A beloved southern Indiana restaurant has finally reopened its doors, 14 months after a devastating fire forced it to shut down.
Back in August 2025, El Nopalito in Corydon suffered serious damage when a fire broke out on the property. The owner recalled that his brother was working in the kitchen when something suddenly exploded and the building caught fire.
Firefighters responded quickly and brought the blaze under control, but the roof had already taken heavy damage, leaving the owners with no choice but to close.
Now, more than a year later, the kitchen and dining area are alive again, filled with busy workers and happy customers enjoying their meals.
“It’s just so exciting; we’re so happy to see all of the community, all of the support, the family, friends,” owner Raul Velasco said. “It’s something I’m going to keep in my heart forever.”
Customers have made it clear they spent every one of those 14 months looking forward to the restaurant’s return.
“They are just, I’m gonna get emotional, they are just very, very special people,” customer Lisa Freeman said. “It’s not about the walls of this building. It’s about what’s inside this building.”
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