OPENING ALERT

Chama Gaúcha debuts new downtown San Antonio steakhouse

Chama Gaúcha's new downtown location is now open.

Photo courtesy of Chama Gaucha

Three years after teasing its second San Antonio location, Chama Gaúcha is finally carving a place in the downtown dining scene. The locally owned Brazilian steakhouse says it is now welcoming guests at 217 E Houston St.

The opening now makes the 200 block of Houston a sort of steak district. In addition to Chama Gaúcha, The Palm and Bohanan’s Prime Steaks and Seafood are just steps away from the Majestic Theatre.

Chama was founded in 2008 by João Carlos Ongaratto, a 20-year veteran of Fogo de Chão who struck out on his own with a restaurant at 18318 Sonterra Pl. The mini-chain now has locations in Houston, Chicago, and Grapevine in addition to Alamo City.

Chama Gaúcha follows the churrascaria template, serving a dozen cuts of meat like picanha (prime cut sirloin), cordeiro (lamb), and porco (pork ribs dusted in parmesan). Gauchos wander around the dining room, hand-carving the cuts from skewers at the table.

Chama Gaucha downtown San Antonio. Chama Gaúcha gets to the meat of the matter.Chama Gaúcha/ Facebook

A massive salad bar stocked with cheese, vegetables, and charcuterie cuts through all the beef. Guests can also order sides such as caramelized bananas, garlic mashed potatoes, and pão de queijo — Brazil’s famous tapioca-flour cheese bread.

The downtown Chama Gaúcha has been one of San Antonio’s most feverishly anticipated restaurants. It first filed a case with the city’s Historic and Design Review Commission in October 2023, later submitting state regulatory paperwork in June 2024. The original timeline estimated a summer 2025 debut.

The company, which also owns J-Prime Steakhouse, also has a mysterious new concept in the works. The group has launched a website for a restaurant called Ardēre Braceria Italiana, purportedly opening in fall 2026.

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BIG MOVES

Beloved Helotes bakery swaps snug storefront for new home

Spread the Loaves/ Facebook

Spread the Loaves is known for its artful sourdough.

One of the San Antonio area’s most lauded breadmakers is proofing a new bakery. Helotes’ Spread the Loaves is trading its snug storefront for a bigger space in The Shops at Old Town Helotes, 14743 Old Bandera Rd. The original location’s last day is June 2.

“Hope you’re planning to come see us this week, because it’s the last week in our tiny little building,” wrote the bakery on Facebook. “We will be closed all next week to finish getting the new building ready and make the move.”

Spread the Loaves said it doesn’t have an exact date for the reopening, which is still pending permits. But the business won’t have to lug its equipment across town — the new shop is located directly behind the original bakery.

Owner Sophie Jeffrey started baking as a 2020 New Year’s resolution, getting plenty of practice during the height of COVID-19 lockdowns. She started making larger batches in 2021 to help friends and neighbors recovering from Winter Storm Uri.

More pop-ups followed, and Jeffrey took the leap to brick-and-mortar in early 2024. Since then, social media buzz has made her profile rise. In 2025, CultureMap nominated her for the San Antonio Tastemaker Award for Pastry Chef of the Year.

Each week, Spread the Loaves bakes up various sweets, including sugar cookies, brioche cinnamon rolls, and toaster pastries. But she is most known for her breads. Sourdough focaccia and loaves are served daily, joined by milk bread, baguettes, challah, and pretzels at the end of the week.

Locals who can hardly wait for their carb fix can follow the bakery on social media for updates on the reopening date. Megafans can even help move the heavier equipment, according to the post. We’re sure Jeffrey will have a few treats to share for their trouble.

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