An iconic Houston Tex-Mex restaurant will soon serve its final enchiladas and margaritas. Spanish Village will close on March 31, owner Steve Rogers announced.

First slated for closure in 2021, Rogers kept Spanish Village open while he worked through redevelopment plans for the property and an adjacent tract of land. Although details on those plans haven’t been made public yet, “the restaurant’s legacy will live on in an upcoming project to be announced at a later date,” according to a release about the closure.

Founded by the Medina family in 1953, Spanish Village has been a staple of the Third Ward. Known for its retro dining room that’s adorned with Christmas lights as well as classic Tex-Mex fare such as cheese enchiladas the signature fried chicken, it been a go-to restaurant for generations of Houstonians. The potent margaritas are also a fan favorite.

“There’s absolutely no arguing the impact Spanish Village has had on the Third Ward. The Medina family built something incredible, and I have been honored to be able to continue that,” Rogers said in a statement. “Despite the restaurant closing, it’s important to me and to the community to honor that legacy.”

Part of honoring that legacy has been to seek input from the community about what businesses should be included in the upcoming redevelopment project. Signs that read “What Should Go Here” invited locals to submit their ideas. Suggestions included specifics like a co-working space and a diner as well as design ideas such as “please respect the small town feel of the street...good architecture will go a long way,” according to a release.

Which elements Rogers chooses to include and how Spanish Village is incorporated into those plans remains to be seen, but the business owner says the feedback has been valuable.

“It’s been really special to read the responses and see how invested this community is in the character of the neighborhood,” Rogers added. “The Third Ward has its own personality that’s hard to understand unless you’re in it, and with the help of my neighbors, I’m excited to begin this new chapter with a project that will benefit them.”

Those who wish to make their final visits to Spanish Village will find the restaurant at 4720 Almeda Road. It’s open Tuesday - Saturday from 11 am - 10 pm.