect that ended with the eventual dissolution of the franchise.

"After nearly three decades of serving communities across Texas and Arizona, it’s time to say goodbye to this chapter," said Z'Tejas management on the restaurant's official website. "With our lease coming to an end and the challenges of today’s market, we’ve made the very difficult decision to close Z’Tejas—our last remaining outpost. 

"We are deeply grateful to our guests, neighbors, and friends for your support, your stories, and for making Z’Tejas a part of your lives. It’s been our honor to serve you."

Z'Tejas' extinction elicited a number of comments from social media users who recalled their experiences with the chain.

"I lived next door for 7 years in early 2000’s. I’d be able to use the beeper from my condo. My 'go to' was the Chipotle Ribeye. Mango margarita with a Chambord floater," one man explained.

"Once they started making people pay for the cornbread skillet, it all went down hill!" another man said.

"An Austin original. sure had so many fun times there," a woman added.

"Such a great place. Loved the OG W. 6th St. location. Truly an Austin original,' a third man chimed in.

"Sooo sad, I loved the antioxidant martini they made," another woman said.

Earlier this year, Z'Tejas' owner Randy Cohen made it known he wished to sell his stake in the business. Unfortunately, he was unable to do so before it had to be folded.