San Angelo-Raised Chef Expands Restaurant Empire Again

SAN ANGELO, TX — Felipe Armenta, the San Angelo–raised chef behind several well-known local restaurants, will expand his Maria’s Mexican Kitchen brand to Irving in December 2025, according to a report made by Fort Worth Culture Map. 

The new location will open at 5240 N. O’Connor Blvd., in the former Hugo’s Invitados space. 

Armenta’s ties to San Angelo are extensive. He helped launch The Grill on Sherwood Way, co-founded Cork & Pig Tavern — which opened its first location in San Angelo in 2010 — and his family operates Armenta’s Café at 1325 South Oakes Street. He later founded Fort Worth–based FAR Out Hospitality.

Maria’s is named for Armenta’s mother, whom he learned to cook with in San Angelo. The first Maria’s opened near TCU in Fort Worth in 2021, followed by a second location in Odessa in June 2025.

The menu features modern takes on Mexican staples — such as grilled mahi-mahi with almond sauce, chicken tamales, ceviche, and house-made tortillas — along with weekend brunch, a weekday happy hour, and a full bar and wine list.

The Irving opening will be the concept’s third location and adds to Armenta’s portfolio that spans West Texas and the Dallas–Fort Worth area.