Jerks Who Brunch

The Jerk Shack spices up San Antonio with new Sunday brunch service

A "Texas Toast Benedict" with jerk pork in front of glowing signage spelling "it was all a dream."

There's a hot new brunch in town.

Photo courtesy of the Jerk Shack

Fried chicken on a weekend morning just took on a new flavor, as the Jerk Shack starts offering Sunday brunches. The husband-and-wife team put a Caribbean twist on some Southern American brunch classics that might wake you up and then immediately knock you right back out.

That means new menu items like catfish and grits with jerk remoulade, sweet potato and cream cheese French toast with dulce de leche, and a “Texas Toast Benedict” highlighting jerk pork or chicken (or regular bacon, if you’re not trying to stay on theme).

There’s no rush at all to get there early; the brunch menu is available from 11 am to 5 pm, alongside the regular menu, which already offers up items that pair perfectly with brunch: fried green tomatoes, a crispy chicken sandwich, or tacos smothered in avocado cream and pineapple pico de gallo. An array of colorful frozen drinks awaits hot summer days and stretches out those slow brunch vibes.

In January, 2022, the Jerk Shack opened its new location, replacing the actual shack with a modern interior and counter service, plus a drive-thru pickup window. Lines wrapped around the building. Since then, it’s started selling merch, chef Nicola Blaque was nationally recognized by Yelp on International Women’s Day, and staff participated in a donation drive by packing meals for Uvalde first responders.

Next, an additional location is slated for the very un-shack-like historic Schultze House at Hemisfair. This location is slated to open in "mid to end of 2023," a publicist confirms.

The Jerk Shack is located at 10234 Highway 151, Suite 103.

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Bar Culture

Ramen chain from Tokyo opens new location in San Antonio

Photo courtesy of Jinya Ramen Bar

This chain emphasizes traditional ramen.

San Antonians may not realize they have a real Japanese ramen spot in their city, and now they'll have more as Jinya Ramen Bar opens its second location in the city.

The restaurant at 7010 W Loop 1604 N. Suite 203 will open December 17. That will make 16 Texas locations for the Tokyo-based chain, which emphasizes the spread of "real ramen culture."

The first 100 guests will get a free bowl of ramen. The count starts at 11 am.

Jinya Ramen Bar bowls Jinya has a diverse menu with lots of possible add-ins.Photo courtesy of Jinya Ramen Bar

“Guests in San Antonio love big flavors and we’re happy to supply them,” said founder and CEO Tomo Takahashi in the release. “The Culebra neighborhood has become an incredible restaurant and retail destination, and we knew this community would be a great fit for our traditional ramen dishes.”

American ramen-lovers will recognize many of the ensembles featuring tonkotsu, shiyo, and miso broths with chashu (braised pork belly) or ground pork and yellow noodles. But the menu is much wider than these standard options, also featuring a vegan bowl, some bowls with chicken chashu instead of pork, shrimp or chicken wontons instead of noodles, and yuzu-flavored broth. A popular temporary menu item has also returned: The Red Garnet with vegetable broth, pork chashu, and chili garlic sauce.

Most of the ingredients listed above are offered as mix-ins (including all the proteins), plus additions like butter, fried onion, cabbage, broccolini, and more. "Tapas," rice bowls, salads, and desserts add some more variety, alongside beer, wine, sake, and just about anything else that would be available at a full bar.

According to the release, Jinya is particular about the water it uses in its broth and has a special aging process for its noodles.

Jinya Ramen Bar Culebra interior A sneak peek at the new location.Photo courtesy of Jinya Ramen Bar

Jinya Ramen Bar in Culebra will be open daily from 11 am to 10 pm.

ramen openings japanese cuisine