NEWS YOU CAN EAT
Latin-inspired seafood and critically acclaimed ramen slurp up San Antonio food news
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 and closings
Hot on the heels of its San Antonio debut, Los Angeles-based noodle shop Jinya Ramen Bar is opening a second area location. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) filings indicate that the company will begin construction on a new space at 7010 N Loop 1604 W. #205 in January 2024, with an estimated completion in August 2024. Though a chain, Jinya enjoys an enviable reputation, endorsed by late Los Angeles Times and LA Weekly food critic Jonathan Gold. Locals can look forward to various signature slurps, including silky tonkotsu ramen.
Meanwhile, in Houston, Mambo Seafood has the same bright idea. The Latin-flavored restaurant opened its first San Antonio location in August, taking over a former Joe's Crab Shack. Now, according to TDLR paperwork, it is heading to 7363 Goliad Rd. Barring delays, guests will munch on tilapia chicharrones sometime after July 2024.
Although Alamo City may not be particularly known as a healthy eating hub, one restaurant group is banking that locals will choose fresher choices — as long as they are convenient. Before testing the market with four upcoming area outlets (three in San Antonio and one in Cibolo), Tempe chainSalad and Go is already sprouting another location at Hwy 151 & Hunt. The latest drive-thru is expected to finish construction by the end of May 2024, according to TDLR records.
The former site of strip mall bar Halftime Lounge will soon be buzzing with excitement. A new concept called The Break Room has applied for a construction permit at 8084 Pat Booker Rd. There's no word yet on the details, but the $100,000 renovations are expected to take a full year. Still, there is no time like the present to break out the early 2000s business casual club wear.
After 6 years of slinging pies at 11224 Huebner Rd. #206, the ovens at 1000 Degrees Pizza seem to have been extinguished. The sole local location of the New Jersey chain announced the shutter via social media, but then removed the post or made it private. Although it originally intended to serve customers through October 29, October 28 was the last day of business — assuming the announcement sticks.
