A long-standing East Valley restaurant is preparing to close one of its Mesa locations after serving the community for decades, marking another change for the family-owned business.

Serrano’s Mexican Restaurants announced that its Mesa location near McKellips and Gilbert roads will shut down after more than 30 years in operation. The closure is scheduled for mid-May, bringing an end to a restaurant that has been a familiar part of the area for generations of customers.

The decision was not made lightly, according to the family behind the restaurant. They pointed to a combination of challenges that have made it increasingly difficult to continue operating the location. Among those factors are declining sales, rising operating costs, and the impact of nearby road construction, which has affected customer access and traffic to the business.

The closure is part of a broader period of transition for the Serrano’s brand. In recent years, the company has also closed other locations, including its longtime downtown Chandler restaurant and a newer fast-casual concept in Tempe. These changes reflect the financial pressures and shifting dynamics facing the restaurant industry.

Despite the closure, the company is not disappearing entirely. Two remaining locations—one in east Mesa and another in Queen Creek—will continue operating. Some employees from the closing restaurant are expected to transfer to those locations, allowing them to remain with the company.

The Mesa location’s closure represents the end of an era for many loyal customers who have supported the restaurant over the years. For the Serrano family, it is another difficult step in adapting to changing business conditions while trying to preserve the legacy of their long-running restaurant brand.

Source: ABC15 Arizona