COMING ATTRACTIONS

Viral Boerne pizza joint to open first San Antonio location

Dark Side Pizza is looking to take a bite out of San Antonio.

Like any passionate collector, it seems Dark Side Brick Oven Pizza Co. owner Michael Hawes has trouble stopping with just one. The entrepreneur says he is opening a second location of his pop culture pizzeria — this time in San Antonio.

In an Instagram update, Hawes says the express location will arrive by March 2027. He did not share the location, only mentioning that it will be in a new strip mall and have some of the ‘80s collectibles that make the Boerne flagship memorable.

Opened in May 2024, Dark Side dishes out Neapolitan-style pies in a sprawling dining room showcasing Hawes’ vast collection of memorabilia. The spot is a wonderland of Gen X nostalgia with life-sized figurines of E.T., Teen Wolf, Superman, Yoda, and more tucked into every corner.

In 2025, the spot became a viral sensation after creator Bethany Tucker (AKA @tasteoftexas) posted a video walkthrough of the space on TikTok and Instagram, garnering millions of views. The Reel, and other influencer visits, made the spot so popular that he expanded the place in late 2025 with a full-sized bar, Darkside After Dark.

Naturally, he turned his lens back to the movies for the decor, recreating the fictional Val Verde from Predator. Almost every inch of the bar is covered with artificial greenery, from vines crawling down faux stone walls to a faux tree cradling the famous “choppa.”

While Hawes said the new place won’t be a replica of the sprawling Boerne restaurant, he is bringing in some industrial light and magic. He teased that a team is working on some custom commission pieces “right now.”

boerne pizza pop culture openings

COMING ATTRACTIONS

Houston Tex-Mex institution to open first San Antonio location

Gringo's Mexican Kitchen/ Facebook

Gringo's serves unconventional enchiladas like this hatch chile special.

San Antonio doesn't often look to Houston for Tex-Mex, but Gringo's Mexican Kitchen is hoping that Cibolo will make an exception. The chain is opening its first Alamo City location at 18390 I-35 in spring 2027.

Russell Ybarra opened the first Gringo’s in 1993 in a Pearland building that housed several failed restaurants, including one owned by his family. But the concept stuck around long enough to become a Houston institution with several outposts across the region and a satellite in College Station.

The menu sticks to Tex-Mex staples like sizzling fajitas, queso, combo plates, and enchiladas with five sauces. Not all of the latter are traditional. Instead of chili gravy and mountains of yellow cheese, Gringo’s offers a white wine cream sauce and another blending avocados and tomatillos.

As with any good Tex-Mex chain, Gringo’s also pours a wide variety of margaritas, including its signature Cadillac. The restaurant takes a few liberties with the definition, selling flavors like dreamsicle, pineapple, and jalapeño-strawberry. Some omit tequila entirely, subbing in vodka or whiskey.

Construction is currently underway on the 9,852-square-foot space, which will include a large dining room, a bar, and a separate to-go area. Originally, the project was supposed to wrap up in early October, according to a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filing.

Gringo’s isn’t the only Houston chain trying to make a dent in San Antonio’s Tex-Mex scene. Los Tios — another Bayou City favorite — is set to open its first Alamo City location at 4820 Broadway St. this fall.

cibolo tex-mex openings