NEWS YOU CAN EAT
A Cajun comeback and a brand-new chicken joint roost in San Antonio food news
Babe's Old Fashioned Food is opening a chicken joint.
Editor's note: We get it. It can be difficult to keep up with the fast pace of San Antonio's restaurant and bar scene. We have you covered with our weekly roundup of essential food news.
Openings
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filings reveal a double-decker of news from local mini-chain Babe's Old Fashioned Food. First up is a brand-new concept — Babe's Crispy Chicken. The company will begin construction at 12020 O'Connor Rd. in late November, building on the same lot as its existing burger brand. Since the main Babe's menu already features fried chicken strips and sandwiches, it's unclear how the newcomer will differentiate itself from the original. But the chain has plenty of time to figure out the details. The build-out is not set to wrap up until May 2025.
Babe's Old Fashioned Food will also take its time cutting the ribbon at a new 7129 NW Loop 410 outpost. An upcoming restaurant, set to be the seventh location for the chain, will fire up the grills in July 2025.
Grey Hwang, the chef behind downtown's buzzy Shiro Japanese Bistro, has opened a new concept. With little fanfare, Yozora Sake & Wine & Listening Bar has begun taking reservations at 22211 W. I-10 #1111 in the Dominion Ridge shopping center. Though the restaurant serves Hwang's signature Japanese fare, the vibe parts from Shiro's pop sensibilities with retro touches like dark paneling and huge cork speakers.
Box Street Social has finally divulged the opening date for its hotly anticipated second location in La Cantera. Via an Instagram post, the team said the 17038 Fiesta Texas Dr. #112 outpost will officially be up and running by January 2024. As CultureMap previously reported, the storefront will offer many of the Hemisfair hotspot's favorite dishes, including milk bread doughnuts and the signature smash burger.
Other news and notes
One of San Antonio's most fondly remembered restaurants is making a comeback — sort of. In a social media post, NOLA Brunch & Beignets announced it is hosting three editions of Cookhouse Nights, serving classics from chef Pieter Sypesteyn's much-missed eatery. The $129 ticket, with an optional $64 wine pairing, includes tax and gratuity. Limited reservations are available for December 2, 9, and 16.
Multi-James Beard Award nominee Steve McHugh is releasing a cookbook dedicated to the art of preservation. In Cured, named after the eponymous Pearl restaurant, McHugh and Austin-based food writer Paula Forbes will explore dozens of ways to cook with ferments, pickles, and jams. Signed preorders are available now from the Twig Book Shop.
Local nonprofit Culinaria has announced the dates for the winter edition of its popular Restaurant Weeks promotion. Mark your calendars for January 15-27, 2024, when dozens of restaurants will offer discounted prix-fixe meals for lunch, brunch, and dinner. Participating eateries will be announced closer to the date.
