Picos, the Houston restaurant long credited with introducing generations of locals to regional Mexican cooking, will close its Upper Kirby dining room on August 30, 2026, ending a 42-year run. Owner and executive chef Arnaldo Richards says the building that houses the restaurant is being redeveloped and that he hopes to reopen in a much smaller nearby space if he can land a workable lease. The news hit right in the middle of Picos' tamale season and has sparked an emotional response from regulars who link the spot to family celebrations and its signature shaker margarita.
As reported by the Houston Chronicle, Richards wrote on Facebook that the property is slated for a high-rise and that Picos "can’t stay past August." The Chronicle notes that the dining room seats about 240 and reports that Richards estimated sales were down roughly 18% year over year, with foot traffic he called "perhaps the worst he'd ever seen." Richards had already postponed earlier closure plans and told the paper he would reopen if he can find a nearby, much smaller footprint that still makes sense for the business.
Upper Kirby Home And Bellaire Roots
Picos currently operates at 3601 Kirby Drive, according to the restaurant's official site. The website also promotes national shipping and a margarita shop that spins off the restaurant's marquee drinks. Local coverage of the 2014 move from Bellaire to Kirby highlighted the larger dining room and Richards' push to bring regional Mexican dishes closer to the city center, as reported by CultureMap.
A Signature Margarita And Tamale Season
Picos helped turn the shaker margarita into a Houston calling card, with servers mixing the drink at the table in a ritual many regulars treat as part of the meal. Eater Houston traced the cocktail’s roots to Richards' early experimentation and noted how the shakers eventually morphed into a full-blown marketing hook. The restaurant is also known for its holiday-through-spring tamale program and a menu that shows off the range of Mexico's regional cuisines.
Why It Is Closing
Richards first signaled plans to close last year, then pushed the date back after a show of public support and to give staff more time, a delay covered in local reporting. Coverage from September 2025 shows that he kept Picos open through the holidays to support employees and keep hunting for options, according to the Chronicle. Confronted with a large dining room, softer sales and rising costs, Richards now says a smaller space is the only realistic way forward if Picos is going to have a future.
For the moment, Picos plans to continue regular service through August 30, 2026, while the team searches for a new home and considers whether to host farewell events. Richards has framed what comes next as the start of another chapter, saying he hopes community backing and the right lease will keep Picos in Houston's food landscape for years to come.
