Category: Dining Out

Culinaria Restaurant Weeks returns in January

The bi-annual culinary extravaganza returns January 15-29, 2022. Photo: Culinaria, used with permission.

Culinaria Restaurant Weeks, the bi-annual extravaganza, returns January 15 through 29 with participating eateries in San Antonio and neighboring counties. Participating restaurants will offer special three-course prix-fixe menus: $20 and $30 for lunch, and $35, $45 and $55 for dinner, with to go options at select restaurants. Guests can expect some restaurants to offer additional course options as well as wine, cocktail and beer pairings. It is the perfect opportunity to try out a new restaurant that has been top of mind or let it serve as the catalyst to reconnect with friends, family, or co-workers. (Culinaria, 2021)

“San Antonio is a hub for great dining hotspots and Restaurant Weeks presents the ultimate opportunity for local residents and visitors to discover new culinary delights. It also generates enthusiasm within our diverse culinary community and extends another opportunity for Chefs to showcase the variety of food and flavors that define San Antonio and neighboring cities.” – Suzanne Taranto-Etheredge, president/CEO, Culinaria

The best advice to anyone participating in Restaurant Week is to plan. Full details on participating restaurants, including Restaurant Weeks menus can be found online. Reservations are not required but are encouraged as walk-in service cannot be guaranteed.

Culinaria is continually expanding. Additional participating restaurants are added weekly, as well as new events throughout the year. Please visit Culinaria for all the latest in Restaurant Week details as well as upcoming events.

Culinaria is an independent, not-for-profit organization committed to promoting San Antonio as a premier wine and food destination while fostering community growth and enrichment. Culinaria is a registered 501 c (3) tax-exempt organization. A volunteer board of directors who represent the community and guide the organization in its mission to champion the wine and food industries governs Culinaria. Events that make up Culinaria include Restaurant Weeks, a 5K Wine Run, the Wine + Food Festival and the Hallowine Run as well as smaller events and several community partners’ events throughout the year.

Accolades:
Best Food and Wine Festival to Visit – Readers Digest, 2018
Best Food & Wine Event in Texas – Essence 2017
Top 10 American Food Festivals – The Telegraph 2016
Most Popular Food and Wine Festival – Vanity Fair, 2011

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Holiday Hangover Brunch at Naco 210

Naco 210 is hosting a Holiday Hangover Brunch on Sunday December 26, 2021. Photo: Naco 210, used with permission.

To help guests get over the strain of the holidays, Naco 210 is hosting a Holiday Hangover Brunch all day on Sunday, December 26 from 8a.m. until closing at 6p.m. The Naco team will be serving up pozole, tamales Oaxaqueños, special chilaquiles, and more, in addition to Mexican fruit punch and cafe canela, a cinnamon infused coffee. Pricing is based on a la carte items. (Naco 210, 2021)

The restaurant, an extension of the popular Naco Mexican Eatery food truck, just opened its first brick and mortar location earlier this month at Los Patios. The menu at Naco 210 includes all the food truck fan-favorites, but also includes all-day chilaquiles, a selection of breakfast egg benedicts made with traditional Mexican toppings including huitlacoche and Naco’s Mexican brisket, Mexican-inspired croissants with options like guava and cheese, all-natural aguas frescas, and more.

Holiday Hangover Brunch at Naco 210
2015 NE Interstate 410 Loop
San Antonio, TX 78217

 

Taco Cabana launches new menu items in time for the holidays

Taco Cabana’s birria quesadillas and tortilla soup will be available through January 2022. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.

Starting December 15 and arriving just in time for the winter season, Taco Cabana guests can enjoy the new birria quesadilla served with warm birria broth and a returning favorite, tortilla soup, at all Taco Cabana Texas locations. (Taco Cabana, 2021)

Taco Cabana’s birria quesadilla features seasoned shredded beef, melted Monterey Jack cheese and Pico de Gallo between two warm flour tortillas, perfect for dipping in the accompanying traditional warm birria broth. Another classic favorite is back at Taco Cabana – TC’s tortilla soup, featuring a savory broth made with shredded chicken, tomatoes, onion and garlic, and topped with crispy corn tortilla strips, a blend of Jack and Cheddar cheeses, cilantro, and served with lime wedges.

Perfect for keeping cozy in-restaurant or at home, Taco Cabana’s birria quesadilla and tortilla soup can be ordered in-restaurant, via online ordering for front counter pick-up, in the drive-thru or by mobile order when using the MY TC!® App or online through January 2022.

Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of YTC Enterprises, LLC, was founded in 1978. The brand specializes in Tex-Mex-inspired food including enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, tacos, flour tortillas and a selection of made-from-scratch salsas and sauces. Restaurants feature open-display cooking, a selection of bottled beer and $2 tequila margaritas, patio dining, drive-thru windows, delivery and catering. As of December 1, 2021, Taco Cabana operates 142 company-owned restaurants in Texas.

Celebrate the holidays MAX’s Wine Dive style

MAX’s Wine Dive has their famous Southern Fried Chicken dinner to go. Photo: Beccca Wright, used with permission.

MAX’s Wine Dive is celebrating the holidays with their famous southern fried chicken family dinner. Spoil your family with a southern fried chicken family dinner at MAX’s Wine Dive which includes famous fried chicken, classic sides, homemade desserts, southern-style biscuits, and of course, champagne for $115 an order. Today until January 1, celebrate the holidays’ MAX’s Wine Dive style with champagne and fried chicken because “why the hell not?” (MAX’s Wine Dive, 2021)

MAX’s Wine Dive Holiday Famous Fried Chicken Family Dinner includes:

Twelve-piece Max’s Famous Southern Fried Chicken
6 Southern Style Biscuits with Chipotle Honey

Choice of 2 Family Sides
Sweet Potato Mashers, Mashed Potatoes, Seasoned Braised Collard Greens, Jalapeno Cheddar Grits, Truffle Max n’ Cheese (+6)

Choice of 2 Desserts
Pumpkin Spiced Bread Pudding or Big Ass Chocolate Brownie Served a la mode
1 Bottle of Prodige Blanc de Blancs
Add additional Chicken Pieces for $5 each

Jerry Lasco, founder of MAX’s Wine Dive restaurant moved to Houston from New York City with his wife, Laura, in 2001. After 9/11 Jerry transitioned from airline pilot to full-time restauranteur and opened the first MAX’S location in 2006—naming it after Max, his then three-year-old son. Taking inspiration from Jerry’s favorite NYC hangouts serving gourmet food and wine in unpretentious and comfortable environments, MAX’s was the first restaurant in Houston to serve award-winning comfort food with a curated wine list. Hence the MAX’s mantra was created “FRIED CHICKEN AND CHAMPAGNE?…WHY THE HELL NOT?!”

Naco Mexican Eatery announces opening date for brick and mortar location

Naco Mexican Eatery will open its first brick and mortar location on December 9, 2021. Photo: Naco Mexican Eatery, used with permission.

Naco Mexican Eatery is excited to announce the opening date for its first ever brick and mortar location, named Naco 210. Naco 210 will open to the public on Thursday, December 9, 2021, in San Antonio in the Los Patios development along the Salado Creek. Naco – a concept by husband-and-wife team Francisco Estrada and Lizzeth Martinez – is a restaurant and food truck that serves authentic Mexican plates, traditional tacos, tortas, and chilaquiles for breakfast, lunch, and early dinner service. (Naco Mexican Eatery, 2021)

Naco Mexican Eatery opened its food truck for business in San Antonio over three years ago. Its menu focuses on the street foods of Mexico with freshly made items such as chilaquiles using Naco’s own homemade salsas, tacos, and tortas, as well as healthy, keto-friendly, and veggie-forward dishes. The menu at Naco 210 will still include all the food truck fan-favorites but also add on all-day chilaquiles with new sauce options such as almond mole, a selection of breakfast egg benedicts made with traditional Mexican toppings including huitlacoche and Naco’s Mexican brisket, Mexican-inspired croissants with options like guava and cheese, all-natural aguas frescas, and more. 

Naco 210 will have a relaxed, family-friendly space, with indoor dining of roughly 2,900 square feet, a space for private events, as well as a large 3,000 square foot patio surrounded by natural landscape and a creek-side view. The restaurant will have options for breakfast, lunch, early dinner, and brunch service on the weekends. The restaurant will be located in Los Patios at 2015 NE Interstate 410 Loop, San Antonio, TX 78217. Naco 210’s operating hours will be Thursday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Naco will also continue its food truck operations.

“We are blessed to be in a wonderful city, surrounded by the most amazing people who have fallen in love with our Mexican food that includes our own family flavors. We can’t wait to be able to showcase even more with our full-service restaurant space.” – Owner Francisco Estrada.

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Celebrate Thanksgiving weekend with Taco Cabana’s new smothered burritos

Taco Cabana’s new smothered burritos are available while supplies last during extended holiday hours at all Texas locations. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.

Starting November 24, 2021, for four days only, Taco Cabana will extend its hours of operation around Thanksgiving to offer TC favorites and their new smothered burritos. The new smothered burritos will be available with the guest’s choice of ground beef or shredded chicken, wrapped in a flour tortilla and filled with refried beans, rice, pico de gallo, a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack shredded cheese, lettuce, sour cream, and smothered in Taco Cabana’s signature queso. Ground beef burritos are available for $7.49 and the shredded chicken burrito will be available for $6.99, while supplies last. Offer available at all participating Taco Cabana locations in Texas. (Taco Cabana, 2021)

Also included with this new limited-time item is a side of TC tortilla chips. Create your own “TC hack” by mixing the chips with your chosen burrito to add a little crunch. Guests 21 years of age or older can pair the limited time smothered burritos with a selection of $2 frozen margaritas or their choice of a lime, strawberry or mango-flavored gallon margarita to really make their Holiday party a hit for only $34.99 each. Smothered burritos will be available through drive-thru or in-restaurant only.

Thanksgiving week hours:
Wednesday, November 24, 2021: 6a.m. – Midnight
Thursday, November 25, 2021: CLOSED FOR THANKSGIVING
Friday, November 26, 2021: 5a.m. – Midnight
Saturday, November 27, 2021: 6a.m. – Midnight
Sunday, November 28, 2021: 6a.m. – 10p.m.

Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of YTC Enterprises, LLC, was founded in 1978. The brand specializes in Tex-Mex-inspired food including enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, burritos, tacos, flour tortillas and a selection of made-from-scratch salsas and sauces. Restaurants feature open-display cooking, a selection of beer and $2 tequila margaritas, patio dining, drive-thru windows, curbside pick-up and delivery. As of November 1, 2021, Taco Cabana operates 142 company-owned restaurants in Texas.

EVO Entertainment celebrates seventh anniversary of Kyle location

To celebrate the anniversary, select locations will be serving a limited time Birthday Shake. Photo: EVO Entertainment Group, used with permission.

This Saturday, November 21, EVO Entertainment Group will celebrate the Seventh Anniversary of its flagship location at Kyle Crossing. To mark this special occasion, EVO’s Kyle, Schertz, Springtown, and Belterra locations will be serving a limited-time Birthday Shake from November 18 – November 21, 2021. The cake-flavored shake is topped with rainbow sprinkles, and a boozy version with vanilla rum is available for guests 21 years of age or older wanting an extra festive celebration. (EVO Entertainment Group, 2021)

Over the past seven years, EVO’s Kyle Crossing location has been home to celebrity-hosted moving viewings, Halloween Drunken Pumpkin parties, FamilyFLIX events, and much more. To join in the celebration visit EVO Cinema online.

EVO Entertainment Group’s Birthday Shake. Photo: EVO Entertainment Group, used with permission.

Celebrate the holiday season with Taco Cabana’s classic plates

Customers can add select tacos to any TC Plate for only $1 from November 17 through December 2021 only. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.

Starting tomorrow, November 17, 2021, arriving just in time for the holiday season, Taco Cabana guests can add a shredded chicken or ground beef taco to any plate for just $1 at all Texas locations. TC classic plates include Green, Queso, and Tex-Mex Cheese Enchiladas; 3-pack Chicken Flautas; Taco plates including Mixed Fajita, Chicken Fajita, Steak Fajita, Bean & Cheese, Ground Beef, Shredded Chicken; Cabana Sampler (one flauta, one crispy beef taco, one cheese enchilada, rice and beans and two flour tortillas), and Carne Guisada Taco Plate (available in San Antonio and Austin only). (Taco Cabana, 2021)

Taco Cabana plates can be ordered in-restaurant, via online ordering for front counter and curbside pick-up, in the drive-thru or by mobile order when using the MY TC!® App.

In addition, TC Time! ® taco offers remain available throughout the day. During breakfast hours only, guests may order two tacos for $3 choosing from Bacon, Egg & Cheese; Potato, Egg & Cheese; or Eggs a la Mexicana. Available all day, guests may order two lunch/dinner tacos for $4 choosing from Ground Beef, Shredded Chicken or Chicken Fajita. Guests can enjoy $2 TC signature margaritas all day, every day during the Holiday season as well. They make a perfect complement to any meal.

Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of YTC Enterprises, LLC, was founded in 1978. The brand specializes in Tex-Mex-inspired food including enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, tacos, flour tortillas and a selection of made-from-scratch salsas and sauces. Restaurants feature open-display cooking, a selection of bottled beer and $2 tequila margaritas, patio dining, drive-thru windows, curbside pick-up, delivery and catering. As of November 1, 2021, Taco Cabana operates 142 company-owned restaurants in Texas.

Taco Cabana launches holiday catering package

Celebrate the holidays with Taco Cabana’s signature favorites and give the gift of Taco Cabana to receive a free holiday appreciation gift card. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.

Now through December 31, 2021, Taco Cabana invites guests to celebrate the holiday season with its Holiday Party Pack (Holiday Taco Bar) and Holiday gift card promotion. Perfect for any holiday get-together, the party pack includes signature TC menu items perfect for large groups for just $129.99. Additionally, for every $25 spent on TC gift cards, guests will receive a free $5 Holiday Guest Appreciation gift card in return to use toward a future purchase. (Taco Cabana, 2021)

The Holiday Party Pack (Holiday Taco Bar) is available now for purchase for $129.99 and serves 10 people. TC fans will enjoy chips and queso, 10 churros, a gallon of tea, and 20 tortillas (choice of flour or corn) included in the package. As for the protein, TC guests can enjoy their choice of steak fajita, chicken fajita, or mixed fajita meat, their choice of black or refried beans, and inclusion of Mexican rice, shredded cheese, guacamole, salsa roja, pico de gallo, sour cream, and lettuce. Take the guesswork out of holiday meal preparation this holiday season by ordering the TC Holiday Party Pack online or by calling 855-4MY-TACO.

Through the end of December, TC guests will receive a free $5 Holiday Guest Appreciation gift card for every $25 spent on TC gift cards, both in-person and online at TacoCabana.com; e-gift cards are also available. The Holiday Guest Appreciation Cards can be redeemed at any Texas TC location beginning two hours after activation and will remain active until March 31, 2022.

Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of YTC Enterprises, LLC, was founded in 1978. The brand specializes in Tex-Mex-inspired food including enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, tacos, flour tortillas and a selection of made-from-scratch salsas and sauces. Restaurants feature open-display cooking, a selection of beer and tequila margaritas, patio dining, drive-thru windows, curbside pick-up and delivery. As of November 1, 2021, Taco Cabana operates 142 company-owned restaurants in Texas.

Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.

Ladino, a Mediterranean Grill House, to open at Pearl

Ladino, a Mediterranean Grill House from Chef Berty Richter, will open at the Pearl this summer 2022. Photo: Ladino, used with permission.

The team behind Emmer & Rye, the Austin-based, nationally renowned hospitality group, is excited to announce Ladino, their latest concept and first concept for San Antonio. Led by Executive Chef Berty Richter, Ladino will pay homage to Berty’s Sephardic roots with a menu centered around the charcoal grill which plays a lead role in the Middle Eastern and Balkan cuisines. Ladino will be in the Pearl at 200 E Grayson St #100, San Antonio, TX 78215 and is slated to open in summer 2022. (Ladino, 2021)

“I am beyond excited and thrilled for Ladino to open. For the better part of my culinary career, I’ve been wanting to create a concept like this and share my vision of Mediterranean cuisine, influenced by my Sephardic roots and traditions, and tell a story that has never been told through food here in Texas. Doing it as part of the Emmer and Rye hospitality group with our high standards of excellence, and with the Pearl team as our partners, makes this an extra special achievement and will truly make it an unforgettable experience.” – Executive Chef Berty Richter.

Ladino, also referred to as Judeo-Spanish, is a mix of Castellano, French, Italian, Greek, Turkish, and Hebrew. The language follows the route of the Jewish people’s migration from Spain dating back to the mid-1500s. Slowly on the path to extinction, some Sephardic Jews still speak this language mainly in the Balkans, Greece, Turkey, and Israel. As a son to a Turkish mother and with roots in Italy, Bulgaria and Greece, Berty spoke Ladino at home while growing up and some of his family still does to this day. The name was chosen because Berty wanted to highlight and share not only the Jewish-Balkan cuisine he grew up in, but also the influences of the surrounding cultures and cuisines on his style of cooking and eating, sharing food, and the excitement of a bountiful and colorful table of delicious food.

Described as a Mediterranean Grill House, Ladino will be a celebration of all the cultures combined, starting from the decor, the ambiance and the music, to the beverages and food. Using a wood burning oven, Ladino will feature freshly made pita and other regional specialties accompanied by an abundance of Mezze, vegetables, spices and herbs that are playful and bold. The dessert menu will be inspired by the sweet and savory staples of the region with a modern touch.

“The vision of Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group and Chef Berty is so compelling and we feel that this concept will profoundly enrich the culinary community of Pearl and San Antonio at large. Ladino as a manifestation of Berty’s culinary upbringing and his expertise is representative of our ambition to connect profoundly through food and culinary stories. We are thrilled to add this concept to Pearl’s restaurant offerings.” – Elizabeth Fauerso, Chief Marketing Officer of Pearl

Ladino will be Berty’s second concept as Executive Chef in Texas. Berty opened TLV in Austin in 2019 to rave reviews with a menu inspired by the streets of Israel. Located in Fareground Food Hall, TLV offers classics such as the traditional hummus plates, iconic Israeli sandwiches, homemade pickles, specialty house spice blends, vegan tahini shakes, and other favorites. This marks the seventh concept from Austin based Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group.