NEWS YOU CAN EAT

A breakfast cafe and a social media flop crack San Antonio restaurant news

The Toasted Yolk serves several varieties of eggs Benedict.

San Antonio’s restaurant scene continues to pick up steam, gaining a breakfast diner, a downtown bar, and a pair of teahouses. Need more tea? Social media is abuzz with a post maligning the city’s favorite whipping boys.

Openings

Daytime cafe The Toasted Yolk is cracking into the San Antonio restaurant scene, according to records with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. The Texas chain will soon begin renovation on its first local outpost in the Wender Plaza at 911 N. Hunt Ln. The concept is like other trendy franchises such as Snooze and Another Broken Egg, serving omelets, scrambles, pancakes, and more.

Much like the contestants on The Bachelor, one downtown bar is sneaky when it comes to florals. The Rose of San Antonio, a new project in the former home of The Ticket, quietly debuted April 23. The casual spot, steps from the River Walk, features craft cocktails and a variety of small bites like flatbreads and charcuterie.

San Antonians looking to detox after Fiesta have two new options.Spooky self-care hub Bella Bathory Apothecaryhas openedRest Inn Tea, an intimate tearoom decked out in Victorian ephemera. In addition to the pick-me-ups, the spot also serves brunch and lunch dishes like sandwiches and waffles. No word yet on whether it serves groggyNosferatus.

Meanwhile in the Hill Country, another business is taking a more traditional approach to tea. The Gruene Tea House, run by former educators Casey and Albert Luna, debuted April 23. Amplifying the brews, the couple infuse tea blends into several of their baked goods like Earl Grey white chocolate chip cookies.

Other news and notes

Downtown bar El Camino created a social media brouhaha On May 4 after posting a meme saying, “No Edgards.” The image featured a drawing of a man sporting a chili bowl haircut, crossed out by a no symbol. The style is most often associated in San Antonio with Westside Latino culture. The post drew more than 400 commenters, many of whom called the business racist. Owner Ricky Ortiz has denied that that was his intention.

Government Hill panadería Alebrije Bakeshop will be closed for a month as it undergoes renovations. According to an Instagram post, the acclaimed bakery will be spiffing up their storefront between May 15 and June 18. Custom orders and catering gigs will still be fulfilled during that time.

The San Antonio Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month Restaurant Passport is in full swing this May. The annual promotion asks diners to visit participating eateries and receive a 10 percent discount at each stop. The program includes many of Alamo City’s favorite concepts including Dashi Sichuan Kitchen + Bar, Curry Boys BBQ, and Singhs Vietnamese.

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Better Days, Same Burgers

Shuttered San Antonio burger joint stages surprising comeback

Teddy B's/Facebook

Teddy B's has made a surprise comeback.

Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of Teddy B's life. In October, the popular burger joint shuttered its decade-old location on Babcock Road, grieving a loss of foot traffic and rising costs. On November 20, the spot revealed a plot twist. The owners are now slinging patties at 9903 Fredericksburg Rd.

"Dear Teddy B's customers, we have good news," the restaurant posted on social media. "We are back in business...We are waiting for our new sign, but we are up and running."

The unexpected comeback is the culmination of a tumultuous year for the business. As the restaurant marked its 10-year milestone this summer, the outlook was much darker. On August 4, the restaurant took to social media to warn that closure could be imminent. A traffic decline affected Teddy B's ability to maintain its affordable price point.

The messaging worked, at least in the short term. Days later, the restaurant reported an increase in business. The marketing language was hopeful until October 13, when the restaurant abruptly announced it was closing for good.

The news of Teddy B's rebirth came just as suddenly. After a month-long social media silence, the restaurant announced it had taken over the former home of Burger Haven. The latter restaurant was little known, appearing to operate mainly as a ghost kitchen.

Assumably, burgers will be back on the menu, but it is unclear whether other favorites will be eliminated to streamline the operation. The business has not posted any revisions, and its website is down at press time.

The burger joint's comeback manifests as other shuttered legacy restaurants like The Lion and Rose and Fratello's have staged their own returns. While Teddy B's has offered no reasoning for getting back into the game, it is a testament to the resiliency of San Antonio's culinary community.

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