In surprising news, an upscale Mexican restaurant in Addison has closed: Meso Maya, which had been open at 5280 Belt Line Rd. since 2018, has closed.

David Romano, president of Local Favorite Restaurants, Meso Maya's parent company, said in a statement that they closed on June 12.

Despite our best efforts to continue operations, the landlord has other plans for the property," Romano said. "It was our pleasure serving the community and we look forward to seeing our guests at other nearby locations."

Part of Local Favorite Restaurants which also includes El Fenix, Taqueria La Ventana, and Snuffer's, Meso Maya is known for high-end Mexican food with dishes ranging from traditional tacos with skirt steak, to entrees such as short rib relleno and tamarind-glazed salmon, but at reasonable prices, with entrees topping out at $23.

They make their own tortillas on site and they also have a pretty incredible bar program that includes eight margarita options such as avocado and a mango sangrita, featuring a house-made mango sangrita swirl in a frozen house margarita.

The space was previously an El Fenix, but Meso Maya was deemed a better fit with the surrounding businesses and other restaurants in the area. Of course, that was pre-pandemic, but Local Favorites founder Mike Karns says the restaurant was doing quite well, and it wasn't their choice to leave.

"We wanted to stay in the location and had a big investment in the space," Karns says. "Unfortunately, we missed a lease renewal date, very far out. Northwood Retail, which owns the property, took advantage of that and would not allow us to renew even though we were willing to renew until full lease terms. We begged and pleaded and offered to make any kind of compromise."

"We appreciate our loyal guests over the last five years, and hope they join us at our Preston Forest location nearby," Karn says.

Located at the intersection of Montfort, the restaurant was situated in a visible spot.

That section of Belt Line Road has seen turnover, including the closure of the longtime Houston's in 2020. Restaurants that have opened in that area since include Mendocino Farms, Flower Child, and Shake Shack.

There are currently five Meso Maya locations, including downtown Dallas, plus Preston-Forest, Lakewood, West Plano, and Fort Worth.