News you can eat
7 things to know in San Antonio food right now: SoCal juice bar squeezes into Alamo Heights
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
A new juice bar will soon bring a taste of Southern California to Alamo Heights. According to a release, Santa Ana-based Nékter Juice Bar will celebrate its grand opening June 25-26 at 5920 Broadway with buy-one, get-one offers on açaí banana berry bowls, superfood smoothies, or juices. Founded in 2010, the company has ridden the plant-based wellness trend to rapid expansion across the United States. The Alamo Heights outpost will be the chain’s first in San Antonio.
Hot on the heels of Double Standardopening in the Rand Building, another tavern concept has blazed into downtown. According to a social media post,Crockett Tavern debuted on June 20 at the Crockett Hotel near the Alamo. True to its historical surrounds, the restaurant is decked out in frontier regalia with brass sculptures from the Kerrville Museum of Western Art. The menu, from chef Justin Ward of the recently closed Glass and Plate, is equally rugged with dishes like beer-battered cactus, calf fries, borracho beans, and cast iron-grilled ribeyes.
After opening stores in New Braunfels and Cibolo, Zaxby’s is now looking to rule the roost in San Antonio. A release states the new location at 11903 Alamo Ranch Parkway will open its doors on June 27, making it the chain's 11th in Texas. The Georgia-based chicken franchise puts its deep fryer to work in various mains and sides, including chicken fingers, white cheddar bites, and fried pickles.
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation records have revealed the location of the first Teriyaki Madness in Alamo City. In November 2021, local operator Daniel Giffordspilled the beans on his plans to bring three locations of the rapidly growing chain to the area but did not divulge locations or targeted opening dates. Now, a new state filing places the first outpost at 12822 W. Interstate 10, Suite 206, in the University Heights shopping center. The exact timeframe is still not public, but the project details state that the location will finish renovations of the former Which Wich space by the end of October.
A new food truck is rolling into downtown bar El Camino. Via an Instagram announcement, The Pita Chick announced it will heap on the hummus beginning June 22. The Mediterranean trailer offers falafel and shawarma pita wraps, loaded fries, and various sides.
Other news and notes
Sure, it’s hard to walk six feet in San Antonio without bumping into a margarita, but any city barkeep can attest that locals are just as fond of slamming daqs. Dashi Sichuan Kitchen + Bar is now mixing up a new competition devoted to the beloved cocktail. The Daq-Off, from 7-9 pm on June 26, will pit several area eateries and bars in a battle to determine the best drink. Tickets ranging from $20-$40 are available online.
Ambler Texas Kitchen + Cocktails aims to transport visitors to Spain with its first-ever Paella on the River Walk event on June 30. The $50 general admission pass includes all-you-can-eat paella, a welcome sangria, and a performance from famed flamenco guitarist Randy Cordero. The $100 VIP package includes a gift bag, a reserved table, and the chance to win a luxurious two-night stay at Hotel Contessa.
