Two of Houston’s most-popular Tex-Mex chains won’t allow 'open carry'

Russell Ybarra, the owner of Houston-based Tex-Mex chains Gringo's Mexican Kitchen and Jimmy Changas, says that his chains won't allow open carry in its locations across the Houston area when it becomes legal in Texas on Friday.

less Russell Ybarra, the owner of Houston-based Tex-Mex chains Gringo's Mexican Kitchen and Jimmy Changas, says that his chains won't allow open carry in its locations across the Houston area when it becomes legal ... more Photo: Syd Kearney, Houston Chronicle Photo: Syd Kearney, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 207 Caption Close Two of Houston’s most-popular Tex-Mex chains won’t allow 'open carry' 1 / 207 Back to Gallery

One of the area's most popular Tex-Mex chains announced this week that it wouldn't allow the "open carry" of firearms in its locations across the Houston area.

The legal counsel for Gringo's Mexican Kitchen made it known that his client would not welcome patrons seeking to carry firearms openly.

Open carry becomes legal in Texas on Friday for firearms owners with concealed handgun licenses. State and local officials are trying to determine what recent changes in state law mean for the carrying of firearms in government buildings, but private businesses still can choose whether to permit weapons on the premises.

The chain's owner, Russell Ybarra, also owns the Jimmy Changas chain of family Tex-Mex eateries. It also will also not allow patrons to carry firearms openly.

A number of other eateries have already decided against allowing open carry.

This past week, the H-E-B grocery store chain and the owner of The Galleria announced they would be prohibiting open carry.

“We didn’t feel that it’s necessary to allow someone to open carry in an atmosphere where children and families frequent. Plus there is alcohol at our locations," Ybarra told the Houston Chronicle on Monday.

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"I understand open carry in rural areas. West Texas? Sure. Urban and suburban areas, not so much," he said.

Al Flores, legal counsel for Gringo's, told the Wall Street Journal that customer comfort is what's key here.

“We just felt that knowing our customers, allowing someone to walk in openly carrying a weapon, it would make them feel a little uncomfortable," Flores told the outlet. "We’re primarily a family environment in terms of our restaurant. And so we decided it’s probably best not to allow open carry."

Signs will be posted in both English and Spanish at the front of Gringo's and Jimmy Changas locations.

Besides Gringo’s and Jimmy Changas, Ybarra is known for his various charitable activities in the area, including his work with the PTSD Foundation of America and its Camp Hope location in northwest Houston. He founded the first Gringo's location in Pearland in the early '90s and now presides over 14 locations

Does Ybarra anticipate any blow back from his decision?

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"People have a right to choose. I believe we are in the majority though. Parents won’t want to take their kids to eat somewhere where people are open carrying," Ybarra says. He thinks that concealed carrying is more advantageous in a crisis situation.

Those carrying either in belt or shoulder holsters will likely become the first targets for criminals.

He welcomes CHL holders to come and visit his restaurants.

"I think that more people will exercise their CHL rights in the future," he added.

He believes that many more restaurateurs like himself will opt to prohibit open carry if they haven't already.

The Lupe Tortilla chain has already said that it will not allow open carry across its 13 Tex-Mex locations.