NEWS YOU CAN EAT

New Northside carnitas, a blooming Southtown bar, and hot collabs sizzle in San Antonio food news

Carnitas Don Raúl is opening a second location.

Editor's note: We get it. It can be difficult to keep up with the fast pace of San Antonio's restaurant and bar scene. We have you covered with our weekly roundup of essential food news.

Openings and closings

Netflix-approved food truck Carnitas Don Raúl is taking on another starring role. Via Instagram, the acclaimed business announced a second location at 16900 Blanco Rd. on the North Side. Beginning August 19, the new operation will heat up weekends from 9 am to 4 pm.

After almost eight years in business, Èilan Hotel and Spa coffee shop Cool Beans Cafe has called it quits. Though the owners said the closure was a “difficult decision,” they did not offer any reason for the move. Hotel guests won’t stay decaffeinated for long, however. A new coffee bar, Third Grind, will soon take over the space.

San Antonio mini-chain Sukhothai Thai Restaurant is welcoming another member to the family. According to Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation records, a new location is in the works at 15082 FM 1957 #112 in Portanco Market. Construction will begin in mid-September and wrap up in December.

It looks like another bar is receiving its flowers in Southtown. A concept called Diez Flores Bar has applied for a mixed beverage permit with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. The 1010 S. Flores address is the former home of Chinese restaurant Bamboo, which announced a move to 226 E. Fest St. in late July.

Other news and notes

Two of San Antonio’s most popular food trucks are teaming up for a one-off menu at Tony’s Siesta. On August 18, Crispy Bao Gang and Chi Chi Birds Hot Chicken will throw down dishes like elote bao and Nashville hot chicken fried rice starting at 6 pm. Then, on August 20, Crispy Bao will fly solo to celebrate its second anniversary, offering fan-favorite bao flights.

Though the theme may not be breaking new ground, San Antonians surely won’t grouse at the return of the Tequila and Tacos Festival at the Tower of the Americas. Tickets are on sale for the October 7 event, which covers 20 drink tickets, a taco bar, and live music.

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Better Days, Same Burgers

Shuttered San Antonio burger joint stages surprising comeback

Teddy B's/Facebook

Teddy B's has made a surprise comeback.

Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of Teddy B's life. In October, the popular burger joint shuttered its decade-old location on Babcock Road, grieving a loss of foot traffic and rising costs. On November 20, the spot revealed a plot twist. The owners are now slinging patties at 9903 Fredericksburg Rd.

"Dear Teddy B's customers, we have good news," the restaurant posted on social media. "We are back in business...We are waiting for our new sign, but we are up and running."

The unexpected comeback is the culmination of a tumultuous year for the business. As the restaurant marked its 10-year milestone this summer, the outlook was much darker. On August 4, the restaurant took to social media to warn that closure could be imminent. A traffic decline affected Teddy B's ability to maintain its affordable price point.

The messaging worked, at least in the short term. Days later, the restaurant reported an increase in business. The marketing language was hopeful until October 13, when the restaurant abruptly announced it was closing for good.

The news of Teddy B's rebirth came just as suddenly. After a month-long social media silence, the restaurant announced it had taken over the former home of Burger Haven. The latter restaurant was little known, appearing to operate mainly as a ghost kitchen.

Assumably, burgers will be back on the menu, but it is unclear whether other favorites will be eliminated to streamline the operation. The business has not posted any revisions, and its website is down at press time.

The burger joint's comeback manifests as other shuttered legacy restaurants like The Lion and Rose and Fratello's have staged their own returns. While Teddy B's has offered no reasoning for getting back into the game, it is a testament to the resiliency of San Antonio's culinary community.

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