In 1970, the Monterrey House chain was sold to a group of investors. The new owners continued to operate the restaurants for several years, but eventually the chain began to decline. By the late 1970s, most of the Monterrey House restaurants had closed.
There are several reasons why the Monterrey House chain declined. One reason was the rise of fast food restaurants. Fast food restaurants were cheaper and more convenient than sit-down restaurants like Monterrey House. Another reason for the decline of Monterrey House was the changing demographics of Houston. The city's population grew rapidly in the 1970s and 1980s, and many of the new residents were Hispanic. These new residents were more likely to eat at Mexican restaurants that were owned and operated by Hispanics.
The Monterrey House restaurant chain was a pioneer in the Mexican restaurant industry. The restaurant was one of the first Mexican restaurants to open in Houston, and it helped to popularize Mexican cuisine in the city. The Monterrey House chain also helped to create a new generation of Hispanic restaurateurs. Many of the people who worked at Monterrey House went on to open their own restaurants. These restaurants helped to make Houston one of the most diverse and vibrant culinary cities in the United States.