Tacos Doña Lena, a restaurant in Houston Heights, was robbed on Saturday morning. Suspects stole food, equipment, and merchandise, including a pot of menudo. This is the second break-in at the location in two years. The restaurant shared surveillance footage of the robbery.
Sunday, March 29, 2026 8:29 PM A Houston Heights restaurant, Tacos Doña Lena , fell victim to a robbery early Saturday morning, according to the restaurant's owners. The incident, which occurred at the establishment located on 18th Street, resulted in the theft of various food items, kitchen equipment, and merchandise. A social media post from the restaurant confirmed the incident, highlighting the second instance of a break-in at this particular location within the past two years.
The owners, deeply affected by the event, are assessing the full extent of the damages and losses incurred as a result of the criminal activity. The local authorities have been notified, and an investigation into the matter is underway, with the restaurant providing all necessary cooperation to aid in the apprehension of the perpetrators. ABC13 reached out to Angel Cabrera, who is the son of the owners, for more information about the alleged robbery. Cabrera detailed the events that unfolded around 3:50 AM, explaining that the suspects gained entry to the restaurant by forcibly removing the kitchen window. The suspects were primarily focused on obtaining specific food items, including a pot of menudo, a traditional Mexican soup that had been prepared and left to cool overnight. The stolen goods weren't limited to the soup; the thieves also made off with three 24-packs of Mexican Coca-Colas, a rice cooker, and a supply of chicharron, a popular fried pork rind snack. Cabrera described how the robbery was carried out, with one suspect inside the restaurant handing items to a second suspect who was positioned outside, facilitating the transfer of stolen goods. The restaurant, in addition to the monetary losses, experienced operational disruptions. The unavailability of menudo on Saturday impacted the restaurant's ability to serve its customers the full menu of options that it normally offers. The staff worked diligently to restore service and resolve the issues resulting from the robbery. Despite the setbacks, the restaurant's determination to serve its customers remained unshaken. In their social media post, the restaurant shared surveillance images that captured the moment of the robbery, including clear footage of the suspect removing the window and the transfer of goods. These images, intended to provide evidence to law enforcement and inform the public, have also been used to garner support for the restaurant from the local community. The restaurant was thankfully able to reinstate the popular menudo on the menu by Sunday, ensuring the restaurant could continue to deliver its usual culinary experience to its patrons. The incidents like this often highlight the challenges that local businesses face, and the importance of community support during difficult times. The owners of Tacos Doña Lena, although impacted by this unfortunate incident, are resolute in their commitment to their customers and will continue to provide exceptional food and service. Furthermore, this serves as a reminder to restaurant owners to assess security measures and ensure steps are taken to prevent similar incidents in the future. The community has shown its resilience in the face of adversity, proving to be an invaluable support system for affected businesses and demonstrating a collective commitment to creating a safer and more secure environment. Restaurants like Doña Lena are essential to the fabric of the community, and their ability to quickly recover from these events is a testament to their strength and dedication. The restaurant's willingness to quickly restore its menu offerings, in particular the popular menudo, further underscores its dedication to its loyal customers and its commitment to ensuring they continue to have a positive dining experience. Local authorities are actively investigating the incident, and are asking for any information from the public to help apprehend the people responsible for the crime and further emphasize the commitment to community safety
Robbery Houston Heights Tacos Doña Lena Menudo Theft Crime Restaurant
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Illinois Dominates Houston, Advances to Elite EightIllinois defeats Houston 65-55 in the Sweet 16, showcasing strong defense and setting up an Elite Eight matchup against Iowa. David Mirkovic led Illinois with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Houston struggled offensively, shooting only 34% from the field.
Read more »
Gary Woodland, Amid PTSD Battle, Leads Houston Open; Brooks Koepka Misses CutWoodland fired rounds of 64-63, eyeing one of the more sentimental victories in recent memory, as Koepka's putting woes continued despite a recent stretch of strong finishes.
Read more »
Houston area tops latest U.S. Census growth estimates despite slowing population growth, data showsAccording to U.S. Census Bureau data, the population growth in the United States is slowing, however, the Houston area's growth tops the growth estimate list.
Read more »
Connecticut Sun moving to Houston after upcoming WNBA season: SourceThe Connecticut Sun will play their final season at Mohegan Sun and move to Houston in 2027, according to a source familiar with the agreement.
Read more »
No Kings protests in Houston on March 28: Where, what they are'No Kings' protests will be held across the U.S. on Saturday, including in Houston and surrounding areas. Here's where the rallies are happening and what they are protesting.
Read more »
Houston sports suffers double defeat: Astros fall to Angels, Houston Cougars eliminated from NCAA TournamentIt was a rare 'double loss' day for the City of Champions. From a stagnant offense at Daikin Park to a physical exit at the Toyota Center, we recap the two major losses for Houston sports fans.
Read more »