Taco Palenque to Renovate Former Panera Bread on U.S. 290, Bringing Fresh Mex and 24-Hour Flavor to Cypress
When Panera Bread abruptly closed its doors on Northwest Freeway amid a franchise bankruptcy filing, many Cypress residents were left wondering what would come next for the highly visible corner at 26003 Northwest Fwy, Cypress, TX 77429. Now, new permit filings show Taco Palenque Cypress is set to transform the 4,000-square-foot building into a Fresh Mex restaurant, with renovations scheduled to begin April 1, 2026, and an estimated completion date of October 1, 2026.
For homeowners, commuters and nearby businesses along the U.S. 290 corridor, the redevelopment represents more than just a restaurant swap. It fills a recently vacant storefront, reinvests $550,000 into an existing structure, and adds another late-night dining option in a rapidly growing part of Harris County.
A South Texas Brand Expanding in Greater Houston
Taco Palenque traces its roots back to 1979, when Don Pancho — a restaurateur who had previously helped grow El Pollo Loco across Northern Mexico before its U.S. expansion — recognized that authentic Mexican flavors were not widely accessible in the United States. Drawing from his heritage and experience, he launched Taco Palenque in South Texas, building a reputation around made-to-order tacos, fresh ingredients and traditional recipes.
The brand’s philosophy centers on hospitality and freshness. “¡Buen Provecho!” — commonly translated as “enjoy your meal” — reflects what the company describes as a deeper tradition of sharing high-quality food as family.
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Today, Taco Palenque continues to expand beyond its original South Texas footprint. The Cypress location will join three existing Taco Palenque restaurants in the Greater Houston area, strengthening the brand’s presence in one of the state’s fastest-growing regions.
What Cypress Residents Can Expect on the Menu
Taco Palenque is known for its “Fresh Mex” approach — emphasizing fresh natural ingredients and authentic handmade recipes prepared to order.
According to the brand’s current bilingual menu, offerings span traditional tacos, fajita plates, burritos, quesadillas and breakfast items served with both corn and flour tortilla options.
Popular selections include:
- Pirata Tacos, featuring flour tortillas filled with fajita, refried beans and cheddar cheese
- Sirloin, Al Pastor and Chicken Breast Tacos
- Fajita Quesadillas and Parrilladas (family-style grilled platters)
- Palenque Bowls layered with Mexican rice and charro beans
- Breakfast tacos and breakfast burritos, including potato and egg, chorizo and egg, and barbacoa
The menu also features traditional sides such as refried beans, charro beans and guacamole, along with desserts like tres leches cake, flan and arroz con leche.
Many Taco Palenque locations are known for extended or 24-hour service, a detail that could offer added convenience for shift workers, first responders and families seeking late-night dining options in Cypress.
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What Happens Next
Renovation work is expected to begin April 1, 2026, with completion targeted for October 1, 2026, according to state filings. The project is classified as a renovation/alteration of the existing 4,000-square-foot structure.
As construction progresses, residents can expect visible interior and exterior updates as the space transitions from its former bakery-café layout into a Fresh Mex dining environment.
Stay tuned to my Neighborhood News for updates on the Taco Palenque Cypress opening and other new restaurants and business developments in Cypress and Northwest Harris County.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.