Whether it's dealing with tone-deaf relatives or braving the horrors of Black Friday, Thanksgiving week almost always calls for drinking. This week's food news follows the zeitgeist with a slew of bar openings and yet another reason to pour one out.

Openings and closings

First, the bad news. After two years, one of San Antonio's most ambitious restaurants is shuttering. Via social media, A Way to the Heartannounced its final service will be on December 21, citing "ongoing financial challenges and personal circumstances." Chefs David Escamilla and Diego Gonzalez took over Mixtli's former boxcar space in 2022, offering prix fixe tours inspired by global gastronomy. Though the concept became a cult favorite, it quickly ran into hurdles. In June, the owners ditched a more casual bistro concept — operated in the same space — due to "low turnout and high costs."

Bro country may be dominating the pop charts, but a local bar is flipping the script. After a couple of test services, La Honky Tonkofficially debuted on November 27 in the former home of Augie's BBQ at 909 Broadway. The "Nashville-inspired theme bar," the sibling to downtown's El Honky Tonk, brings the Barbie movie's western wear outfit to life with pink decor, cocktails, and lighting.

An El Paso growler chain will soon add some octane to Alamo City's craft beer scene. According to records at the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), Tin Man Filling Station is renovating a space at 17910 Bulverde Rd. #102 for its first San Antonio location. The growing concept currently counts six outposts and one in development. The local storefront, expected to be finished in April 2025, will be its first location outside West Texas.

The building that once housed the beloved eatery La Botánica has finally found a new occupant. A concept called Lupita Cantina has filed TDLR paperwork at 2909 St Mary's St. The bar appears incognito on social media, but an identically named club exists in Guadalajara. The latter seems to attract a surprising amount of jacked luchadors.

Other news and notes

One of San Antonio's most acclaimed restaurants will soon be getting its kicks in French Lick. Curry Boys BBQtook to social media on November 25 to share it would expand to East Nashville in spring 2025. Though the restaurant is still keeping most details mum, it promised pop-ups and collaborations leading up to the opening.