COMING ATTRACTIONS

Popular West Texas craft beer chain nears San Antonio debut

Tin Man Filling Station is nearing its San Antonio debut.

Better late than never. After teasing its first San Antonio location in 2024, El Paso growler chain Tin Man Filling Station is nearing its opening at 17910 Bulverde Rd.

The West Texas beer joint first filed state regulatory paperwork for the location back in November 2024, officially announcing its plans on Instagram the following December. According to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation timeline, it had planned to finish construction of the North Side space by April 2025.

That date came and went, but a new Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission permit filing has revived San Antonio’s hopes. The exact opening date is still unknown. Tin Man has been quiet on social media, and a request for more information was not immediately returned.

Entrepreneurs Kenji Shigematsu and Moises Valdez opened the first El Paso Tin Man in 2016, growing to seven Sun City outposts in the past decade. The latest opened in December 2025, bucking an otherwise downward turn for the American craft beer industry.

The bar is especially popular for its promotions, offering discounts throughout the week. It frequently designs limited-edition pint glasses for special occasions like a Mexico and U.S. release honoring the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Although guests can get cans and growlers to go, the El Paso locations offer craft beer, cider, wine, and kombucha on site. Board games and food pop-ups keep guests on the stools, some converted from beer kegs painted by local artists.

While TABC permit filings usually indicate an opening is imminent, other snags can get in the way. But it’s clear that Alamo City is ready. Almost every Instagram post has at least one comment that states, "What about San Antonio?”

west texas el paso beer craft beer chains openings

COMING ATTRACTIONS

Funky California brunch chain to open first Texas cafe in San Antonio

Squeeze In/ Facebook

Mismatched chairs and colorful murals set the vibe at Squeeze In.

A small California chain known for massive omelets and funky decor is hoping to wiggle out some space in San Antonio’s ever-tightening brunch scene. Squeeze In will open its first Texas location at 2230 TPC Parkway as early as the fall.

The chain first teased expansion plans in 2025, saying it hoped to open an undisclosed location by summer 2026. New filings with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, however, delay the construction timeline until early October.

A group of local ski bum friends founded Squeeze In in Truckee, California, in 1974, naming the restaurant for its narrow 10-foot-wide space. Sisters Shila Morris and Kay Young purchased the original spot in 2004 and have since grown the brand in California and Nevada.

Although the siblings have introduced contemporary innovations like loyalty programs, they haven’t sanded down the quirk. The walls at each location are painted in rainbow colors, and guests are encouraged to sign them. The eclectic decor can include everything from Tiffany-style lampshades to tile mosaics — an echo of the ‘70s fern bar aesthetics that define San Antonio spaces like Bombay Bicycle Club.

Alamo City locals might grin at the branding, too. Squeeze In’s mascot is a little green alien — not that we are obsessed with our extraterrestrial citizens.

Squeeze In omelet Fluffy omelets are among Squeeze In's signature dishes.Squeeze In/ Facebook

Besides omelets like the mushroom-stuffed Racy Tracy (a Bobby Flay fave), the chain serves giant breakfast burritos, Benedicts, French toast, pancakes, and sandwiches and burgers for lunch. Its signature cocktail is the Hail Mary, a full liter bloody festooned with bacon, pepperoncini, and grilled cheese bites.

Many of the dishes are named after the family’s favorite stars, such as the Garth breakfast sandwich on cheesy garlic toast and the Jack Johnson banana walnut pancakes. Squeeze In does not explain which Tracy earns the omelet tribute (Gold? Chapman? Turnblad?) nor why they are racy.

Since its initial announcement, Squeeze In has not provided any updates on its San Antonio debut. A request for more information was not immediately returned.

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