Treasured San Antonio burger chain stacks up new spot near UTSA campus

A new Burger Boy is opening up on UTSA Boulevard.

University of Texas students in San Antonio have lots of choices to make when it comes to where to eat. Sometimes, a burger is all that's needed to narrow things down.

Burger Boy, a growing San Antonio chain that melds the simplicity of a fast food chain with the satisfaction of supporting a local business, announced on November 3 that it is opening its ninth location, this time on UTSA Boulevard near its intersection with Interstate 10.

A press release established that this is a "long-awaited and highly requested" addition to the Burger Boy lineup.

Poised across from Costco and next to Dutch Bros Coffee, this could be a routine checkpoint for students grocery shopping with mom's membership card. The release does not mention a drive-thru, but it is safe to assume it will have one, like every other location.

San Antonians likely need no introduction to the chain, which has amassed more than 17,000 Google reviews across its six existing locations — almost all very favorable. In addition to its can't-go-wrong, straightforward American menu of sandwiches, fries, and shakes, the chain has a reputation for especially friendly service.

Among the numerous awards the chain boasts on its website is a designation in 2017 by Business Insider as the third-best burger joint in America. Austin's Hopdoddy Burger Bar, which has two San Antonio locations, made No. 1 on the list.

According to the release, there are two Burger Boy locations coming before the spot at 5622 UTSA Blvd.: first across from the South Park Mall, and another on the Far West Side. The arrival of the former may soothe some San Antonians in the wake of TJ's Hamburgers' closure, about two miles away.

All three forthcoming locations so far are expected to open in 2024.

utsa burgers openings lunch dinner

Green Light

Healthy-casual Dallas restaurant makes San Antonio debut on Broadway

Bellagreen/Instagram

Bellagreen is now in San Antonio for the first time.

A fast-causal restaurant from Dallas called Bellagreen is now in San Antonio, as of Tuesday, November 12.

The mini-chain's first San Antonio location is at 1900 Broadway St., Ste. 112, and it's giving out a couple of freebies to get things going on opening day. Customers on Tuesday will all get a free craft soda or tea with their meal. Active military and veterans will also receive 15 percent off, but that's a daily policy throughout the year.

Bellagreen is known for its healthy image, which comes from scratch-made dishes and a generally light menu featuring lots of salads, a strong veggie presence, and a protein lean toward poultry and fish. Rotating seasonal menus keep things fresh in a bit of a rare move for a casual restaurant.

“The decision to open bella here was easy," said San Antonio location co-investors Sameer Mumtaz and Mark Huffstutler in a press release. Mumtaz continued, "San Antonio shares our values of family and good, wholesome, quality food.”

With nine locations across Texas, much of its popularity also comes from an ease of catering to different diets and preferences, from brunch (with $10 mimosa carafes) through dinner. Many meals are customizable and can accommodate gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, high-protein, and other needs.

“We’ve wanted to bring bellagreen to Central Texas for years and finally found the perfect spot," said Huffstutler. "Downtown residents, employees and tourists have a wonderful new dining option, and we can immerse ourselves in San Antonio’s vibrant culture.”

The roughly 150-seat restaurant with a patio is located in a popular area for dining, a few blocks from the Pearl neighborhood and next to Nineteen Hyaku (for a very different kind of meal).

"We believe in living a balanced life, and our menu reflects that with delicious and abundant options,” said general Cristian Garcia in the release. “With made-for-you dishes, quick and friendly service and charitable ties, our guests can feel good about their dining choice.”

While the fall menu is in service, those charitable ties lead to Bexar Branches Alliance, an urban forestry nonprofit that will receive a portion of profits from those seasonal items. So far, according to the release, Bellagreen has donated more than 45,000 seedlings to the Texas Trees Foundation and Trees for Houston, the city where most of its locations are, even though it's based in Dallas.

Bellagreen is open weekdays from 11 am to 10 pm, and weekends from 10 am to 10 pm.