THE WORST
Acclaimed San Antonio chefs unexpectedly tap out of Asian beer garden
Anyone who has been around food service knows that it is filled with dizzying heights and disappointing lows. Over the last month, the team behind Curry Boys BBQ and Pinch Boil House have been whiplashed with both. After landing a coveted semifinalist spot on the James Beard Award Best Chef: Texas list in January, the owners are now saying goodbye to one of their concepts.
In an Instagram post, Wurst Behavior announced it plans to close shop. Though February 18 is the official last day of business, the restaurant will offer discounts on its menu leading up to the date and will only remain open until supplies run out.
Partners Sean Wen, Andrew Ho, and Joe Saenz debuted Wurst Behavior in late April 2023, making a splash with Lake Flato-designed architecture and an Asian take on classic beer garden fare. Although the closure was unexpected, there were some clues that business was struggling. December 2023 saw a menu revamp towards comfort dishes like a katsu chicken sandwich, lo mein, and fried rice.
The statement didn’t delve deeply into the reasons for the closure, but it did allude to one: a mostly outdoor dining area did the restaurant no favors. San Antonio's temperature shifts — good or bad — were a constant theme of the eatery's social media communications.
“We certainly did our darndest, made some friends along the way, and learned how the weather isn’t always nice,” the post read. “I guess life just has a funny way of teaching us through these moments and humbling us along the way.”
The team's other businesses remain unaffected by the move. Both Pinch Boil House and Curry Boys BBQ will operate as usual.