Spurs Snacks

Pluckers scores Spurs partnership with first arena stand and free wings

Pluckers is opening a new Frost Bank Center concession stand and offering a fun home game deal.

A match made in sports snacks heaven has been announced. The San Antonio Spurs are teaming up Pluckers Wing Bar, a Central Texas go-to for chicken wings that was founded in Austin. The partnership includes arrival of Pluckers' first concession stand at Frost Bank Center, plus a chance to redeem free wings after some games. It is expected to open in January 2025.

According to a press release, the new stand will be located at Section 222 on the Balcony Level. It will be open for all home games and arena events.

Pluckers is known for its sports bar atmosphere and wide selection of flavors, which includes classics like Buffalo sauce with multiple heat levels and variations on barbecue sauce, or more left-field combinations like maple chipotle and Dr Pepper. It already has five locations in San Antonio, and 13 between Austin and San Antonio.

Those locations will come in handy for a promotion starting December 19, preceding the Frost Bank Center location's opening. The new partnership includes a “5 Assists, 5 Free Wings” promotion, which will set fans at the arena up with digital vouchers during all regular season home games, starting with the Thursday game against the Atlanta Hawks.

The Spurs will have to record five or more assists within the 2nd quarter — then all fans in attendance will get five free wings from Pluckers. Vouchers can be redeemed at any Pluckers in the San Antonio area, excluding the one in the arena.

“We have been eager to partner with the Spurs since we opened our first San Antonio area location in 2018,” said Pluckers owner David Paul in the release. “We’re very excited to bring Pluckers food to the Frost Bank Center and give Spurs fans a chance to receive our famous five free wing coupon.”

Pluckers has run similar promotions in other Texas cities for years, so hopefully San Antonio fans are entering into a long-term relationship with free chicken wings.

“We take pride in partnering with a locally grown brand like Pluckers that has shown remarkable reach throughout our state,” said chief commercial officer at Spurs Sports & Entertainment Frank Miceli. “We appreciate this opportunity to support a business that is beloved by our Austin and San Antonio community and look forward to seeing the fans engage with this exciting new promotion and culinary offering.”

wings sports spurs

IN MEMORIAM

Beloved San Antonio Tex-Mex joint fries its last gordita

Photo courtesy of Lala's Gorditas

Lala's Gorditas will shutter December 24.

When Steven Pizzini opened Lala's Gorditas, it seemed like his birthright. Not only was the tiny Southside joint named after his maternal grandmother, but it was built on generational restaurant know-how that dates back to the 30s. After five turbulent years, that legacy is being cut short.

Via Facebook, Pizzini announced he would shutter Lala's after service on December 24. Although the post does not fully explain the reasoning behind the closure, it capped one of the restaurant's most turbulent years.

"We hope everyone will come by and share a laugh or tear and send Lala's off in grand style," Pizzini writes. "On behalf of my staff and myself, it's been an honor and a pleasure to serve you these last five years. You'll see my staff in other great dining places, no doubt, and I plan to enjoy my retirement."

Opened in March 2019, Lala's continued his family's long history in the San Antonio hospitality community. His aunt Ernestine Pizzini Chapa founded Teka Molino in 1938. His father and uncle, Herman and Eddie Pizzini, established Taco Hut in 1958.

The simple menu was aptly time-honored, offering San Antonio favorites like guacamole cups, bean rolls, puffy tacos, and signature gorditas. Pizzini didn't take shortcuts, nixtamalizing corn on site. It was, at first, a formula for success.

Unfortunately, Pizzini faced challenges from the get-go, including a lack of parking and an outdoor dining space. The COVID-19 pandemic hit before he could celebrate his first year. In 2022, he told the San Antonio Current that supply availability and costs were wreaking havoc on his business.

In the past year, the restaurant has twice appealed to the local community for support. The most recent plea, on June 11, admitted many of the restaurant's shortcomings. Despite the struggles, Pizzini expressed no sour grapes.

"On a personal note, I will miss the wonderful community Lala's has created with our authentic food and friendly service," wrote the longtime San Antonio chef. "It's been an extraordinary experience getting to know so many of you and sharing my family's legacy through our traditional Tex-Mex recipes."

tex-mex southside closings

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