Iconic Mexican restaurant chain closing final location | Official Website of Louis Velazquez, entrepreneur, finance guy and tech innovator

Though some might call it a waste of money, there’s something inherently fun about going out to eat.

For one thing, you get a delicious meal without having to do any of the work. You might also get to enjoy a meal you couldn’t have replicated yourself.

Plus, dining out can be an enjoyable social experience. It’s a chance to get out of the house, have a change of scenery, and catch up with people whose company you find pleasant.

And there’s also something to be said for not having to clean up after yourself.

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Even if you’re someone who doesn’t mind cooking, cleaning up after a meal can be a pain. When your belly is full, the last thing you want is to clear plates, load a dishwasher, and scrub pots and pans.

So while dining out at restaurants may not be the most cost-effective option for getting fed, it’s easy to see why consumers are willing to splurge when they can afford to.

An iconic Mexican restaurant chain is closing its final location.

Image source&colon; Shutterstock

Restaurants have been hurting

Even though a lot of people feel that eating at restaurants is worth the money in spite of the markup, in recent years, consumers have had to cut back on restaurant dining to cope with higher costs.

Inflation has remained stubbornly elevated since the pandemic, leaving consumers with less money to spend freely.

Restaurants, meanwhile, have faced their own share of rising costs for ingredients and overhead.

This combination has created a true financial burden for many eateries. And a number of popular chains have been forced to file for bankruptcy and close locations as a result.

In May of 2024, Red Lobster filed for Chapter 11, and about six months later, TGI Fridays followed in its footsteps.

Though both chains were popular among diners, they experienced too many financial challenges to overcome.

A popular small chain closes its final restaurant location

Sometimes financial challenges drive restaurant chains out of business. Other times, it’s a matter of wanting to move on to another chapter of life.

For 31 years, Iguanas, a popular San Jose restaurant known for its giant portions of classic Mexican food, has been a favorite among customers. Diners have long been drawn to not just its gigantic burritos, but also its colorful storefront on Third St.

But now, Iguanas is gearing up to close. The restaurant’s owners cited retirement as the reason.

The family-owned mini chain got its roots in San Jose, where it once boasted six different locations. It also operated a restaurant in San Antonio. The iconic Third St. location marks the end of the beloved chain, which once had its famous Burritozillas served at Levi’s Stadium.

But perhaps the restaurant’s biggest claim to fame was being featured in 2009 on the Food Network’s “Man v. Food.” The episode showcased the iconic Burritozilla, which host Adam Richman described as being “taller than a toddler.”

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“Our hearts are overflowing with gratitude as we reflect on the extraordinary journey we’ve shared over the past three decades,” Iguanas said in its closure announcement.

Iguanas said its last day of service will be July 27, which means fans have a little more time to grab an enormous burrito — or any other delicious dish off the menu — before the restaurant closes its doors for good.