\
A BELOVED Mexican restaurant closed its doors after half a century in business.
México Lindo, a New York City-based restaurant, posted a long, heartfelt message on its website announcing its closure to patrons.
3
3
3
Antonio and Leonor Bonilla first opened the establishment in 1972, but it has since been taken over by their children, who say running it has been an “honor.”
The Bonilla family wrote several paragraphs thanking long-time customers and the city of New York.
“After 52 beautiful years of serving NYC; we will be closing Mexico Lindo Restaurant on July 31st,” the note began.
“It has been the honor of a lifetime to have provided our family traditions, home cooked meals and love filled hospitality to your celebrations of life. We are proud to have been such a big part of your lives. It is with tremendous love and appreciation that we say adios.
READ MORE ON STORE CLOSURES
“We would like to thank all our family, friends and amazing customers who made it possible for us to be here thru out all these years.”
The children went on to mention the long-lasting legacy of their parents, Antonio and Lenor.
“They instilled in us a hard work ethic, the power of positivity and the art of hospitality. We know our dad Tony is looking down and smiling upon us with his glass of red wine.
“Thank you to our mom Leo who continues to give us the strength we need and guidance of wisdom for our next steps forward.
“We give an especially huge thank you to our incredible staff members, past & present, that have helped us thru all the years.”
The owners then invited all guests to come out to celebrate the restaurant’s last day, which was on July 31.
“The memories we were able to create and share with our family, friends and customers are priceless.
“We are proud of being a NYC staple, small family business and a pilar of our community.
“We say farewell with our hearts full of love,” the note concluded.
The note, which was posted on social media and the restaurant’s website, sparked an outrpouring of love from customers.
Under an Instagram post from July 18, loyal followers expressed their heartbreak of the devastating closure.
“One of the last remaining gems in New york Chorizo and Guacamole and my personal favorite steak with onions !!!
“Love you, and I will be there,” one customer commented.
Others reminisced of their times spent at the family-owned restaurant over the years.
Restaurant closures in 2024
BOSSES at major dining chains have announced a series of restaurant closures. The U.S. Sun has compiled a list of the chain’s affected.
- Cracker Barrel: Stores in Medford, Oregon, Columbia, South Carolina, and Sacramento, California, have closed.
- Mod Pizza: Bosses dramatically shuttered 27 shops in April, including some in the state of California.
- Frisch’s Big Boy: Restaurant chiefs confirmed the closure of a restaurant in Covington, Kentucky in April.
- Outback Steakhouse: The chain will shutter 41 ‘underperforming’ locations this year.
- Two Bucks: Four restaurants in Ohio closed in April.
- Chili’s: A restaurant in Port Arthur, Texas, has shut permanently as well as one in Irvine, California.
- Friendly’s: Bosses confirmed an establishment in Ronkonkoma, Long Island will close.
- Pizza Hut: A restaurant in Glen Falls, New York, closed at the end of March, followed by four in Ohio in June and 15 in Indiana.
- Denny’s: Two restaurants in Boise and Nampa, Idaho, have closed.
- Carl’s Jr.: The first Boise, Idaho location has closed.
- In-N-Out: An Oakland location closed earlier in the year due to crime in the area.
- Cheesecake Factory: The chain is set to shutter a location in Memphis, Tennessee in July.
- Applebee’s: Announced the closure of between 25 and 35 locations this year.
- Taco John’s: Shuttered a restaurant in Minnesota and put the building up for sale in May.
- Rubio’s Coastal Grill: Has announced the closure of 48 locations in California after filing for bankruptcy.
- Burger King: Shuttered a location in California in June after 30 years.
“Oh Mexico Lindo! Where I had my first Margarita, Piña Colada, AND strawberry Daiquiri,” one woman commented.
“All on the same night perhaps within the same hour…with my amazing amiga Claudia & I sneaking behind Tony & Leo’s back while the Mariachi band played on .
“And all At the ripe age of 15! Mexico Lindo , the Bonilla family and your amazing staff will live in my heart and memories forever. Me encanta.”
México Lindo shared pictures on August 14 of its final days in business, with one last farewell message.
“It was a quick bittersweet exit but I know we’ll see each other again. In the meantime; please continue to follow us,” the restaurant captioned the photo.
“So proud of what we accomplished over 52 years! And have made it thru so many difficult periods especially covid. Forever grateful.”
