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After racking up plenty of critical acclaim, Trinity Groves tapas spot Casa Rubia has officially closed its doors.
The news of the closure comes in a statement from Trinity Groves, the West Dallas restaurant incubator that abruptly shuttered the Casa Rubia over the weekend. Opened in 2013, Casa Rubia earned Flores multiple James Beard Award nominations, along with a coveted four-star review from Dallas Morning News critic Leslie Brenner.
According to Trinity Groves, the move was purely financial. “The restaurant had declining sales. We had our moments in the sun,” Trinity Groves finance boss Bob Sambol told D Magazine. “Omar’s a great guy and he worked hard and unfortunately the concept didn’t work for us at Trinity Groves.”
Casa Rubia isn’t the first concept that “didn’t work” for Trinity Groves. In 2015, Didi’s Tamale Diner, Sugar Skull Cafe, and Potato Flats bid the restaurant development adieu, and last year, Kitchen LTO closed its doors. The restaurant formerly known as Resto Gastro Bistro also closed its doors, but has since been reconcepted as Fat Chicken.
Flores currently operates his fried chicken restaurant Whistle Britches, which has no affiliation with Trinity Groves, in North Dallas. According to Escape Hatch Dallas, Flores is currently working to expand Whistle Britches into Plano. A location is expected to open at The Shops at Willowbend later this year.
No word yet on what will replace Casa Rubia.