Bulldozing bldg @ i-240 & Penn

[Chop]

After all the restaurants coming & going the bldg is now being bulldozed. This is the one where restaurants just don't seem to be able to stay in business. It was a Mexican restaurant for quite a while, then an Interurban, then another Mexican, then the latest was an Asian buffet that only lasted a few months. I may have the order mixed up.

[Easy180]

Knowing that spot it might do very well as a grass field lol

[Charlie40]

This is indeed sad news to find out. anyone have any details or photos of the demo??

[bchris02]

Is this where Don Pablos used to be?

[catch22]

Is this where Don Pablos used to be?

yes.

It's a cursed location. Nothing has ever worked there.

[MrZ]

Don Pablos was the first tenant of that location after that area was cleared and new buildings were built. My kids and I loved that Don Pablos and my son is in college now and still refers to it as his favorite place to eat. We would always joke about Don Pablos maybe returning after a new restaurant would open and close in that location, but I guess that dream is dead now. RIP Don Pablos.

[bchris02]

Don Pablos was the first tenant of that location after that area was cleared and new buildings were built. My kids and I loved that Don Pablos and my son is in college now and still refers to it as his favorite place to eat. We would always joke about Don Pablos maybe returning after a new restaurant would open and close in that location, but I guess that dream is dead now. RIP Don Pablos.

Didn't Don Pablos close many of their restaurants nationwide though? The one in Little Rock went out of business around the same time the one in OKC did.

Don Pablos was actually pretty good for chain Mexican food. Much, much better than El Chico. Another chain I miss is Garcia's of Scottsdale? They opened in Penn Square and Quail Springs in the earily 2000s and were pretty popular. Today, the Penn Square location has become Cantina Laredo which is decent but the Quail Springs location has become El Chico, which might as well be Taco Cabana.

[bluedogok]

Don Pablo's only has three locations left in Texas, most are in the Midwest or Southeast. National chains typically thrive where there are not that many local alternatives. Most places in this part of the country have much better local alternatives than the national chains and they are usually cheaper too. The locals in OKC tend to offer a lot more for the money than the national chains or locals in other markets. I know in DFW, Austin or Denver you have to pay for everything other than chips and salsa that come with a meal at most local places in OKC.

[bchris02]

Don Pablo's only has three locations left in Texas, most are in the Midwest or Southeast. National chains typically thrive where there are not that many local alternatives. Most places in this part of the country have much better local alternatives than the national chains and they are usually cheaper too. The locals in OKC tend to offer a lot more for the money than the national chains or locals in other markets. I know in DFW, Austin or Denver you have to pay for everything other than chips and salsa that come with a meal at most local places in OKC.

Agreed. OKC is the only city I've been in where the standard was free queso along with the salsa. Most places you have to pay extra for the queso.

[SoonerDave]

I don't know if that spot is doom for all restaurants, because I was told by someone I trust that it was very successful as an Interurban, but someone had made them a direct, very lucrative offer on the property that management opted to accept. Supposedly they wanted to rebuild in that area, but that was roughly about the time the economy went in the toilet, and it never happened.

We visited that site as an Interurban easily more often than during any of its other incarnations. Several times, in fact. My daughter loved their "Heather's Macaroni and Cheese." There was always something that most of our family could enjoy there, and it was consistently good, too. Wish they really would rebuild in that area...maybe on that nice (remaining) outparcel at SW 104th and May (hint, hint)

[MrZ]

SoonerDave, I'm also hoping that something good will go in at SW 104th and May (right around the corner from me). Hoping for something much better than fast food!

[SoonerDave]

Anyone have any new scoop on the dozed land here (I-240 and Penn)? The parcel has been scraped completely, right down to the dirt, and looks as though it is being graded for new construction. Surely a permit will be showing up soon??

[MonkeesFan]

I saw that yesterday, I do not know, if that location is cursed, what is the point of rebuilding? They should leave it as a grass field....

[Martin]

saw a 'for lease' sign on that parcel yesterday. -M

[Jon27]

Does anyone know what is being built here yet? Looks like a building is now going in.

[Martin]

there's another thread about it somewhere... but long story short, it's going to be a raising cane's. -M

[Jon27]

there's another thread about it somewhere... but long story short, it's going to be a raising cane's. -M

Thanks Martin! I searched everywhere, and this is the only one I could find.

[kevinpate]

Yep, another Canes.
I know folks real excited about it.
I am happy they are excited.
And, as I find myself in the area from time to time, another option works.