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

Mixtli, San Antonio’s acclaimed purveyor of thoughtful, regionally inspired Mexican cuisine is officially open for business at its new Southtown location — and reservations are (predictably) going fast. Helmed by James Beard Award semifinalists chefs Rico Torres and Diego Galacia, Mixtli has gained national attention for its thoughtfully curated, multi-course dinners. The team’s new location, 812 S. Alamo St., Ste. 103, opened Tuesday, June 22, and offers an expanded dining room and bar operation, as well as an agave-based spirit cart that circulates throughout the dining room. Mixtli is currently open Tuesday through Saturday from 6 -9:30 pm. They're booked solid for the coming two weeks, but interested parties can book prepaid reservations ($115 per person) through the month of July here.

Seriously groovy sandwich chain Cheba Hut is finally toasting its way into the Alamo City. Set to officially open for business Monday, June 28, the new sandwich shop boasts a wide menu of both meat-forward and veggie subs, soups, and sides. What’s more, Cheba Hut’s new location includes a full-service bar. It is located at 11911 Alamo Ranch Pkwy. and is the fourth Cheba Hut to open in Texas. It will be open daily, 10 am - 10 pm.

Other news and notes

San Antonio Botanical Garden has introduced a new way for visitors to enjoy the city’s premier urban oasis. At Sips & Sunset in the Garden, Alamo City residents are invited to bring a lawn chair or blanket to enjoy an evening surrounded by the garden’s blooms. Here, guests can sample craft cocktails, play games, enjoy music from a local DJ, eat curated bites, and more. Tickets to the event ($30 each or $27 for garden club members) include nine complimentary cocktail samples. Currently, three Sips & Sunset events are planned for the summer, all of which take place on the last Friday of the month: June 25, July 30, and August 27. Tickets to the event can be purchased here.

Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse is keeping San Antonio mornings puro with a satisfying new meal deal. Every weekday from 6 - 11 am, they're offering a free taco with the purchase of one breakfast tacos. Additionally, the smokehouse will also be giving out free 12-ounce cups of coffee with any breakfast purchase until 9 am. Finally, since it wouldn’t be Fiesta without medals, Bar-B-Cutie Smokehouse will be selling its own collectable medals on location for $6 each, and customers can buy one and get one free during breakfast hours. Bar-B-Cutie’s morning taco and coffee deal runs from now until the end of July, and is valid through the drive-thru.

And what pairs better with a colorful Fiesta medal than an equally colorful margarita? New from Costa Pacifica: vibrantly colored, limited-edition margarita flights in three three special flavors: cherry grenadine, bright blue avion Costa Azul, and green jalapeno. Each of the three eye-catching beverages comes rimmed with flavorful chamoy and spicy tajin. Like most good things, this special won’t last; Costa Pacifica’s margarita flights are only available through Friday, June 25. Reservations are encouraged and can be made by calling 210-491-4497.

Krause’s Cafe and Biergarten in New Braunfels is bringing back its iconic Masskrugstemmen competition. The competition is a Bavarian strongman and strongwoman test where participants hold a liter of German beer by the handle straight out in front of their bodies for as long as they can. Individuals aged 21 and up are welcome to compete and can enter for a fee of just $20. The next competition will take place on Saturday, July 3, at 7:30 pm, with future tournaments to be held various Saturdays until the finals on August 21. There, past winners will compete for a chance to win an all expenses paid trip to New York. Interested parties can find more information and purchase tickets via Eventbrite here.