COMING ATTRACTIONS

Gourmet burger fave Hopdoddy spills new details on first Schertz spot

Hopdoddy Burger Bar will soon begin construction on its first Schertz location.

Photo courtesy of Hopdoddy Burger Bar.

A year after Austin-based chain Hopdoddy Burger Bar teased its first Schertz location, new state regulatory filings are giving a peek at the timeline. The gourmet burger pioneer intends to wrap up construction in the booming Schertz Station development (18574 IH 35 N.) by early April 2027.

Although the restaurant has not released official menu details, each of the outposts follows the same formula. The chain has (mostly) stood firm against smash burger mania, stacking thick Angus and Kobe beef, chicken, ahi tuna, and turkey patties with maximalist toppings. Hopdoddy hasn’t ignored the trend altogether, but even its thinner offerings are slathered in sauces and cheese.

Hopdoddy pairs the burgers with shaved Brussels sprouts and hand-cut fries served plain or with Parmesan truffle seasoning, green chili, and hot honey with sage. A few select locations, including those in San Antonio, have also introduced fried chicken strips, lollipops, and sandwiches, including a Nashville hot version slathered with Alabama-style comeback sauce.

Hopdoddy has added several chicken dishes to the menu, like these lollipops.Photo courtesy of Hopdoddy Burger Bar

Unlike some of its competitors, Hopdoddy encourages guests to linger with an upbeat atmosphere and a full bar. As the name implies, the bar serves a variety of bottles, cans, and drafts, ranging from Texas craft IPAs to PBR tall boys. But punchy cocktails like rum punch, boozy milkshakes, and its signature Doble Fina margarita with black salt have become just as popular.

Every location also supports its community through a charitable special. A portion of the sales from every Good Night/Good Cause burger — a fan-favorite with Tillamook cheddar, caramelized onions, jalapeños, and caffeinated barbecue sauce — goes to nonprofits ranging from the Make-A-Wish Foundation to organizations providing Hill Country flood relief. There’s no word yet on which Schertz organization will get the funds.

Hopdoddy was founded in 2010 by Austin industry vets Guy Villavaso, Larry Foles, Chuck Smith, and Larry Perdido, quickly becoming one of Texas’ most recognizable chains. The first San Antonio burger bar opened in The Rim shopping center at 17623 La Cantera Pkwy #101 in 2016, followed by a second outpost at 1301 N Loop 1604 W #101 in 2019 and a third at 11267 Huebner Rd. this March.

A rep for Hopdoddy did not have an exact opening date to share, but said the company was aiming for spring or summer 2027.

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COMING ATTRACTIONS

Buzzy Cali froyo chain sweetens massive New Braunfels development

Menchie's Frozen Yogurt/ Facebook

Menchie's Frozen Yogurt will make its New Braunfels debut at Town Center at Creekside.

New Braunfels’ massive Town Center at Creekside development isn’t done expanding just yet. Days after the openings of Potbelly and CAVA, the shopping hub has signed two new tenants: Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt and Blo Dry Bar.

Founders Danna and Adam Caldwell debuted the concept in Los Angeles days before their 2007 wedding, but frozen yogurt has always been a part of their love story. The couple’s first date was at a froyo shop, and Menchie is Adam’s nickname for Danna.

With its huge variety of flavors and toppings, Menchie’s outlasted the froyo bubble to become one of the largest self-service brands in the world. The new location will be the first in New Braunfels and only the third in the San Antonio area.

Blo Blow Dry Bar bills itself as North America’s original blow dry bar — salons that skip typical services like cuts and color to focus on styling at an affordable price. Now a franchise, it has branched out to makeup, skincare, and hair extensions as competitors like Drybar have crowded the category. The shop will also be making its New Braunfels debut.

In a release, Creekside developers NewQuest also said that Chick-fil-A and Chase Bank had broken ground at the center. Both are expected to open in the second quarter of 2027. The firm did not give an estimated arrival date for Menchie’s and Blo Dry Bar, but both list the new locations as “coming soon” on their websites.

The two new signees will almost complete leasing at the center, although a restaurant-heavy building could bring even more eateries to the ambitious project.

“Creekside historically has attracted strong brands and category leaders,” says Kevin Sims, senior vice president of NewQuest, in a release. “That continues to be the case with the final phase of construction.”

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