There is no Dana; there is only drool. This week’s mouthwatering installment of San Antonio restaurant news brings coffee expansions, a visit from a Ghostbuster, and a bewildering barbecue switcheroo.

Openings and closings

One tactic to build buzz during these information-saturated times? Confusion. On January 2, Castroville’s Blu Lacy Smokehouseannounced it was rebranding to Castroville BBQ Company, vowing that most of its staff would remain intact. On January 29, 2M Smokehouse revealed a notable exception, founder and pitmaster Esaul Ramos Jr. A social media post from 2M made it clear that the change was not a tweak but an entirely new restaurant. The new joint will open on February 1, while the original’s sweets and smoked meats will still be available at 2M and sibling concept Baked by Grecia Ramos.

Much admired chocolatier Alessia Benavides has finally debuted the brick-and-mortar version of her online shop Chocolatl at 18720 Stone Oak Pkwy., Ste.105. According to a broadcast on the San Antonio Restaurants Facebook group, the spot includes classroom and retail space. Both may prove handy for the Valentine’s Day cycle of gifting and romantic despair.

Stone Oak bakery Pan & Coffee is brewing up a second location, according to Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) filings. The vibey java joint will begin construction on a new outpost at 27503 IH-10 W in March, with plans to wrap up by July.

Unlike most sane locals, San Antonio chain Brevity Coffee is making the drive up Interstate 35. TDLR records state that the company is building its first Kyle drive-thru at 1220 Philomena Dr., its first location in the rapidly growing suburb. The buildout is set to be finished in October.

Other news and notes

1917 Bar & Restaurant, the diamond in the rough inside Embassy Suites at Brooks, is rebranding after three years. Via a social media statement, a rep promised the “same great vibes and amazing food” but said The Sidney Restaurant + Bar needed a “fresh new identity to reflect who [they] are today.” As with 1917 (the founding date of Brooks Field), the title honors the development’s past — this time referencing City Base namesake Sidney J. Brooks. Also, plus signs are less fussy than ampersands.

There’s something strange in your neighborhood. Ernie Hudson, known for his role as Winston Zeddemore in the Ghostbusters franchise, will visit three area Bill Miller locations for a series of meet-and-greets (or is that meat-and-greets?). Fans of the comedy classic can rub elbows with the star between 5-8 pm in Leon Springs on January 31, 2-5 pm in Westover Hills on February 1, and 1-4 pm in Selma on February 2.