CHICKEN FEED
San Antonio's best new restaurant soars to a new location

Thai Bird is roosting in Alamo Heights.
San Antonio is about to get a second helping of 2023’s best new restaurant. Thai Bird, the winner of CultureMap’s annual Tastemaker Awards bracket, is expanding to a new location in Alamo Heights.
Thai Bird marked the San Antonio return of David Gilbert, the chef behind the mourned Tuk Tuk Taproom and a James Beard nominee for his work at Sustenio. An early comer to River North’s Make Ready Market, the concept has only been open a few months. Gilbert credits “everybody in the community” for his early success.
According to the chef, the new location came about organically. He quickly got on board following Radom Capitol’s development of Rise Up’s former home at 6401 Broadway, bringing local firm H2 Interiors along for the ride.
“I felt like we’ve started to establish ourselves and had the right opportunity,” Gilbert explained.
The counter service establishment will be an extension of the food hall original with both indoor seating and a prepared food section with grab-and-go wine. Thai Bird will be integrating new dishes including Thai rotisserie chicken and hot mini doughnuts. The beverage program will be expanded too with broader beer and wine offerings and more nonalcoholic options.
What won’t change is the high standards. Gilbert, who has twice lived in Thailand, will continue to mine authentic flavors and will operate a totally gluten-free facility. He says dietarily restricted communities — many from the celiac and autism communities — have been some of his most loyal customers.
The second Thai Bird will debut sometime in the fall, but don’t be surprised if it becomes a mini-chain. Gilbert says the concept was always designed to be scaled. Until that day, the Make Ready Market stall is open seven days a week. And the doughnuts might even make a guest appearance.