SAN ANTONIO │ City and Metro Restaurant Thread

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Black Bear Diner plans to build three more San Antonio-area restaurants

https://www.mysanantonio.com/food/ar...-Editors-Picks

A California-based restaurant chain is setting up three new shops in the San Antonio area. Black Bear Diner is adding two locations in San Antonio and one location in New Braunfels, according to multiple Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filings. Two of the new restaurants will be completed by the end of the year.

One San Antonio restaurant will be located at 1112 Ackerman Road, San Antonio, TX 78219. It is slated to begin construction at the end of August and is expected to be completed by January 1. The improvements on the 6,151-square-foot building will cost $750,000, according to a TDLR filing.

The second San Antonio Black Bear Diner location will be at 8614 Texas Highway 151, San Antonio, TX 78245. Construction isn't expected to start until November 1, with a listed end date of April 1, 2023. The 5,000-square-foot restaurant will cost $600,000, according to a TDLR report.

The New Braunfels location is expected to begin construction on August 31 and end on December 31. It will be located at 4817 I-35 North, New Braunfels, TX 78130. The 6,868-square-foot improvement to a existing restaurant will cost $580,000, according to a TDLR filing. This will be Black Bear Diner's first Hill Country restaurant.

Currently, the closest location to San Antonio is in Katy, outside of Houston. The first San Antonio location is expected to open in late summer 2022 at 2707 SE Military Dr, San Antonio, TX 78223, according to a MySA report.

Black Bear Diner serves omelettes, "scrambowls," burgers, specialty sandwiches, salads, chili, chicken fried steak, and more. According to the Black Bear Diner website, the company is a quickly expanding, community-orientated, family dining concept that offers great food in a bear-themed atmosphere.

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New restaurant near Olmos Park: In Krazy Katsu's fried chicken sandwiches, Japan meets Nashville

https://www.expressnews.com/food/res...o-17329713.php

There are more than 10 sandwiches on the debut menu, ranging from from tame to flame. The DNA contains kung fu sauce, Thai chiles and what’s dubbed as “insanely hot spices” that include the Carolina Reaper, a pepper that hits the charts on the Scoville Scale in excess of 1.5 million units and is considered the hottest in the world. The menu description cautions patrons not to order it if they don’t like heat.

“The DNA is definitely a food challenge,” Jessica said.

The sandwiches average about $15 each, with the fried chicken breast cutlets weighing in between 12 and 14 ounces, served on sweet Hawaiian rolls. Sides are extra and include pickled cucumbers; coleslaw; cabbage; crinkle-cut seasoned fries; and panko breaded, deep-fried potato croquettes. If the heat is too much to take, customers can wash it down with available beer and wine at Krazy Katsu. There are a few seats available inside at a bar area, but the counter-service restaurant is mostly designed for covered outdoor seating.

For those wanting to try a variety of sandwiches, the Slide Chicks option allows you to choose any three flavors as a slider for $15.25. “Our menu is designed for versatility, so people can customize our chicken sliders and get a taste of multiple flavors,” Jessica said.

Krazy Katsu, 5257 McCullough Ave., 210-254-9533, Facebook: @krazykatsusa. Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays

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New Braunfels Italian spot 188 South to close, reopen as Cody's Bistro and Lounge

Many of 188 South's staff will stay on to work for the new restaurant, according to a social media post.

https://www.sacurrent.com/food-drink...ounge-29451781

New Braunfels Italian restaurant 188 South will shut down at the end of the month and reopen as the second location of San Marcos-based New American eatery Cody's Restaurant Bar & Patio, according to a social media post.

The three-year-old 188 South shared the news online, saying it welcomes the refined cuisine Cody’s will bring to the area and noted that many of its staff will stay on to work for the new spot.

Cody’s San Marcos location serves lunch and dinner. It also offers a 4-7 p.m. happy hour Tuesday through Saturday.

An opening for the New Braunfels Cody's hasn't yet been set, according to the social media post. The restaurant is located at 188 S. Castell Ave. in New Braunfels.

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San Antonio-area's Rough Diamond Brewery will permanently close at end of month

https://www.sacurrent.com/food-drink...month-29390879

Spring Branch's Rough Diamond Brewery will serve its last growler of cold beer on July 31, according to an emailed confirmation from the company.

Set near the picturesque pair of hills locals refer to as the “Twin Sisters,” Rough Diamond opened in August 2018. It specialized in handcrafted beers with rich aromas and unique palate notes.

Local craft beer fans began speculating about a possible closure this March when the brewery site was listed for sale. On Tuesday, a representative of the business confirmed its planned closure.

“Yes, unfortunately the rumors are true,” Rough Diamond said in emailed statement. “We are permanently closing. July 31 is our last day open.”

Located about an hour north of downtown San Antonio, the brewery occupies 6.5 acres and includes 18,000 square feet of production and warehouse space along with a patio and a stage.

The now inactive real estate listing included a $2.4 million asking price.

Through July 31, Rough Diamond will be open 2–7 p.m. Thursday, 1-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon-7 p.m. Sunday. It’s located at 101 Kendalia Circle in Spring Branch.

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Cincinnati-based boozy ice cream chain opening first San Antonio location next month

Buzzed Bull Creamery’s boozy, liquid nitrogen-frozen treats can be customized with toppings and mix-ins such as candies, brownie bites and nuts.

https://www.sacurrent.com/food-drink...month-29475759

Alcoholic ice cream and milkshake chain Buzzed Bull Creamery will open its first San Antonio location next month in the city's far northern burbs.

“We're working hard to get ready to keep you cool,” reads a July Instagram post from the store, located at 2903 N. Loop 1604 East at the highway's Redland Road intersection. “Coming in August, stop by and beat the heat with ice cream or a milkshake made the way you want!”

Cincinnati-based Buzzed Bull specializes in boozy, liquid nitrogen-frozen treats that can be customized with toppings and mix-ins such as candies, brownie bites and nuts. The chain's alcohol-infused ice cream and milkshakes start at 5% ABV, and its hopes offer tasting flights of rotating monthly flavors for the indecisive.

The chain announced plans to enter the San Antonio market last fall as part of a Texas expansion. It currently operates stores in 10 states.

At the time, company officials said Buzzed Bull and sushi burrito spot Roll On In would share their first San Antonio location, and an instagram photo of its shopfront shows Roll On In's signage.

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San Antonio can grab a slice of Via 313 Detroit-style pizza next week

There is still another location in the works.

https://www.mysanantonio.com/food/ar...-Editors-Picks

If you've been waiting to get your hands on a slice of Detroit-style pizza from Austin-based Via 313 pizzeria, then your chance is coming up next week. Here's what you need to know.

Via 313's first San Antonio location at 8435 Wurzbach Rd., San Antonio, TX 78229, will finally open its doors on Monday, August 1, according to a Facebook post. The announcement comes over a year after the chain revealed it would be opening a location in the Alamo City.

The restaurant offers up the square-shaped, square-cut, and deep dish pies that range from the traditional pepperoni to other creations. Via 313 also has a location set to open at 17315 W I-10, San Antonio, TX 78257 near The Rim Shopping Center.

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New San Antonio dance club Cream to offer sneak peek of upcoming food menu July 29-30

The club’s forthcoming menu includes a stacked pimento-cheese burger, pork belly pupusa and chicken wings.

https://www.sacurrent.com/food-drink...29-30-29477042

Folks looking to dance the night away at new Beacon Hill nightspot Cream will on Friday get the chance to sample of the club’s upcoming late night food menu as well.

As long as they get there before it sells out, that is.

The nightclub, located at 527 W. Hildebrand Ave., last month began serving up beer, wine and cocktails in the space that used to house drag-show haven Babios. The new club will preview its food menu to patrons July 29 and 30 from 9 p.m. until the vittles run out.

Cream’s food menu includes eats from chef Adrian Olivares, who's worked with SA culinary fixture Stefan Bowers of Rebelle, Playland and the St. Anthony Hotel. Olivares also has years of experience in fine dining in Colorado and the East Coast, according to club.

A Friday Instagram post shows the Cream's forthcoming stacked pimento-cheese burger. Other menu items include a pork belly pupusa and chicken wings tossed in a Valentina buffalo sauce.

Even though the kitchen will only serve until it runs out of product, the bar will serve up alcoholic drinks until 2 a.m., and the DJs will keep on spinning.

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Originally Posted by kingkirbythe....

Random restaurant fight.

Watch: Brawl breaks out at River Walk restaurant over dinner bill

https://www.expressnews.com/news/art...t-17311974.php

In a video posted to Twitter on Sunday, half a dozen individuals can be seen throwing punches, hitting one another with chairs and throwing glasses on the outside patio before San Antonio police officers run up and tackle several people to the ground. Terrified screams can be heard as patrons in a Go Rio River Walk boat stop and watch the events unfold.

When they don’t bring the shredded cheese fast enough…#Puro #Riverwalk #SanAntonio pic.twitter.com/yXP7K28lD3

— BootlegBentley (@UTSABootleg) July 18, 2022
A 30-year-old man was arrested on assault charges.

No major injury was reported.

https://twitter.com/UTSABootleg/stat...80241426415617

River Walk brawl stemmed from customer complaint over hair in food, getting cut off from the bar

https://www.expressnews.com/news/art...t-17311974.php

A dinner turned into a brawl Friday, July 15, on the River Walk after one patron started a fist fight over his bill, San Antonio police said.

The man, who was dining at The Original Mexican Restaurant, became upset over the establishment's service and then began arguing with the staff before the altercation became physical, according to police.

Police said they were responding to reports of a disturbance call from The Republic of Texas when an officer saw patrons fleeing from the Original Mexican Restaurant.

[kingkirbythe....]

Black Rock Coffee Bar to serve free drinks during first San Antonio opening

https://www.mysanantonio.com/food/ar...P-CP-Spotlight

San Antonio's first installment of Black Rock Coffee Bar (not to be confused with Black Rifle Coffee Company) is brewing up a grand opening with free drinks. The Blanco Road shop is the first of a few planned Black Rock Coffee Bar shops to open in San Antonio.

On August 5, the location will mark the San Antonio introduction with free drinks from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. The shop is located at 11701 Blanco Rd, San Antonio, TX 78216.

[kingkirbythe....]

Blast from the past!



First Mate was once the seafood king in San Antonio

https://www.expressnews.com/food/art...d-17330199.php

Over five decades ago, San Antonio furniture man Jay S. Honigblum had the most unlikely idea. He believed that San Antonians were secretly hungry for fish.

The civic appetite of the old Cow Town was already entrenched from decades of Mexican food.

But Honingblum had this hunch, which for a short time in the 1970s proved to be a smashing success: San Antonians also wanted deep-fried fish and shrimp.

...

Years after First Mate closed, other nautical-themed restaurants in San Antonio and South Texas opened, including Spanish Galleon, a seafood restaurant designed to resemble a large, multi-decked ship used by Spain in the 16th and 17th centuries.

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Owners of San Antonio cocktail mainstay The Modernist tease second concept called La Ruina

The new spot will highlight spirits from South and Central America, but partners in the venture have otherwise been scant on details.

https://www.sacurrent.com/food-drink...ruina-29498017

The folks behind Pearl-area cocktail haven The Modernist have teased a forthcoming bar dubbed La Ruina, which they say is inspired by the spirits of South and Central America.

The team shared the news Sunday on Instagram, saying La Ruina — which employs the tagline “Ron y mas,” or “rum and more” — will open soon in a “graceful but well-worn building.”

“Friends, we are excited to announce the opening of our new bar, La Ruina … The bar celebrates the flavor, influence and spirits of the tropical Americas,” the post reads. “We wish to express our appreciation for your patronage and friendship these last five years. The Modernist will live on at the present location.”

The Modernist is known for its creative and delectable cocktails as well as an impressive offering of zero-proof drinks incorporating non-alcoholic spirits. The intimate space's 1960s vibe and casual patio are also part of the draw.

The Current reached out to The Modernist about La Ruina's tentative opening date and location but has so far received no reply.

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San Antonio's Weathered Souls Brewing bringing in Philly cheesesteak outfit as food provider

Helmed by Philadelphia native Brie Morris, Eleanor 1909 offers cheesy sandos in several different variations, including ribeye, chicken and vegetarian.

https://www.sacurrent.com/food-drink...vider-29505838

San Antonio's Weathered Souls Brewing is parting ways with its in-house eatery of two and a half years, South BBQ, and welcoming in Philly cheesesteak outfit Eleanor 1909.

Helmed by Philadelphia native Brie Morris, Eleanor 1909 will offer its namesake cheesy sandwiches in ribeye, chicken and vegetarian versions, according to a Weathered Souls Facebook post. The menu also includes stuffed potato skins, Philly cheesesteak egg rolls, chicken wings, burgers and charcuterie boards.

So far, Morris' concept had been operating out of a food truck but will begin serving from Weathered Souls' taproom kitchen on Tuesday, August 9. Morris brings experience working with Food Network fixtures Bobby Flay and Rocco Dispirito, Italian chef Lorenzo Polegri and for concepts in Washington, D.C. and Dallas, according to the brewery's Facebook post.

The partnership between South BBQ and Weathered Souls Brewing began in January 2020, just ahead of the COVID-19 pandemic. The barbecue purveyor's last day of service at the brewery will be this Sunday.

The Weathered Souls taproom, 606 Embassy Oaks, Suite 500, is open Monday through Wednesday 3-10 p.m., Thursday through Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

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Downtown S.A. bar featured as one of Texas' best dives

https://www.expressnews.com/food/bar...s-17343115.php

Owner Adela Fuller, 74, shrugs off the idea that Texas T, named after her late husband Thomas and her son Tommy, is a “dive bar.” But while the place does smell cleaner than most dives and Fuller discourages foul language, the bar is pretty textbook. The dark interior is mostly lit by neon signs and a few muted TVs illuminating decades worth of graffiti and carvings on the walls, peeling linoleum floors and two pool tables with green felt marred by white steaks and bald patches from countless breaks and bank shots. The door to the men's restroom doesn't lock.

The clientele is a mix of longtime customers and curious tourists lured in by the AC and beers that cost less than $7, served by bartenders who may have voted for Ronald Reagan.

[JACKinBeantown]

Texas' best dive bars - San Antonio Express News
https://www.expressnews.com/food/bar...s-17343115.php

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New restaurants approved for La Villita to serve up traditional Mexican and Spanish foods

https://sanantonioreport.org/hdrc-re...ts-la-villita/

The first version of design plans for two new restaurants in the La Villita Historic District showcasing San Antonio’s culinary history got the thumbs up Wednesday.

The Historic and Design Review Commission gave conceptual approval to the architectural team working on plans for a Mexican restaurant that would be built on the south edge of Maverick Plaza and for another smaller restaurant in the renovated Faville House, a historic structure in the plaza.

Both restaurants are part of the City of San Antonio’s partnership with Chef Johnny Hernandez of Grupo La Gloria.

Three restaurants are planned in the plaza to showcase San Antonio’s culinary legacy, recognized in 2017 by the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, which named San Antonio as a Creative City of Gastronomy.

In August 2020, the HDRC approved the proposed changes to La Villita and work started a year ago at the corner of Alamo and Nueva streets to upgrade utilities to the historic site along with installing a new fountain, landscaping, pavers and lighting.

Mark Navarro of Fisher Heck Architects applied to the commission for conceptual approval to construct the two-story restaurant with indoor, outdoor and rooftop dining, and to build a one-story rear addition onto the historic Faville House that will also feature indoor dining space.

The new Mexican restaurant will be a 5,000-square-foot, single-story building designed to anchor the development and draw pedestrians from multiple directions into the plaza, according to documents submitted to the Office of Historic Preservation.

Renderings show a brick structure that Navarro said was designed to be pedestrian-scaled and was inspired by the neighboring Fairmont Hotel and another hotel that was on the site before being demolished in the 1930s.

Windows into the dining spaces are positioned to create interest for passersby. “That’s the whole purpose of this project, trying to reinvigorate this area on a day-to-day basis,” Navarro said.

The Spanish-themed Faville House restaurant is designed with a proposed addition to the stucco-covered house reflecting the small residences of the Victorian-inspired era in La Villita.

Another structure is planned next to the Mexican restaurant. But designs were not presented for that restaurant, which is expected to offer German fare.

Kathy Krnavek, first vice president and assistant to the president of the Conservation Society of San Antonio, said the organization appreciates some of the suggested improvements that have been made to the design of the Mexican and Spanish restaurants.

But, she added, “we do not support the current design because it does not fit into the historic character of La Villita.”

The design panel approved the project with some stipulations involving architectural details, including non-gloss finishes and recessed window openings. The applicant will be required to submit final design plans for a certificate of appropriateness.

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San Antonio’s Maverick Whiskey Distillery rolls out new food menu for its tasting room

The new menu includes a variety of small plates for snacking plus larger options such as a fried half-chicken.

https://www.sacurrent.com/food-drink...-room-29514424

Maverick Whiskey will introduce a new dining menu for its downtown San Antonio tasting room this weekend.

The revised bill of fare features small plates for snacking — such as deviled eggs, baked brie and Buffalo or lemon-pepper chicken wings — as well as heartier large-plate options. The latter includes a double smash burger with pressed jalapeño relish and sharp cheddar cheese as well as a fried half-chicken served with mashed potatoes and buttermilk biscuits.

Maverick Distillery, located at 115 Broadway, is named for Sam and Mary Ann Maverick, one of San Antonio's most prominent early families. The multi-use facility sits on what was originally former San Antonio mayor Samuel Maverick’s homestead.

It’s open 2-9 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and hosts a 3-6 p.m. happy hour Wednesday through Friday.

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Bar on San Antonio’s Northwest Side to build patio, add outdoor speakers over neighbors’ protests

https://www.expressnews.com/news/loc...s-17353040.php

The Lighthouse Lounge near Woodlawn Lake Park is expanding, and those who live near the Northwest Side bar are concerned a new patio and outdoor speakers will further disrupt their sleep.

Over protests from the bar’s neighbors and against city staff’s recommendation, San Antonio City Council this week approved a zoning change that allows the bar’s owners to move forward with an expansion. District 1 Councilman Mario Bravo, who represents the area, expressed his support, and the measure passed 9-0.

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Southtown San Antonio to gain another local coffee spot in Tumbleweed Coffee

Owner and SA native Aaron Garza roasts Tumbleweed's beans himself.

https://www.sacurrent.com/food-drink...offee-29527926

San Antonio has seen no shortage of coffee spots popping up, and Southtown will soon gain another in Tumbleweed Coffee, a new independent brand operated by native Aaron Garza, the San Antonio Business Journal reports.

Garza is renovating a 400-square-foot space at 636 S. Presa, not far from Mixtli and Señor Veggie. It will offer coffee drinks made with coffee beans roasted by Garza himself.

Garza has been working on the space since May, however he did not share an official opening date with the Business Journal.

Tumbleweed Coffee joins other recent coffee joints making waves in SA, including Portland-based Black Rock Coffee Bar, Oregon-based The Human Bean and locally-owned Vice Coffee.

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CommonWealth Coffeehouse closes Hemisfair location for remodeling Aug. 8-12

https://www.sacurrent.com/food-drink...-8-12-29549692

San Antonio-based mini-chain CommonWealth Coffeehouse will close its Hemisfair location from August 8-12 to remodel its lobby and patio.

The coffee spot and Hemisfair on Monday took to social media to share the news, saying fans of CommonWealth’s brews can still order their java jolt from the spot’s coffee truck, located behind the Union Pacific Splash Pad.

Several social media followers inquired as to whether the truck will also dole out CommonWealth’s French pastries — one of the mini-empire’s claims to fame — but the business had yet to respond.

The Current also reached out directly to ask, but had not heard back by press time.

CommonWealth operates four San Antonio shops, including locations in Alamo Heights, Hemisfair, Tobin Hill and near the Alamo. The Hemisfair shop is located at 611 Hemisfair Blvd.

The coffee truck will be open from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. until the Hemisfair store reopens for normal business hours Saturday, August 13.

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The Quest to Turn a San Antonio Landmark Into a Destination Restaurant

Once known for its distinct lean, the former home of the Liberty Bar underwent a painstaking, eight-year renovation process and will soon become Carriqui at the Pearl district.

https://www.texasmonthly.com/style/s...arriqui-pearl/

In the classic metaphysical thought experiment known as the Ship of Theseus, a wooden vessel has its planks replaced one by one as they wear out, and the question is whether the end product is the same boat—and if not, at what point it became a new one. The same could be asked of the San Antonio building that sits at the corner of Avenue A and Grayson Street just north of downtown and that, beginning in September, will be the home of a wildly ambitious new restaurant, eight years in the making, called Carriqui.

Most anyone who spent time in San Antonio between 1985 and 2010 knows the building. It’s the one that housed the original location of the iconic Liberty Bar, which now occupies a former nunnery in the King William Historic District. In those days, the white, two-story wooden structure, which dated back to the late 1800s, stood a block north of its current location and faced the end of a busy freeway off-ramp. Motorists stopping at the red light would inevitably find themselves captivated by the building’s pronounced leftward lean, the second-floor balcony tilting perilously toward the street, and marvel that it was standing at all—let alone that inside was one of the city’s most happening nightlife scenes, where artists and writers and business and political leaders gathered under the same rickety roof.

The debut of Carriqui marks the start of a spate of openings over the next eighteen months that will double the amount of dining and entertainment space in the Pearl neighborhood, located on the San Antonio River at the former Pearl Brewery. The restaurant is one of the first projects from Potluck Hospitality, a company that recently spun off of Silver Ventures, the firm that developed the Pearl and its celebrated Hotel Emma. Elizabeth Fauerso, the CEO of Potluck and a former longtime Pearl executive, counts the Carriqui project as one of the most important developments yet for the area, which over the past fifteen years has become home to shops and residences as well as a Culinary Institute of America campus and notable restaurants such as Cured.