END OF AN ERA

Chef Steve McHugh's Cured to close after 13 years in San Antonio

Cured's last day of business is January 4.

Cured/Facebook

One of the restaurants that put San Antonio’s Pearl on the culinary map is calling it a day. Chef Steve McHugh’s lauded Cured, one of the anchors of the near-downtown development, has decided not to renew its lease after 13 years in business. The last day of business will be Sunday, January 4.

“Thank you, San Antonio, for 13 unforgettable years,” says McHugh in a statement. “While this chapter closes, the spirit of Cured — appreciation, gratitude, and giving back— will continue in everything I do.”

McHugh opened Cured in late December 2013 after a stint at Lüke, serving farm-to-table cuisine informed by McHugh’s time in New Orleans. The opening was an earthquake in Pearl’s then-nascent culinary scene — taking over a landmark 1904 administrative building — and introducing snout-to-tail charcuterie to San Antonio’s culinary scene. A glass curing cabinet greeted guests at the door.

“When I opened Cured, the name represented two things close to my heart: my own successful battle against cancer and the artisanal craft of curing meats that became the cornerstone of our menu,” explains McHugh. "What I didn't fully understand then was how much this restaurant would become a daily celebration of life itself — a place where appreciation and gratitude weren't just words, but the driving philosophy behind everything we did.”

Plaudits followed McHugh throughout the restaurant’s run. In 2014, Cured was among the Bon Appétit magazine’s annual Best New Restaurants in America. The nod was followed by a string of six best-chef finalist nominations from the James Beard Awards.

In May 2024, the restaurant spawned a cookbook in collaboration with Texas Monthly journalist Paula Forbes. Cured: Cooking with Ferments, Pickles, Preserves, & More features 150 recipes, many from the restaurant itself.

The closure comes as Pearl’s culinary scene is in flux. Two of the development’s class of 2022 folded earlier this year: Carriqui in October and Full Goods Diner in December. The district also recently greeted a revival of chef Jason Dady’s Umai Mi concept in the Bottling Department food hall and Jue Let, a new cocktail bar from Best Quality Daughter’s Jennifer Hwa Dobbertin.

pearl chefs closings

SUDDEN SHUTTERS

Acclaimed San Antonio ramen shop Noodle Tree to close after 6 years

Noodle Tree/ Facebook

Chef Mike Nguyen impresses San Antonio with creative dishes like menudo ramen.

After six years of serving some of San Antonio’s most talked-about ramen, Noodle Tree is closing its doors so its owner can focus on battling blood cancer. The popular shop at 114 UTSA Boulevard #101 will close on January 11, its sixth anniversary.

Chef Mike Nguyen made the announcement in a frank Instagram video.

“ I've kept my health private because I've always believed this restaurant should be defined by being the best ramen spot in San Antonio and not by my illness,” he said. “Unfortunately, my health hasn't improved. I told myself as long as I can continue physically doing this job. I'll keep going. But my body's breaking down faster than I anticipated.”

Nguyen, who trained under famed chef Wolfgang Puck, first opened Noodle Tree on January 11, 2019. The restaurant drew immediate buzz for traditional styles like tonkotsu and creative specials like menudo ramen.

Over the years, his culinary muse led him to open new concepts like Breeky, a casual spot specializing in Korean-style breakfast sandwiches, and Momo Yakitori, focused on skewered Japanese grilled meats. But Noodle Tree was always his passion project.

“For most of Noodle Tree's life, I was the one cooking your food, washing your dishes, and closing the doors at night,” he said in the video. “Every bowl mattered to me. I wanted you to feel the love, the struggle, and the heart that poured into every bite.”

Despite the loyal fanbase, Noodle Tree also became a lightning rod after Nguyen appeared on CNN to criticize Governor Greg Abbot's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. After his interview, the restaurant was vandalized with racist messages, an incident that helped spark the Stop Asian Hate discussion in Texas.

Persevering through the setbacks, Nguyen remains one of the most respected chefs in San Antonio’s restaurant community. Former Sangria on the Burg chef Ceasar Zepeda and Folklores Coffee House co-owner Tatu Herrera, were among the notable culinary world figures who took to the comments section to express support.

“I hope you know that your hard work, determination, and impact will never disappear. You’re a legend, ” wrote Stefan Bowers on the Pumpers account.

ramen japanese cuisine chefs closings