SAN ANTONIO – UPDATE: Pollos Asados Los Norteños owner Frank Garcia said Wednesday that the restaurant will not open on Thursday as planned. He canceled the mechanical inspection with the city that was set for Wednesday because his workers are still finishing up ductwork.
Story: A popular East Side chicken restaurant under close observation by nearby neighbors and the city of San Antonio is set to reopen Thursday.
Pollos Asados los Norteños owner Frank Garcia told the Defenders that he's used the last few weeks to bring his smokehouse into compliance. The city's development services department pulled the restaurant's certificate of occupancy last month because the smokehouse didn't have permits and wasn't in compliance.
The city threatened to shut off the restaurant's utilities, but came to an agreement with the owner beforehand.
Garcia's last day of operations was Jan. 14. He said it's cost him about $35,000 to put in new fans, stacks, filters and a fire suppression system. The restaurant owner is anticipating an inspection of the new equipment by city officials on Wednesday.
Neighbors near the restaurant at 4642 Rigsby Avenue said the amount of smoke that used to be produced by cooking the flame-grilled chicken was not only a nuisance but a safety concern.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality confirmed investigations into the restaurant and violations given to Garcia. Garcia said his lawyer is working to take care of those violations.
Pollos Asados los Norteños's mobile kitchen has been serving food at the corner of South Flores Street and East Edmonds Street while repairs were being made to the restaurant.