The Cisneros family said on Tuesday morning that they had indeed sold the early 20th century building that housed its flagship Los Vaqueros, a Tex-Mex staple in the Stockyards since 1983.
Initial news of the sale was reported by the Fort Worth Report.
The family did not disclose the buyer, only saying: “It’s going to a unique, family-owned and -operated business, deeply rooted in America’s history and excited to be part of the Stockyards community.”
Terms of the transaction were not disclosed, either.
Perhaps most importantly, the restaurant will not be going away or even that far away from its current post.
“We’re not leaving the Stockyards,” said Vicki Cisneros, Cisneros Restaurants Inc. president. “We’re staying right here in the community we love.”
The restaurant has signed a lease on a new location in the 1911 Stockyards Exhibits building in Rodeo Plaza. The family is already at work renovating the space.
The Cisneroses plan to close the current location on June 30 and reopen in Rodeo Plaza sometime after the July 4 holiday.
New neighbors in the building will include the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame and the John Wayne: An American Experience Museum. The restaurant will be mere steps away from the Cowtown Coliseum and Billy Bob’s Texas.
“We’re staying right here in the community we love,” said Vicki Cisneros. “We’re just moving down the street to another historic building, right across the plaza from Billy Bob’s.”
The original Los Vaqueros, opened by Kiki and Johnny Cisneros, was just south of the current location. The current location, the D. Hart and Sons Livestock Co. building, was constructed in 1915.
Los Vaqueros also has a location in Willow Park. A third location near TCU closed.
The Cisneroses said that a new location in the Stockyards had been on their radar. A smaller restaurant footprint would allow kitchen 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 current 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, Cisneros 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.”