Fajitas Fizzle Out
Austin-born chain Z'Tejas closes its last location after 36 years
Southwestern restaurant Z'Tejas opened in 1989.
Longtime Southwestern chain Z'Tejas has closed the last of its locations, in Kyle, as confirmed in the Austin Business Journal and a public message on the restaurant's website.
"After nearly three decades of serving communities across Texas and Arizona, it’s time to say goodbye to this chapter," the online message says. "With our lease coming to an end and the challenges of today’s market, we’ve made the very difficult decision to close Z’TeZ’Tejase [sic.] — our last remaining outpost."
The final day of service, according to the announcement, was Monday, June 30.
Z'Tejas was known for an accessible, family-friendly atmosphere as well as its margaritas. It followed the basics of casual Southwestern and Tex-Mex cuisine with customer favorites including cornbread, fajitas, and catfish. Customers also visited for the happy hour deals.
It is probably not a surprise to many Austinites that the final nail is in the chain's coffin. Having opened in 1989 on West 6th Street, the original restaurant made it 33 years, through two bankruptcies, before being demolished to make way for a new development in 2022. That closure was quickly followed by a new (already planned) location in Kyle, which was the last one standing this June.
Randy Cohen purchased the chain in 2018, after its second bankruptcy, and went public with his search for a buyer in January 2025.
The last Z'Tejas inside the Austin city limits, at Avery Ranch, closed in March 2025 after only three years in business, signaling that the end was nigh.
"We are deeply grateful to our guests, neighbors, and friends for your support, your stories, and for making Z’Tejas a part of your lives," says the final website message. "It’s been our honor to serve you."
