News you can eat
6 things to know in San Antonio food right now: Stone Oak gastropub closes in bankruptcy deal
Editor's note: We get it. It can be difficult to keep up with the fast pace of San Antonio's restaurant and bar scene. We have you covered with our regular roundup of essential food news.
Openings and closings
The Stone Oak location of Bar Louie at 22610 US Highway 281 N. #105 was one of four Texas casualties of the Addison-based chain's Chapter 11 bankruptcy sale. Via a release, the company said it had shuttered 38 underperforming restaurants in advance of the filing, which also included outposts in Hurst, Houston, and Fort Worth. The last day of business for the Stone Oak location was January 25.
Medical Center appears to be getting a new location of Austin-born fave Torchy's Tacos, but the address has shifted since the regional chain first put a coming soon announcement on its website in 2019. Although the website trumpets an upcoming outpost at 8539 Fredericksburg Rd., a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation indicates that the restaurant group will begin a buildout nearby at 8435 Wurzbach Rd. In March. Either way, it looks like locals will be chowing down on green chile queso by the end of the year. CultureMap has reached out to Torchy's reps for clarification.
Looks like Fredericksburg Road is on the receiving end of an Austin invasion. On January 21, wildly popular Austin chain P. Terry's Burger Stand announced it would open its first San Antonio spot at 8539 Fredericksburg Rd. this fall. The effort is part of ambitious expansion plans headed by new CEO and former Taco Cabana and Whataburger executive Todd Coerver first teased to CultureMap Austin in February 2019.
The Alamo City's burgeoning brewing scene will further expand when Brew Monkey Beer Company & Tap Room settles into 11935 Starcrest Dr. According to a company rep, the monkey business will begin in April or May.
Another seemingly beer-centric concept is also brewing at 13838 Jones Maltsberger Rd., the former home of Ruben's Backyard, which shuttered on January 8. According to Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission Records, the new place will be called Hops N Hounds and will serve the hard stuff in addition to the brews. Locals will have to wait for further details, however, as the company has not established a web or social media presence.
Other news and notes
Those reeling from the dizzying pace of openings and closings will be happy to know that a San Antonio tradition is returning in February. The annual Charc Week will kick off February 2 with an advanced charcuterie workshop featuring chefs Pieter Sypesteyn, Ian Lanphear, Ernie Bradley, and Luciani Valdez and end with closing ceremonies at Rumble on February 9. In the interim, local meatheads can enjoy special menus from Bocado, Boiler House, Cookhouse, Cullum's Attagirl, Il Forno, Kimura, Little Gretel, Maverick Texas Brasserie, Mission Bell, and Restaurant Gwendolyn during the week.
