By Rich Dupree

When Phoenix Buffet closed in Pineville in 2021 ending a 15-year run in the Pinebrook Square Shopping Center, many thought another restaurant, and maybe even another buffet, would open in its place. Well, it took 5 years, but today a sign went up that confirmed what most could see from the ongoing remake of the façade – Pineville is getting another Mexican Restaurant.

Nogal Mexican Grill is opening soon at 3107 Highway 28 East, which is directly behind CVS Pharmacy off 28 East or directly behind Chuck’s Ace Hardware off Edgewood Drive.

Nogal Mexican Grill originally opened in Deville in 2020, but like Phoenix Buffet, struggled to stay open during COVID – and once it closed because of staffing issues in 2021, didn’t reopen.

Even before the name was known, you could tell that a Mexican Restaurant was in the making – and social media has had a field day because of the number of Mexican Restaurant establishments that not only already exist in Pineville, but across Central Louisiana.

But what those who want to make fun and bemoan this announcement fail to recognize is the huge investment this family is making to bring Nogal Mexican Grill back to this community – and to put a vacant building back into commerce.

And while we do have a lot of Mexican Restaurants to choose from, we each have our own “favorite” based on the taste or authenticity of the food – or maybe the taste of the margaritas that make happy hour a little happier – or just how the staff makes you feel every time you stop by.

For anyone else who is not happy about another Mexican Restaurant opening, the Small Business Administration (SBA) will be happy to loan you the money to start whatever eatery you would like to open.

In the meantime, it will be up to Nogal Mexican Grill to earn your business. And for the City of Pineville, they are happy a building that has been vacant since COVID, will now be back in business for the foreseeable future.