KNEAD TO KNOW

Cult Taiwanese bakery rises in San Antonio with first location

85°C Bakery Café is opening its first San Antonio shop.

One could barely hear over the din when it debuted in Houston. Crowds waited for hours during a soft opening in Seattle. Locals with agoraphobia be warned. Cult Taiwanese chain 85°C Bakery Café will soon debut in San Antonio.

According to a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filing, the international concept will begin construction on a space at 12710 W. I-10 in August. The shop will be the first San Antonio outpost for the beloved chain, known informally as the “Starbucks of Taiwan.”

Born in Taiwan in 2004, 85°C quickly began taking over the American market, starting with a 2008 opening in Irvine, California. It first dipped its toes into Texas with a 2016 Carrollton storefront and has since rapidly expanded across the state with locations in Dallas-Fort Worth, greater Houston, and Austin.

The chain, named after the ideal temperature for coffee, is perhaps best known as the originator of the sea salt latte craze. The menu contains several takes on the foamy sipper, boba tea, espresso drinks, and lemonades.

The affordable baked goods are just as popular — including many that are difficult to find in San Antonio. Selections include Japanese milk toast, matcha red bean rolls, and a dizzying assortment of sweet buns in varieties like mango custard, milk butter, marble taro, and white chocolate strawberry.

Those who prefer savory treats can opt for Danishes stuffed with spinach and kale, a klobasnik-like cheese dog, potato croquettes, and sung buns — a Taiwanese specialty topped with dry shredded pork and a mayo-based sauce.

Though state records state that construction will wrap up in mid-November, there’s no word yet on the official opening date. Whenever word does get out, prepare to need a comfortable pair of walking shoes.

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Better Days, Same Burgers

Shuttered San Antonio burger joint stages surprising comeback

Teddy B's/Facebook

Teddy B's has made a surprise comeback.

Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of Teddy B's life. In October, the popular burger joint shuttered its decade-old location on Babcock Road, grieving a loss of foot traffic and rising costs. On November 20, the spot revealed a plot twist. The owners are now slinging patties at 9903 Fredericksburg Rd.

"Dear Teddy B's customers, we have good news," the restaurant posted on social media. "We are back in business...We are waiting for our new sign, but we are up and running."

The unexpected comeback is the culmination of a tumultuous year for the business. As the restaurant marked its 10-year milestone this summer, the outlook was much darker. On August 4, the restaurant took to social media to warn that closure could be imminent. A traffic decline affected Teddy B's ability to maintain its affordable price point.

The messaging worked, at least in the short term. Days later, the restaurant reported an increase in business. The marketing language was hopeful until October 13, when the restaurant abruptly announced it was closing for good.

The news of Teddy B's rebirth came just as suddenly. After a month-long social media silence, the restaurant announced it had taken over the former home of Burger Haven. The latter restaurant was little known, appearing to operate mainly as a ghost kitchen.

Assumably, burgers will be back on the menu, but it is unclear whether other favorites will be eliminated to streamline the operation. The business has not posted any revisions, and its website is down at press time.

The burger joint's comeback manifests as other shuttered legacy restaurants like The Lion and Rose and Fratello's have staged their own returns. While Teddy B's has offered no reasoning for getting back into the game, it is a testament to the resiliency of San Antonio's culinary community.

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