A popular Houston breakfast restaurant is temporarily closed after a fire damaged its building over the weekend.
Frank’s Grill said in an emailed statement to the Houston Chronicle that the fire happened after 4 p.m. July 18 at its location at 1915 Mangum Road after workers noticed smoke in the kitchen.
“We noticed lots of smoke in the kitchen, so we contacted 911 immediately,” the statement said. “It was after normal business hours, so no one was in the building at that time. We thank God no one was there when the incident occurred. The building is inoperable, and hardly anything is salvageable.”
Frank’s Grill plans to reopen but does not have a timeline.
The restaurant operates several locations across Houston, with its Mangum Road restaurant among its oldest. It opened more than 40 years ago. The location has changed ownership over the years, and the current owner took over in 2011.
“Because our Mangum restaurant has been around for so long, we truly have many loyal customers who have been visiting us like family,” the statement said. “We appreciate all our customers who have been coming to our Mangum location for years,” the statement added. “We thank them for their prayers and encouragement. We understand the Mangum closure will be an inconvenience for our customers for the time being.”
A Facebook post by HTX News included video of the July 18 fire, showing the restaurant engulfed in flames and smoke.
“Today’s fire at Frank’s Grill on Mangum Road is more than the loss of a building,” the account wrote. “It’s the loss of a place where generations of Houstonians gathered for breakfast, shared coffee with friends, celebrated milestones, and created memories that will last a lifetime.”
Houston Fire Department did not immediately respond to a request for more information about the cause of the fire.
In its post, Frank’s Grill said its restaurant crew will work at its two other locations on Westheimer Road and Texas 6, along with Hanz Diner Houston, in the meantime.
“We will never forget that the heart and soul of the restaurant are the employees who work with us tirelessly every day, serving our customers with their warm smiles and offering great customer service,” the statement said.