Sharing this on behalf of Chron food reporter Chyna Blackmon. Full story below:

A Houston Heights restaurant says it's temporarily closed for maintenance, but a notice posted outside the restaurant cites a different reason: unpaid rent.

For nearly a week, the doors of [Los Chilaquiles Mexican Grill](https://texas.loschilaquiles.com/) at 702 E. 11th St. have been secured with a chain and padlock beneath a lockout notice from its landlord. The document states that "the locks to these premises have been changed by the landlord due to tenant's delinquency in payment of rent."

The notice also identifies the landlord, includes instructions for obtaining a new key, and states that it was provided pursuant to [Chapter 93 of the Texas Property Code](https://tcss.legis.texas.gov/resources/PR/pdf/PR.93.pdf), which governs commercial landlord-tenant relationships.

The lockout notice is dated July 1, the same day Los Chilaquiles advertised a [drink special](https://www.facebook.com/share/r/18w4FdA2pa/) on social media inviting guests to celebrate Mexico's win against Ecuador in the [2026 FIFA World Cup.](https://www.chron.com/world-cup/)

It's unclear whether the restaurant opened that day but, two days later, on July 3, Los Chilaquiles announced it would close through the weekend for what it described as [scheduled maintenance.](https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=122134500687064812&set=a.122099897127064812) 

Commenters on Los Chilaquiles' Instagram post announcing the temporary closure asked about the lockout notice posted on the doors. While the restaurant didn't respond to those comments or publicly address the lockout notice, it posted another update on July 6 saying it would remain closed for a few more days while it was "making a few improvements."

"We're wrapping up some maintenance work," Los Chilaquiles wrote. "We look forward to welcoming you back on Friday, July 10."

When Chron called Los Chilaquiles owner Tony Sanchez about the notice, he said that it was "not true." When we brought up the chains and padlock on the door, he declined to comment further.

In a phone call, Park Blair, the landlord identified on the lockout notice, also declined to comment or provide details on the lockout notice and restaurant's social media posts.

Los Chilaquiles' first location opened in Guadalajara, Mexico, in 2004. The restaurant opened its first U.S. location in the Heights neighborhood in November 2025. 

The lockout notice is the latest public-facing challenge Los Chilaquiles has experienced since opening. In its first month, several of Sanchez's employees took to the street in front of the store in protest, alleging they had gone weeks without pay. At the time, Sanchez acknowledged to Chron that payroll had been delayed and said he had hired an accountant and additional staff to distribute the missing wages.

Houston Heights restaurant says they haven't been locked out despite the chains on the door.