San Antonio doesn't often look to Houston for Tex-Mex, but Gringo's Mexican Kitchen is hoping that Cibolo will make an exception. The chain is opening a new Alamo City location at 18390 I-35 in spring 2027.

Russell Ybarra opened the first Gringo’s in 1993 in a Pearland building that housed several failed restaurants, including one owned by his family. But the concept stuck around long enough to become a Houston institution with several outposts across the region and a satellite in College Station.

Although Gringo's may be a new name to some San Antonians, the new restaurant marks a return to the city. According to the company timeline, the chain opened a San Antonio location in 2003 at 5059 NW Loop 410, now the home of Nicha's Comida Mexicana. That location appears to have closed before the new decade; its last Yelp review was in May 2009.

The menu sticks to Tex-Mex staples like sizzling fajitas, queso, combo plates, and enchiladas with five sauces. Not all of the latter are traditional. Instead of chili gravy and mountains of yellow cheese, Gringo’s offers a white wine cream sauce and another blending avocados and tomatillos.

As with any good Tex-Mex chain, Gringo’s also pours a wide variety of margaritas, including its signature Cadillac. The restaurant takes a few liberties with the definition, selling flavors like dreamsicle, pineapple, and jalapeño-strawberry. Some omit tequila entirely, subbing in vodka or whiskey.

Construction is currently underway on the 9,852-square-foot space, which will include a large dining room, a bar, and a separate to-go area. Originally, the project was supposed to wrap up in early October, according to a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filing.

Gringo’s isn’t the only Houston chain trying to make a dent in San Antonio’s Tex-Mex scene. Los Tios — another Bayou City favorite — is set to open its first Alamo City location at 4820 Broadway St. this fall.

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This article originally stated that this was Gringo's first San Antonio location. It has been corrected to include since-closed outpost in the Loehmann's Village shopping center.