There was one in my hometown, Gainesville Florida. It closed when I was a kid, but found one to eat at one last time around 2017 in Orlando. I knew it would probably be the last time and it was just as good as I remembered. RIP DP
Near Tampa in Brandon there is a former Don Pablos that basically just changed the name to Tres Amigos Mexican Cantina and it's the same exact inside, outside, and menu. It is delicious. Orlando used to have a Don Pablos on international drive as recently as a few years ago. I think it closed. My friend was a manager of a Don Pablos in the 90s. He said they switched to more prepacked foods at that time.
That was my home base, in Orlando on I-Drive. It was one of the last to go. The other in Sanford, an Orlando suburb, closed a week later and ending the company in Florida.
I never saw a Don Pablo's, but I remember Chi-Chi's. Wr didn't go often, more like a special occasion, like after a big "Black Friday" shopping trip, or traveling home after a show. YES...please do a vid on Chi-Chi's!
I live right near the deptford, nj location. I had been going there since I was little. I just read a recent article that it is going to be torn down and a canes chicken finger restaurant will be in its place. So sad, don Pablo’s was awesome
I do too, I grew up going to that store along with the one near the Moorestown Mall, it’s crazy that that one just happened to be the last one to close, I’m looking forward to having a rasing cane’s there, but I will never stop missing Don Pablo’s, that place is just full of memories
Man, I loved Don Pablo's in college, in the early '00s. But I do remember there was a marked decrease in quality in '03/'04, especially in the salsa. It went from chunky, clearly fresh to ketchupy.
BRILLIANT! I used to work at one in Winston-Salem when I was in film school. DELICIOUS!! Please make an episode about CHI CHI'S and their FRIED ICE CREAM!!N😩🌮🍺
As a teenager in the Dallas area, this is one of the places we went to quite a bit. Without hesitating, I always ordered the Three Amigos, which was 3 enchiladas, rice and beans: the plate with the most food, from what I could tell. Because as a teenager, I could freaking put it away lol These days I'm all about Chuy's, but there's always going to be a nostalgic soft spot for Don Pablos, just like everything else from the 90's.
I loved this place. Just threw away my Habaneros card after taking a couple of pictures of it. Sad! But thank you for the closure. Last one I went to was in Orlando, which was one of the last locations I believe. It was good. Good times!
Man do I miss Don Pablo's! I remember back in the late 90s, early 2000s, the wait times were well over an hour on weekends. At least On The Border and Uncle Julio's are still around.
My grandparents and I went to don pablos in the late 90s. I barely ever tried new things but they got me a burrito and it was amazing. Then I got the lava cakes and they were the best thing I ever tried lol. Unfortunate events for a great chain restaurant. Way better than garbage chi-chis 🤮. Wish I had the funding to open block busters and don pablos idc if I’d hemorrhage money I’d do it for nostalgia alone 👏
I was so pissed and disappointed when I saw that my local Don Pablo's was closing. Their food was great. Just another disgusting example of running a business as an investment vehicle instead of a business.
DP was my fav Mexican restaurant in Evansville IN years ago. The atmosphere was so unique and fun. Great place to drink too. Was so bummed when it closed down
Thanks for watching! Please consider subscribing it would really help me grow the channel! If you have a suggestion for a future video please comment below.
Dang, me and my co- workers were talking about Mexican restaurants I showed how old I am by talking about Don Pablo's as they had no idea what I was talking about.... I told them I was hankering for a conquistador platter. they were completely nonplussed...rave on Don Pablo. Yr spirit lives on in my growling gullet...
Oh the memories. I went to college in the cornfields near Dayton, Ohio in the mid 90s. It was a treat to go to Beavercreek mall and eat here. I remember the food being quite good at that time. Those were the days.
I was the GM in Beavercreek for a bit! It was a great restaurant, and I loved the 2 story the most. There was a huge decline when Chuy's came to the area though.
I worked at Don Pablo's in Manassas Virginia and opened the Reston Virginia store as an Assistant Manager. Make no mistake about it Apple South ruined the food. It was made fresh every day when Apple bought Don Pablo's the food began coming to the restaurant in bags. We had nothing but complaints from loyal customers who had been coming to DP for years. They ruined the food.
I worked at the DP in Rockford, Illinois back in the late 90s. UNFORTUNATELY, they closed and now is a Buffalo Wild Wings. The tortillas and queso was AMAZING!
I'm in Minnesota. Any time I was near the one in Richfield, I would get a bunch of that Prairie Fire Bean Dip and dozens of fresh tortillas to go. I've tried to make it at home, but I can't get it. If you or anyone else knows what went into that dip, I would love to know!!!
So much left out. Former manager here. Apple South lost their franchise license for Applebees. That left Don Pablo’s as their primary concept. Executives had no respect for the concept culture that had grown DP’s to that point, even rolling out a $25.00 steak. I left around this timeframe……
I started as a kitchen manager (1995), everything was cooked in house starting at 6am. The tortilla soup was the best. The secret to the queso is cumin.
@@GerardoGilsz yes to me they were good in the early 90 to mid 90s but I think they started cutting corners and their food quality went down so it felt cheap like el fenix or panchos.
But yes they were better than “on the border “ and “el Chico” and chuys and tias tex mex. They had better curb appeal with their sign but I think their food quality went down and couldn’t compete anymore in the dallas Fort Worth area
I worked for DP for 15 years, right up until the end. We saw a lot of changes over the years, but FMP was the worst. They were a liquidator, plain and simple. They were sued multiple times for labor violations among other things. In the end, they got theirs, as they lost their office park and probably most everything else. They transferred assets to something else that went belly up during Covid, and hopefully that will be the last of them. As for DP, I am lucky enough to know most of the recipes so that I can have the food whenever I want, LoL! But I wouldn't mind seeing another one, and I think in the right spot, it would do well.
Don Pablo’s was the best chain restaurant on the planet, if I could have one wish granted, I would wanna eat at Don Pablo’s, just one last time
There was one in my hometown, Gainesville Florida. It closed when I was a kid, but found one to eat at one last time around 2017 in Orlando. I knew it would probably be the last time and it was just as good as I remembered. RIP DP
There is another one in westchester ohio.
I miss it too.
Bro the cornbread was unreal
Near Tampa in Brandon there is a former Don Pablos that basically just changed the name to Tres Amigos Mexican Cantina and it's the same exact inside, outside, and menu. It is delicious. Orlando used to have a Don Pablos on international drive as recently as a few years ago. I think it closed. My friend was a manager of a Don Pablos in the 90s. He said they switched to more prepacked foods at that time.
That's pretty cool, I love when new place opens and embraces the old!
Is the queso the same? That's what I miss the most and can't perfect the recipe. :(
@@nicolespeckin7213 from what I remember it tastes the same. I loved Don Pablo's queso and tres amigos queso Is delicious for Me also.
That was my home base, in Orlando on I-Drive. It was one of the last to go. The other in Sanford, an Orlando suburb, closed a week later and ending the company in Florida.
Thank you for posting this!
Thank you for watching!
New subscriber here dude! I love your videos!!
Thank you I really appreciate that!
I never saw a Don Pablo's, but I remember Chi-Chi's. Wr didn't go often, more like a special occasion, like after a big "Black Friday" shopping trip, or traveling home after a show. YES...please do a vid on Chi-Chi's!
There's an abandoned location at 14181 Hall Rd in Clinton Twp, MI. Been closed for years now.
Flint, MI still standing strong with the DP sign up lol.
I live right near the deptford, nj location. I had been going there since I was little. I just read a recent article that it is going to be torn down and a canes chicken finger restaurant will be in its place. So sad, don Pablo’s was awesome
I do too, I grew up going to that store along with the one near the Moorestown Mall, it’s crazy that that one just happened to be the last one to close, I’m looking forward to having a rasing cane’s there, but I will never stop missing Don Pablo’s, that place is just full of memories
The Cadillac enchilada and chili 🌶️ mashed potatoes were absolute 🔥
Man, I loved Don Pablo's in college, in the early '00s. But I do remember there was a marked decrease in quality in '03/'04, especially in the salsa. It went from chunky, clearly fresh to ketchupy.
Well shit
Can you please also create an episode about THE RATS that took over that one KFC/TACO BELL in NYC?!
I'd be cool with a Chi Chi's video.
Same.
BRILLIANT! I used to work at one in Winston-Salem when I was in film school. DELICIOUS!! Please make an episode about CHI CHI'S and their FRIED ICE CREAM!!N😩🌮🍺
As a teenager in the Dallas area, this is one of the places we went to quite a bit. Without hesitating, I always ordered the Three Amigos, which was 3 enchiladas, rice and beans: the plate with the most food, from what I could tell. Because as a teenager, I could freaking put it away lol
These days I'm all about Chuy's, but there's always going to be a nostalgic soft spot for Don Pablos, just like everything else from the 90's.
I loved this place. Just threw away my Habaneros card after taking a couple of pictures of it. Sad! But thank you for the closure. Last one I went to was in Orlando, which was one of the last locations I believe. It was good. Good times!
Man do I miss Don Pablo's! I remember back in the late 90s, early 2000s, the wait times were well over an hour on weekends. At least On The Border and Uncle Julio's are still around.
Lots of great memories at DP in Baltimore, Md. Family meals and gatherings. Loved it regardless.
This place was a great mexican chain. I still drive by the vacant building they occupied in Waterford MI weekly.
They failed because they stopped caring about the food, stopped making it with love. The original owners got it cause they had pride in it
My grandparents and I went to don pablos in the late 90s. I barely ever tried new things but they got me a burrito and it was amazing. Then I got the lava cakes and they were the best thing I ever tried lol. Unfortunate events for a great chain restaurant. Way better than garbage chi-chis 🤮. Wish I had the funding to open block busters and don pablos idc if I’d hemorrhage money I’d do it for nostalgia alone 👏
Greenville SC had one on Haywood rd.
I was so pissed and disappointed when I saw that my local Don Pablo's was closing. Their food was great. Just another disgusting example of running a business as an investment vehicle instead of a business.
I'd like a Chi Chi's episode, also a Cannon Films episode and one about the Big Owe aka Olympic Stadium in Montreal
The old Don Pablo's building has been repurposed in Battle Creek, MI and is now a marijuana dispensary
DP was my fav Mexican restaurant in Evansville IN years ago. The atmosphere was so unique and fun. Great place to drink too. Was so bummed when it closed down
Thanks for watching! Please consider subscribing it would really help me grow the channel! If you have a suggestion for a future video please comment below.
I met my ex wife at the Rockford, IL location before I joined the Army.
Moorestown NJ still standing empty
Personally I loved Don Pablo’s food! I miss it
Dang, me and my co- workers were talking about Mexican restaurants I showed how old I am by talking about Don Pablo's as they had no idea what I was talking about.... I told them I was hankering for a conquistador platter. they were completely nonplussed...rave on Don Pablo. Yr spirit lives on in my growling gullet...
Oh the memories. I went to college in the cornfields near Dayton, Ohio in the mid 90s. It was a treat to go to Beavercreek mall and eat here. I remember the food being quite good at that time. Those were the days.
I was the GM in Beavercreek for a bit! It was a great restaurant, and I loved the 2 story the most. There was a huge decline when Chuy's came to the area though.
@@JohnCzech-s5x Please, if you can clue me in on what went into that Prairie Fire Bean Dip, I would be so grateful.
I'd love to hear one about Chi-Chi's!
Watching now but it's driving me crazy, Tex-Mex not Mexican restaurant. That's all.
Excellent food. Miss it badly. Monroeville Pa location still sits empty
It's a little sad. I remember eating that this restaurant chain a good handful of times years ago, and I always liked it.
I worked at Don Pablo's in Manassas Virginia and opened the Reston Virginia store as an Assistant Manager. Make no mistake about it Apple South ruined the food. It was made fresh every day when Apple bought Don Pablo's the food began coming to the restaurant in bags. We had nothing but complaints from loyal customers who had been coming to DP for years. They ruined the food.
Can you clue me in on what went into that Prairie Fire Bean Dip?? It haunts my dreams!
I worked at the DP in Rockford, Illinois back in the late 90s. UNFORTUNATELY, they closed and now is a Buffalo Wild Wings. The tortillas and queso was AMAZING!
That queso was amazing do you happen to know the recipe? I looked for it online and there are a few copycat recipes but they are not the same.
I'd give anything for the recipe for the Prairie Fire Bean Dip!!!
My hubby proposed to me at Don Pablo’s.
Ridgmar Texas don Pablo's is abandoned
Worked at Don Pablo’s for four years. Loved the food. Fire Bean Dip and Ranchero Enchiladas.
I'm in Minnesota. Any time I was near the one in Richfield, I would get a bunch of that Prairie Fire Bean Dip and dozens of fresh tortillas to go. I've tried to make it at home, but I can't get it. If you or anyone else knows what went into that dip, I would love to know!!!
Is JC Penney and Kmart is on it's way to do the video 📲👍
I most likely will add them both to my poll after next week...I'm guessing they will both get several votes
Please do a chichis one!
So much left out. Former manager here. Apple South lost their franchise license for Applebees. That left Don Pablo’s as their primary concept. Executives had no respect for the concept culture that had grown DP’s to that point, even rolling out a $25.00 steak. I left around this timeframe……
I started as a kitchen manager (1995), everything was cooked in house starting at 6am. The tortilla soup was the best. The secret to the queso is cumin.
I worked at Don Pablo’s in Grand Rapids Michigan
What’s your point ?
@@robbyx6846 the food that we cooked it was amazing !!! I don’t understand why they close?
@@GerardoGilsz yes to me they were good in the early 90 to mid 90s but I think they started cutting corners and their food quality went down so it felt cheap like el fenix or panchos.
But yes they were better than “on the border “ and “el Chico” and chuys and tias tex mex. They had better curb appeal with their sign but I think their food quality went down and couldn’t compete anymore in the dallas Fort Worth area
Salsa recipe??? lol
What Mexican restaurant is as good as Don Pablo’s in Minnesota
I worked for DP for 15 years, right up until the end. We saw a lot of changes over the years, but FMP was the worst. They were a liquidator, plain and simple. They were sued multiple times for labor violations among other things. In the end, they got theirs, as they lost their office park and probably most everything else. They transferred assets to something else that went belly up during Covid, and hopefully that will be the last of them. As for DP, I am lucky enough to know most of the recipes so that I can have the food whenever I want, LoL! But I wouldn't mind seeing another one, and I think in the right spot, it would do well.
Hi can you share recipes? Im 100% serious.
Salsa recipe and chicken/steak fajita recipes *please*. They belong in the Smithsonian. Message me if you can share those recipes, cheers.
I would do anything for the Prairie Fire Bean Dip recipe!! That was something special.
@@WillCharles-wy3me I'm recently unemployed so I would be willing to negotiate LoL