In celebration of Los Vaqueros 30th year serving Tex-Mex cuisine at its 2629 North Main Street location, the owners announced it is reopening its old spot for a limited time.
The return to its former locale is due to Los Vaquero's new spot up the street at Rodeo Plaza not being quite ready yet, according to the restaurant’s Facebook page.
What fans of this iconic eatery can expect with this reopening is the same fare Los Vaqueros had on its original lunch and dinner menus.
The original Los Vaqueros restaurant, opened by Kiki and Johnny Cisneros, was just south of the D. Hart and Sons Livestock Co. building, which was constructed in 1915, and will soon be vacated. Los Vaqueros entered this space in the 90s.
This Tex-Mex eatery is already in the process of revamping its new spot in the 1911 Stockyards Exhibits building in Rodeo Plaza. Construction on this new spot has been ongoing since May, when the Cisneros family made the announcement of the move.
“We’re staying right here in the community we love,” Vicki Cisneros said in May. “We’re just moving down the street to another historic building, right across the plaza from Billy Bob’s.”
The Cisneros's said that its new location in the Stockyards had been on their radar for a while. A smaller restaurant footprint would allow the kitchen staff the flexibility to bring new dishes and fresh, seasonal specialties to their well-loved menu, according to chef Johnny Cisneros.
The new Los Vaqueros will occupy an 8,000-square-foot space, compared with its former 34,000-square-foot building.
“While we’ve loved the challenge of a 34,000-square-foot building, it is time for the building to have an opportunity to grow further, and our vision for Los Vaqueros’ future does not coincide with expansion,” Vickie Cisneros said. “Our vision is to continue to operate in a way that allows us to adhere to our core values of family, food, grace, community service and hospitality — which means a smaller footprint. It will also allow us to spend more time enjoying our grandchildren, family and friends.”
The new location will also feature an adjacent patio that seats 85, she said.
“I'm one of the most fortunate people in the world because I love my work,” said Johnny Cisneros. “Our guests are more than guests, they are our friends. Many have been dining with us since the ’80s. We have customers that first came in as babies and are now celebrating marriages, births, and other special events.
“We feel as if we have come full circle. The message I want to get out to our faithful patrons, and to the schools, churches, and nonprofit organizations we’ve worked with for 40 years is that their patronage makes all the difference to us — and we’re still here for them, just a few doors down the road.”
Los Vaqueros has already reopened during its original business hours this week, starting on August 22.
“We have some fun surprises, and OPEN TABLE is now accepting reservations,” the Facebook post continued. “I know this is a bit confusing but as a restaurant team and family, we simply couldn't let this important weekend go by without celebrating you and 41 years in the Fort Worth Stockyards! “
