FOWL PLAY

Smoke Shack owners hatch Southern fried chicken joint in San Antonio

Honey's Chicken Joint quietly opened June 14.

The owners of San Antonio's Smoke Shack and The Pigpen Neighborhood Bar are quietly shaking up Alamo City's fried chicken pecking order. Quick-service restaurant Honey's Chicken Joint opened June 14, serving homestyle plates and sides at 1001 Rittiman Rd. near Fort Sam Houston.

Honey's is aptly located in a former Church's Chicken location — and, on paper, the menu isn't much different. The restaurant specializes in fried tenders, bone-in combo meals, and chicken sandwiches served with honey butter-drenched drop biscuits. Guests can also order steak fingers and a garden salad topped with fried or grilled chicken.

The combo meals come with a choice of Southern-style sides like slaw, mashed potatoes, fried okra, or mac 'n' cheese. Although white gravy is standard with the bone-in meals, the tenders can be dipped in ranch, a house honey mustard, or Mississippi comeback sauce.

The new restaurant does not offer beer and wine, but diners can opt for tea, lemonade, and a variety of soft drinks. Chocolate chip cookies make for the only dessert, but they're big enough to be shared by two people.

According to Instagram posts, the team took a research and development trip through the South in 2021, visiting iconic spots like Taylor Grocery. Honey's interior, though stripped down, borrows a bit of that small-town charm through weathered dining chairs and a collection of chipped enamel pots on the wall.

The chicken takes its cues from the deep South, too, sporting a darker fry than customers may be used to seeing at national chains.

Currently, Honey's is in its soft opening phases with limited hours. Although it will presumably expand its service down the line, it can currently be enjoyed from 11 am-5 pm seven days a week.

FLOOD RELIEF

Where to donate and dine near San Antonio to support flood relief

Hopdoddy Facebook

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As parts of the Hill Country recover from the devastating July 4 floods — and brace for more rain — countless San Antonio-area organizations, businesses, and individuals are joining forces to support communities in need. While community members held many fundraisers and donation drives over the holiday weekend, we've put together a list of how locals can help now.

Please keep in mind that recovering areas can be overwhelmed by a well-meaning outpouring of support. If you want to donate physical items, make sure they are going to an organization that is prepared to process supplies. Otherwise, a donation of cash or a gift card is best.

We will update this list as we hear of more resources. If you are a hospitality business owner organizing a fundraiser or supply drive and would like to submit it to this list, please send us a message here. Please include address, time frame, and desired goods or offer. The initiative must be published on a public platform (e.g., Facebook or Instagram) to be considered.

Direct Aid

These organizations are on the ground or otherwise activated in affected areas and are widely recommended as trusted recipients of donations and volunteers.

The Kerr County Flood Relief Fund: The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country started this relief fund specifically for this disaster. It is the main fundraiser being shared by news organizations.
World Central Kitchen: This global organization posted the following excerpt on Monday, July 7: "WCK's Sam [speaking to camera] is on the ground in Texas, evacuating the area during a new round of active flood warnings. The team just finished the day's meal delivery for firefighters who are working on search and rescue, following flash floods that caused deaths and left many people missing over the July 4 weekend."
American Red Cross: The American Red Cross is a world leader in rescue organizations. However, the Central Texas and South Texas Chapters commented on July 6 that it no longer needs donations of physical goods. Online donations to the Red Cross are always open.
Texas Search and Rescue: TEXSAR only operates at the direction of local, state, and federal agencies. As of July 6, teams were still working in multiple affected areas and have not shared any signs of winding operations down.
Salvation Army: The Salvation Army is a religious organization known for its relief works, which it executes in partnership with government organizations. The Kerrville division says it is at capacity for physical donations. Donations are still being accepted online, in a form that is specifically dedicated to the floods.
Mercy Chefs: Mercy Chefs is another faith-based organization with large-scale response capabilities. On July 6, the team marked its first full day of feeding first responders, volunteers, and affected people, and requested meal donations online.
H-E-B: H-E-B has its own official disaster response team, which has donated millions of dollars to certain causes and delivered meals and water to those in need. Shoppers at checkout can scan a code to add a $1, $3, or $5 donation. The entire donation right now goes to providing support to Kerrville and other Hill Country communities affected by floods.
Project Mend: This San Antonio-based medical equipment reuse nonprofit is helping people with mobility aids and other medical devices.
Teladoc Health's Natural Disaster Hotline: Teladoc Health has announced via press release that it is standing by to assist Central Texas flood victims with non-emergency health needs for free. It is not a nonprofit and is not seeking help from the public. It is on this list as a low-effort, no-cost option to share with those seeking resources.
GoFundMe: As always, GoFundMe is a flexible option for those who want to put funds directly in the hands of certain families or individuals who need help. Although GoFundMe does not strictly verify each fundraiser, it offers verification guidelines and offers full refunds within a year in case of fraud.
Operation Airdrop: This nonprofit sends small planes to disaster sites. As of July 7, it is accepting in-kind donations at Burnet Municipal Airport (KBMQ) and Addison Airport (KADS), as well as online financial donations.

Restaurants/Food & Beverage

Lost Bar and Grill: Now through July 13, Lost is contributing $1 for every $10 spent. The far north San Antonio bar is also accepting donations of toiletries, non-perishable food, bottled water, and pet food. 12730 N.W. Military Hwy.
Chunky's Burgers: Chunky's will donate 10% of sales July 8-9 toward flood relief efforts. 4602 Callaghan Rd.
Fitzgerald's: The bar will host Rock4Paws on July 9, an open mic, live music fundraiser for Kerrville Pets Alive, a nonprofit that is assisting pets displaced by the floods. Guests can donate whatever amount of money they can. Pet food and supplies will also be accepted. Doors open at 8 pm. 437 McCarty Rd.
Bandera Brewery: The Hill Country brewpub will donate a portion of sales through July 13 to the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund. Additionally, it is hosting a raffle and a July 13 barbecue with donations going toward flood relief efforts. 3540 Texas Hwy 16 S, Bandera.
Bud Jones: The South San Antonio seafood restaurant will donate 10% of all sales to flood relief efforts. 1440 S.W. Military Dr.
Free Roam Brewing Co: The Boerne brewpub is donating 10% of all taproom sales through July 8. The brewery has also been collecting donations of various supplies. 325 S. Main St., Boerne.
Fredericksburg Brewing Co: The Hill Country brewpub will donate a portion of sales to support affected flood victims. It is also offering free meals to first responders who are supporting flood rescue and recovery efforts. 245 E. Main St., Fredericksburg.
Club Sirius: The downtown San Antonio bar is donating all proceeds from sales of its Heart of Texas shot to the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund. 228 Losoya St.
Brevity Coffee: The chain of drive-thru coffee stands will donate a portion of this week's sales proceeds from all locations to flood relief efforts. Brevity has 15 locations across San Antonio and Boerne.
Hopdoddy: All Hopdoddy locations will donate 100 percent of profits from every purchase on Wednesday, July 9, to Texas Search & Rescue.
Cabo Bob's: Burrito chain Cabo Bob's has already completed a round of fundraising at all its locations and is planning another initiative to start Tuesday, July 8. Needs are not yet known, but will be updated on Instagram. The chain has locations in multiple cities.
Folklores Coffee House: Folklores (1943 N. New Braunfels Ave.) is only accepting donations for cleaning supplies, work gloves, detergent, baby soap, and hygiene products. Volunteers are also needed for donation drop-offs.
Roadmap Brewing Co: The downtown brewery (723 N. Alamo St.) is accepting donations for clothing (all ages and sizes), non-perishable food, hygiene products, pet supplies and food, bottled water, bedding, and other essentials until the morning of Wednesday, July 8. Donations will be taken to the Salvation Army in Kerrville.

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Brianna Caleri and Amber Heckler contributed to this article.

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