Tex-Mex News
Holiday-crazed Arlington restaurant Campo Verde turns out the lights
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A Tex-Mex restaurant that made every day feel like Christmas with its over-the-top holiday decor has turned out the lights: Campo Verde has closed its location at 2918 W. Pioneer Pkwy. in Arlington indefinitely.
The last day it was open was January 5. The closure was said to last a few days, according to The Dallas Morning News, but it’s been weeks now and employees have been laid off.
When calling the phone number listed on the restaurant's site, it goes to a message stating that the number is out of service and disconnected.
According to The Dallas Morning News, two notes were posted on the closed doors; one from a vendor and the other was a hand-written note from a customer. Even the Christmas lights were still on inside.
“Looks like y’all shut down a staple for this area,” the note read. “Shouldn’t have changed the queso dip! We miss the original Campo Verde.”
The restaurant was a mainstay and became an annual landmark in Arlington every Christmas holiday season with its 120,000 lights, 3,000 yards of colorful garland, 50 Santa Claus figures, 30 Christmas trees, and two model trains circling around the dining room.
Late restaurateur James “Smiley” Williams, who opened the spot in 1983, changed ownership and sold the restaurant to Thomas “Tommy” Stewart Jr. in 2022, according to Fort Worth Star-Telegram. With the new ownership also came no change in the Christmas decor but a reduced menu of Tex-Mex eats, which included staples such as enchiladas, fajitas, tacos, and frozen margaritas.
A few recent health inspections could have also had something to do with the closure, as the restaurant earned a 71 on their December inspection. The food was not that great, according to diners on social media, but the Christmas vibe was always a big attraction and found a spot on multiple lists, including CultureMap’s Where to see the most stunning lights in Fort Worth and Where to drink.