Ottawa-born Tex-Mex restaurant sells more than 1 million fajitas a year

The story of how Lone Star Texas Grill grew from a single restaurant started by two Ottawa football players, into a province-wide chain.

Maple syrup and poutine are dishes that are as Canadian as it gets, but fajitas, salsa and chips?

Lone Star Texas Grill is not only Canadian, but began in Ottawa nearly 40 years ago, and now has 22 locations in Ontario.

The restaurant started in 1986 when two football players, Val Belcher and Larry Brune from Texas, found themselves in the nations’ capital playing in the CFL on the Ottawa Rough Riders

“They came to Ottawa to play for the Rough Riders, really enjoyed the city. And, they thought there was one thing missing though – The Texas flavour was missing. So, they took it upon themselves to open up, the first Lone Star Cafe, which is now Lone Star Texas Grill,” says Michael Caruso, regional director.

1.8 million people dined at Lonestar last year, according to the restaurant.

“I think it’s just unique. And, I mean, a bunch of other companies tried along the way to, to do it. And I think something we have going for us is we haven’t gone anywhere, and we’ve been we’ve been relevant. We’ve been present,” says Caruso.

Known for their sizzling fajitas – the restaurant sold 1.2 million for dine in and takeout last year. Other items that make the restaurant famous are daily house-made Salsa and Chips, Cheesy Queso and margaritas.

“We were the first restaurant in Canada to bring Corona across the border,” says Caruso. “We are also the number one purchaser for tequila, across restaurants in Canada as well.”

According to Lone Star, it is the number one Tex-Mex restaurant in Canada.

2024 fun facts, according to the restaurant:

• 40,000 Shots of Tequila
• 160,000 Queso’s
• 186,000 Coronas
• 1.2.M fajitas sold for dine in and takeout.
• 1.8M people dined @ Lone Star

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