Beloved cafeteria chain Luby’s is being forced to close one of its longest running restaurants in the Dallas area: The location in Plano at 5040 W. Park Blvd. at the busy intersection of Preston Road, where it's been in business for 30 years.

The last day is April 14, according to a statement from Calvin Gin, Luby’s Restaurant Corp. president.

"Sadly, our Plano location will be saying its final goodbyes on April 14," Gin said in a letter to customers. "Despite our success and the strong business we’ve built together, we find ourselves in a situation where we must leave."

The "situation" is that Luby's is being pushed out, and the location will be taken over by Chick-fil-A.

"Chick-fil-A has negotiated directly with our landlord to take over our site, which means we need to close our doors here," Gin said.

Gin bought the company in 2021 when it was on the brink of liquidation, a purchase that saved 32 locations in Texas from closing.

The Plano location still did good business, and the chain remains a nostalgic favorite as one of the few remaining cafeteria-style options at an affordable price, with dishes such as its signature LuAnn platter, a value meal that comes with an entree and two sides for as low as $9.

Prior to the liquidation, Luby's owned the real estate, but it was sold out from under them in 2020. The Plano property was acquired in 2022 by an entity named 5040 Reunion LLC.

In 2021, Luby's still had 10 restaurants in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, but five have since closed, including a high-profile location on Mockingbird Lane that was converted into Birdie’s Eastside, a patio restaurant and bar that has created traffic and parking woes in its East Dallas neighborhood.

The Plano closure has provoked waves of regret from residents, saying their bittersweet goodbyes and calling it the end of an era. Once it closes, only four DFW-area Luby’s will remain: two in Dallas, one in Desoto, and one in Fort Worth.

"Our nearest location is only 15 minutes away at 13455 Midway Road," Gin said in his letter. "They are already serving your favorite meals. Thank. You for all the support and memories. We’re excited to see you in Dallas and continue our journey together."