44-year-old North Texas-based Tex-Mex cantina to close all company-owned stores
A 44-year-old North Texas-based Tex-Mex chain is saying goodbye to the Lone Star state.
On The Border Cantina confirmed to the Star-Telegram June 11 that all company-owned locations will close before the end of the week.
The Dallas-based Tex-Mex chain filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March 2025 and Houston-based Pappa’s Restaurants acquired the brand a few months after.
Twelve Texas locations – including landmark locations on Knox Street in Dallas and at East Copeland Road in Arlington – closed due to the bankruptcy. However, On The Border planned to have the remaining locations stay in business.
Unfortunately, Friday, June 12 will be the last day for company-owned locations of the restaurant.
Franchise locations in South Dakota, Florida, Nevada, California and South Korea operate independently, and will remain open.
“This decision follows a thorough evaluation of the business and was not made lightly,” an On The Border spokesperson wrote in an email to Star-Telegram. “We are currently evaluating the future of the On The Border brand and exploring a range of strategic options.”
On The Border has three Fort Worth locations as well as restaurants in Lake Worth, Bedford, Arlington, Grand Prairie, Mansfield and Weatherford.
They were known for their mesquite grilled fajitas, margaritas, bottomless chips and salad and their tortillas, made fresh daily.