Say adiós to an old favorite.
After a year of bad business, a popular Tex-Mex chain is calling it quits.
On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, known for slinging a variety of fajitas and a massive selection of margaritas, announced that it has closed all of its company-owned restaurants.
The fan favorite announced the bad news on its website, “After many years of serving our communities, On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina has closed its company-owned restaurant locations. This was an incredibly tough decision. We are deeply grateful to the guests and team members who supported On The Border for so many years. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey.”
Diners have now officially lost all 60 locations mere weeks after a “sweeping menu overhaul,” designed to grow the chain, a previous press release read.
On The Border previously filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy back in 2025 but was quickly purchased by Pappas Restaurants two short months later.
Pappas’s portfolio is quite large, owning Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, Pappasito’s Cantina, Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, Pappas Bar-B-Q, Pappas Burger and Yiayia’s Greek Kitchen with over 100 spots across the US.
Originally founded back in 1982 and known as On the Border South Texas Café, the company’s new goal was to share “bold, border-style food with its customers,” said OTB Holdings Chief Restructuring Officer Jonathan Tibus in the 2025 bankruptcy court filing.
However, that dream started to die — despite big plans from its new owner. And the closures didn’t shock many restaurant-goers as monster chains like Papa John’s, Red Lobster, Hardee’s, and more have closed more than dozens of locations due to low foot traffic and high costs.
Once the news broke, folks flocked to social media to share their thoughts. With some haters spewing theirs along the way, of course.
“I thought they were already closed… Who still eats there? It has nothing to do with the economy. This has been a dying brand for decades….just like Red Lobster,” someone posted on Instagram.
Another wrote, “Years ago it was great food. But they really went down bad the last few years.”
It wasn’t all bitter Betty’s, some begged On The Border, “Someone please release the On the Border salsa recipe!”
However, diehard fans may still be able to visit a location as the chain’s website lists five spots across four states. On The Border has independently operated franchise locations in South Dakota, Florida, Nevada, California, and South Korea and those will remain open.
