Same chickens, new coop

Fast and healthy chicken salad chain roosts in San Antonio with 2 new outposts

Chicken Salad Chick, a national chain, is adding two San Antonio locations to its growing list of 220.

Photo courtesy of Chicken Salad Chick

Texas is not exactly known for its delis, so Chicken Salad Chick may be a sight for sore eyes in San Antonio. The Alabama-based concept has been popular in Texas: It opened its 24th restaurant in the state and the first in San Antonio on January 31, following through on a 2021 announcement to bring eight locations to the area in the next few years. A second location is set come clucking in February, pushing the chain's total number of restaurants in the United States past 220.

For now, the first restaurant is in the Stone Oak neighborhood at 22831 N US Hwy 281, where it serves a dozen flavors including a traditional southern flavor with sweet pickles and eggs, and more adventurous flavors like buffalo sauce or lemon and basil. These come on lettuce, bread, and sometimes croissants (although these do not appear on the San Antonio menu online). With an order-ahead app and a drive-through window, this fast concept gets even faster.

"We are thrilled to introduce this unique concept to San Antonio,” said San Antonio franchise co-owner James Oberg in a release. “In fact, we love Chicken Salad Chick so much, we already have our second location in Westover Hills opening in just a few weeks and have plans for more. The brand sets itself apart with its made from scratch menu, core values focused on enriching the community and commitment to serving guests.”

The restaurant is taking this grand opening opportunity, starting February 8, to delve into that giveback goal with daily giveaways as well as a friends-and-family fundraiser benefiting the Children's Hospital of San Antonio Foundation, Christus Health.

On Wednesday, February 8, the first 100 guests will receive one large container of chicken salad every month for a year. One of those winners will be randomly selected to receive their prize weekly, instead. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, the first 50 guests to make specific purchases will receive a prize: a tote bag, a small cooler, and a large cooler, respectively. Guests can arrive starting at 7 am for grand opening day only.

Oberg presents this franchise with co-owners Jeff Rochelle and George Shaw, who call San Antonio their hometown and have owned some Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers restaurants for almost 20 years.

Chicken Salad Chick is open now, Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 8 pm. On Wednesday, February 8, guests may begin arriving at 7 am to check in for the grand opening, but will have to return later between 9:45-11:15 am, depending on their assigned time. Chicken Salad Chick will post more about giveaway terms on Facebook.

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Better Days, Same Burgers

Shuttered San Antonio burger joint stages surprising comeback

Teddy B's/Facebook

Teddy B's has made a surprise comeback.

Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of Teddy B's life. In October, the popular burger joint shuttered its decade-old location on Babcock Road, grieving a loss of foot traffic and rising costs. On November 20, the spot revealed a plot twist. The owners are now slinging patties at 9903 Fredericksburg Rd.

"Dear Teddy B's customers, we have good news," the restaurant posted on social media. "We are back in business...We are waiting for our new sign, but we are up and running."

The unexpected comeback is the culmination of a tumultuous year for the business. As the restaurant marked its 10-year milestone this summer, the outlook was much darker. On August 4, the restaurant took to social media to warn that closure could be imminent. A traffic decline affected Teddy B's ability to maintain its affordable price point.

The messaging worked, at least in the short term. Days later, the restaurant reported an increase in business. The marketing language was hopeful until October 13, when the restaurant abruptly announced it was closing for good.

The news of Teddy B's rebirth came just as suddenly. After a month-long social media silence, the restaurant announced it had taken over the former home of Burger Haven. The latter restaurant was little known, appearing to operate mainly as a ghost kitchen.

Assumably, burgers will be back on the menu, but it is unclear whether other favorites will be eliminated to streamline the operation. The business has not posted any revisions, and its website is down at press time.

The burger joint's comeback manifests as other shuttered legacy restaurants like The Lion and Rose and Fratello's have staged their own returns. While Teddy B's has offered no reasoning for getting back into the game, it is a testament to the resiliency of San Antonio's culinary community.

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