Category: Restaurant News

Hopdoddy opens second San Antonio location this Saturday

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Hopdoddy’s Llano Poblano burger. Photo: Matt Lankes, used with permission. 

Hopdoddy Burger Bar, the nationally renowned burger and beer joint, is thrilled to announce its newest location, its second, in San Antonio opening Saturday, August 31. The restaurant will be opening in The Vineyard shopping center and will feature its menu of iconic burgers, shakes and fries. (Hopdoddy Burger Bar, 2019)

To commemorate the grand opening and show appreciation to the community, Hopdoddy will feature festive offerings on Saturday, including raffle prizes throughout the day and the first 50 people in line will win Hopdoddy Burgers for a year. Hopdoddy The Vineyard will partner with a local organization, the Texas Disabled Veterans Association, to donate a portion of sales from every Good Night / Good Cause Burger purchase year-round.

“We are excited to debut our second San Antonio location this weekend at The Vineyard. This will be the 32nd Hopdoddy, and the level of anticipation for this location is beyond humbling. San Antonio has been a wonderful city to us and we look forward to expanding and creating a new spot for friends and family to kick back with fantastic burgers and beer in a great setting.” – Jeff Chandler, CEO of Hopdoddy Burger Bar

Founded in Austin in 2010 by Guy Villavaso, Larry Foles and Chuck Smith, Hopdoddy Burger Bar is a nationally-recognized burger and beer joint. Hopdoddy stands out for its “from scratch” ethos and a menu that includes burgers, hand-cut Kennebec fries, farm fresh salads and handcrafter milkshakes. They also offer vegetarian menu items, including the newly launched Impossible Cheesesteak. Alongside its burgers Hopdoddy also carries a variety of local craft beers on tap, can and bottle and a has a full bar featuring regional spirits, house-made liqueurs and freshly squeezed juices. Named “The Best Burgers in America” by Food & Wine, Hopdoddy has locations in Texas, Arizona, Colorado and California with more to come.

Hopdoddy Burger Bar at The Vineyard
1301 North Loop 1604 W Suite 101
San Antonio, TX

Students return to Savor at the Culinary Institute of America

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The pomme frites will be part of Savor’s happy hour appetizers. Photo: Julia Keim, used with permission.

Savor, the latest restaurant by The Culinary Institute of America, is excited to re-open with a new rotation of culinary students after their summer hiatus. Under the direction of CIA faculty, students will continue to prepare and serve dinner as part of their associate degree studies. The students are returning for an official reopening on Thursday August 22 and will spend seven weeks gaining hands-on experience in the kitchen followed by another seven weeks serving in the dining room. The current class is returning to once again share their delicious food and refreshing cocktails with the people of San Antonio. (The Culinary Institute of America, 2019)

In addition to bringing back delicious classics like Irish Pointe Oysters and Steak Tartare, Savor will resume offering their popular happy hour on Tuesdays from 5:30p.m. to 8p.m. The happy hour includes $5 cocktails and $1 off delicious bites including the orange chili wings and pommes frites. Guests can also look forward to a few fall-themed menu additions this October.

Savor at Pearl
200 E Grayson St., Suite #117
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210)554-6484

Celebrate National Bratwurst Day at Krause’s Café

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Krause’s Café is celebrating National Bratwurst Day this Friday August 16 with dishes like the Solm’s Platter. Photo: Krause’s Café, used with permission.

Friday August 16 is National Bratwurst Day and anyone looking for a taste of Germany can head to Krause’s Café. Krause’s is located in the quaint riverside town of New Braunfels, which happens to be the first Texas colony of German immigrants. Krause’s Café and Biergarten is the closest thing to Germany bratwurst lovers can get without leaving the state. The biergarten is celebrating the traditional German sausage with their classic dishes, platters and selection of over 70 beers on tap. Groups can take on the Solm’s Platter, which includes bratwurst, kartoffel poppers and more or enjoy traditional bratwurst and an ice-cold beer from the wide selection of local craft brews. The day will also feature live music from Jay Bleu and the All Mixed Up Variety Band. (Krause’s Café, 2019)

Krause’s Café is a New Braunfels historic restaurant that opened in 1938 and ran successfully until 1995. Recently it reopened and while keeping true to the original traditions, it now has a ‘biergarten,’ live music and more. The menu reflects its German heritage and South Texas flavors while offering over 70 beers that include local, regional and international options as well as cocktails and wines on tap.

Krause’s Cafe + Biergarten
148 S Castell Ave
New Braunfels, TX 78130
(830) 625-2807

Celebrate National Frozen Custard Day at Shake Shack

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Shake Shack is celebrating National Frozen Custard Day this Thursday August 8. Photo: Shake Shack, used with permission.

In celebration of National Frozen Custard Day this Thursday, August 8, Shake Shack guests can use code “CUSTARDDAY” on the Shack App or online to score a free single scoop of Shake Shack’s signature vanilla or chocolate frozen custard at any U.S. Shack, excluding ballparks, stadiums + airports, with a minimum order of $5. Sign into your account, add the scoop to your cart and apply the code at checkout. (Shake Shack, 2019)

Custard, which is made from milk, cream, and egg yolks has been on the Shake Shack menu since their first location. Their founder Danny Meyer grew up in St. Louis, frequenting iconic frozen custard spots, since they were a staple in the Midwest, and knew that it needed a prime place on Shake Shack’s menu. Today Shacks serve rich and creamy custard by the scoop, in shakes and in concretes worldwide.

Since 2004, Shake Shack’s mission is to Stand For Something Good®, from its premium ingredients and caring hiring practices to its inspiring designs and deep community investment. With its fresh, simple, high-quality food at a great value, Shake Shack is a fun and lively community gathering place with widespread appeal. Since the original Shack opened in 2004 in NYC’s Madison Square Park, the company has expanded to more than 220 locations in 26 U.S. States and the District of Columbia, including more than 70 international locations across London, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Dubai, Tokyo, Moscow, Seoul and more.

Shake Shack
3003 Broadway St.
San Antonio, TX 78209
(210) 469-3732

Shake Shack
7427 San Pedro Ave. Suite 107
San Antonio, TX 78216
(210) 277-4770

National Watermelon Day in San Antonio

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EVO’s Watermelon Margarita. Photo: Felicia Curtis, used with permission.

This Saturday August 3 is National Watermelon Day and area restaurants are offering food and beverage offerings around San Antonio which showcase everyone’s favorite melon fruit. (EVO Entertainment, Twang, The Esquire Tavern, 2019)

EVO Entertainment Group
Watermelon Margarita
The watermelon rita is available behind the bar at EVO’s family-owned and operated Schertz, Kyle and San Marcos locations. The margarita is made with patrón barrel select, triple sec, agave, fresh watermelon and squeezed lime juice. ($9). Grab the rita before hitting EVO’s movie theatre or pair it with bowling and arcades.

Evo Entertainment
Schertz 18658 I-35
Schertz, TX 78154

Twang
Austin Eastciders Watermelon Cider with Twang-A-Rita Sangrita
Twang is a San Antonio-based family company with products available in 45 states nationwide and Amazon. One of Twang’s brands, Twang-A-Rita, is a line of tasty salts and seasonings designed to easily add flavor to drinks and upgrade beverages into cocktail bar status. Twang’s cocktail rimming blends are made with ingredients like kosher salt, real spices and cane sugar; try Twang-A-Rita Sangrita  to take any watermelon drink up a notch, like Austin Eastciders’ new Watermelon cider.

Recipe:
3.5 oz Watermelon Eastciders
.5 oz fresh squeezed lime
Rim with Twang-A-Rita Sangrita

Esquire Tavern
Heirloom Tomato Salad with watermelon
Located along the San Antonio River Walk, wanderers will find the historic Esquire Tavern, a place that touts the longest bar in Texas, and where patrons can fill up on an Heirloom Tomato Salad which is made with watermelon, feta cheese, dill, basil and cucumber vinaigrette. ($13)

The Esquire Tavern
155 East Commerce St.
San Antonio, TX 78205

Hopdoddy Burger Bar introduces new menu items

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The Impossible Cheesesteak is one of the new burgers on the Hopdoddy Burger Bar menu. Photo: Hopdoddy Burger Bar, used with permission.

Award-winning burger joint, Hopdoddy Burger Bar, announced today the debut of its new menu, revamped just in time for the dog days of summer. Furthering its fanatical focus on sourcing and serving high-quality ingredients, the nationally renowned restaurant group has created a variety of new menu items that combine familiar ingredients in unfamiliar ways. The recently refreshed menu features new burgers, hearty salads, added vegetarian options and cold drinks at all 32 locations throughout seven states. (Hopdoddy Burger Bar, 2019)

This refreshed menu raises the burger bar with additional twists on the humble hamburger. The new menu will still offer tried-and-true favorites, like the Good Night/Good Cause Burger, El Diablo, the Thunderbird, the Magic Shroom burger and more. It now has added a few new items, like the Ahi Cali Club, featuring a sushi-grade tuna patty with steakhouse bacon, avocado, cilantro dijonnaise, and basil pesto; and the Impossible Cheesesteak, with an Impossible patty made entirely of plants topped with Provolone & Swiss, seared peppers and onions, field mushrooms, 78,000 Island and yellow mustard. New salads include Thai Beef Kale and Poblano Ranch Turkey Cobb.

Hopdoddy is also launching new drinks. Perfect to beat that midsummer heat, Hopdoddy now offers Strawberry Margaritas; Berry Gin Fizz—with Prairie Organic Gin, blackberry, cardamom, lime, and bubbles; Grapefruit Spritz with Deep Eddy Ruby Red Vodka, Anew Rosé, and rhubarb; Rum Punch with Plantation Dark Rum, Cointreau, lime, Angostura; and more.

“We’re excited to showcase the new items to our fans across the country. We listen to what they want, and respond with creative options. Our guests have come to expect a level of greatness from our cuisine, and these latest additions are sure to exceed their expectations.”- Jeff Chandler, Hopdoddy CEO

Hopdoddy Burger Bar at the Rim
17623 La Cantera Pkwy Suite 101
San Antonio, TX 78257
(210) 434-2337

National Tequila Day at La Panaderia

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Celebrate National Tequila Day at La Panaderia with a Tequila Almond Croissant. Photo: Karissa Rangel/Giant Noise, used with permission.

This Wednesday July 24 is National Tequila Day and for those looking to celebrate without the next-day hangover, San Antonio-based bakery La Panadería is offering a trio of delectable tequila croissants. Owners and brothers, David and Jose Cáceres, will be serving up a family of tequila pastries including their classic Tequila Almond Croissant, the Tequila Tres Leches Croissant and their latest creation, the Tequila Apple Croissant, which is La Panadería’s answer to the traditional apple pie. La Panadería’s unique approach to breadmaking includes a 48-hour fermentation process and a double baking technique that results in artisan baked goods unlike any other, making it the ultimate National Tequila Day stop. (La Panaderia, 2019)

    • Tequila Almond Croissant – Prior to the opening of their flagship bakery, Chef David Cáceres was experimenting with the traditional almond croissant recipe. Noticing that he did not have rum handy, David reached for a bottle of 1800 Reposado Tequila and the rest is history. The Tequila Almond Croissant is now one of the bakery’s staples.
    • Tequila Tres Leches Croissant – Inspired by the culture shared by San Antonio and their native Mexico, David Cáceres decided to combine the flavors of tres leches and their Tequila Almond Croissant to create the Tequila Tres Leches Croissant. The delectable treat is served with a filling of fresh mascarpone whipped cream and strawberries and topped with a dusting of powdered sugar.
    • Tequila Apple Croissant – The latest product to join the tequila croissant family is the Tequila Apple Croissant. The treat is La Panadería’s answer to the traditional apple pie. The croissant is served with a filling of caramelized apples and topped off with a crumble.

Hoping to share their Mexican heritage with citizens in the U.S., 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 breadmaking techniques. La Panadería’s unique approach to breadmaking 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.

8305 Broadway St.
San Antonio, TX 78209
(210) 375-6746

301 E. Houston St.
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 592-6264

The Esquire Tavern searching for new Executive Chef

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Chef Brooke Smith will be leaving The Esquire Tavern after eight years.  Courtesy photo, used with permission.

The Esquire Tavern, a San Antonio staple on the River Walk for over 85 years, is announcing the departure of Chef Brooke Smith after eight years of graciously helming its historic kitchen. Chef Smith’s dedicated years at Esquire Tavern and its team has made an immense impact on the staff and its loyal customers. (The Esquire Tavern, 2019)

Over the past eight years of Chef Smith’s career, she:

  • Worked approximately 2,100 days, good times and bad, all weather, onsite and off.
  • Hired, trained, and mentored more than 150 kitchen staff members.
  • Designed and opened 3 kitchens.
  • Wrote, taught, and executed 16 seasonal Esquire Tavern menus, along with menus for Downstairs and El Mirador, all simultaneously.
  • Twice bested barman Houston Eaves (and therefore everybody else) at Lucha Limon, an Esquire Tavern original San Antonio Cocktail Conference event.
  • Gave an eloquent and charming talk at PechaKucha San Antonio.
  • Made from scratch and served 250,000 burgers, 245,000 deviled eggs, and 610,000 fried pickles.

The Esquire Tavern is now accepting applications for its next Executive Chef. Those interested in applying may email a resume and cover letter or apply online.

“Closing this chapter and saying goodbye to nearly a decade of Brooke at the center of it all won’t be easy. While The Esquire will be welcoming a new chef, we’re excited to see where Brooke’s culinary journey takes her next.” – Owner Christopher Hill

Pluckers Wing Bar celebrating 24 years

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Pluckers Wing Bar is celebrating its 24th anniversary with weeklong specials. Photo: Melissa Skorpil, used with permission.

Pluckers Wing Bar is celebrating its 24th anniversary next week and is hosting a week-long celebration from Tuesday, July 23 through Monday, July 29 at all locations in Texas and Baton Rouge. The weeklong celebration will feature food and drink specials, including 75-cent wings, $1 beers, and $5 Holy Mac, “Keep the Mason Jar” special and more. (Pluckers Wing Bar, 2019)

From July 24 to July 28, the first 100 guests at each location can participate in the “Keep the Mason Jar” special where guests who purchase a 16-oz. Pluckers Cocktail can keep the commemorative 24th anniversary mason jar. On Sunday, July 28, Pluckers will offer a new special giving the first 25 people per store the chance to get a commemorative “I Survived 5” T-shirt by eating 5 Fire in the Hole wings.

Pluckers fans at all locations (excluding the new San Antonio Landmark location) can also participate in 90s-themed Live Team Trivia on Wednesday, July 24 as well as 90s-themed Pluck Hunt on Thursday, July 25 or Friday, July 26 (pending location). In addition, Pluckers will be selling their Pluckers Club memberships for $10 all week.

The full list of anniversary food and drink specials and events includes:

  • Tuesday, July 23: $1 Miller Lite, 75-cent wings
  • Wednesday, July 24: Keep the Mason Jar, $5 Holy Mac, 90’s Trivia
  • Thursday, July 25: Keep the Mason Jar, $5 Fried Pickles, 90’s Pluck Hunt
  • Friday, July 26: Keep the Mason Jar, $5 Buffalo Bites appetizer, 90’s Pluck Hunt (Killeen, Lakeline, Oak Hill)
  • Saturday, July 27: Keep the Mason Jar, $5 Fried Cheese
  • Sunday, July 28: Keep the Mason Jar, “I Survived 5” T-Shirt
  • Monday, July 29: National Chicken Wing Day, $1 Bud Light, 75-cent wings

Pluckers Wing Bar
14881 IH-35 North
Selma, TX 78154

Grand opening of The Baked Bear in San Antonio

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The Baked Bear will opens its first San Antonio location this Friday July 12 after a 7p.m. ribbon cutting ceremony. Photo: The Baked Bear, used with permission. 

The Baked Bear, a San Diego, California-based ice cream shop well known for its colossal ice cream sandwiches and original recipes, is excited to announce the opening of its first-ever San Antonio location, on Friday, July 12, at The Shops at La Cantera. There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 7p.m. after which it will open to the public. (The Baked Bear, 2019)

Located in San Antonio’s top luxury shopping district, the ice cream shop will feature ice cream sandwiches made with fresh-baked from scratch cookies and brownies, in addition to craft ice creams like Blackberry Crumble, Toasted S’mores, Bear Batter and more. The Baked Bear allows guests to customize their sandwich order to find their favorite combination with the option of rolling ice cream sandwiches through colorful toppings, such as fruity pebbles, resulting in its Instagram-worthy reputation. The San Antonio location will also offer rotating, seasonal flavors and a Cookie of the Month.

The Baked Bear concept was started by childhood friends, Rob Robbins and Shane Stanger, who left their careers to follow their true passion: serving up inventive sweets in their hometown of San Diego, California. The Baked Bear quickly became a phenomenon, known for high quality desserts, and has been recognized by Forbes and Business Insider. The favorite shop has now grown to 24 current locations in eight states, with Texas locations in Austin and El Paso. Due to its growing population, The Baked Bear sought San Antonio as its third Texas location.

The Baked Bear
15900 La Cantera Pkwy, Suite LS3320
San Antonio, TX 78256