Taco Cabana introduces Mexican-style tortas to menu

This addition to the menu is at participating Taco Cabana locations only. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.

Taco Cabana is excited to announce three new menu items coming to its locations throughout Texas. Beginning today, Wednesday September 2, 2020, the popular restaurant chain is now offering a Mango-Habanero Pulled Pork Torta for the first time in the company’s 42-year history. In addition, guests can enjoy the Mango-Habanero Pulled Pork in a taco or cabana bowl. (Taco Cabana, 2020)

Taco Cabana is launching the popular Mexican sandwich platform with the Mango-Habanero Pulled Pork Torta. The torta’s traditional build includes refried beans, lettuce, tomatoes and Taco Cabana’s chipotle crema. The taco is filled with Mango-Habanero Pulled Pork and topped with lettuce, tomatoes and chipotle crema. The cabana bowl includes Mango-Habanero Pulled Pork, refried beans, rice, lettuce, shredded cheese, chipotle crema and pico de gallo. New menu items will be available in participating Texas locations in Austin, San Antonio, DFW, Houston and El Paso.

The Mango-Habanero Pulled Pork Torta is available for $5.29 a la carte or $7.29 for a plate with rice and beans; the taco is available for $2.29 a la carte or $6.99 for a plate; the cabana bowl is $5.99. Guests can place orders for all their Taco Cabana favorites via the convenient drive-thru, or for curbside pickup or delivery. Orders of $10 or more placed online or the MYTC! App are eligible for free delivery.

“Tortas are a big part of Mexican food culture and we’re looking forward to putting our own TC spin on them with Mango-Habanero Pulled Pork. The new Torta, Taco and Cabana Bowl are going to be great additions to our menu and we’re looking forward to our guests getting a chance to try them. They each make a great complement to any of our 12 margarita flavors – each only $2 all day, every day.” – Rich Stockinger, Fiesta Restaurant Group President and CEO.

Celebrate National Dollar Day at Taco Cabana

This weekend, in celebration of National Dollar Day, Taco Cabana will offer its popular bean and cheese tacos for only $1. This offer is valid on Saturday, August 8, 2020 only. Guests can enjoy Taco Cabana’s iconic bean and cheese taco, without any limit on the number purchased, by using code Codedollarbc. (Taco Cabana, 2020)

In conjunction with Tax Free Weekend this Friday, August 7 through Sunday, August 9,

Taco Cabana is also offering $5 off any purchase of $10 or more by using code Codetxfreewk. Offer excludes purchase of alcohol or gift cards.

Guests age 21 years or older are encouraged to pair their $1 bean and cheese taco or Tax Free Weekend purchases with one of Taco Cabana’s 12 signature $2 margarita flavor options. Join the fun of MargaritaPalooza with flavors such as Lime, Strawberry, Mango, Blue Curacao, Mangonada, Watermelon, and others. Guests have the option to add chamoy to their margaritas at no additional cost and Jose Cuervo tequila is available for a $2 additional cost.

Taco Cabana continues to sell Lime, Strawberry and Mango margaritas on-the-rocks by the gallon to-go for $34.99 and Blue Curacao for $36.99. Starting Saturday, August 8, guests can make their margarita gallon purchase a Jose Cuervo gallon for an additional $14.

These offers are valid at all Texas locations in Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, El Paso, Houston and San Antonio and are available via online ordering, drive-thru, curbside pick-up and delivery. Alcohol delivery is only available in San Antonio. Dine-in service is not available at this time. Offers cannot be combined.

Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: FRGI), was founded in 1978. The brand specializes in Tex-Mex-inspired food including fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, enchiladas, burritos, 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 and drive-thru windows. As of Jan. 1, 2020, Taco Cabana operates 146 company-owned restaurants in Texas.

Local businesses offering Fourth of July deals

bakerylorrainejuly4 — Pre-orders start today for Fourth of July pies from Bakery Lorraine. Photo: Bakery Lorraine, used with permission.

With the Fourth of July around the corner, several businesses around the San Antonio area are offering special deals to help celebrate in style. Whether food or entertainment, Bakery Lorraine, EVO Entertainment, San Antonio Museum of Art and La Panaderia have something for everyone.

Bakery Lorraine:
This Fourth of July, Bakery Lorraine will have their famous Apple pie made with five different apple varieties and donning a lattice decor this holiday season. A new decadent, Chocolate Creme pie will also be available along with their traditional Buttermilk pie topped with fresh berries. This will make the perfect addition to any socially-distanced barbecue, virtual or home celebration. Pies are $26 each and available for pre-order starting on Thursday, June 25. Pre-orders can be done online or by calling the desired store. All pie orders must be placed by Tuesday, June 30, at midnight. Pickup in-store Friday (7/3) or Saturday (7/4). Available at all Bakery Lorraine locations in San Antonio and Austin. (Bakery Lorraine, 2020)

EVO Entertainment:
In celebration of Independence Day, EVO Entertainment will be offering their play on a buy-one-get-one special, where guests can get a free game card equaling their food & beverages purchases at EVO. For example, if a guest spends $20 in refreshments, they are eligible for a free $20 game card to play arcade style games with opportunities to win prizes. There is no cap on how much they can spend or receive for this Fourth of July special. The offer is valid on July 4, 2020 and is available at participating EVO locations in Schertz and Kyle. In an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, EVO operates under strict protocols to keep guests and staff safe, including the sanitation of high-contact surfaces every 30 minutes. (EVO Entertainment, 2020)

San Antonio Museum of Art (SAMA):
On Sunday, July 5 from Noon to 3p.m., the San Antonio Museum of Art (SAMA) will host its Family Day See + Do, a free event for SAISD students and their families. A perfect addition to the holiday weekend, families will have an opportunity to meet Pegasus and other mythical animals as they explore the realms of fantasy in this no-contact, physically distanced family day. Families will have the opportunity to invent their own magical animal and draw it on scratch art paper, sculpt a multi-headed hydra and enjoy a self-paced scavenger hunt. The Family Day See + Do has been generously underwritten by the Charity Ball Association of San Antonio and the Faye L. and William L. Cowden Charitable Association. (San Antonio Museum of Art, 2020)

La Panaderia:
The popular San Antonio bakery will be open to visitors this Fourth of July at both locations so guests can stop in and treat themselves to decadent pan dulce while taking a break from the heat. Guests can also enjoy signature menu items at each restaurant such as the La Panaderia Patty Melt, a unique twist on the Texas favorite. (La Panaderia, 2020)

Culinaria launches Restaurant Weeks To Go

culinariaglass — Culinaria has launched ‘Restaurant Weeks To Go’ to meet the needs of the community. Photo: Culinaria, used with permission.

This week, Culinaria launched ‘Restaurant Weeks To Go’ in response to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) measures restricting gatherings. Restaurants are adapting and evolving to best fit the needs of the dining community. During this time, it is important to stimulate the economy and a community which has put San Antonio on the national map as a culinary destination, named UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in 2017, an honor shared by only two cities in the U.S. ‘Restaurant Weeks To Go’ will run indefinitely until they are assured that the COVID-19 crisis is behind us. (Culinaria, 2020)

Culinaria is also organizing a donation-based EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND to help restaurants on the financial brink, cover operating costs during the COVID-19 pandemic. A complete list of participating restaurants, menus and information on the Emergency Relief Fund is available online.

“Participating restaurants have $15 lunch, $30 dinner three-course prix-fixe menus, and some are also offering family meals. The mission of Culinaria has always been to promote San Antonio as a culinary destination, and, to support the restaurant and hospitality community when they need us in times of financial hardship or family emergencies, as they have been there for the community in times of hardship – natural disasters, flood and hurricane relief. So, we ask the community to give what you can to help restaurant owners keep their establishments operational. Donations are 100 percent tax deductible.” – Suzanne Taranto-Etheredge, president and CEO, Culinaria

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.

Twin Liquors biannual Dollar Sale

twinliquors20 — Twin Liquor’s 2020 Dollar Sale is this Thursday through Saturday. Photo: Twin Liquors, used with permission.

Twin Liquors, Central Texas’ fine wine and spirits retailer, is excited to announce its winter 2020 Dollar Sale, offering incredible deals on wine and spirits. This Dollar Sale is set for Thursday, February 27 through Saturday, February 29, 2020 from 10a.m. to 9p.m. at all 85+ Twin Liquors locations. It will feature incredible savings on wine and spirits 750 ml and larger. Prices will drop down to the absolute lowest plus a dollar. Shoppers can look forward to amazing prices on collectible wines, rare whiskies and other popular spirits. (Twin Liquors, 2020)

Highlights of the sale include:
Product (750ml)                                Retail            Dollar Sale          Price Savings
Suntory Toki Japanese Whiskey   $37.99           $29.00                   $8.99
Casamigos Blanco Tequila             $46.99          $35.53                   $11.46
Sazerac Rye Whiskey                      $27.99           $20.50                   $7.49

On Thursday, February 27, starting at 10a.m. shoppers at all Twin Liquors Marketplace locations can expect cocktails and complimentary breakfast tacos provided by Deep Eddy Vodka. Marketplace locations include: College Station Marketplace, Hancock Marketplace, South Lamar Marketplace and San Antonio Marketplace.

Twin Liquors Fine Wine & Spirits began in downtown Austin, Texas as one small store. Since then, it has developed into a successful “home-grown” Texas company that has a unique and well-respected reputation throughout the United States for having impeccable team members, outstanding customer service, conveniently located stores, extensive selections of fine wines and premium spirits from around the world and substantial community involvement. Twin Liquors currently operates 90+ neighborhood stores across central, south, and southeast Texas.

San Antonio Burger Week 2020 to benefit San Antonio Food Bank

foodbanklogo — San Antonio Burger Week will take place from February 21 through March 1 to benefit the San Antonio Food Bank. Photo: Google

Beginning Friday February 21 through March 1, San Antonio Burger Week, in partnership with HeartBrand Beef and benefiting the San Antonio Food Bank, will pay homage to America’s original sweetheart: the hamburger. (San Antonio Food Bank, 2020)

During the second annual San Antonio Burger Week, more than 30 San Antonio eateries will offer $5 and $8 specialty burgers, with a portion of each plate benefiting the San Antonio Food Bank. Participating restaurants include Armadillo’s Texas Burgers, Babe’s Old Fashioned Food, Benjie’s Munch, Biff Buxby’s Burgers, Big Lou’s Burgers & BBQ, Big’z Burger Joint, Broadway 5050, Burger Boy, Burgerteca, Charlie Brown’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill, Cheesy Jane’s, Chris Madrid’s, Chunky’s Burgers, The Cove, Cover 3, Hopdoddy’s, Johnny Rocket’s at River Center, Mark’s Outing, OrderUp, Papa’s Burgers, Sam’s Burger Joint, Slider Provider, Southtown 101,The Lion & Rose, The Well, Tributary at the Marriott, Tripoli’s Mediterranean Grill and Zinc.

San Antonio Burger Week aims to entice locals to explore new restaurants across San Antonio’s vast culinary landscape. Specialty burgers will range from cheeseburgers to bacon burgers, to veggie burgers and everything in between. Patrons are encouraged to take advantage of special drink pairings and sides and to punch their SA Burger Week Passport for a chance to win prizes. More information, including updates, passport and participating restaurants is available online and on Instagram.

The San Antonio Food Bank takes pride in fighting hunger, feeding hope in their 16 county service area. They believe that no child should go to bed hungry, adults should not have to choose between a hot meal and utilities, nor a senior sacrifice medical care for the sake of a meal. Founded in 1980, The San Antonio Food Bank has quickly grown to serve 58,000 individuals a week in one of the largest service areas in Texas. Their focus is for clients to have food for today but to also have the resources to be self-sufficient in the future.

Culinaria Restaurant Weeks is back

Entering its 11^th year, Culinaria Restaurant Weeks, from January 20 through February 1, 2020, is back with eateries in San Antonio and neighboring counties. Participating restaurants will offer special three-course prix-fixe menus: $15 lunch, and $35/$45 dinner. Guests can expect some restaurants to offer additional course options as well as wine, cocktail and beer pairings. This 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, 2019)

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

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.

Culinaria has been promoting San Antonio as a premier destination for culinary, beverage and hospitality to an international audience, while also serving as a resource for educational opportunities in those fields. 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 partner events throughout the year. Culinaria is continually expanding and additional participating restaurants are added weekly, as well as new events throughout the year.

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

“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

Annual New Year’s Day black-eyed pea cook-off at William Chris Vineyards

wcvblackeyedpea — William Chris Vineyards will be hosting their annual New Year’s Day Party that will feature a black-eyed pea cook-off. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

William Chris Vineyards will be hosting their Annual New Year’s Day Party featuring a distinctly southern family-friendly Black Eyed Pea Cook-Off at the vineyard in Hye, Texas on Wednesday, January 1 from 1p.m. to 4p.m. The ticket price for general admission is $25 and will include a New Year’s toast for adults, plenty of black eyed peas, one vote to cast for your favorite dish and live music provided by Trace of Gold. (William Chris Vineyards, 2019)

Think you have what it takes to compete for the title of William Chris’ Black Eyed Pea Champion? The cook-off is $40 per entry for a team of two – entrants must prepare a dish at home using Black Eyed Peas with enough to provide 300 samples to attendees; the dish must be ready by set-up time at 12p.m. on January 1. Prizes for the top three teams include: 1st place will receive $500 + case of WCV wine; 2nd place will receive $200 + 6 bottles of WCV; and 3rd place will receive $50 + 2 bottles of WCV wine.

William Chris Vineyards
10352 U.S. Highway 290
Hye, TX 78635

Pearl to host third annual holiday Posada on Wednesday

This Wednesday December 18 from 6:30p.m. to 9p.m., Pearl will host its third annual Posada, inspired by the Mexican tradition of Las Posadas. Community members are invited to join the Posada and become pilgrims traveling by candlelight in a procession throughout the property, beginning at Pearl Park. (Pearl, 2019)

Las Posadas is a nine-day Christmas celebration in Mexico and Latin America, centered around the ritual re-enactment of Mary and Joseph’s quest to find lodging in Bethlehem. The evening includes live mariachi music, lotería, traditional Mexican bingo for children and traditional treats of buñuelos, tamales and Mexican hot chocolate provided by Ms. Chocolatier, Churro Star, La Hacienda, CIA and Panifico Bakery. This event is free and open to the public. Representatives from Mission Concepción and Father David Garcia will lead community members in a procession throughout the Pearl property followed by live music by Mariachi Mexica.

Pearl Campus
303 Pearl Parkway
San Antonio, TX 78215

Texas Monthly LIVE at the Witte Museum

Texas Monthly LIVE, presented by the 80|20 Foundation, is bringing the unique experience of a live issue of the magazine reimagined for a theatre audience to the Witte Museum on Wednesday, December 4 from 7p.m. to 8:45p.m. The first Texas Monthly LIVE performance premiered in Austin in the Spring of 2018 and has been performed in Austin, Houston, Brownsville and Dallas. San Antonio will be the fifth and final stop of the 2019 tour. This marks the first year that the magazine will bring the event to San Antonio audiences. (Texas Monthly, 2019)

Mixing music, video, narration, and live performances, this special 90-minute editorial production will take audience members on an unforgettable storytelling journey. Texas Monthly LIVE will feature stories and performances curated and performed by Texas Monthly editors, showcasing the breadth and depth of Texas. Hosted by Texas Monthly columnist David Courtney, this unique event will explore the sights, sounds and feelings of Texas and will have the audience laughing, reminiscing and dancing.

Ticket holders will have access to the exclusive after-party following the show where guests will have the opportunity to explore the first-floor exhibits of the Witte Museum after dark. After-party experiences will be custom-produced by the Witte’s curatorial staff and will bring the exhibits to life with special activations curated based on the stories from the Texas Monthly LIVE performance. Museum activations include: Chili Queens at the Alamo, Better Living through Botánicas, Water Runs Through It: San Antonio River as Lifeblood and How Beef Became BBQ. Light bites and beverages will be available for purchase. The after-party will take place until 11p.m. VIP tickets to the show are sold out but General Admission tickets are still available online until the day of the event for $20.

Performance highlights (subject to change)

Confessions of a Skinny Bitch / Executive editor Patricia Sharpe fondly reflects on her upbringing as a picky eater and how it led her on her journey to becoming Texas Monthly’s food editor.
Patient Observation / Executive Editor Skip Hollandsworth recounts his younger years in Wichita Falls, Texas when he stepped inside the gates of the local state hospital and realized that every town has another side.
Star Hunter / The Rio Grande Valley is steeped in lore. Senior Editor Carlos Sanchez tells the tale of one Brownsville resident that began 1.3 billion years ago.
Life, In Dog Years / Following the death of her father and the inheritance of his beloved corgi, Executive Editor Mimi Swartz explores the way her family expresses love through their pets.
The Biggest Wild Plant Catalog in the World / Executive Editor Katy Vine tells the story of one man in Austin who has been cataloguing all of the plants in Texas since 1971.
G-L-O-R-I-A / Executive Editor Michael Hall tells the story of the Gloriathon, when, in the summer of 1999, he and dozens of Austin’s finest musicians, performed Van Morrison’s song “Gloria” for 24 hours as a way to say goodbye to a beloved club — and a beloved era.

The Witte Museum
3801 Broadway St.
San Antonio, TX 78209

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