NEWS YOU CAN EAT

An East Side rebirth, a moody new bar, and 2 more closures wrap up San Antonio food news

Milpa is now serving tacos from The Dakota East Side Ice House.

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

The East Side rebirth of Milpa is officially up and running, but more is still to come. On December 20, the acclaimed eatery announced it was serving tacos, taquitos, and pozole Wednesday through Saturday, 6-11 pm. For now, the fare is only available at The Dakota East Side Ice House, but soon, Chef Jesse "Kirk" Kuykendall will begin hosting coursed dinner at the adjacent main space at 433 S. Hackberry.

Ricky Ortiz, the prolific entrepreneur behind El Camino and Besame, celebrated Christmas Day with the soft opening of his third concept, Ay Que Chula, in the former home of Luther's Café on the Main Strip. Like its sibling concepts, Ay Que Chula is bathed in bisexual lighting, but it does have its own identity. The bar is the first in Ortiz's portfolio to not include a food truck park.

Popular truck Eight Ball Coffee has found a permanent place to park. On December 23, the concept debuted its brick-and-mortar location at 1432 S. St Mary's St. with free breakfast sandwiches from Kewtie Boy Sando. Post-holidays, the shop will operate from 7:30 am to 4 pm on weekdays, and 8 am to 4 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

Continuing December's big bummer, the 9390 Huebner Rd. location of Mr. C's Fried Chicken & Waffles has become the latest local restaurant to call it quits. In an Instagram post sharing the December 31 final date, the owners did not explain the move but did assure fans that the flagship at 7907 W. Loop 1604 N. will remain open.

Tex-Mex staple Yolanda's Uptown Café has closed after almost 35 years in business. The unassuming Fredericksburg Road staple opened in 1989 and quickly became popular for its homemade tortillas, affordable lunch plates, and tacos. According to MySA, owners Yolanda and Perfecto Vasquez are ready for new adventures in retirement. The last day of business was December 22.

openings closings tacos coffee news you can eat

Happy holidays, coffee fans

San Antonio Coffee Festival warms up holiday season downtown

San Antonio Coffee Festivalhttps://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/418538503_698771012366670_1230759819756365847_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=127cfc&_nc_ohc=Uoc77673aIEQ7kNvgEb4TZX&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&_nc_gid=Am_nBDMhlle5uFGfYZ8w4HU&oh=00_AYA1j-biDLg7GJEpCUarKSgsj__NXTJFwkeeobli2btPEg&oe=673AEFA8

A holiday-themed edition of the annual San Antonio Coffee Festival will be held the night of Dec. 7 in the Houston Street entertainment district.

There's lots of holiday revelry going on in San Antonio this December, but one event in particular will capture the attention of coffee-lovers. A holiday version of the San Antonio Coffee Festival will take place December 7 on Houston Street, amid the holiday lights and other seasonal festivities happening downtown.

Guests can walk along Houston Street, between the Alameda Theater and the Frost Bank Tower, and sample a curated collection of seasonal drinks from vendors such as Hernán, Dos Perros Coffee, and Pulp Coffee Roasters. Each ticket comes with eight samples.

Aside from varieties of coffee, festival participants will offer beverages such as Mexican hot chocolate, holiday-inspired cocktails, and teas. Attendees can also enjoy treats from local ventures such as La Panadería, The Beignet Stand, Renee’s Fine Chocolates, and Amor Bandido.

Additionally, visitors at the festival can check out live music at the Etta Mobile Music Venue, and browse gifts made by local artisans at a market hosted by SA Local Market. Event tickets include a commemorative holiday mug and beverage sample tickets.

John Jacks, director of the city’s Center City Development and Operations department, said the San Antonio Coffee Festival is a welcome addition to the city’s planned Holidays on Houston Street slate of themed activities.

The coffee festival has previously been held at other downtown destinations such as Hemisfair, Travis Park, and La Villita.

“The event welcomes San Antonians to enjoy their favorite holiday beverages on one of our most historic and charming streets. I want to thank our partners at the San Antonio Coffee Festival for their continued partnership in hosting this event,” Jacks said in a news release.

Trish DeBerry, president and CEO of Centro San Antonio, an advocacy organization for downtown commerce and engagement, said adding the San Antonio Coffee Festival to a series of other area holiday programs allows event organizers to expand their offerings, such as seasonal coffee drinks, tea, cider, hot chocolate, and holiday treats.

DeBerry also said the coffee festival is one more way for local residents to get to know downtown businesses, especially those owned by fellow San Antonians. She wants to reclaim the area as "San Antonio's main street."

“Hot Holidays on Houston Street, presented by the San Antonio Coffee Festival, plays a key role in these efforts, activating and highlighting diverse spaces in downtown San Antonio,” she added.

Lisa Torres, manager and roaster of Dos Perros Coffee, said she views drinking coffee as an experience that a variety of people can enjoy.

“It’s really the one time you can sit down, enjoy your coffee and relax. It’s a moment of self-absorption,” Torres said.

The setup for Dos Perros at the coffee festival will consist of two people serving attendees, and two brewers constantly producing coffee. Dos Perros’ booth will have a side section where visitors can chat with Torres about coffee.

“I want people to talk with us about roasting beans, flavor profiles, things like that,” she said. “It’s all about coffee culture.”

Can’t make it to Houston Street on December 7? Don’t despair, the San Antonio Coffee Festival will return to downtown on February 8, 2025.

holidays san antonio coffee festival