On a roll

Popular neighborhood bar fills niche with new gourmet hot dog shop

The Dogfather is now serving a variety of gourmet hot dogs near the Bang Bang Bar.

Some point to pizza, some point to burgers, and those with a complicated relationship with their gastrointestinal tract even point to Cincinnati chili, but we have long believed hot dogs to be the perfect late-night meal.

Hot dogs have everything you need after a night of drinking — carbs to absorb that last gin and tonic, protein to make sure your late-night meal isn’t followed by a later night fridge raid, and flavors bright enough to cut through the fog.

Luckily, we are not the only ones who have discovered this pairing. Bang Bang Bar owners Jamie Hoppe and Jenn Alva have taken over the old Roy’s Taco Hut location at the corner of San Pedro Avenue and El Mio Drive to open The Dogfather, a restaurant serving loaded dogs that are leaps above fast-food Coneys.

The menu is the work of chef Kris Martinez, who has brought many of his creations from the sorely missed food truck RocketDogz to the new operation.

Highlights include the Thai Kickboxer with sweet chili glaze, red cabbage slaw, carrots, cilantro, mint, cucumber, jalapeños, and sesame lime vinaigrette; the Elote with roasted corn, smoked queso, chili sal lemon, crumbled Takis, mayo, and lime; and the Hitman with beef bolognese, crushed red pepper, melted mozzarella, Parmesan, and fresh herbs — all served with an all-beef frank on a lobster roll-style bun.

Hoppe and Alva say they will eventually expand hours into late nights, and allow ordering through the bar. Until then, we will content ourselves knowing the Wake ’N Bake (a beef hot dog topped with fried egg and bacon in a glazed doughnut bun) will soon be available when we need it the most.

openings

Brewing News

What’s brewing in San Antonio: 2 taprooms close and British pub returns

Vista Brewing Co./Facebook

Vista Brewing Co. began 2025 by shuttering its San Antonio taproom following three years of service.

The holidays are over, and as one defunct pub started a comeback, San Antonio’s beer scene saw more taproom closures. So let's take a look at what's happening.

The Lion and Rose has returned

A British-style pub chain that once thrived in San Antonio back in the 2000s is back.

The Lion and Rose British Restaurant and Pub is expected to fully open to the public before the end of January, according to owner Allen Tharp.

Tharp is resurrecting the Lion and Rose, which previously existed as a chain of pubs around San Antonio for years before closing one location after another over time. The final Lion and Rose location, in the La Cantera area, closed in 2021. During the height of its popularity, Lion and Rose served up a number of beers and spirits with traditional pub grub, billiards, darts, and soccer viewing parties.

The revived Lion and Rose is housed in a new building at 23330 I-10 W. in the Leon Springs/Dominion area, just up the road from the La Cantera and Rim shopping centers.

Tharp has used social media to keep friends and supporters updated on the progress of the Lion and Rose revival, which he said will bring back the wide variety of beers, spirits, British-inspired food and pub games.

The new Lion and Rose will also feature nightly events, such as trivia, karaoke, and movie screenings, as well as afternoon tea for tea lovers. There will also be private, WiFi-equipped rooms where visitors can enjoy coffee and study for school or do some work. Additionally, the new Lion and Rose will be available for private parties and corporate functions.

Man Overboard Brewing closes

Man Overboard Brewing Co., based near downtown San Antonio, closed its doors in December after three years of operations.

Naval veteran Ron Merriman and his son Justin launched Man Overboard with a focus on Belgian and American beers. The brewery also produced hard and frozen seltzers.

While the Merriman family did not reveal reasons for Man Overboard’s closure, the ceasing of operations wrapped up a difficult year in San Antonio’s craft beer scene, with the closure of two other local breweries and a handful of San Antonio-area craft beer bars.

"It is with heavy hearts we announce to you Man Overboard Brewing Company will be closing our doors after three great years of brewing, fun, and friendships," the Merrimans wrote on the company’s social media. “Our final day will be December 22nd. But before we go, we want to celebrate with you — our loyal family and friends who made this journey unforgettable."

Vista Brewing shutters San Antonio taproom

Vista Brewing Co., based in Driftwood, Texas, closed its San Antonio taproom. January 5 was its final day of service.

The Hill Country brewery opened a San Antonio beer garden on the west side in 2021. Two years later, Vista relocated the beer garden to the eastern edge of downtown where the larger space allowed for food service. The San Antonio location also served wines, ciders and espresso drinks.

Vista Brewing’s representatives did not share reasons for closing the San Antonio taproom.

"It is with a heavy heart that we are making the tough decision to wind down Vista Brewing’s San Antonio taproom,” the company announced via social media. “We have loved being immersed in the San Antonio community for the last three and a half years, but have found that it is just not the right time for Vista.”

Vista Brewing Co./Facebook

Vista Brewing Co. began 2025 by shuttering its San Antonio taproom following three years of service.

san antonio craft beer pub brewery