Los Chiapanecos restaurant to close Aug. 18; aims to reopen after roadwork

South Yellow Springs Street is being reconstructed, affecting access to the restaurant; Los Chiapanecos hopes to reopen next month
A new restaurant, Los Chiapanecos Mexican Restaurant, opened in spring 2024 at the intersection of South Yellow Springs Street and Fair Street. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

Credit: Bill Lackey

Credit: Bill Lackey

A new restaurant, Los Chiapanecos Mexican Restaurant, opened in spring 2024 at the intersection of South Yellow Springs Street and Fair Street. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

The Los Chiapanecos restaurant will temporarily close its location at 648 S. Yellow Springs St. on Aug. 18 because of road construction.

In a statement released online, owners of the restaurant apologized to customers.

“Due to the situation we are going through due to road works in recent months, we have to inform you that as of August 18th this month, the restaurant is temporarily closed,” Los Chiapanecos’ owners wrote. “We hope for your understanding and we thank you.”

Los Chiapanecos was known for dishes like carne asada, fajitas, tacos, tortas, and pollo con camaron. The restaurant had only been open for about five months.

A city of Springfield-funded project is totally reconstructing South Yellow Springs Street from Pleasant Street past the restaurant, south to Southern Avenue. The work requires digging all the way down to the road base, replacing water and sewer systems and improving drainage before completely replacing the roadway surface.

Restaurant manager Moises Cruz explained that the construction prevents people from entering the restaurant parking lot.

“We would like to apologize to our customers for the closing,” Cruz said. “The construction just doesn’t let us make enough money to stay open.”

Cruz said that they hope to open the restaurant in a month when construction in that area is wrapped up.