Category: Restaurant News

Whataburger announces WhataGames Finalists

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Finalists advance to 2017 WhataGames Finals in April. Photo courtesy of Whataburger, used with permission.

Whataburger recently announced the 23 teams advancing to compete during the 2017 WhataGames Finals. Created in 1996, WhataGames is a company tradition committed to enhancing the Whataburger experience for team members and customers. Finalist advanced by proving their knowledge and expertise in operations, company history and customer service. The WhataGames Finals are the featured event during the Whataburger Family Convention which will be held in April at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas. This convention hosts Whataburger corporate and regional representatives, franchisees and suppliers and the WhataGames national finalists. (Whataburger, 2017)

The 23 finalist teams advanced from a pool of 126 semifinalists who beat out their competitors among Whataburger’s more than 800 restaurants in 10 states. Teams will face off during three days of high-intensity elimination rounds at the WhataGames Finals where one team will be awarded the Gold Medal and honor of being named WhataGames 2017 Champion. Whataburger will also award more than $200,000 in cash prizes to all members of the Gold, Silver and Bronze winning teams including those who stayed back to operate and manage their stores while their peers represented them in the competition.

Finalists from South Texas include: Unit 1008 from18303 W Interstate 10, San Antonio, Unit 839 from 2203 E Evans Road, San Antonio, Unit 740 from 6100 FM 802, Brownsville, Unit 777 from 3580 W Alton Gloor Blvd, Brownsville, Unit 4 from 510 S 14th St, Kingsville and Unit 631 from 10315 S Highway 6, Sugar Land.

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.” Since then Whataburger now has over 700 locations across the country and continues to deliver fresh, made to order meals everyday 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.

Whataburger to host Boots and Badges event

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Whataburger is hosting a Boots and Badges event to honor the community’s first responders. Photo courtesy of Whataburger, used with permission.

In the past Whataburger has hosted events to bring the community together. On Tuesday March 28 from 5p.m. to 7p.m. Whataburger will host a Boots and Badges celebration at the Balcones Heights location on Fredericksburg Road. The celebration is meant to honor the community’s first responders and will feature family friendly activities including tours of Balcones Heights police cars and fire trucks, meet and greet with members from the 100 Club of San Antonio, a face painter and a spin wheel with prize giveaways. Children 12 and under will receive a free kid’s meal. Whataburger App members will also be eligible to register for the Whataburger for a Year drawing where one customer’s name will be drawn to win the ultimate prize-a free Whataburger every week for a year. (Whataburger, 2017)

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.” Since then Whataburger now has over 700 locations across the country and continues to deliver fresh, made to order meals everyday 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.

Whataburger
4502 Fredericksburg Rd (near Northwest Loop)
Balcones Heights, TX 78201
(210) 732-6570

New Whataburger items available online

whataburgerWhataburger is big in Texas and fans of the franchise might want to take note of the release of two new Whataburger items. One is a new super soft boot themed t-shirt that is comfortable enough for lounging around but lightweight enough to be worn while out and about. A playful nod to the Texas flag and to Whataburger’s designation as a Texas Treasure, an official declaration of the Texas legislature, this blue-gray t-shirt pairs perfectly with boots or flip flop. Price is $19.99 and is available in unisex sizing. The other is Whataburger’s signature Orange & White Stainless Steel Tumbler designed to look like the official Whataburger cup fans know and love. Prices is $42.99. Both of these items are available online. (Whataburger, 2017)

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.” Since then Whataburger now has over 700 locations across the country and continues to deliver fresh, made to order meals everyday 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.

Whataburger Fiesta Medals Pop-Up Store

whataburgerFiestaMedal(5 of 5)Fiesta is right around the corner in San Antonio and for the first time, Whataburger will be hosting a Fiesta Pop-Up Store on Tuesday March 14 at 3p.m. at its downtown location. Customers will be able to purchase their Whataburger medals before they are available online to the public. This year’s medal features Whataburger’s famous fries and ketchup and promises to be the perfect addition to any Fiesta stash. There is a limit of two medals per customer, while supplies last, credit card only.  After that medals will be available for purchase online beginning on Tuesday March 21 for $9.99 each. Quantities are limited and they usually sell out in minutes. (Whataburger, 2017)

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.” Since then Whataburger now has over 700 locations across the country and continues to deliver fresh, made to order meals everyday 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.

Whataburger
412 E Commerce St
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 228-0710

Growls & Growlers at Southerleigh

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Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery is hosting its first ‘Growls & Growlers’ pet adoption event on Saturday April 1, 2017.  Photo: Sandra Cruz

Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery is celebrating its 2nd anniversary and is partnering with Talk About It! SA, the Animal No-Kill program of the San Antonio Area Foundation to host the first annual ‘Growls and Growlers’ event on Saturday April 1 from 9a.m. to 1p.m. This pet adoption event will feature local animal rescue and pet resource organizations that will have about 50 dogs available for adoption and informational pet care advice. This event is free and open to the public and all organization’s adoption regulations and fees will apply. (Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery, 2017)

Participating local organizations will include San Antonio Pets Alive!, San Antonio Humane Society, Alamo City Pit Bull Rescue and Rehabilitation, Animal Defense League, Missy’s Haven, Kriser’s Natural Pet, Pawderosa Ranch and SpaySA. Pawderosa Ranch will be providing complimentary gift cards to anyone who adopts during this event. To celebrate its anniversary Southerleigh will be offering beer specials all day, including pints for $5, 32oz beer growlers for $8 and 64oz beer growlers for $14 with 20% of proceeds going to all participating nonprofit pet organizations.

Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery
136 E Grayson, Ste 120
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 455-5701

Mardi Gras Night at Jazz,TX

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This Fat Tuesday, February 28, Jazz, TX will be having its first Mardi Gras celebration. Photo: Jazz, TX, used with permission.

Jazz, TX, the Pearl’s upscale jazz venue, is hosting its first Mardi Gras celebration on Fat Tuesday, February 28, 2017. There will be a special menu created by locally renowned guest chef John Russ previously from Luke and a special performance by Kyle Keener, Curtis Calderon and friends during happy hour from 5:30p.m. with no cover charge and Doc Watkins and friends from 8:30p.m. to 11:30p.m. with a $20 cover charge per guest. Guests will be able to enjoy specialty drinks such as a twist on the popular Hurricane and New Orleans menu items. Tickets are available online. (Jazz, TX, 2017)

Mardi Gras menu:
Finger-licking Good Y’all – marinated crab claws, broiled with parmesan
La Grande Vie – Gulf shrimp and celery root remoulade
Oysters en Brochette – wrapped in bacon, on buttered toast
Red Beans and Rice – fried quail tots, crystal
Crispy Rice Jambalaya – pulled pork, andouille, rice crispies
Popcorn Shrimp Po’ Boys – dressed or with buttered bread and pickles
King Cake – no babies

Jazz, TX
312 Pearl Pkwy, Building 6 Suite 6001
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 332-938

Snooze opens first San Antonio location

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Snooze, an A.M. Eatery is opening a San Antonio location on Wednesday March 1, 2017. Photo: Ashley Davis Photography, used with permission.

Snooze, an A.M. Eatery is a Denver based restaurant chain dedicated to serving the best breakfast around. Next month they are bringing their brand of brunch to San Antonio and are opening a location at the Alamo Quarry Market. Set to open on Wednesday March 1 patrons will be able to enjoy signature dishes and boozy beverages. Snooze has partnered up with Ranger Creek Brewing & Distilling, Merit Coffee Cold Brew, 44 Farms Beef, Sagebrush Cage Free Eggs, Mill-King Dairy and more. This location will feature a variety of local beers and morning cocktails for an early morning pick-me-up. The menu will include Snooze’s signature Breakfast Pot Pie and Pineapple Upside Down Pancakes. Beverage favorites include their bubbly Mmm Mmm Mimosa and four options of Bloody Marys including the Droppin’ Beetz Bloody. Business hours will be 6:30a.m. to 2:30p.m. (Snooze, an A.M. Eatery, 2017)

Founded in 2006 with a mission to evolve the morning dining experience, Snooze offers guests culinary innovation, an eclectic and energetic atmosphere and friendly service. The menu consists of creative twists on classic breakfast dishes and a wide selection of local, craft beers and morning cocktails. Snooze is a supporter of organizations focused on education and sustainability as well as local causes. In San Antonio, they have partnered with non-profit organizations including the San Antonio Food Bank, Green Spaces Alliance and Kinetic Kids.

Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
Alamo Quarry Market
255 E Basse Rd
San Antonio, TX 78209

Valentine’s Day specials in San Antonio

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Bakery Lorraine’s Raspberry Rose Japonaise are among the Valentine’s Days specials that will be available throughout San Antonio.  Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and for anyone looking for ideas to celebrate the most romantic day of the year, the following is a guide of events and specials that local businesses will offer guests. More details are available online. (Giant Noise, 2017)

Boiler House – will have specialty menu items and regular dinner items served on Valentine’s Day. Dinner hours are 3 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Bakery Lorraine – will have special pastries available on Valentine’s Day and throughout the month of February including: Heart Shaped Pop Tarts, Heart Shaped Moonpies, Raspberry Rose Japonaise and Specialty Macaroons. There will also be tuxedo macarons which are chocolate dipped strawberry macarons designed like a strawberry tuxedo for $3 each. Bakery hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Paramour – will be having a Valentine’s Day special event, “Catch Flights, not Feelings” that includes chocolate flights paired with a curated cocktail. Options include: First – Chocolate covered cherries paired with The Sands Cocktail. Second – Dark chocolate covered caramels with sea salt paired with House Barrel Aged Old Fashioned. Third – White chocolate and mixed nuts paired with Paramour’s Carajillo; Licor 43, Mezcal, Coffee, Fresh Cream. Paramour will also be offering special champagne bottles for purchase. Each bottle purchased includes a free charcuterie board. There will also be additional split bottles of champagne without charcuterie boards for $75. Business hours are 7 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Hotel Contessa – the hotel’s restaurant, Las Ramblas, will be offering a Valentine’s Day dinner for $55 per person. Reservations are required between 5 p.m. – 9 .m. The hotel is offering a SUITEheart Special: a gorgeous suite, bottle of sparkling wine, breakfast for two in Las Ramblas and a late checkout time. Dinner hours are from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Jazz, TX – will be offering a special Italian themed performance with Frank Sinatra tunes by Doc Watkins and Johnny P and an Italian cuisine prix fixe 3 course meal during dinner on Valentine’s Day for $150 per couple, limited to 40 couples. Seating is at 6:30 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m.
Southerleigh – will be offering dinner specials off the regular dinner menu for couples on Valentine’s Day. They will also be offering complimentary his and her matching beer glassware to cheer to a romantic evening. Dinner hours are from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Frank – will be offering special $12 El Libre wines by the bottle. Options include: Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Rosé. All day on Valentine’s Day, by appointment, Frank’s owner Daniel Northcutt will be on site to marry loved ones who want to tie the knot in the repurposed Methodist church. Call ahead of time at 210.265.5292. Business hours are 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.

Additional Whataburger sauces at H-E-B

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H-E-B stores will now carry Whataburger’s Buffalo Sauce, 40-ounce Fancy Ketchup and 40-ounze Spicy Ketchup. Photo courtesy of Whataburger, used with permission.

Whataburger fans will be pleased to hear that Whataburger and H-E-B are releasing Buffalo Sauce, 40-ounce Fancy Ketchup and 40-ounce Spicy Ketchup at H-E-B stores. Customers will now have a new flavor and two long-time fan favorites in a new size. The new Signature Sauces include: Buffalo Sauce – The flavor of the Buffalo Ranch Chicken Strip Sandwich lives on this sauce. It is tasty and buttery and has just the right touch of heat for home-cooked meals. 40-ounce Fancy Ketchup – Originally launched at H-E-B in 2013 in 20-ounce bottles, Whataburger’s Fancy Ketchup now comes in a larger 40-ounce size. On the Facebook fan page, fans have described the condiment as “life-changing,” “best on the planet” and “ketchup of the gods.” 40-ounce Spicy Ketchup – First introduced as a limited-time offer in 2011, Whataburger’s Spicy Ketchup was added to H-E-B shelves in 20-ounce bottles and made permanently available in all restaurants in 2013. This jalapeño-infused condiment with a taste bigger than Texas is a fan favorite that combines sweet and spicy flavors. (Whataburger, 2017)

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.” Since then Whataburger now has over 700 locations across the country and continues to deliver fresh, made to order meals everyday 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.

Dinner with Argentinian winery at Nao Latin Gastro Bar

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Nao Latin Gastro Bar will be hosting a dinner and educational seminar with Argentinian winery Bodega Colome. Photo by Sandra Cruz

Nao Latin Gastro Bar is a student-staffed restaurant at the Culinary Institute of America located at the Pearl. The menu features Latin American dishes rooted in tradition but reinvented using a variety of ingredients and techniques and includes seasonal and progressive Latin food. Next month the restaurant will host an exclusive dinner and educational seminar with vineyard director Thibaut Delmotte of legendary Argentinian winery Bodega Colomé. This five course dinner will feature dishes prepared by Chef de Cuisine John Carpenter and will be paired with unique wines from the Salta region of Argentina. Before the dinner there will be a short seminar on the winemaking philosophy of Bodega Colomé. This will all take place on Wednesday February 1 at 6:30p.m. at a price of $125 per person. Space is limited so reservations are required and may be done via OpenTable. (Nao Latin Gastro Bar, 2017)

The dinner consists of the following: Reception – Tuna with passion fruit, pomegranate seeds and serrano paired with Amalaya White Blend 2015, Salta Argentina. First Course – Charred baby carrots with goat cheese, tamarind and arugula paired with Colomé Torrontes 2015, Salta Argentina. Second Course -Crispy pork belly with ají panca, green apple and pickled tiny vegetables paired with Amalaya Red Blend 2015, Salta Argentina. Third Course – Seared scallop with ajo blanco, charred grapes, cucumber and toasted almond paired with Colomé Malbec ‘Autentico’ 2015, Salta Argentina. Fourth Course – Beef tenderloin with celery root, roasted cippolini onions, peas and Malbec glaze paired with Colomé Altura Maxima Malbec 2013, Salta Argentina. Fifth Course – Red wine-poached pear with caramelized white chocolate, pistachio and coriander whipped cream.

Nao Latin Gastro Bar
312 Pearl Parkway, Building 2
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 554-6484