QDOBA to open first St. Paul location near Grand and Snelling

QDOBA Mexican Eats will open its first St. Paul location in the heart of the Macalester-Groveland neighborhood.

The fast-casual Mexican restaurant chain has posted a "now hiring" banner at the former Caribou Coffee space in the Lincoln Commons strip mall , near the intersection of Grand and Snelling avenues.

Currently, the chain's nearest location to the neighborhood is found on Robert Street in West St. Paul.

Renovations are now underway at 68 Snelling Avenue, which went dark about one year ago with the closure of the longtime coffee shop.

QDOBA will be joined in the strip mall by Big Island Poke and Mochinut, which have posted a "coming soon" banner in the former Coastal Seafoods space.

There's no word yet on when the new establishments will open.