Staff report

Wishing to focus on its iconic Warren restaurant operations, the ownership of Buena Vista Cafe and Sports Bar announced Monday the closure of its Howland location as of Sunday.

“We are incredibly grateful to everyone for the support and kindness over the years,” the restaurant said in a social media post. “Our main location remains open and ready to serve you. We look forward to continuing to serve the community.”

Best known for its pressure-cooked chicken, Buena Vista started as a neighborhood bar in 1956. The Howland restaurant, 1873 Niles Cortland Road NE, opened in 2004.

“We decided on closing Buena Vista II because we want to focus on our main Warren location,” a company representative said in an email. “Our Howland employees will be joining our team at the Warren location.”

According to its website, founder Nick Frankos wanted to bolster the bar’s offerings.

“So one day, he attended a food show to view new food and equipment products. He came upon a Henny Penny pressure cooker, a state-of-the-art piece of equipment designed to pressure-fry chicken. Uncle Nick came home with that pressure cooker.”

Although it took time, Frankos developed a marinade that transformed the fried chicken into a customer favorite.

The Warren restaurant and bar is located at 1305 Buena Vista Ave. NE.