NEWS YOU CAN EAT

5 things to know in San Antonio food right now: Burger Boy expands outside city limits

Burger Boy continues its expansion.

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

One of San Antonio’s best burger operations is making moves and laying down roots outside the city limits for the first time ever. Known for a straightforward and indulgent menu of burgers, corn dogs, grilled cheeses, and shakes, Burger Boy restaurant chain first debuted on St. Mary’s Street back in 1985 and currently boasts five locations currently open or in the works within the Alamo City, with a forthcoming sixth outpost planned for the Live Oak community, at 8060 Pat Booker Rd. While concrete details on the anticipated operation’s official opening plans have yet to come to light, mysanantonio.com reports the concept will open in Bexar County “early next year.” The burger chain is also working to open locations on West Bitters Road and on New Braunfels Avenue.

It’s out with the old and in with the new at Pearl’s Food Hall at the Bottling Department, which announced late last month that Bud’s Southern Rotisserie, the unpretentious eatery known for its succulent sandwiches and hearty mac and cheese bowls, would conclude its tenure at the Pearl shopping center’s popular Bottling Department. Though the eatery is now closed, fans of the Bud’s culinary team, can continue to enjoy their impressive talents at such still-operational concepts as Nola Brunch & Beignets and Golden Wat Noodle House. And can keep an eye out for news of what concept will be replacing Bud’s, which has yet to be announced by Pearl.

Other news and notes

The Alamo City’s most iconic light beer has a sleek new redesign. Just in time for summer, Pearl Brewing Company has released a new 12-ounce slim can for its recently revamped beer recipe, dubbed Pearl xXx. Designed by Austin-based Guerilla Suit agency, the new look is inspired by the original characteristics of the brand, including its iconic clamshell shape. Last year, the brand relaunched with an all-new look and taste, but the beer was only available in bottles. The new slim can ensures beer drinkers across Texas can safely take Pearl xXx with them to the pool, river, beach, and lake. The Pearl xXx slim cans are available at select retailers in all major Texas cities. Fans of the brand can use Pearl xXx’s beer finder tool to find a nearby retailer.

Things are getting a little more stylish at Bistr09 this month. The restaurant, located at 6106 Broadway St., will host a fashion brunch on Sunday, May 23 from 11 am-3 pm featuring special guest Anthony Ryan Auld, winner of Lifetime’s Project Runway All Stars season two and a San Antonio resident. Fashion and food collide at Bistr09’s B9 Fashion Brunch (not literally because that would be messy!), which includes brunch, cocktails, and a fashion show complete with runway models showing off designs from Auld’s Couleur + Blindé clothing brand, which is headquartered in Alamo Heights. Reservations are required.

Hopscotch, the new immersive art gallery in downtown San Antonio, has announced a variety of programming and specials for the month of May. Among the newly announced programming are such events as Sunday salsa performances from musicians like Jose Amador, a monthly yoga class led by local studio Mobile Om, and the inaugural Bark on the Park benefit for San Antonio Pets Alive on Friday, May 28, which, in partnership with Tito’s Handmade Vodka, will feature live music, swag, and cocktails on Hopscotch’s dog-friendly patio. Additionally, along with a new food-truck residency featuring two local culinary concepts — Backwoods BBQ and ChipKabobs, operating every Friday and Saturday on the space’s patio — the gallery has also debuted new seasonal cocktails, including a Sangria Swirl and a frozen Rabbit Hole Rita. Tickets are available online.

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PUMPKIN BIG

Gobble up the 2024 Thanksgiving feast at these 10 San Antonio spots

Bird Bakery/Instagram

Bird Bakery is doing dessert right for Thanksgiving.

Surely, planning the year's biggest feast between Halloween and Christmas seemed like a good idea at a time before LinkedIn updates and Real Housewives episodes ate up the nation's bandwidth. But today, it yields a cyclone of tension.

Breathe in (one, two, three, four). Thanksgiving doesn't have to provoke panic attacks. It's a day of togethership, not one-upmanship. Whether cooking the whole meal or just a few pies, plenty of San Antonio restaurants are willing to lighten the Turkey Day load.

Bird Bakery
The turkey may be the main event, but whoever brings the pie is the true hero. Bird Bakery has the baking covered, so you can take the credit. Either press your luck for a mini-pie in the store, or preorder a 9-inch pie by emailing bird@birdbakery.com.

Corinne
The flagship restaurant of the Plaza San Antonio Hotel and Spa invites guests to gobble up a prix fixe menu that includes a choice of smoked prime rib or cider-brined turkey and sides like five-cheese mac 'n' cheese.
Noon to 8 pm. $65.

Dorrego's
This River Walk restaurant's brunch is a good alternative for those who think turkey is for the birds. While it does get into fowl play, it also offers choices like prime rib and pomegranate-glazed salmon. Sides run the gamut from bacon jam Brussels sprouts to cornbread stuffing.
11 am-3 pm. $75 for adults, $29 for children 12 and under.

The Hayden
Two words: pastrami gravy. Both San Antonio locations of this Jewish-inspired diner offer a to-go meal that includes a citrus and herb-stuffed turkey, mini cheddar chive drop biscuits, and sourdough and rye stuffing. À la carte options are available for those making the entrée at home.
$14-185.

The Jerk Shack
The recent recipient of the Michelin Guide's Bib Gourmand is spicing up the holiday with meal bundles that include the option of jerk or fried chicken and two half-pan sides. Guests can also order entrées like oxtails or take home trimmings like brown sugar and orange yams à la carte. Preorders can be made by email (manager@thejerkshacksatx.com) or by phone (210-776-7780) with a 50 percent deposit.
$65-175, some entrées are subject to market price.

Kimpton Santo
The recently opened downtown hotel is activating its entire space, including Dean's Steak and Seafood and rooftop bar Tenfold. The main event, however, is a family-style meal in the San Juan Grand Ballroom, where guests can dive into a mashed potato bar, pineapple Bourbon-glazed ham, and pecan pie.
Seatings available 11 am to 2 pm or 2:30-5 pm. $80 for adults, $20 for children under 13, and free for kids under 6.

Landrace
Dash to this downtown hotel for a bountiful all-you-can-eat Thanksgiving brunch offering omelet, turkey, and dry-aged steamship round stations. If you can't move after all the savory dishes, don't worry. The desserts are wheeled around on a rolling cart.
11 am to 3 pm. $115 for adults, $29.99 for kids.

Perry's Steakhouse & Grille
A steakhouse atmosphere and a barbecue staple come together like any other unconventional family at Perry's Steakhouse. Smoked turkey is the star of the show on the big day, with pumpkin cheesecake adding a bit more razzle dazzle.
11 am to 9 pm. $49 for adults, $19 for kids.

Range
Jason Dady's downtown steakhouse offers two experiences during the big day. Guests can enjoy riverside seating during the Ford Holiday River Parade or devour a prix-fixe menu inside.
Noon-8 pm. $65-$135.

Two Bros BBQ Market
This barbecue joint is talking turkey with a heat-and-eat deal that includes everything from the salad to rolls and feeds 10-12 people. Guests can order the bird or sides like banana pudding or creamy coleslaw separately.
$49.95-$160.

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