Picos Restaurant, which first revealed in early August that it would close later this year, now says it will stay open through the end of 2025 and officially shut its doors in 2026 following an outpouring of customer support.
Highlights
- Picos Restaurant to remain open through the end of the year and shut down in 2026.
- The restaurant announced the final closure dates on social media, praising the strong support from its loyal followers.
- The restaurant will mark Hispanic Heritage Month with a specialty menu and other seasonal celebrations.
Picos Delays Closure to 2026 Following Community Support
Founded by Executive Chef Arnaldo Richards, Picos has long been celebrated for its regional Mexican cuisine and its signature shaker margarita, introduced in 1989.
The restaurant built a loyal following thanks to premium spirits, fresh ingredients, and its iconic shaker-style margarita, a crowd favorite for nearly four decades.
Picos also partners closely with agave distillers, a collaboration that helped create one of the country’s most extensive tequila programs. The commitment to curate agave spirits led the restaurant to create one of the largest tequila programs in the country.
It earned Picos a spot on Food & Wine’s list of the “15 Best Places to Drink Tequila Around the U.S”.
Initially announced its closure six weeks ago, expressing gratitude for decades of community support and promising farewell dinners to celebrate its legacy.
However, due to an outpouring of love and encouragement from patrons, Picos restaurant decided on its social media handle that it will be shutting down at the beginning of 2026, after more than 40 years of business.
Owner Arnaldo Richards had first announced the difficult decision to close the restaurant on August 4. However, in response to strong public support, the restaurant changed its initial closure plans and chose to work for one final season.
The restaurant mentioned the messages and visits that encouraged them to stay open a little longer.
“The wave of support following our closing announcement showed us just how deeply our restaurant has touched the lives of so many. Your heartfelt messages, visits, and encouragement have inspired us to keep our doors open a little longer,” the post said.
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The eatery also urged its followers to support them through the end of the year to celebrate some of its traditional festivities.
Picos to Celebrate Its Final Season with Festive Traditions
Picos is extending its operations through the end of 2025 and celebrating with several special offerings. Guests can enjoy a Hispanic Heritage Month specialty menu now through October 15, featuring traditional dishes like Chiles en Nogada.
Starting in mid-November, the restaurant will operate a weekend tamale stand offering a variety of tamales, including Oaxaqueños wrapped in banana leaves and Norteños wrapped in corn husks, available for advance reservation or on-site pickup.
In December, Picos will host its 12 Days of Mole, highlighting a different mole each day and culminating in a Mole + Tamalada Brunch with all 12 moles and scratch-made tamales. Additionally, a series of farewell dinners will be held (dates to be announced) to honor the restaurant’s 44-year legacy and the community that has supported it.
Picos’ decision to extend its timeline underscores the deep ties it has forged with the Houston community over the past four decades. While it gears up for the closure, its last few months promise to be a tribute to its legacy and community.
