The party is over at San Antonio’s Good Time Charlie’s. The iconic restaurant at 2922 Broadway closed on Wednesday, October 22, after 46 years of live music, crispy onion rings, and chicken-fried steak.
Although the owners didn’t explain the reason for retiring the beloved diner, they did want to honor the spirit of the family-friendly favorite before making the sale. The property is now owned by trailblazing children’s museum The Doseum.
“We are thrilled that this property is now in the good hands of The DoSeum, which was always our preferred outcome,” says founder Millard Stetler, via a release. “The timing was right for us personally, and reaching this outcome was always our preferred goal. We’re proud of our legacy and excited for what’s ahead.”
The Good Time Charlie's interior hasn't changed much in 46 years.Photo courtesy of Good Time Charlie's
Stetler and Jefferson High School classmate Eddie Ruffo first opened Good Time Charlie’s in 1979, naming the joint after Danny O’Keefe’s folk ditty “Good Time Charlie’s Got the Blues.” At first, it was intended as a neighborhood bar, offering live music and pub grub.
As the bar’s patrons matured, so did Good Time Charlie’s. As the Broadway Corridor began revitalizing with additions like the Witte and The Doseum and the clean-up of Mahnke Park, the place became a hangout for Alamo Heights families.
The comfort food took center stage. Good Time Charlie’s was never a restaurant that could be called a “concept,” serving everything from fried shrimp to Tex-Mex-style enchiladas smothered in chili and cheese, both served with buttery Texas toast. But it was a go-to spot for an affordable meal that kids wouldn’t turn their noses at.
The DoSeum has no immediate plans for the site.Photo courtesy of The DoSeum
The sale, which also includes the land currently leased by the Taco Cabana at 2908 Broadway, will ensure the land continues to serve local youth. Although The DoSeum does not have immediate plans for the property, it says it will help support future growth.
“This moment is both a point of reflection on our first decade and a way of thinking adaptively about the future, ensuring The DoSeum has access to the best resources,” said The DoSeum’s CEO, Dan Menelly, in a statement. “We’re grateful to Good Time Charlie’s for the generations of memories they’ve created. They have been good neighbors, and we understand and appreciate the city’s deep affection for them and their delicious food.”
Bánh mì is the centerpiece of the menu.Photo by Katie James.