Buckle up! After a slow summer, San Antonio restaurant news is revving up. This week’s turbo-charged edition includes the openings of international concepts, the revival of a much-loved Indian spot, and some exceptional sandwiches.

Openings and closings

Dallas-based mini-chainBellagreen is prepping to open its first San Antonio location at 1900 Broadway Suite #112. The Swiftie-coded restaurant has grown famous for its customizable menu catering to gluten-free, vegetarian, and protein-heavy diets, plus its commitment to supporting environmental causes. Signature dishes include brick chicken, honey-fried goat cheese and arugula salad, burgers, wraps, and more. Although a release promised a September debut, the exact opening date is not yet public.

Speaking of specialty diets, the North Carolina-based franchiseClean Eatz is doubling its San Antonio presence. According to filings at the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), work on the 2935 Pat Booker Rd. #120 shop will be wrapped up in October. Once open, the storefront will serve a health-minded menu for dine-in, grab-and-go, or meal plans.

Umlaut-loving Quebec breakfast and lunch chain Pür & Simple is eyeing Alamo City. TDLR records show the first area location settling at 20821 U.S. Hwy 281 N. #116. Like similar concepts Snooze Eatery and First Watch, the restaurant dishes out Benedicts, waffles, sandwiches, and, naturally, breakfast poutine. In recent years, the chain has staged a rapid Canadian expansion but has only hinted at its plans in the United States. Construction is set to end in June 2025.

Meanwhile, French multinational chainAmorino Gelato will soon be sweetening up downtown. TDLR filings show that a parlor is in the works at 200 Riverwalk #105 near Iron Cactus. Although the company does have a U.S. presence, it is most known in Europe, where almost 200 locations serve its signature rose-shaped ice cream. The build is projected to be finished in November.

Locally owned favoriteBiryani Express Indian Cuisine is reopening on August 29 after renovations. The day will be marked with samples and DJ entertainment.

Beloved soul food eatery Mrs. Kitchen has closed its doors due to rising costs but has not yet given up hope on a return. The restaurant opened in 2011 from a modest East Side locale, before moving to larger digs in Windcrest following the COVID-19 lockdown. Chef and owner Garlan L. McPherson has started a GoFundMe to revive the languishing business.

Other news and notes

The San Antonio hospitality industry continues to struggle this summer, with more business owners opening up about the rocky environment. WingIt owner Daryl Smith has issued an impassioned plea for help weathering rising costs and competition from more prominent brands. The former food truck has two locations in Cibolo and on Culebra Road.

Keenan Hendricks, the owner of the booming food truck Smack’s Chicken Shack, is asking for community support in fighting a recently diagnosed brain tumor. So far, more than $6,000 has been raised towards his $15,000 GoFundMe goal.

Sandwich shop The Newstand is proving the value of teamwork. The Broadway shop has launched Wich Friends, a series of monthly collaborations through the end of the year. Owners Page Pressley and Dez Rodriguez have already had successful runs pairing up with Sean Wen of Curry Boys BBQ and Philip Speer of Austin’s Comedor. Future guests include Nicola Blaque of Jerk Shack and Freight Chicken, Emil Oliva of Leche de Tigre, and former colleagues Kevin Fink and Tavel Bristol-Joseph of Pullman Market.