One of Austin's Oldest Mexican Restaurants Closes After Nearly 40 Years

Little Mexico, a South First Street institution, will serve its final meals on February 28th.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 3:23pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

After nearly 40 years of serving Tex-Mex and interior Mexican cuisine, the beloved Little Mexico restaurant in Austin, Texas is closing its doors at the end of February. The restaurant, opened by Rosa Martinez in 1986, has been a stalwart of the city's Mexican Mile, hosting live music and community events over the decades. While Martinez is retiring from the restaurant business, she is not selling the property, which has been rented to a new tenant.

Why it matters

Little Mexico's closure marks the end of an era for Austin's Mexican Mile, a stretch of South First Street that has seen many long-standing Mexican restaurants and businesses shutter in recent years due to rapid development and gentrification in the area. The restaurant's closure is a bittersweet moment, as it represents the loss of a beloved community hub and cultural touchstone.

The details

Rosa Martinez opened the original Little Mexico restaurant in North Austin in 1986 before moving it to its current location on South First Street in 1994. The homey restaurant has served as a gathering place for the local community, hosting meetings of the Tejano Music Coalition and live performances from bands over the years. In addition to Tex-Mex and interior Mexican dishes, Little Mexico was known for its warm hospitality and familial atmosphere.

  • Little Mexico opened the original location in North Austin in 1986.
  • The restaurant moved to its current location on South First Street in 1994.
  • Little Mexico will serve its final meals on February 28, 2026.

The players

Rosa Martinez

The founder and owner of Little Mexico, who is retiring from the restaurant business after nearly 40 years.

Travis County Appraisal District

The organization that assessed the value of the property where Little Mexico is located at around $3 million.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I'm happy and kind of sad. These people are like family.”

— Rosa Martinez, Owner, Little Mexico (statesman.com)

“As Rosa enters this next chapter, we do so with deep gratitude to our loyal customers and to every team member who helped make Little Mexico what it was. Your hard work, care and pride will always be remembered.”

— Martinez Family (Facebook)

What’s next

Martinez is not selling the property where Little Mexico is located, and has rented it to a new tenant whose identity has not yet been revealed.

The takeaway

The closure of Little Mexico, one of Austin's oldest and most beloved Mexican restaurants, marks the end of an era for the city's Mexican Mile. While the restaurant's legacy will live on in the memories of its loyal patrons, its shuttering is a bittersweet reminder of the rapid changes transforming the city's cultural landscape.