Texas Restaurant Chain Coming To Former Drago’s In Lafayette

For more than two years, one of the most recognizable restaurant buildings along Johnston Street in Lafayette has been sitting quiet.

Now, there are signs of life at 3151 Johnston Street, the former home of Drago’s Seafood Restaurant at the corner of Johnston Street and Doucet Road.

And by signs of life, we mean there’s a dumpster outside.

Hey, activity is activity.

That seemingly small change has been enough to get Lafayette talking again about a property that has developed quite a bit of lore over the years. More importantly, a now-removed report from The Acadiana Advocate indicated something much bigger is actually happening: a Texas-based restaurant chain is expected to take over the building and could open next summer.

Exactly which restaurant is coming remains the big question.

Why Does Lafayette Call 3151 Johnston Street “Cursed”?

Property managers probably aren't fans of the word “cursed,” and there are plenty of reasons why the location itself shouldn't be blamed for businesses coming and going.

Still, Lafayette loves a good piece of local lore, and 3151 Johnston Street has earned its reputation because of the sheer number of businesses that have occupied the property.

Over the decades, the location has reportedly been home to a gas station, Shoe Town, Toucan’s, Booties, Serrano’s Salsa Company, the very short-lived Bako’s, Mellow Mushroom and, most recently, Drago’s.

Drago’s closed its Lafayette restaurant in February 2024. Since then, the large building at Johnston and Doucet has remained vacant.

But blaming the neighborhood itself doesn't really make sense.

Other Businesses Around Johnston And Doucet Have Thrived

Some of Lafayette's most established businesses are within minutes, or even steps, of the property.

Judice Inn sits directly across Johnston Street and has been a Lafayette institution for generations. Red’s is only a couple of blocks away on Doucet Road. Nearby businesses, including Zea, Corner Bar, Samir’s, Mel’s, and Mandez’s, have also established themselves in one of Lafayette's busiest commercial corridors.

Newer businesses have found success nearby, too.

Jet Coffee recently took over the former Johnston Street Java location. Around the corner on Bertrand Drive are longtime favorites like Deano’s Pizza and the original Legend’s, along with Yard Goat. CuGino has also become a popular addition to the Midtown area.

Then there's Moncus Park just down the street, Cajun Field nearby, UL's campus a short drive away, and easy connections toward Downtown Lafayette, River Ranch, and the city's Southside.

In other words, there's plenty happening around this particular corner.

So why has 3151 Johnston had such a difficult time keeping a concept for the long haul?

There have been plenty of theories, ranging from the building's size and configuration to the unusual arrangement between ownership of the building and a lease for the land underneath it. Without verified financial information from the businesses involved, however, anything beyond that would be speculation.

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What Is Coming To The Former Drago’s In Lafayette?

That's where things get interesting.

Rumors have been flying about the building, ranging from an Asian restaurant or buffet concept to Lafayette's seemingly immortal P.F. Chang's rumor.

For now, none of those have been confirmed.

The strongest information came from Acadiana Advocate reporter Adam Daigle, whose report said a Texas-based chain restaurant planned to open at 3151 Johnston Street next summer.

According to the portion of the report preserved in social media posts, an LLC registered to Yi Cheng Zheng of Houston purchased the building and assumed the lease on the land underneath it.

The distinction is important: the deal reportedly involves ownership of the building while the land itself remains leased.

The New Restaurant Could Require Months Of Renovations

Sophie Zhao of Beyond Realty represented the buyer in the deal and did not identify the restaurant concept, according to the report.

She did, however, indicate that approximately 10 months of interior renovation work would be necessary before the restaurant could open.

That would certainly explain why a dumpster appearing outside the former Drago’s could be more meaningful than it initially looks.

Zhao has also publicly interacted with people trying to figure out what's coming. According to posts included with the information provided, she previously teased that something “nice” was coming soon and later responded to speculation by saying the restaurant “will be popular.”

That isn't exactly a restaurant reveal, but it's certainly enough to keep the guessing game going.

The Texas Restaurant Chain Has Not Been Identified

This is where it's important to separate confirmed information from Lafayette's favorite pastime: trying to figure out what's going into an empty restaurant building.

People online have suggested everything from sushi and Asian buffet concepts to other Texas-based chains. The name Five Points Sushi has even surfaced in the speculation.

But there is currently nothing in the information available that confirms Five Points Sushi, P.F. Chang's, or any other specific restaurant as the future tenant.

What we do have is much simpler: the building has reportedly been purchased by an LLC registered to a Houston businessman, the land lease was assumed, a Texas-based restaurant chain is expected, and extensive renovations could take around 10 months.

Until somebody involved in the deal puts a restaurant name on it, everything else remains speculation.

Could This Finally Be The Concept That Lasts?

Whatever is coming to 3151 Johnston Street will inherit plenty of Lafayette history and probably a few jokes about “the curse.”

But it will also be arriving in a part of Lafayette that looks considerably different from when some of the building's previous tenants opened.

Midtown continues to develop. Moncus Park has transformed the surrounding area. Established businesses continue to thrive, while newer concepts have demonstrated that customers are still willing to spend their time and money in the area around Johnston, Doucet and Bertrand.

Maybe the next restaurant is the one that finally sticks.