Valentina's Tex Mex BBQ, the iconic Texas barbecue joint known for its fusion of Tex-Mex flavors and traditional smoking techniques, is on the precipice of change. The Buda-based restaurant announced that it would be temporarily closing its doors from April 25 through May 8 to facilitate a change in management and ownership. Over on Instagram, the co-founders, pitmaster Miguel Vidal and Modesty Vidal, acknowledged the challenges they faced after scaling their business up from a modest 600 square feet to a sprawling 6,000 square feet space, as reported by Austin Eater.

Despite the changes, the Vidal's have indicated that they will remain a fixture at Valentina's post-transition, easing concerns of long-time patrons who've grown accustomed to their presence and the unique culinary blend they've championed since 2013. They started as a simple food truck on West Sixth Street and, over the years, have expanded through multiple locations, iterations, and even off-shoot trucks. It wasn't until June 2023 that they opened their first full-scale restaurant in the mixed-use development Buda Mill & Grain. Jennifer Storm, CEO of Buda Economic Development Corporation—an investor in Valentina’s—confirmed to Eater Austin that the sale is currently in progress, with new ownership to be announced upon completion.

Miguel Vidal resonates with the core of their brand even amidst the changes. He extended a heartfelt message to their Facebook followers, according to  My San Antonio stating, "Loyal customers, When we started Valentina’s in 2013, our focus was two things: food + family. We wanted to make Tex Mex BBQ that would bring families together while representing Tejano culture - the biggest inspiration for Valentina’s." He acknowledged the shortcomings they've experienced lately, indicating that the establishment "could no longer continue to give our loyal customers sub-par customer service and food," thereby the decision to revamp the management.