HOTTEST HEADLINES OF 2025

Sudden shutters top San Antonio's hottest restaurant stories in 2025

Tiago’s Cabo Grille closed in July after an 18-year run.

Tiago's Cabo Grille/ Facebook

Editor's note: At the end of 2025, we're looking back at the stories that shaped San Antonio this year. While the year saw a discouraging string of closures, locals were just as interested in the comeback stories. And when it came time to decide where to eat, Alamo City foodies were looking for neighborhood hidden gems serving casual, affordable meals.

Here are CultureMap San Antonio's top 10 restaurant stories of 2025.

1. Longtime San Antonio Mexican restaurant says goodbye after 18 years. After an 18-year run, popular coastal Mexican restaurant Tiago’s Cabo Grille closed in July. The restaurant was quickly replaced at The Rim by splashy taquería Salsita, but in December, that restaurant was consigned to the history books, too.

2. Upscale San Antonio Mexican restaurant mysteriously closes after 2 years. The crowded field of San Antonio Mexican restaurants shoved out North Side newcomer Palomar Comida & Cantina in September. A new concept called Mezcal Comida Cantina is taking its place.

3. Beloved San Antonio burger joint temporarily closes ahead of big move. In November, San Antonio superfans of Cuarto de Kilo were forced to find another burger joint to quell their meaty cravings. The famed Mexican burger chain shuttered its Helotes restaurants in anticipation of a movie closer to city limits.

4. Dallas group suddenly closes San Antonio bowling alley and restaurant. The Rim saw a lot of churn in the latter half of 2025. Gastropub The General Public and entertainment hub Bowl & Barrel unceremoniously closed in August, saying they had chosen not to renew their neighboring leases

Bowl and Barrel - San Antonio Bowl & Barrel rolled a gutter ball in August. Bowl & Barrel - The Rim/Facebook

5. Tejano singer's family-owned San Antonio restaurant avoids closing. In a change from this year’s restaurant doom and gloom, Gilbert's Mexican Restaurant remained open after a successful fundraising campaign. The casual joint was founded by legendary Tejano singer Gilbert Rodriguez in 1982.

6. Where to eat in San Antonio: 6 hidden gems every foodie must try. San Antonio’s dining scene may be getting fancier by the moment, but sometimes Alamo City locals don’t want to lace up their shoes in order to enjoy a good meal. These six hole-in-the-wall restaurants deliver meals that deliver every time.

7. Beloved San Antonio barbecue joint reopens after 3-year break. Southtown favorite Bandit BBQ & Burger came back on the scene in March after flaming out in May 2022. Unfortunately, the comeback was short-lived. The restaurant closed again in October.

8. Chicago-style pizza chain serves up first San Antonio-area restaurant. The Woodlands-based Crust Pizza Co. took a slice of San Antonio’s fast-casual market with the opening of its first area pizzeria in Cibolo. The rapidly growing chain, known for its Chicago-style tavern pies, debuted in September.

9. Iconic San Antonio soul food kitchen stages surprise comeback. In another comeback story, much-loved homestyle restaurant Mrs. Kitchen reemerged with a new East Side restaurant in October after shuttering in 2024.

10. Where to eat in San Antonio: 5 best restaurants for cheap eats. Everyone was feeling the budget crunch in 2025. These five San Antonio classics kept locals well fed without a billionaire's bankroll.

closings the rim barbecue burgers hidden gems cheap eats pizza chains east side restaurants

SUDDEN SHUTTERS

Acclaimed San Antonio ramen shop Noodle Tree to close after 6 years

Noodle Tree/ Facebook

Chef Mike Nguyen impresses San Antonio with creative dishes like menudo ramen.

After six years of serving some of San Antonio’s most talked-about ramen, Noodle Tree is closing its doors so its owner can focus on battling blood cancer. The popular shop at 114 UTSA Boulevard #101 will close on January 11, its sixth anniversary.

Chef Mike Nguyen made the announcement in a frank Instagram video.

“ I've kept my health private because I've always believed this restaurant should be defined by being the best ramen spot in San Antonio and not by my illness,” he said. “Unfortunately, my health hasn't improved. I told myself as long as I can continue physically doing this job. I'll keep going. But my body's breaking down faster than I anticipated.”

Nguyen, who trained under famed chef Wolfgang Puck, first opened Noodle Tree on January 11, 2019. The restaurant drew immediate buzz for traditional styles like tonkotsu and creative specials like menudo ramen.

Over the years, his culinary muse led him to open new concepts like Breeky, a casual spot specializing in Korean-style breakfast sandwiches, and Momo Yakitori, focused on skewered Japanese grilled meats. But Noodle Tree was always his passion project.

“For most of Noodle Tree's life, I was the one cooking your food, washing your dishes, and closing the doors at night,” he said in the video. “Every bowl mattered to me. I wanted you to feel the love, the struggle, and the heart that poured into every bite.”

Despite the loyal fanbase, Noodle Tree also became a lightning rod after Nguyen appeared on CNN to criticize Governor Greg Abbot's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. After his interview, the restaurant was vandalized with racist messages, an incident that helped spark the Stop Asian Hate discussion in Texas.

Persevering through the setbacks, Nguyen remains one of the most respected chefs in San Antonio’s restaurant community. Former Sangria on the Burg chef Ceasar Zepeda and Folklores Coffee House co-owner Tatu Herrera, were among the notable culinary world figures who took to the comments section to express support.

“I hope you know that your hard work, determination, and impact will never disappear. You’re a legend, ” wrote Stefan Bowers on the Pumpers account.

ramen japanese cuisine chefs closings