As San Antonians continue to debate the Paris Olympics, a more delicious competition is happening at home. Despite the rash of recent closures, four new brick-and-mortars are entering the hospitality race while a pair of pop-ups dig deep for gold.

Openings

Breakfast favorite Bobbie’s Cafe is awakening a new location. Via Instagram, the San Antonio classic revealed it was taking over the former Magnolia Pancake Haus location at 606 Embassy Oaks. The move will coincide with the closure of the restaurant’s longtime South Side home, but owners Ana and Greg Ferris haven’t given up on the area. The couple told the San Antonio Express-News that a second location is planned in the old Neptune’s Seafood House space at 1922 Goliad Rd.

A Dignowity Hill bar is trading in quiet chit-chat for roaring thunder. Small Talk at 910 Nolan Dr. has rebranded as Torche, “the heaviest bar in Texas.” The reboot includes a moodier atmosphere and a new cocktail menu replete with doom metal-inspired drinks like a Spitirus Mortis homage, I am the Name on Your Funeral Wreath. Like Small Talk, the new occupants will make use of the adjacent space as a micro-gallery. The grand opening on August 3 includes live music, vendors, and food.

On July 20, carnivorous Houston chain Avenida Brazil quietly fired up the grills at its first San Antonio location at 7660 Henderson Pass. The steakhouse, which shares a name with an uber-popular Brazilian telenovela, sticks to the tried-and-true format of offering all-you-can-eat steak, seafood, and salad.

The first San Antonio location of the Conshohocken, Pennsylvania-based Saladworks franchise will soon freshen up the Los Patios development. As the name tips off, the chain specializes in quick main-dish salads, wraps, and bowls. The concept will share space with similarly health-minded eatery Frutta Bowls when the latter debuts in fall 2024.

Other news and notes

Something wicked this way comes...or at least it comes to Three Star Bar. Pop-up conceptBlack Lagoon is slithering into the Government Hill hot spot for a three-week engagement. The multi-city tour, conceived by bar vets Erin Hayes and Kelsey Ramage, will bring hair-raising decor, themed drinks, and spooky limited-edition mugs to its run, October 11-31.

Smashburger pop-up Burger Foos has found a permanent home at West Side hangout Jaime’s Place. Helmed by Jerry Ortiz, the concept has become a favorite at venues like Guadalupe Center and Chiflada’s. Following a debut on August 1, Burger Foos will be open Wednesday through Sunday, 4 pm to 2 am.