Los Cochinitos, the Puebla-based restaurant chain that opened its first U.S. location in Spring last November, has temporarily closed its doors until further notice. The announcement came just shy of the restaurant's first anniversary in Texas, leaving fans of its carnitas and chicharrón wondering when, or if, they'll get another plate.
A Sudden Pause After Less Than a Year
Los Cochinitos officials made the announcement in an Oct. 20 Facebook post, according to Community Impact, stating that the restaurant was temporarily closing its doors until further notice. The outlet reports the Spring restaurant had been open a little less than a year. In its statement, the restaurant expressed gratitude for customers' trust, love and support, writing that it hoped to welcome people back soon. “We hope to welcome you back very soon and continue sharing the authentic flavors of our Mexican tradition,” the restaurant said, per the same report.
Los Cochinitos opened its first U.S. location in Spring on Nov. 20, 2025, according to Community Impact's reporting. As Chron notes, the Spring restaurant sat at 21005 Interstate 45, in a space formerly occupied by Bombshells, and its buildout included a patio and a playground. The eatery specialized in carnitas and also served enchiladas, tamales and quesadillas, per Chron's report.
From Puebla to Texas, With Plans to Keep Growing
Los Cochinitos traces its roots to Puebla, Mexico, where the chain got its start in 1959, according to Chron. Before the Spring opening, an October 2025 report from the same outlet said the chain had expanded to eight locations around Mexico, with another location set to open in Monterrey. Chron also reports that the chain had plans to open two more locations, in Monterrey and San Luis.
Ahead of the Spring debut, the buildout itself required significant work. A permit described the project as a $300,000 renovation or alteration that started in May 2025 and ended a month later, according to Chron's earlier reporting. Matthew Broadbent of PK Remodel and Design told the outlet at the time that final inspections were expected within the following week, with an opening possible within the month.
Another Houston-Area Closure Still in Limbo
The Los Cochinitos closure follows a similar story elsewhere in the Houston area. Los Chilaquiles permanently closed its Houston Heights location in July, according to Chron, and while that restaurant signaled a return, there had been no movement on that plan as of the outlet's reporting. The available evidence does not say why either restaurant shut its doors, and it's unclear whether Los Cochinitos' Spring location will reopen or when customers might see carnitas back on Interstate 45.
