Hey, the Cowboys didn’t make it to the end. That’s something San Antonians will have to live with. But chances are, most locals will be watching the Super Bowl on February 12 anyway. The commercials are (mostly) clever. Riri is performing for the first time in years. And, at the very least, it’s an excuse to tackle a mountain of mozzarella sticks. Whatever one’s reason for watching the big game, it’s more fun to watch with a crowd. Let these 10 local spots be your weekend goal.
Backyard on Broadway
This Alamo Heights-area complex is kid-friendly until 9 pm, which should be just enough time to see the last touchdown. It’s pet-friendly, too, in case Rover is a big Eagles fan.
Big’z Burger Joint
This UTSA-area hangout is full of genius ideas for the championship day. For one, the $2 Gatorade shots are a brilliant blend of hydration and intoxication. Have one too many? Soak them up with the All-American burger, a monster half-pound Angus patty topped with a butterflied hot dog.
Charlie Brown’s
With plenty of screens to watch the action and a quiet enough atmosphere to discuss the commercials, this North Side neighborhood haunt is as comfortable as an old jersey. The food wears equally well, especially the pizza and its killer rib eye deal.
The Friendly Spot
No, the name wasn’t plucked out of a hat. This rambling bar really is one of the most sociable spots in town. Keep the camaraderie going with hundreds of craft brews and shareable snacks like Buffalo chicken jalapeño poppers and fried cheese curds. Then, settle in to watch the big game on a giant inflatable screen.
The Hangar
Not a huge football fan? This Broadway strip bar has plenty of games to keep fair-weather fans busy until halftime. The menu is mainly fried, but there’s no sport in salads. Munch on the celery served with a dozen wings for a bit of roughage.
Lucy Cooper’s Ice House
No food pairs with football better than wings, so here’s the Sunday game plan. Head to this North Side icehouse and pony up $49.99 for 40 cluckers. Choose up to four sauces and wash it down with a $12 beer bucket. Way to be on the ball!
McIntyre's
Get cracking to this luxe Southtown sports bar, and you might go home $1,000 richer. Still, football squares isn’t the only game available. Cravorites will be dishing out crawfish from 2-6 pm, and the bar will be cranking out $20 mimosa carafes and domestic beer buckets until 8 pm. The big game, of course, will be broadcast from multiple flatscreens.
Picks Bar
This North San Antonio hot spot is staging a drag brunch and a Super Bowl watch party on the same day, which is reason enough to visit. It also has a sturdy cocktail program (both boozy and zero-proof) for those who punt on the usual longnecks.
Tony’s Siesta
There are Chiefs fans, there are Eagles fans, then there is the Rihanna Navy. The latter will be at Tony’s Siesta for a Gay-lentines bash featuring themed cocktails, bubbles, a food pop-up, a DJ, and the most important concert of the year. Score!
NEWS YOU CAN EAT
A fruity farewell and a foodie fraud scandalize San Antonio dining news
As if independent restaurateurs didn't have enough to worry about in San Antonio's wobbly business climate, now they are being preyed on by crooks. This week, one iconic local restaurant grapples with unhappy customers and a fleet of bewildered DoorDash drivers. Plus, four restaurants are closing, but two are reopening in the near future.
Openings and closings
Johnny Hernandez has retired the original location of La Frutería, but a new concept will soon squeeze into its Southtown space. The celebrated chef announced the January 4 closure via social media, following up with a cryptic "coming soon" post the following day. Although the copy gave no clues about the incoming project, internet detectives no doubt noticed rows of what appeared to be infused spirits.
After a scant six months in business, Stone Oak's Thatta Boy Burgers has lost its fire. In a social media statement, the joint said "unforeseen circumstances" led to the decision but declined to give further details. The restaurant quietly opened in June 2024 with a simple menu of handcrafted burgers, shakes, and crinkle-cut fries. The last day of business was January 7.
South BBQ & Kitchen is recalibrating its sense of direction. The original location will shutter on January 12 as it prepares to head north to Monte Vista. Pitmaster Andrew Samia opened the popular barbecue joint at 2011 Mission Rd. six years ago. There's no exact word yet on when the 2100 N. Main Ave. location will open, but an Instagram post promises a summer debut.
Seafood spot Sherry's Texan is also feeling wanderlust. In June 2024, the nomadic restaurant packed up its Pleasanton Road restaurant to move to Goliad Road. Now, it is headed to 109 Crane Ave. Fans won't have to go very long without jumbo shrimp, however. After closing shop on January 18, the eatery will reopen on January 23.
Other news and notes
DoorDash users beware. On January 7, Annette Olivarez, the manager of M.K. Davis Restaurant & Bar, took to the San Antonio Restaurants Facebook group to warn locals of an elaborate scam. According to her, grifters have created a fake merchant account for the classic restaurant with fake prices, contact information, and business hours. The ruse created chaos at the business and swindled customers and delivery drivers. The business does not offer delivery through any app.
Social media users are also sounding the alarm about the Taco Museum, a tasting and interactive art event heading to an unknown San Antonio location on February 22. Ticket buyers at the December edition near Los Angeles report a Fyre-y set of disappointments, including meager food, store-bought art, long lines, and a lack of beverages. As always with upstart food festivals, do your homework before going.