On The Border Mexican Grill
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On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina is an American chain of
Tex-Mex Tex-Mex cuisine (derived from the words ''Texas'' and ''Mexico'') is a regional American cuisine that originates from the culinary creations of Tejanos, Tejano people. It has spread from border states such as Texas and others in the Southwestern ...
food
casual dining Restaurants fall into several industry classifications, based upon menu style, preparation methods and pricing, as well as the means by which the food is served to the customer. This article mainly describes the situation in the US, while categor ...
restaurants. The chain and brand name is owned by Argonne Capital Group.


History

The first On The Border location opened on October 29, 1982, in
Dallas, Texas Dallas () is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the most populous city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the List of Texas metropolitan areas, most populous metropolitan area in Texas and the Metropolitan statistical area, fourth-most ...
. In 1994, the chain lost its wholly owned subsidiary designation when it was merged into
Brinker International Brinker International, Inc. (or simply Brinker) is an American multinational hospitality industry company that owns Chili's and Maggiano's Little Italy restaurant chains. Founded in 1975 and based in Dallas, Texas, Brinker currently owns, operat ...
as a company brand. In 2010, Brinker International sold On the Border to
Golden Gate Capital Golden Gate Capital is an American private equity firm based in San Francisco. The firm makes investments in a number of select industries, including technology, financial services, retail and industrial, through leveraged buyout transactions, as ...
. OTB Acquisition LLC, an affiliate of Golden Gate Capital, announced that it had completed its acquisition of On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina from Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT). On April 24, 2014, the chain was sold to Argonne Capital Group, another private equity firm. In February 2025, both locations in
Long Island, New York Long Island is a densely populated continental island in southeastern New York (state), New York state, extending into the Atlantic Ocean. It constitutes a significant share of the New York metropolitan area in both population and land are ...
were closed permanently. On March 5, 2025, On the Border filed for
Chapter 11 bankruptcy Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code ( Title 11 of the United States Code) permits reorganization under the bankruptcy laws of the United States. Such reorganization, known as Chapter 11 bankruptcy, is available to every business, w ...
protection, listing assets and liabilities between $10 million and $50 million. The company blamed inflation, rising interest costs and low traffic demand as factors contributing to the bankruptcy filing. Pappas Restaurants Inc. revealed on May 7, 2025 it would be bringing On the Border into its portfolio following a successful auction bid.


Restaurants

The chain at one time operated over 150 restaurants within the
United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
and thirteen locations (7 stores in Seoul, Bucheon, Goyang, Hanam, Suwon, Daejeon and Busan) in
South Korea South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the southern half of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and borders North Korea along the Korean Demilitarized Zone, with the Yellow Sea to the west and t ...
. However, as part of the March 2025 bankruptcy filing, half of the locations permanently closed.


Products

The restaurant is known for its selection of
fajitas A fajita (; ), in Tex-Mex cuisine, is strips of any grilled meat, optionally served with strips of peppers and onions usually served on a flour or corn tortilla. The term originally referred to skirt steak, the cut of beef first used in the dis ...
and wide selection of
margarita A margarita is a cocktail consisting of tequila, triple sec, and lime juice. Some margarita recipes include simple syrup as well and are often served with salt on the rim of the glass. Margaritas can be served either shaken with ice (on the rock ...
s. It is also known for "Guacamole Live," the preparation of fresh guacamole tableside.


Criticism

For several consecutive years, ''
Men's Health ''Men's Health'' (''MH''), published by Hearst Communications, Hearst, is the world's largest men's magazine brand, with 35 editions in 59 countries; it is the bestselling men's magazine on American newsstands. Started as a men's health magazin ...
'' rated On the Border as one of the unhealthiest chains on its annual "Restaurant Report Card." In 2010, the magazine named On the Border the worst chain in its Mexican category, noting that an enchilada meal contained over 1,600 calories, and desserts typically contained over 1,000 calories each.


See also

*
List of restaurants in Dallas Following is a list of notable restaurants that have operated in Dallas, in the U.S. state of Texas: * Campisi's Egyptian Restaurant * Cattleack Barbeque * El Chico (restaurant), El Chico * Corner Bakery Cafe * Dave & Buster's * El Fenix (rest ...


References

Restaurant chains in the United States Restaurants in Dallas Restaurant franchises Mexican restaurants Companies based in Dallas Restaurants established in 1982 1982 establishments in Texas 2010 mergers and acquisitions 2014 mergers and acquisitions Mexican restaurants in the United States Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2025 {{US-restaurant-stub