News You Can Eat
6 things to know in San Antonio food right now: Voodoo Doughnut makes Alamo City debut
Voodoo Doughnut is now open.
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
A gaggle of locals braved chilly temps and long lines for the December 20 opening of hip Portland chain Voodoo Doughnut's first San Antonio location. Like the other locations, the new Alamo City outpost at 400 E. Houston St. now delivers sugar and caffeine to both morning crowds and late-night River Walk revelers.
Besamé, the latest project from the owners of popular nightlife spot El Camino, is now open at 511 E. Grayson St. Located at the former home of Alamo BBQ Co., the concept combines a full craft cocktail bar with food trucks such as Pete's Chicken Shack and 2M Smokehouse.
Salad and Go continues to make a dent in the fast-food market with a second location. A filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation reveals plans for a diminutive shop at Potranco Road and Reid Ranch. The Arizona-based chain employs a unique drive-thru model to deliver classic salads like cobbs and Caesars on the quick. Construction is set to wrap up at the end of October 2023.
Boerne mainstay Mi Casa Tamales is taking a breather after 15 years in business. In a Facebook post, the team announced it would shutter on December 31 after fulfilling holiday orders. It's not all bad news, though. The restaurant is remodeling under the original ownership to streamline production. The rebranded eatery will open at a still-unannounced date.
Other news and notes
Turns out the Gray Lady is a fan of a San Antonio institution. In a December 9 article detailing the 25 best dishes of the year, New York Times writer Priya Krishna waxed rhapsodic about the Minion taco from Maria's Café. Though "smoky shreds of brisket and creamy-crunchy migas" ultimately won the reporter's heart, she noted that any filling is superb in the restaurant's "buttery flour tortillas."
La Panadería, already used to getting shine from the James Beard Foundation and Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, has received an unexpected plaudit. Yelp gave it the top spot on its list of best hot chocolate stops in Texas. The bakery was joined by two other local faves in the top 5. I Love Churros and Tlahco Mexican Kitchen nabbed the No. 2 and No. 5 slots, respectively, with Coffee Crush and Laika Cheesecake & Espresso also making the list.
