Hole foods

Dunkin' sprinkles San Antonio with ambitious doughnut shop expansion plans

Dunkin' is (probably) coming to a corner near you.

Dunkin'

Coming soon in San Antonio, it will be easier than ever to find a Dunkin’ (yes, just Dunkin’ — more on that later). On May 8, the doughnut giant announced ambitious expansion plans to spread the brand past its Northeast stronghold with 50 new locations, including six in the Alamo City.

Per a release, Texas franchise group Mesquite County Business Venture will be developing the new shops with locations still pending. A Dunkin’ rep did reveal that all outposts are anticipated to be completed by 2025, and two of the locations will be combo packs, which means it also houses a Baskin-Robbins under the same roof.

Think of the possibilities. Guests can squeeze a scoop of rainbow sherbet between two strawberry frosted doughnuts or plop a classic glazed on a Caramel Cappuccino Blast for an impromptu Instagram sesh. Local dentists are surely rejoicing.

The new Dunkin’ stores will add to an already impressive presence in San Antonio. The city now boasts eight stores, including a next-generation concept at 10029 San Pedro Ave. that was among the first in the nation to sport the new “Donut”-less name when it opened in October 2018.

The abbreviation, finalized in September of that year, was a reflection of the brand’s increasing focus on coffee and other menu items like breakfast sandwiches. It also reflected that hardly anyone dips doughnuts in hot beverages anyway. That is a fundamental betrayal of the pastry arts.

Although it’s not clear if the six new locations will have two drive-thrus like the San Pedro store, they will include many other innovations that aim to get guests their caffeine and crullers quicker.

"With modifications, such as our on-tap cold beverages, high-quality drive-thrus, and on-the-go mobile ordering capabilities, we plan to capitalize on the momentum we experienced in 2018 and continue providing 'great coffee, fast' for years to come,” said Grant Benson, senior vice president of franchising and business development for Dunkin’ Brands, via release.

We aren’t fluent in corporate-speak, but we think that means Starbucks better watch out.

breakfast coffee desserts openings

NEWS YOU CAN EAT

3 closures and a holiday miracle wrap up San Antonio restaurant news

San Taco/ Facebook

San Taco will shutter at the end of December.

Fair warning: the last San Antonio food news round-up before Christmas isn't as jolly as we had hoped. This week, three restaurants revealed they will not make it until the new year. Never fret, Hallmark addicts. There's a reason to don gay apparel when you read to the very end.

Openings and closings

One of Alamo City's most well-regarded taquerias is wrapping up business. The San Antonio Express-Newsfirst reported that midtown's San Taco would shutter to allow owners Gaby Hinojosa and Charlie Gonzalez time to focus on their other projects, including their first child. The restaurant publicly confirmed the closure through a shared Instagram post with local influencer South Texas Foodie. Opened in October 2022, San Taco was widely praised locally and earned a spot on Texas Monthly's inaugural top 50 tacos list. Hinojosa and Gonzalez's other businesses, Panfila Cantina and Tutto Pepe, will remain open.

Carpenter Carpenter Hospitality is reeling in Grayson Street's Go Fish. The restaurant debuted in January 2023 but never quite found its footing. In October, it relaunched as an oyster bar, the latest in several menu shifts. Although the social media announcement did not give a date for the closure, it appears to be immediate.

Axeshack has been prematurely chopped from Cibolo's growing culinary scene. The axe-throwing bar and restaurant posted a Dear John letter on the San Antonio Restaurants Facebook group, explaining a recent fire inspection required a vent hood that the owners could not afford. The last day of business will be December 29.

Twist! Godai Sushi Bar & Japanese Restaurant is ending a very M. Knight Shyamalan year with a reopening. In July, the iconic San Antonio filed for Chapter Seven bankruptcy, citing almost $346,000 in debt. In August, owner William "Goro" Pitchford reported the concept was gone for good. Via comments on the San Antonio Restaurants post, an employee confirmed the restaurant is back in action under a new owner, Steve Han.

Saucy deep South chain Taziki's is expanding westward. According to Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation records, the Birmingham, Alabama-based franchise is planning its first San Antonio location at 22103 Bulverde Rd #104. The broadly Mediterranean restaurant mixes gyros, salads, and mezze with Southern surprises like pimento cheese. It is also one of the more responsible players in the nation's fast-casual scene, earning REAL certification from the United States Healthful Food Council.

Other news and notes

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus — or at least some semblance of holiday magic left in San Antonio's gloomy hospitality year. On December 10, Woodlawn Lake juice shop The Lemon Girls became the latest local business to ask for support weathering the currently rocky hospitality climes. On December 17, it was one of 30 U.S. businesses to receive a Queer to Stay grant from the Human Rights Campaign. Launched in the pandemic, the yearly grants support needful businesses that serve the LGBTQIA+ community.

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