The Hatch Green Chile Bacon Burger is available for a limited time at Whataburger. Photo: Whataburger, used with permission.
Whether you like some spice or a roasted smoky heat, Whataburger has you covered with two new menu items. For a limited time only, fans can treat their taste buds to the Spicy Chicken Sandwich and Hatch Green Chile Bacon Burger. (Whataburger, 2020)
The Spicy Chicken Sandwich brings the perfect combination of flavor and heat to spice up your next meal. The sandwich starts with a meticulously marinated, crispy chicken filet, topped with fresh, cool leaf lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and mayo, finished with a toasted four-inch bun.
The Hatch Green Chile Burger has everything Whataburger fans love-double meat, double cheese and crispy bacon, plus the smooth, roasted heat of Hatch green chiles. It features two fresh all-beef patties topped with Hatch green chiles, crispy bacon, one slice of American cheese, one slice of Monterey Jack cheese and creamy mayo, all atop a signature five-inch toasted bun.
Whataburger has been making burgers since 1950 when Harman Dobson opened a humble hamburger stand in Corpus Christi, Texas. He wanted customers to take one bite and say, “What a burger” so he named his stand on Ayers St “Whataburger.” Whataburger now has over 800 locations across the country and continues to deliver fresh, made to order meals every day with superior customer service. Community support includes charitable giving and volunteerism to nonprofit organizations that focus on children’s charities, cancer research, hunger assistance, disaster relief and military support.
Full Belly Cafe and Bar will reopen on Monday October 5. Photo: Full Belly Cafe and Bar, used with permission.
Full Belly Cafe and Bar had been open for only 32 days when restaurants across the state were closed in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19. Throughout the mandated closure and subsequent citywide reopening phases, Chef Owners Blade Haddock and James Moore closely monitored cases in the area and weighed the risks of reopening with the possibility of having to close once again. Ultimately, the hospitality veterans determined that reopening would not be an option until they could do so with confidence that the science and data determined a safe environment. (Full Belly Cafe and Bar, 2020)
Throughout the closure, Haddock and Moore have been dedicated to evolving the contemporary American restaurant for reopening, including updated hours and new takeout options. When patrons return on Monday October 5, they will have the option to dine inside the restaurant or be seated on the newly completed covered outdoor patio, which features a fresh 16-foot mural. Reservations will be accepted and walk-ins are always welcome.
Takeout will be available with a curbside pickup option plus cocktails, beer and wine to-go. Signature Drinks, including Full Belly’s Margarita and Maker’s Mark Old Fashioned, will come with all ingredients premixed and ready to be blended or poured over ice to enjoy in the included glassware. Takeaway wine is offered by the bottle, six-pack or case from Full Belly’s eclectic wine list, which is designed to match the menu. Takeout orders can be placed by calling the restaurant at (210) 236-5374.
In addition to seasonal American cuisine with a global spin, freshly baked pastries and a specialty coffee menu are also available for dine-in or to-go. Favorites include Pastry Chef Deanna Lansing’s signature “Belly Puffs,” a cross between a croissant and a cream puff filled with mascarpone Chantilly cream.
Diners can look forward to a menu of chef-forward, sweet and savory items from the daytime menu seven days a week and dinner menu service Wednesday through Saturday. There will be all-day happy hour specials every day as well. Business hours as noted: Sunday Through Tuesday 9a.m. to 3p.m., Wednesday and Thursday 9a.m. to 9p.m. and Friday and Saturday 9a.m. to 10p.m.
Full Belly adheres to the Texas Restaurant Association’s Texas Restaurant Promise and follows the CDC guidelines for safety and sanitation. Per San Antonio mandate, face coverings are required when not seated and the restaurant will operate with required social distancing at a maximum of 75 percent capacity.
Founded in San Antonio by veteran restaurateurs Blade Haddock and James Moore, Full Belly Cafe and Bar is a contemporary American restaurant with a global spin. Embracing its motto to “Feed your Soul. Fill your Belly,” Full Belly offers a variety of hearty, seasonal dishes alongside an extensive chef influenced bar program and specialty coffee menu for a complete dining experience.
Full Belly Cafe and Bar
427 North Loop 1604 West #202
San Antonio, TX 78232
(210) 236-5374
“We’ve been so moved by the support we’ve received from the community, industry leaders and family and friends, checking in and eagerly awaiting our return. We always said that when it was safe to return, we’d pick the ball back up and run with it, and that’s just what we intend to do.” – James Moore, Full Belly’s Executive Chef Partner
Local businesses have ways to celebrate National Drink a Beer Day this Monday September 28. Photo: Twang, used with permission.
This Monday September 28 is National Drink a Beer Day and nowadays it is more important than ever to celebrate the little things. Local favorites are offering ways to partake in the holiday, whether at home or safely out on the town. (EVO Entertainment, Twang, Lone Star Brewing, Southerleigh, 2020)
EVO’s Schertz location is the place to grab a brew and have some socially distanced fun. The movie theater and entertainment complex offers a wide variety of local, craft, and domestic beers for guests to enjoy, including flights to sip from while patrons bowl or catch a film. EVO is dedicated to operating safely to help prevent the spread of COVID-19; safety procedures are available online.
Based in San Antonio, Texas, Twang Partners Ltd. is a family-owned and operated creator and manufacturer of premium-flavored salts, sugars and seasonings and credited as being “The original beer salt.” In addition to their wide array of beer salts, Twang also recently launched a premium Michelada mix ideal for mixing with Mexican-style lagers. The Michelada mix is available at HEBs throughout Texas and on Twang online.
Lone Star Brewing recently announced the latest seasonal beer in the beloved family of Lone Star Beers: Das Bier Y’all – The New Taste of Classic Texas. Das Bier Y’all is a classic German-style kölsch with a peachy twist, brewed to honor the German heritage of the Lone Star State and its enduring cultural influence that remains prevalent in Texas today. The beer is now available for purchase in select locations throughout Texas for a limited time through early Spring 2021. Das Bier Y’all will be available throughout Texas, with six-packs available at a suggested retail price of $7.99. Beer lovers can use Lone Star’s beer finder to find a store selling nearest to them.
Located in the former brewhouse of the Pearl Brewery, Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery has been credited with bringing brewing back to Pearl. In addition to rich, indulgent dishes highlighting the best of Texan and Gulf Coast flavors, Southerleigh offers brews made in house. Southerleigh’s drafts are unique and perfect for celebrating a holiday dedicated to drinking beer.
Pumpkin Spice Boba Tea from Bao’d Up. Photo: Julia Keim, used with permission.
Local chefs celebrate Autumn by taking pumpkin spice season to a whole new level. Get cozy and check out some of these locally-made pumpkin spice creations. (Bao’d Up, EVO Entertainment Group, Bakery Lorraine, 2020)
The Pumpkin Pie Bao is made with pumpkin purée, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and pecans all inside a Chinese pumpkin steamed bun. Bao buns are known for being light, fluffy and soft. The filling inside this bao is reminiscent of a freshly-baked pumpkin pie. Ting Lin, Executive Chef and Co-Owner of Bao’d Up, is a first-generation Chinese immigrant who is passionate about adapting traditional Chinese dishes like bao to the American palate in interesting and fun ways. Available for contact-less pick-up and delivery at all four Bao’d Up locations today thru November 30.
Pumpkin Spice Boba Tea is a new favorite fall drink. The creamy iced treat is perfect for a crisp fall day. Shaken with pumpkin syrup and spices, this boba tea is the perfect marriage of Chinese and American favorites, which just happens to be Bao’d Up’s specialty. Available for contact-less pick-up and delivery at all four Bao’d Up locations today thru November 30.
Bao’d Up is a minority-owned Chinese chain with four locations in and around the Austin area. The concept specializes in Bao or Baozi, which is a famous food category in many Asian countries. Bao’d Up uses a variety of different fillings and experiment with new ways of cooking the bao. Co-founded by tech entrepreneur Alex Wu and Chef Ting Lin, the first location opened in Central Austin’s Mueller Aldrich district on July 25, 2017. The restaurant quickly became popular for its fast-casual business model and technology-driven service platforms, including contact-free food lockers.
EVO Entertainment’s Pumpkin Spiked Shake has returned to all open locations for a limited time through Monday, November 30, 2020. The Pumpkin Spiked Shake was the result of a collaborative effort from EVO’s culinary team that returns each fall to the delight of customers. The boozy shake includes vodka and Baileys Pumpkin Spice liqueur and is available for $10.50; a non-alcoholic version of the shake is available for $8.50.
EVO Entertainment Group®is an Austin based out-of-home entertainment operator comprised of a number of innovative brands including EVO® Entertainment, EVO® Cinemas, and EVO® Concerts. Since its launch in 2014, EVO® has gained a reputation as a leader in innovation, as well as one of the fastest-growing independent cinema circuits in the country. EVO® Entertainment Group currently employs over 1,000 team members and entertains nearly 3 million guests annually.
San Antonio’s nationally-recognized Bakery Lorraine just released their pumpkin spice macaron for Fall 2020. The shell of the macarons are seasoned with a house-made pumpkin spice blend and topped with roasted pumpkin seeds. Between the shells is an irresistible cream cheese buttercream that makes the macarons reminiscent of a pumpkin roulade. The fall-time treat will be available at all four locations of Bakery Lorraine, which stretch across both Austin and San Antonio.
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 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.
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.
La Panaderia’s Broadway location has a newly expanded outdoor patio. Photo: La Panaderia, used with permission.
La Panaderia’s newly expanded outdoor patio is now open for dining at the restaurant’s Broadway location. In a continued effort to provide a safe and socially-distanced environment, customers can now enjoy the perks of al fresco dining, and the restaurant’s signature menu items, in the renovated green space. Customers now have the option of ordering La Panadería’s full menu from the comfort of their table through a new QR code system. Online ordering for contactless curbside pickup and delivery remain available from La Panadería’s Broadway and Downtown locations. (La Panaderia, 2020)
Hoping to share their Mexican heritage with citizens in the United States, José and David Cáceres opened La Panadería in San Antonio, Texas in 2014. The bakery, which specializes in handmade bread, pan dulce and pastries inspired by Mexico’s Golden Era, or Epoca de Oro, also draws influence from French, Italian and American bread making techniques. La Panadería’s unique approach to bread making includes a minimum 48-hour fermentation process that results in artisan bread and pastries unlike any other. La Panadería has two locations in San Antonio, Texas.
Taco Cabana is retired some flavors and adding new ones to their popular MargaritaPalooza margaritas. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.
Taco Cabana is excited to announce several new food and beverage items coming to its locations throughout Texas beginning Wednesday August 26, 2020. The popular restaurant chain is launching ‘QuesoMania’ and expanding its MargaritaPalooza flavor offerings. (Taco Cabana, 2020)
With the launch of QuesoMania, guests can enjoy three new and delicious loaded queso options. Quesos are available for purchase in size small or large for $2.99 or $4.29 respectively in the following flavor combinations:
Queso with corn, cotija cheese and Taco Cabana Hot Sauce
Queso with chorizo, beans and jalapenos
Queso with ground beef and pico de gallo
Due to overwhelming demand, Taco Cabana is also extending its MargaritaPalooza offerings, replacing six current flavors with six new flavors. As of this week, the Frose, MojitoRita, Prickly Pear, Passion Fruit and Star-Spangled Banner Margarita flavors will be retired. Starting August 26, 2020, Taco Cabana will launch six new margarita flavors, including:
Green Apple
Pineapple Chamoy
Tamarindo
Spicy Guava
Sangria
Strawberry Mango
The Lime, Strawberry, Mango, Blue Curacao, Mangonada and Watermelon margaritas will remain available for purchase as part of MargaritaPalooza and the popular Dr Pepper margarita will also be available upon request. $2 margaritas are available for purchase all day, every day at locations in Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, El Paso, Houston and San Antonio.
Guests can add chamoy to any TC margarita for no charge as well make any margarita a Jose Cuervo for an additional $2. Margaritas are available via online ordering for front counter and curbside pick-up, as well as via the drive-thru with food purchase. Margaritas are also available for delivery via online ordering in San Antonio only.
MYTC! loyalty guests who complete the TC MargaritaPalooza Tour – purchasing all 12 flavors by September 30, 2020 – will see their name on the TC MargaritaPalooza Virtual Wall. Download the MYTC! app to join and start earning points on all alcohol and food purchases.
To continue the celebration around MargaritaPalooza, Taco Cabana will also launch its Drive-Thru Weekend Fiestas starting Saturday, August 29, 2020. The fiestas will take place every Saturday and Sunday and will feature a special weekend-only menu, Taco Cabana MargaritaPalooza collectible cups available for $1, music and more. See below for the MargaritaPalooza Drive-Thru Weekend Fiesta offers, available Saturdays and Sundays only.
Any margarita + 3-pack of Flautas – $5.99
Any margarita + any Soft Taco – $4.00
Any two margaritas + 6-pack of Flautas – $9.99
Any four margaritas + Kickin’ Nachos – $13.99
Taco Cabana is also asking guests how they MargaritaPalooza at home by conducting a MargaritaPalooza At Home promotion launching tomorrow, August 26, 2020. Guests who post a photo or video to Facebook or Instagram showing how they MargaritaPalooza at home while enjoying Taco Cabana menu items, tag @tacocabana, and include the hashtag #TCMARGARITAPALOOZA in their post will have a chance to be featured in an upcoming Taco Cabana TV spot or social media post.
“The response to MargaritaPalooza has been unbelievable and we’re very excited to expand our margarita flavor offerings for our guests. To complement our $2 margaritas, we’re looking forward to the launch of QuesoMania as well. We invite everyone to Taco Cabana to try all the new items and to be a part of MargaritaPalooza Drive-Thru Weekend Fiestas.” – Fiesta Restaurant Group President and CEO, Rich Stockinger
Celebrate National Dog Day this Wednesday August 26 with Whataburger. Photo: Whataburger, used with permission.
This National Dog Day, Whataburger and the San Antonio Humane Society are partnering to host ‘The Ulti-Mutt Pooch Party’ for dog lovers everywhere. (Whataburger, 2020)
Set for Wednesday August 26,from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Whataburger’s YouTube channel, the live-stream celebration will feature adoptable pets, pool playtime with pups of all shapes and sizes, plenty of dog-friendly cake eating, an orange-and-white striped doghouse and maybe even a shout out to cats. Whataburger will also be launching their new pet collection that day, details coming soon.
Whataburger has been making burgers since 1950 when Harman Dobson opened a humble hamburger stand in Corpus Christi, Texas. He wanted customers to take one bite and say, “What a burger” so he named his stand on Ayers St “Whataburger.” Now with more than 800 locations across the country, Whataburger continues to deliver fresh, made to order meals every day with superior customer service. Community support includes charitable giving and volunteerism to nonprofit organizations that focus on children’s charities, cancer research, hunger assistance, disaster relief and military support.
The iconic Taco Cabana bean and cheese taco will be $1 this National Dollar Day at participating locations. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.
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.
EVO Entertainment’s Patron margarita. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
This Monday August 3 is National Watermelon Day and EVO Entertainment and Taco Cabana have watermelon-inspired cocktails to help customers celebrate accordingly. (EVO Entertainment, Taco Cabana, 2020)
EVO Entertainment is making it easy to celebrate safely. Their Watermelon Margarita, made with EVO’s signature EVO Patron Barrel Select Tequila, Triple Sec, agave, fresh watermelon and fresh lime is the perfect treat to enjoy as you take in a socially distant movie in one of their theaters or enjoy one of their drive-in movies. This refreshing margarita is a great addition to any film.
As part of Taco Cabana’s MargaritaPalooza, the popular San Antonio-based chain is offering 12 flavors of $2 margaritas, including one of their most popular – Watermelon. The beverage, perfect for celebrating National Watermelon Day, is available for drive-thru and curbside pickup throughout participating locations in Texas. The margaritas are also available for delivery in San Antonio.
If you are keeping your distance at home, or just feel like doing something a little extra when it comes to your next Margarita, check out this Grilled Watermelon Margarita by Aaron Pena, owner/bartender at The Squeezebox in San Antonio, TX. (Twang, 2020)
Ingredients:
1/2 cup fresh grilled fruit – we used grilled Watermelon
1 ounce fresh squeezed Lime Juice
¾ ounce Agave syrup – adjust to your taste
2 ounces Blanco Tequila
1 cup of Ice
Instructions:
Add all ingredients to blender on high speed
Rim glass with Twang-A-Rita Sunrise spice or your favorite Twang salt.
SA Examiner 