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
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
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
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
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 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
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
The new Pluckers Wing Bar location will open officially on Monday July 8. Photo: Joel Cruz
Pluckers Wing Bar, Texas’ favorite sports bar and wing restaurant, will officially open its second San Antonio location in the Landmark Center at 15651 I-10 W on Monday, July 8. The new San Antonio location will be open daily from 11a.m. to 12a.m. and will feature the iconic Pluckers menu, including fan favorites Fried Pickles, Holy Macaroni, The Bypass Burger topped with bacon, cheddar, grilled onions and jalapeños and the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich. Pluckers will also offer their famous wings paired with signature sauces Buffalo, Spicy BBQ, and Spicy Ranch, along with unique flavors, like Fire in the Hole, Ginger Peach Sriracha, Gochujang, and Spicy Mandarin.
All this week, the new Pluckers Wing Bar has been opening their doors to the public during their training shifts for lunch and dinner. With today being a holiday, I had the opportunity to see the new location for myself during lunch. The line of people waiting to get in was not long but by lunchtime, they had seen approximately 375- 400 people. While waiting at the bar for a table, I tried the tasty Strawberry Margarita and once able to order food, I tried the Pluckers Nachos, tortilla chips topped with chicken (on the side, for my taster), queso, Honey BBQ sauce, red onions and cilantro. Everything was delicious and the inside is spacious with plenty of televisions for a sports bar. The managers on site, Courtney, Jason, Morgan and Keegan had service running smoothly and server Myranda and her trainer Tra were helpful and polite. Looking forward to a return trip to try the Impossible Burger.
Once open, the new restaurant will offer Pluckers’ signature rewards program, Pluckers Club, for just $10 until July 21. Pluckers Club members enjoy a variety of rewards, including, but not limited to, free birthday meals, invitations to exclusive events, food and drink specials and more. After July 21, Pluckers Club memberships will cost $20. The Pluckers club membership is now available through the app on iTunes and Google Play – a treat for current and aspiring members. As Pluckers continues to open new stores, they are expanding their platform via social media and the app that connects, serves, and grows with their fans.
Pluckers Wing Bar
15651 I-10 W
San Antonio, TX 78249
The Very Berry milkshake and a Nutella Crepe. Photo: Sandra Cruz
Before the official opening of Sweet Paris on Main Street at The Shops at La Cantera on Thursday, this new French eatery hosted a tasting today to introduce the public to their brand. The Parisian-inspired, fast casual restaurant offers a critically acclaimed selection of sweet and savory crêpes, from Apple Cinnamon Crème Brȗlée and S’mores made with Nutella®, torched marshmallows, graham crackers and semi-sweet chocolate to the ribeye-and-provolone stuffed Philly cheesesteak and the Nordic made with smoked salmon, dill sour cream, pickled red onions and capers. Sweet Paris will donate part of its grand opening proceeds to the not-for-profit Culinaria, which promotes San Antonio as a premier food and wine destination through year-round events including the Culinaria Wine + Food Festival.
Judging from the sampling of delectable food and drink, San Antonio is in for a treat. Customers will be able to come in from the summer heat and enjoy a tasty milkshake or take a break from shopping to quench their thirst with a wide array of drinks available. The sweet crêpes, including the Nutella and Bonne Maman, satisfy the sweet tooth while the savory ones, like the Chicken Carbonara and the Philly Cheesesteak, make excellent brunch choices. Mimosas are naturally in the beverage menu with an additional option to add flavored syrups like lavender instead of orange juice. Either way, they pair naturally with almost anything in the menu. Milkshake options range from the ultra-chocolatey Oreo to the fruity Very Berry and they are both delicious.
The La Cantera café has elements familiar to all Sweet Paris restaurants: Large industrial European chandeliers with crystal and large iron orbs all around, iron sconces and antique mirrors on blue, venetian plaster walls and marble top bistro tables. The outdoor patio space faces a fountain and gives café-goers the opportunity to enjoy the natural landscaping of The Shops at La Cantera.
Founded in Houston in 2012 by husband-and-wife team Allison Young Chavez and Ivan Chavez, the expansion into San Antonio is an exciting addition to the Sweet Paris family. The Chavez’ love of crêpes goes back to college, when Ivan spent a couple of summers studying French in Paris. That love inspired them to open the first Sweet Paris. Locations include six cafes in the Houston area, including College Station, Katy and The Woodlands and a location inside a resort hotel in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico.
Wine infused popsicles at the Bottling Department at Pearl. Courtesy photo: used with permission.
Summer is here and several businesses around town have happy hours to help customers deal with the rising temperatures. (Savor, Southerleigh Fine food & Brewery, Majestic Theater, Bottling Department at Pearl, The Esquire Tavern, EVO, 2019)
Starting in July, The Culinary Institute of America’s Savor will launch a new happy hour on Tuesday evenings. Specials include $5 cocktails like the Savor Margarita (formerly NAO Margarita voted best in SA) and $1 off appetizers like Pomme Frites, Brisket Meatballs and Orange Chili Wings at the bar. Savor rotates unique talents, featuring a fresh batch of students in the Culinary Institute of America program.
Savor
200 E. Grayson St. #117
San Antonio, TX 78215
Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery will hosts happy hour at the oyster bar Monday through Sunday with specials on food and drink from 3p.m. to 5p.m. Featured items on the menu include $1 pressure fried wings and $.75 fried biscuits. There will also be $2 off all beer, wine, punches and mixes. This happy hour is only valid at the oyster bar and is not applicable to the restaurant. The inviting walk-up bar opened late September and features six Southerleigh beers on tap, plus several varieties of fresh seafood, including oysters, gulf shrimp, crab, caviar and more. The oyster bar is open daily during normal restaurant hours.
Southerleigh
136 E. Grayson St. #120
San Antonio, TX 78215
Happy Hour Tours at The Majestic:
Monday June 24, and Monday July 1 at 5p.m. and 6p.m.
Cool off and join The Majestic for a series of summer happy hour tours of the historic, renowned space. The happy hour tours feature a unique, behind-the-scenes look at the theatre’s 90-year history, architecture and character, led by a knowledgeable tour guide and a trip backstage. Guests will experience insider tidbits throughout the tour and have the option to sip on Frosé, wine, local craft beer. In celebration of the Birthday month, a complimentary “Crown Jewel” cocktail will be included. Tickets cost $25 per person and are available at the Majestic Theatre Box office or on Ticketmaster online. A portion of ticket proceeds support the Las Casas Foundation Performing Arts Scholarship Program.
Majestic Theatre
224 E. Houston St.
San Antonio, TX 78205
Visitors to the Pearl can satisfy their taste buds this summer at The Bar at Bottling Department. Grab a drink during their happy hour every Monday through Thursday from 3p.m. to 6p.m. Featured items include $3 Texas Beers, $3 off glasses of wine as well as $3 off Frosé. This open, walk-up bar is located in the heart of the Pearl and features a vast selection of red and white wines plus several unique cocktails like their wine infused popsicles and strawberry Frosé.
Bottling Department at Pearl
312 Pearl Pkwy
San Antonio, TX 78215
River Walk wanderers can stop by Esquire Tavern for happy hour Monday through Friday from 3p.m. to 7p.m. with $3 snacks. During weekday happy hour, all glasses of wine and cocktails are $3 off with seasonal drinks like Pirate and $1 off Texas draft beers. Night owls can indulge in the late-night happy hour, offered Thursday through Saturday 11p.m. to 1a.m. Featured items include Chef Brooke Smith’s $6 chili-salt fries, $8 fried pickles, and an $11 grilled pimento cheese sandwich.
The Esquire Tavern
155 E. Commerce St.
San Antonio, TX 78205
Patrons who visit EVO can enjoy happy hour Monday through Thursday from 11a.m. to 6p.m. Specials include $1 off craft draft beer, $2 off domestics, $3 wells and fireball, $4 jager and $5 house margaritas, like a fresh Watermelon Margarita. Tuesdays at EVO see the $5 frenzy all day $5 bowling, movies, craft beer and select appetizers such as classic nachos, cheese fries and fried mushrooms.
Evo Entertainment Group
18658 IH 35N
Schertz, TX 78154
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