A new restaurant is getting ready to open in the historic Terrebonne Depot. The menu at La Catrina Chingona will feature authentic Mexican cuisine.
“We understand that our establishment may not appeal to everyone who’s not open to change in the community or new flavors and that’s perfectly fine,” one of the owners, Danielle Nogosek, told the Source through email. “Our menu is intentionally limited due to the size of our kitchen, and we aim to offer a unique dining experience rather than traditional fare.”
The name La Catrina Chingona was chosen to celebrate strong and intelligent women around the world. Nogosek and her business partner, Kayla Jeffrey, also own Brand 44 N and The Pump House in Terrebonne. Nogosek grew up in Terrebonne and says she decided to open a third restaurant to create a unique escape. “We aim to create an experience that transports you away from Terrebonne the moment you step through our doors, feeling like you’re on a tropical vacation away from home.”
Nogosek says her team members have shared cherished family recipes from various towns across Mexico. They’ll also have a rotating seasonal menu inspired from a time she and her husband lived in Mexico while he played baseball.
“That enriching experience has sparked our enthusiasm to bring innovative ideas back to Terrebonne,” Nogosek says. “If you’re eager to explore new flavors and dishes that you haven’t experienced before, we believe you’ll truly enjoy what we have to offer.”
Nogosek and Jeffrey chose the depot location because it felt like a way to stand out. It was built in 1911 as the Oregon Trunk Passenger Depot and served as a train station for about 40 years before being abandoned in the 1950s. It was renovated into a restaurant in 2004.
La Catrina Chingona will also have a tequila bar with “unique drinks you can’t find anywhere in Central Oregon,” Nogosek said.
Their opening date has been delayed by the effort to hire enough staff. A soft opening is now scheduled for June 26 and 27 from 4-10pm with a grand opening celebration scheduled for July 1. Nogosek says that will feature live music, a talented tattoo artist and car show. Initially the hours will be 4pm until closing around 10pm, with plans to eventually extend hours to 11pm.
This article appears in Source Weekly June 26, 2025.
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