SUDDEN SHUTTERS

Comfort brunch favorite to close Northeast San Antonio cafe

Comfort Cafe is shuttering its Los Patios location.

Favorite San Antonio brunch spot Comfort Cafe is closing its flagship location in the Los Patios development at 2015 NE I-410 Loop, according to a social media post. In a heartfelt note, the restaurant announced that its last day of business would be July 4.

“This space has meant so much to us — not just as a fundraising arm of our nonprofit, but as a home to the Serenity Star recovery community and a backdrop for so many memories, meals, and meaningful moments with our incredible customers over the last 5 years,” wrote owners Teri and Rosalina Lopez.

The Lopezes first opened Comfort Cafe in May 2019, taking over a former Oky Doky Restaurant at 5616 Bandera Rd. in Leon Valley. In June 2021, it expanded to the wooded Los Patios property, which quickly became one of San Antonio’s most bustling weekend destinations.

The married couple stuck true to their mission during the expansion. While Comfort Cafe’s decadent waffles might have brought customers in, the restaurant’s purpose remained rooted in sobriety. The pay-as-you-go model raised funds for the Lopez’s nonprofit Serenity Star and helped provide employment — and a soft landing — for those newly in recovery.

Although the Los Patios journey will soon come to an end, the owners will not be abandoning their mission. Both the original Alamo City location and the Smithville cafe will continue to operate as usual.

“We’ll be bringing even more heart, intention, and connection to our Bandera Road location, where our team will be reunited under one roof to serve you with even more love than ever before,” wrote the owners.

And it appears that Serenity Star hasn’t lost faith in San Antonio’s community. The pair will open a new concept, Sweet Serenity, next door to Comfort Cafe on Bandera Road. According to the post, the location will be “a cozy coffee, crepe, and gift shop.” The Lopezes did not reveal a timeline for its opening.

brunch northeast side los patios recovery breakfast closings

NEWS YOU CAN EAT

A new Max & Louie's and a baking class mix up San Antonio dining news

Max & Louie's New York Diner/ Facebook

Max & Louie's is bringing burgers and babka to Cibolo.

San Antonio’s dining scene is serving up a buffet of new restaurant openings, charitable happenings, and dining deals this week. Beloved diner Max & Louie’s is headed to Cibolo, and a giant restaurant conglomerate combines two of its flagship brands. Elsewhere, social opportunities abound, from a new bread-making class at The Newstand to a downtown networking hour supporting victims of domestic abuse.

Read on for more mouthwatering morsels of Alamo City restaurant news.

Openings

Beloved East Coast-style diner Max & Louie’s is headed to Cibolo for a new outpost at the Cibolo Crossing development at FM 3009 and Cibolo Valley Drive. The city’s Economic Development Department spilled the beans on the upcoming restaurant, saying the opening date would be announced at a later time. The upcoming location will place it near another San Antonio favorite making inroads in the bedroom community, Magnolia Pancake Haus.

A new restaurant will soon break ground at 28313 Leslie Pfeiffer Rd in Fair Oaks Ranch. It’s safe to assume that Cinco de Mayo will serve Tex-Mex or Mexican cuisine, but Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filings provided few other clues to the Google-resistant eatery. Construction is set to begin in August and wrap up in spring 2026.

The Far West Side is getting a combination Applebee’s and IHOP at 1500 SW Loop 410. Dine Brands Global, the parent company of both brands, is renovating an existing IHOP location for a team-up that promises Bacardi Buckets with Thick ‘n’ Fluffy French Toast by the first quarter of 2026. The move follows the restaurant industry trend of merging two well-known brands to maximize traffic. We’d personally like to see a Magic Time Machine/ Medieval Times mashup, if only to see how noble knights react to being put on “potty patrol.”

The Newstand San Antonio sandwich Learn how to make focaccia at The Newstand.The Newstand/ Facebook

Other news and notes

The Newstand is inviting locals to break bread and learn how to make its signature focaccia. On June 26 from 5:30-7:30 pm, the Broadway sandwich shop will host its first bread-making class, the introduction of a new monthly series. The $45 ticket, available online, includes charcuterie and a choice of welcome wine.

The Study at Dean’s inside the Kimpton Santo Hotel is launching a new happy hour with complimentary bites. While the cocktails will be full price, guests can nibble on various dishes like olives, chips with truffled onion dip, spicy Ahi Tuna cones, Wagyu tartare cones, and smoked salmon tartlets for free. The weekly deal is available Tuesday-Friday, 4-6 pm.

La Cantera hot spot Perry’s Steakhouse is offering San Antonians a chance to ball on a budget in celebration of its 40th anniversary. The “Four for $44” promotion offers a four-course meal with four choices per category for 44 bucks. (See what they did there?) The deal will be available Sunday-Thursday throughout July, starting at, you guessed it, 4 pm each day.

Hotel Valencia poptails Cool off with a poptail at Hotel Valencia.Photo courtesy of Hotel Valencia.

The River Walk'sHotel Valencia is bringing back its popular Poptails with a Purpose program through September 1. This year’s frozen flavors include a Piña Freeze Colada and a spicy margarita rimmed with Tajín. A portion of the sales for each frosty sipper will benefit the Ronald McDonald House.

Speaking of good deeds, the InterContinental San Antonio Riverwalk is partnering with the Texas Advocacy Project on a handbags and backpacks donation drive. Guests who donate bags to domestic abuse survivors will receive a 25-percent off beverage voucher at Deco Bar. On June 27, the hotel will also host Bags & Bubbles, a donation drive and networking event from 4-6 pm.

river walk hotels charity cocktails openings diners events bread classes steak chains tex-mex news you can eat