For nearly a year, Houstonians have been bracing for the closure of Arnaldo Richards’ Picos‘ longtime home at 3601 Kirby Drive. That bittersweet day arrived Sunday—but the decades-old Mexican restaurant isn’t disappearing for good.
The goodbye at Picos had been unfolding for weeks, one packed party in its “Farewell Dinner” series at a time. That turnout continued through the restaurant’s closing weekend, especially Sunday, when it served its final brunch and dinner with hundreds of reservations booked, along with a stream of walk-ins.
The final day was filled with diners hugging servers, posing for photos with owner Arnaldo Richards and lingering over their meals as musicians performed throughout the restaurant. The farewell brought out both first-timers and longtime customers who had been regulars for decades, along with staff members who had spent years—even decades—working at Picos.
“They’re very supportive, but they’re sad,” Richards told Chron on Sunday. “We have touched so many people. It’s just amazing. There are hundreds and hundreds, thousands of stories.”
Richards announced Picos’ closure in August 2025, initially saying the restaurant would permanently close a month later. But that later changed, with an extended closing date and eventually a relocation announcement instead.
“At the time, business had been up and down since COVID. Things were changing. It wasn’t really the economy, it wasn’t really the increase in prices—we got a hold of that very, very [quickly],” Richards said.
“But it got to a point where my wife and I were working so hard and really not bringing extra cash. Out of my frustration, I said, ‘Yeah, I’m going to close.’ And then I recanted a month later because we got so overwhelmed by all the support. I said, ‘OK, I’m going to give it a shot. I’m going to look for another location.'”
Since then, Richards said he and his team have been working hard to find the right space for Picos’ next home.
While the team hasn’t officially announced where the new restaurant will be, Richards said it is about two-thirds the size of the current location and will serve many of Picos’ classic menu items.
Still, he said he’ll miss the Upper Kirby location, to where he moved Picos to from its original Bellaire home 12 years ago.
“I’m leaving my heart behind. We decorated the whole thing. My wife and I designed the whole thing,” he said. “Because of that, I have really, really big feelings about this place.”
Aside from its sentimental last services, goodbyes from fans extended beyond the dining room. In the days leading up to Picos’ final service, guests posted photos on social media and left comments on Picos’ pages sharing memories, favorite meals and other well wishes for what’s to come.
“Too many to remember and I haven’t lived in Houston for 20 years now. Thank yall for the great times and amazing food,” one person commented, while another wrote: “My favorite restaurant in Houston absolutely the best memories the best food the best people thank you for everything.”