O’ Gil’s Portuguese Restaurant expected to close briefly, re-open under new ownership

A Fall River restaurant placed on the market and recently proposed turning the building into apartments appears to be staying as a restaurant.

O’ Gil’s Portuguese Restaurant at 915 County Street was established in 1991 and named after Gil Fagundo the founder of O Gil’s and creator of their famous Portuguese Steak, a recipe widely used today brought from Ponta Delgada, Azores.

Gil’s Portuguese/Azorean soul food has lived on through his family at O Gil’s Restaurant & Bar.

On Wednesday, Squeegee2 Inc., represented by Kristen Teves, went in front of the Licensing Board and was granted a transfer of the Common Victualler license from O’Gil’s as the current owners are retiring.

The property has not yet been closed on. There may be some changes to the personnel and a name change is expected.

Teves has experience in the restaurant industry which should make a smooth transition.

The restaurant will be rehabbed and is expected to reopen in April or May. O’ Gils under current ownership is expected to be open for one more week.

Part of the sale of the property includes recipes from O’ Gils with the new restaurant expecting to serve the same type of food.

Jeff Tolman of Northeast Engineers and Consultants representing restaurant co-owner Victor Fagundo went in front of the Zoning Board of Appeals previously to convert the restaurant into 2 apartments and to waive lot coverage, setbacks, number of units allowed, and parking requirements.

That proposal will no longer be instituted.