OPENING ALERT

Customizable mac 'n' cheese restaurant bubbles up in New Braunfels

sMAC’n Noodles is serious when it comes to mac 'n' cheese.

An upcoming New Braunfels restaurant will soon give one of America’s most popular sides its rightful place at the head of the table. Seguin’s sMAC’n Noodles is opening a second restaurant at 1515 N Walnut Ave. in the booming Hill Country city, and scratch-made mac ‘n’ cheese is the star of the show.

The creamy, cheesy concept first opened in Spring 2024 at Seguin Schoolyard, a repurposed elementary school. The new spot, taking over a former flower shop, will give the kitchen more space for making in-house pasta, stuffing sausage, and smoking brisket, according to owner James Acosta.

Although sMAC’n Noodles serves a few other dishes like a protein-packed salad, it saves most of its noodling for mac ‘n’ cheese. Patrons can pick one of the featured flavors, like Buffalo, tikka, or chicken Alfredo, or customize their own bowl. The mix-ins run the gamut from Southwestern treats like pickled onions and chicharron crumbs to fresh ingredients like blistered tomatoes or sautéed mushrooms.

Each mac order can be further personalized with a choice of sauce, and the eatery offers gluten-free shells and vegan cheese for specialty diets. Guests who are doing Whole30 can sub steamed broccoli.

But the can’t-miss dish is the rotating Mac of the Month. Acosta calls it an “envelope pusher,” a chance to introduce customers to flavors not commonly found in Seguin. This month’s selection is the K-Pop Mac, inspired by Korean bibimbap.

Acosta says the team has just submitted permitting paperwork, but hopes to start renovations within a month. Cheese fiends can follow along for updates on sMAC’n Noodles’ Instagram.

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LAST CALL

Favorite San Antonio craft beer bar taps out of Midtown

Growler Exchange Midtown/ Facebook

Growler Exchange Midtown will close on December 13.

It’s last call for The Growler Exchange’s Midtown shop. The owners of the popular neighborhood hangout craft announced that the 914 E. Elmira St. craft beer bar will permanently close on December 13 after two years of business.

“With all the memories and great times, it’s tough to say this, but our Midtown location is closing,” the owners wrote on an Instagram post. “Don’t worry, we wouldn’t do it without some beer specials for all of you.”

Sure enough, Growler Exchange fans can help to clear out the remaining inventory during the last days of business. Specials this week include $5 pints and 30% off growler fills.

The owners also reminded patrons to bring their own food to the bar because the on-site kitchen will not reopen during these final days of operations. The beer bar is open noon-11 pm, Thursday and Friday, and noon-10 pm, Wednesday and Saturday, the final day.

The Growler Exchange did not give a reason for closing the Midtown location, but the post-COVID era has been a particularly tough time for the craft beer industry. Since 2022, the San Antonio area has seen the closure of several breweries and taprooms.

Local craft beer bar chain Big Hops has had multiple franchises close in recent years, with the Potranco Road storefront being shuttered earlier this fall. San Antonio’s Vista Brewing location, K ünstler Brewing’s Tap Haus, Man Overboard Brewin g, and Freetail Brewing’s Southtown location also tapped out in 2025.

The craft beer industry is struggling nationwide, according to media reports, many of which point to inflation, rising business expenses, and changing drinking habits.

However, The Growler Exchange’s owners said it is business as usual at their well-established Mahncke Park shop at 4130 Broadway St., where 30-plus beers are currently on tap and various types of pizza are baked fresh.

“Don’t worry, folks, Broadway is here to stay,” The Growler Exchange Midtown post stated. “Long live The Growler Exchange!”“Don’t worry, folks, Broadway is here to stay,” The Growler Exchange Midtown post stated. “Long live The Growler Exchange!”

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