Ask the news - July 9

When will Leal’s on Mabry Drive reopen?

Leal’s of Clovis owner Laura Leal said she hopes her location on Mabry Drive will reopen “no later than February 2024.”

“That might be a reasonable goal. We’re almost done with the inside, then we’re going to be working on the outside,” Leal said.

Leal said the patio on the east side of the building will be fixed up inside and out.

“I’ve got some major plans. I’m just taking my time to do everything right. It just takes time,” Leal said.

The Mabry Drive location, which opened Jan. 21, 1988, had to be closed during the first winter of COVID.

“Remember when it got real cold and they were doing those rolling blackouts? We had a freeze during one of those blackouts. Pipes froze. Water everywhere. It ruined everything,” Leal said.

Part of the renovations include new equipment.

“Everything’s going to be new,” Leal said.

The restaurant’s Prince Street location remains open. It’s been there since August 2004. While the Prince Street building was for sale before the Mabry location shut down during COVID, Leal said she plans to keep both locations going when Mabry reopens.

Leal’s also has locations in Muleshoe and Plainview.

“My sister Alma has Leal’s tamale factory in Lubbock,” Laura Leal said. “My brother Sergio and his wife Traci make all the corn and flour tortillas and the chips and my brother Able and his wife Marcie handle the distribution for the chips you see in supermarkets,” Leal said.

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