Category: Restaurant News

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.

Teddy Bear Brunch at Signature Restaurant to benefit Children’s Bereavement Center

One hundred percent of the proceeds of the Teddy Bear Brunch will go to the Children’s Bereavement Center. Photo: La Cantera Resort & Spa, used with permission.

In observance of Children’s Grief Awareness Month, La Cantera Resort & Spa is hosting the ultimate Teddy Bear Brunch experience at Signature Restaurant at La Cantera Resort & Spa on Saturday November 13 from 10a.m. to 2p.m., reservations required. Benefitting Children’s Bereavement Center, this brunch aims to educate, advocate and raise awareness about the needs of grieving children, teens, and their families by focusing on the good works of Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas. (La Cantera Resort & Spa, 2021)

For most children and adults, the Teddy Bear is a symbol of love and security, a source of comfort when they sleep and a form of protection when they are awake and feeling vulnerable. Build-A-Bear Foundation has donated 100 Teddy Bears to the Children’s Bereavement Center via the Teddy Bear Brunch. La Cantera is hoping to match that gift by asking guests to bring a brand-new Teddy Bear for donation to the Center.

Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas is so much more than a place where grieving children go to heal; it is a place of transformation. The Center serves thousands of children, caregivers, and community members through ongoing counseling, education, and support groups provided at no cost to the children and families served. Because Teddy Bears are an important part of the mission at Children’s Bereavement Center, every child starts their journey at the Center with a bear, to remind them that they are not alone in their journey through grief.

The Resort’s goal is to collect 100 Teddy Bears matching the Build-A-Bear Foundation donation for a total of 200 bears for the Center’s Holiday gift exchange with the children they serve.

One hundred percent of proceeds from the Teddy Bear Brunch will benefit Children’s Bereavement Center. Tickets are $75 for adults, $45 for children, please call Signature 210-247-0176, Tuesday through Sunday after 1p.m. to make reservations.

Celebrate National Nachos Day at Taco Cabana

Celebrate National Nachos Day on November 6 at Taco Cabana with $4 nachos. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.

On Saturday, November 6, 2021, Taco Cabana invites guests to celebrate National Nachos Day with special offers available all day long at all Texas locations. Guests can enjoy their choice of Taco Cabana’s classic bean and cheese, shredded chicken, chicken fajita, or ground beef nachos for only $4 with no limit; this offer excludes steak nachos and TC’s Kickin’ Grande Nachos. (Taco Cabana, 2021)

The $4 nachos are available through curbside pick-up, drive-thru, in-restaurant, and via mobile order online or the MyTC! App. Not available through third party delivery service providers.

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 tequila margaritas, patio dining, drive-thru windows, curbside pick-up and delivery. As of October 1, 2021, Taco Cabana operates 142 company-owned restaurants in Texas.

Project Pollo celebrates World Vegan Month with sandwich giveaway

Project Pollo will be passing out FREE Chikn’ sandwiches during the Pollo Patrol National Roadshow. Photo: Project Pollo, used with permission.

November is World Vegan Month, and in honor of the occasion, Project Pollo is flying the coop to giveaway a total of 10,000 sandwiches during a coast-to-coast roadshow. From November 1 through 23, the Project Pollo wrapped van will travel the U.S., making converts out of carnivores one city at a time. Dubbed the “Pollo Patrol,” this mobile kitchen will be passing out FREE Chikn’ sandwiches made with house breaded crispy Chikn’ strips topped with house-made aioli and dill pickles. The concept is the
answer to the often asked, “when will you open in my city,” question, and it’s all part of the company’s commitment to making vegan fare accessible, delicious, and affordable to everyone. (Project Pollo, 2021)

Going mobile is not new to Project Pollo. Some may recall that the popular chain got its start as a food truck near San Antonio, Texas before spreading its wings to brick and mortar locations across the state. For the past year, this plant-based fast-food chicken concept has had the fast-food industry squawking about its unprecedented growth of 12 locations in just over 12 months with plans to spread its wings to 100 stores nationally by 2024. The rebellious recipe for success lies in challenging industry norms with a combination of plant-based affordability, convenience, sustainability, and deliciousness that attracts the adamant vegan and the curious carnivores. Named one of the top 15 vegan fast-food chains in the US by VegNews, the first-of-its-kind concept is the brainchild of entrepreneur, Lucas Bradbury, who recently made the list of 28 Young Restaurant Leaders to Watch by QSR Magazine. More than just a restaurant, Project Pollo is a company that gives a cluck. With a motto of people over profits, the stores have given away more than 9,000 vegan sandwiches, burgers, and hot dogs and saved as many as 239,782 chickens to date.

You do not have to hunt and peck to find out where these trucks will roost. Just follow their journey on
social media @projectpollo for specific locations and updates.

Scheduled cities include:

• New Orleans, LA ((November 1 – 2)
• Athens, GA (November 4)
• Atlanta, GA (November 5 – 6)
• Charlotte, NC (November 8 – 9)
• Nashville, TN (November 10 – 12)
• Phoenix, AZ (November 15 – 16)
• Los Angeles, CA (November 17 – 18)
• Las Vegas, NV (November 19 – 20)
• Denver, CO (November 22 – 23)

Texas resident: to kick things off, this offer will be available at all Project Pollo locations across the Lone Star State during store hours on November 1, also known as World Vegan Day.

Photo: Project Pollo, used with permission.

Hopdoddy Burger Bar’s Veterans Day offer

Hopdoddy’s Classic Burger. Photo: Hopdoddy Burger Bar, used with permission.

This Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11, Hopdoddy Burger Bar is offering a free Classic Burger (with or without cheese) to all veterans and active military service members. Qualified recipients can show their military ID or uniform to claim their free burger. This offer is available at all Hopdoddy locations and is redeemable for in-store dining or to-go orders placed by phone. (Hopdoddy Burger Bar, 2021)

In 2010, four friends had a goal: to set a new standard for burger bars. Hopdoddy pushed the boundaries of what is expected by bringing together craft beer and unique burger concoctions – all with high-quality ingredients and even higher standards. With every purchase of a Goodnight Good Cause burger, a portion of the proceeds give back to Hopdoddy’s favorite community charitable organizations.

Bakery Lorraine launches new fall menu

Bakery Lorraine’s Greek yogurt parfait. Photo: Bakery Lorraine, used with permission.

Now that fall is in full swing, Bakery Lorraine has a new fall menu with fall flavor options ranging from sweet to savory, so there is something for everyone. Halloween pastries will be available from October 28 through October 31 only. (Bakery Lorraine, 2021)

Fall 2021 pastries:
• Pastries:
o Orange Cranberry Muffin ($4) – Gluten friendly and baked to a fluffy perfection
o Chocolate Pear Tart ($6) – Vanilla poached pears baked in a rich, chocolate cream
o Fig Frangipane Tart ($6) – Fresh figs baked in almond cream
o Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Chip muffin ($4) – Gluten friendly and baked to a fluffy perfection
o Seasonal Fruit Tart ($6) – Crisp tart shell filled with vanilla mascarpone cream and topped with fresh seasonal fruit
o Fall flavored macarons – Caramel apple, pistachio, earl grey, raspberry, mesquite honey, pumpkin spice, and dark chocolate cassis
• Cakes:
o Cassis Elderflower Cake slice ($6) – Layers of an almond sponge cake, cassis mousse, and cassis gelee topped with a mini dark chocolate cassis macaron and blackberry
o Phantom of the Opera cake slice ($6) – Layers of spiced almond sponge cake, pumpkin buttercream, chocolate ganache and spiced bourbon syrup
o Cheesecake ($6) – Classic cheesecake on a gingersnap crust and topped with seasonal fruit

Halloween pastries available Thursday October 28 – Sunday October 31
• Black Cat tart ($6) – Chocolate mousse tart with vanilla filling
• Lemon Mummy Tart ($6) – Lemon curd topped with meringue and two chocolate chips for the mummy’s eyes
• Chocolate Caramel Tart ($6) – Caramel filling topped with chocolate ganache
• Voodoo Doll gingerbread cookie ($5) – Gingerbread cookie dipped in a rich dark chocolate
• Ghost Moonpie ($5) – Homemade graham cookies with a honey marshmallow filling dipped in a white chocolate

Fall all-day menu items:
• Almond Croissant – Bakery Lorraine’s popular Almond Croissant is twice-baked, creating a buttery and flaky crust, filled with almond cream and topped with sliced almonds
• Cinnamon Roll – Bakery Lorraine’s iconic Cinnamon Roll topped with a sweet honey glaze is available all day
• Greek yogurt parfait – House made granola, seasonal fruits, honey
• Fall French toast – Toffee sauce, banana, pecans, maple syrup
• Rice and beets bowl – Short grain rice, forbidden rice, beets, tofu, kale, ginger vinaigrette, mushrooms, cilantro
• Turkish eggs – Herbed yogurt, *poached eggs, Aleppo butter, toasted sourdough
• Salmon on everything croissant – Caper and dill cream cheese, smoked salmon, pickled red onions, sunflower sprouts
• Chicken salad Veronique on croissant – Herbed dressing, red grapes, pecans, savoy slaw

Bakery Lorraine is a San Antonio favorite and nationally recognized pastry shop famous for its colorful macarons and exquisite French pastries. Owned by chefs Anne Ng, Jeremy Mandrell, and operator Charlie Biedenharn, Bakery Lorraine was named one of the best new bakeries in the U.S. by Food & Wine and CNN’s Eatocracyblog, as well as one of the “13 Destination Bakeries” by Conde Nast Traveler. Bakery Lorraine serves handmade French pastries and macarons using the finest ingredients. The bakery also serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, including items like its breakfast parfait, the quiche Lorraine, chicken potpie, an assortment of salads and soups, and artisan sandwiches. Bakery Lorraine has three locations in San Antonio including one in the Historic Pearl district, one in San Antonio’s Medical Center, and one in San Antonio’s RIM shopping center, including now an Austin location at Domain Northside.

Pearl’s Food Hall at Bottling Department now serving breakfast

Food Hall at Pearl is now offering breakfast items seven days a week. Shown: Chilaquil breakfast. Photo: Pearl, used with permission.

Pearl is excited to announce that breakfast is now available throughout the week at the Food Hall at Bottling Department. Each of the tenants inside Food Hall are now offering breakfast items Monday through Sunday to provide more options to guests, workers and those that live at Pearl. (Pearl, 2021)

Guests can find breakfast items like tacos from Chilaquil, breakfast rotis from Mi Roti, smoothies from Kineapple, sandwiches from Fletcher’s Hamburgers and a Tori Katsu Breakfast Sando from Tenko Ramen. The Food Hall is now open at 8a.m. and breakfast is served until 11a.m. each day.

The team at Food Hall at Bottling Department is excited to be able to bring more options to its guests throughout the day.

Pearl is a dynamic neighborhood built around the historic Pearl Brewery, which operated from 1883 to 1999. Located just north of downtown San Antonio on the banks of the San Antonio River, it is home to architecturally significant buildings like the brewhouse and stable—both built in 1894—and numerous plazas. Today, Pearl is home to dozens of unique culinary concepts, one-of-a-kind retail, weekend markets, residential communities, innovative office tenants, the San Antonio campus of the Culinary Institute of America, and the award-winning Hotel Emma. Pearl is a vibrant district where community gathers to play, work, and live; it is a place where things are made and celebrated with purpose and sincerity. We invite all to gather and experience the best of what San Antonio has to offer.

Papa John’s kicks off promotion for David’s Legacy Foundation

Papa John’s kicks off 2021-2022 promotion during National Bullying Prevention Month. Photo: google

As part of National Bullying Prevention Month, the 21 San Antonio-area Papa John’s stores owned by Pizza Venture of San Antonio, LLC, are proud to announce the kickoff of their 2021-2022 school year commitment to the David’s Legacy Foundation. This partnership with Papa John’s comes at a time when spending time online has increased due to the pandemic, thus increasing the opportunity for cyberbullying among children and teens. (Papa John’s, 2021)

Through its Better Neighbors program, Papa John’s has contributed more than $84,000 to David’s Legacy Foundation to combat cyberbullying since 2018. Papa John’s commitment will take place during the 2021-2022 school year.

With this promotion, all Pizza Venture stores will offer a $2 donation to David’s Legacy Foundation for every sale using the promocode STANDUP for 2 large, 2 topping pizzas, and 2-liter soda for $26.

For those who donate, sales will go toward helping David’s Legacy Foundation’s initiative to provide classroom presentations about bullying and David’s Law. To order your Cyberbullying Special and help raise awareness about the foundation’s mission, click here.

“This year, David would have celebrated his 22nd birthday, and through David’s Legacy Foundation, we honor him by bringing awareness to National Bullying Prevention Month. We are very touched to have a continued partnership with Papa John’s through its Better Neighbors Program since 2018.” – Maurine Molak, David’s Legacy Foundation co-founder.

“As a family-owned business, we are honored to shine a light on David and his legacy through David’s Legacy Foundation by combatting cyberbullying,” “We are a local company that has supported our community for more than 25 years, and we are honored to continue to do that with dedicated groups through our Better Neighbors Program.” – Clark Mandigo, III, president and COO of Pizza Ventures of San Antonio, LLC.

David’s Legacy Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to ending cyber-assisted bullying by educating communities about the harmful effects of cyber abuse, providing support for bullying victims, promoting kindness, and supporting legislation that prohibits the cyberbullying of minors.

David Bartlett Molak, aged 16, passed away on Monday, Jan. 4, 2016 in his hometown of San Antonio, Texas. David had recently achieved the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout with Troop 809. Among David’s passions were hunting, fishing, and playing video games with his older brothers Cliff and Chris. He was extremely knowledgeable about professional football and could lead any fantasy association to success. David never passed up on an opportunity for an outdoor adventure or a chance to dominate his family in Monopoly. His infectious smile and sharp wit entertained his peers to the dismay of his teachers, but all in good fun.

Celebrate Día de los Muertos in San Antonio

La Panadería’s Pan de Muerto. Photo: La Panadería, used with permission.

Día de los Muertos is right around the corner and the San Antonio Museum of Art, La Panadería, and Twang are helping San Antonians embrace the holiday. (San Antonio Museum of Art, La Panadería, 2021)

San Antonio Museum of Art – Día de los Muertos Family Day
The San Antonio Museum of Art is hosting a Touch-Free Family Day celebrating Día de los Muertos on Sunday, November 7, 2021. From 11a.m. to 3p.m., families can explore the Latin American galleries with a bilingual, self-paced scavenger hunt and learn more about Día de los Muertos with a link to a story time video. Kids can also decorate a traditional sugar skull and craft tissue paper cempasúchil (marigolds). The best part is that it is free for SAISD students and families.

Link for art activity video demonstrations, virtual story time, and self-guided gallery walk available in the art kit. Art kits are first come, first served.

La Panadería – Pan de Muerto
Highlighting Mexico’s “Bread Cultura,” La Panadería will offer their classic Día de Los Muertos pan dulce like Pan De Muerto and specialty pan dulce boxes starting October 15, 2021. Guests can order their family-sized Pan de Muerto online or in-store, with pickup available from October 28 – 31, 2021.

Día de los Muertos Cocktail from Twang
WAKE THE DEAD cocktail
Single serving: Twang-A-Rita Unwind Lime
1oz. Bourbon
1oz. Gin
.5 oz. simple syrup
.25 oz. lime juice
Shaken topped with ginger beer
Two dashes Angostura bitters
Recipe courtesy of Aaron Peña, Owner of Amor Eterno and Squeezebox in San Antonio, TX

WAKE THE DEAD cocktail. Photo: Mario Maldonado, used with permission.