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Photo by Katherine Stinson

Anyone who says magic doesn't exist clearly hasn't snagged a coveted reservation at the Box Street Social for brunch. It's one of the local spots that nails that sacred ritual, brunch with the besties: a magical experience where Monday doesn't exist and stress is forbidden.

Here are some of our top local brunch spots that'll leave both your appetite and your soul satiated (even when Monday actually hits.)

Box St. All Day
Not only does Box St. All Day look like the dreams that Instagram reels are made of, it's got a high quality menu to match, courtesy of chef and co-owner Edward Garcia III. The all-day brunch restaurant (at 623 Hemisfair Blvd, Ste 108) offers hearty options like strawberry cheesecake French toast, steak-eggs and frites (the fries alone are dangerously delicious), the Box St. Brekky sandwich made with house-made bread, and more. Pair your meal with one of its cute coffees, cocktails, or zero-proof cocktails, and save room for plenty of pictures with your brunch buddies before you leave — the details in the decor have a sophisticated feminine flair, thanks to Box Street's innovative creative director Caroline Garcia-Bowman. Reserve on Toast.

Full Belly
Tucked away in its own cozy corner of the world in the Stone Oak/1604 area is Full Belly Cafe + Bar. Where else can you order a plate of pecan pie French toast while gazing at an incredible hand-painted mural of classic animated characters like Jessica Rabbit, Marvin Martian, Stewie Griffin and more brunching together? Executive chef James Moore also serves up plenty of savory brunch options if you don't have a sweet tooth, like the pork belly benny or a baked eggs and toast plate with roasted garlic and thyme cream. Reserve at fullbellysa.com.

Ocho
Did you know that Chef Kirk of Ocho, Hotel Havana's in-house restaurant, is the only local chef to win an episode of Food Network's Chopped? Brunch at Ocho is also a photo-worthy experience, where brunch items like pan de platano (banana bread), plantain cakes con carnitas (plantain pancakes), and more are served up to guests with a side of San Antonio sunlight, given that Ocho is located in a beautiful (and air-conditioned!) glass conservatory. Reserve on Resy.

The Hayden
The Smoke Shack might be the best spot to get your brisket fix on Broadway, but The Hayden is the spot to be for brunch. You can't miss The Hayden's classic retro sign right in the center of The Boardwalk on Broadway. The interior lives up to the welcoming feel of a Jewish deli, complete with menu options from executive chef Bill Corbett like fried chicken and latke waffles, or a bagel and lox. And don't worry — if you're craving the comfort of pancakes, The Hayden's got you covered with The Hayden pancake stack, among other options. Reserve at buzztable.com.

Vegan Avenue on Main
Chef Griselda Muñoz's entirely vegan menu will make believers even out of the most dedicated meat eaters. The cinnamon roll "bettermilk" pancakes have to be tasted to be believed. (Yes, even the sweet cream in the pancake is dairy free!) If you're missing a classic breakfast sandwich but trying to stay meat-free, try Vegan Avenue's "Honee-Butter Chick'n sandwich" with vegan eggs and crispy, fried plant-based chicken. If you're not near Vegan Avenue but craving its vegan breakfast tacos, you can also get your fix at Vegan Avenue's sister restaurant on TPC Parkway, Plantology. Reserve at squareup.com.

Barbaro
One of the best hair-of-the-dog cocktails in town is Barbaro's delicious Garibaldi, a simple concoction of Campari and orange juice, but you can't go wrong with the "Keep It Coming" Bloody Mary bar and Mimosas: For $15, you can alternate between the two until you've had your fill. Soak up Saturday night with eggs Barbaro (two poached eggs on homemade focaccia, Benton's country ham, hollandaise, and spinach) or dive into a skillet pancake (whipped lemon ricotta and seasonal berries, plus extra fine bacon, ricotta salata, and maple syrup).


rendering courtesy of Alamo Biscuit & Panaderia

Ride a giant concha bike when this funky mural rolls into San Antonio's Medical Center

SKETCHY BUSINESS

Medical Center might have some of San Antonio’s most unsung restaurants, but it isn’t exactly a scenic drive. So business owner John Vale decided to give the area a little zip.

The owner of Alamo Biscuit Co. and Panaderia has decided to transform his storefront via a humungous 1,300-square-foot mural with an Alamo City Twist. Although high winds have somewhat delayed the project, Vale expects it to be ready for close-ups in two weeks.

The goal was to create a fun photo op for customers and passers-by. A sort of “Where’s Waldo” game of the eatery’s offerings, the mural includes menu items like pancakes, coffee, bacon, and pastries. There are also visual nods to the River Walk and Alamo, and a few whimsical elements such as a rendering of Vale’s dalmatian, Cookie, and a red-wattled stranger decked out in Willie Nelson’s garb.

The centerpiece, however, is a bike with giant concha wheels. The element was designed to be interactive; guests can hop on for a selfie. Extra points if they hold one of Alamo’s pink-hued sweet rolls in the frame.

To complete the gargantuan task, Vale enlisted friends Nicholas Monroe and Jonah LaMonica of Scribe Werks. The process took months of sketching and planning, hours of work, and over 200 cans of spray paint. Rustoleum, give them a sponsorship deal.

Once completed, the mural will give guests another reason to journey to 9630 Huebner Road. But they definitely shouldn’t make it a drive-by. Chef Caesar Zepeda’s accessible menu of brunch classics equally deserves a spot on the ‘gram.

Photo couretesy of Torchy's Tacos.

Torchy's Tacos conquers more of Central Texas with first New Braunfels location

EVERYBODY LOVES FREE QUESO

Hill Country residents will be able to get some "Damn Good" tacos much closer to home, sooner than you think. Torchy’s Tacos is opening its very first New Braunfels location on March 1.

The Austin-founded taco chain (with a few shifting San Antonio locations) will give New Braunfels customers a sneak peek at their offerings before the official opening, with a preview party on February 27 from 5 to 8 pm. This free event will allow guests to explore the 4,000-square-foot restaurant and outdoor patio while sampling a variety of tacos, beer, beverages, and more. The new location will also feature a full-service bar that offers guests a wide menu of handcrafted cocktails and weekly happy hour specials.

To commemorate the grand opening, Torchy’s will offer the first 100 guests in line a limited edition “restaurant opening” t-shirt. The shirt will serve as the guest’s ticket to get free green chile queso at the new location for a year. The offer only extends to in-person and pick-up orders, though – online, app, delivery, and Doordash orders aren’t eligible for the deal.

Another highlight of the beloved chain is its ever-changing Taco of the Month option. A portion of the proceeds from the Taco of the Month goes to charitable organizations such as Make-a-Wish Foundation and MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Torchy's first New Braunfels restaurant, located at 229 FM 306, Suite 101, is the first in an anticipated 2023 Hill Country expansion. San Antonio is next on the list with a new opening on Hunt Lane scheduled for the end of March.

The restaurant's hours of operation will be:

  • Monday through Thursday from 10 am to 10 pm
  • Friday from 10 am to 11 pm
  • Saturday from 9 am to 11pm
  • Sunday from 9 am to 10 pm

More information about Torchy's Tacos is available at torchystacos.com.

Photo by TX TroubleMaker

Beloved East Side bar courts 'too many cooks' for new breakfast, lunch, and dinner

A new direction

From gas station to burger stand to beloved neighborhood bar, Tucker’s Kozy Korner has gone through its fair share of changes during its nearly 80-year run. Now the East Side institution is gearing up for another transformation — introducing new culinary offerings that combine three concepts into one.

On Wednesday, August 17, the bar introduced breakfast, lunch, and dinner service. Instead of focusing on a single style of cuisine, each meal will have a unique focus helmed by local hospitality pros.

The morning program, dished out 7-10:30 am, Tuesday through Friday, dips into Southeast Asian flavors by San Antonio chef Jenny Nguyen. According to a press announcement, the Vietnam native will start the day with beef, chicken, and vegetable pho, customizable with eggs, steamed vegetables, tofu, and more. Guests can also wake up with Vietnamese iced coffee and egg coffee — a pour-over with egg and milk custard.

Early birds can also grab breakfast tacos with fillings like egg, bacon, and brisket. The classic San Antonio dish comes from chef Charles Daniels of Daniel’s Family Barbecue. He will also smoke brisket, chicken, and ribs for Nguyen’s soups.

An East Side fixture, Daniels has been serving pit barbecue with his wife Michelle since the ‘80s. His traditional barbecue plates will be the star of the show Tuesdays through Fridays, 11:30 am- 2 pm. Each will come with side options, including house-made coleslaw, potato salad, borracho beans, green beans, and cornbread.

Finally, dinner caps off the weekday fare from 5-9:30 pm. Tucker’s has partnered with nearby café Sweet Yams for a concept dubbed Loretta’s Finest Southern Fried Chicken. Crispy wings and breasts will be paired with down-home sides like garlic mashed potatoes, organic steamed vegetables, Southern red beans, and more.

Obviously, the East Side bar doesn’t believe in the old warning about too many cooks in the kitchen. It plans to soon add even more chefs to the crew. Weekend brunch from 11 am-3 pm will feature special guests to add even more variety to the menu. And, of course, cocktails and cold beer will still flow during regular operational hours.

Tucker's Kozy Korner is rehauling its menu with all-day offerings.

Tucker's Kozy Korner patio
Photo by TX TroubleMaker
Tucker's Kozy Korner is rehauling its menu with all-day offerings.
Rendering courtesy of Don B. McDonald Architect

The 21 most anticipated San Antonio restaurants and bars opening this fall and beyond

Can't hardly wait

Maybe you've heard: San Antonio is currently experiencing a population boom. Even Austin renters are moving to the Alamo City in droves in search of greater affordability, less traffic, and much better tacos.

Of course, tacos aren't the only dish that San Antonio does right. A diverse crop of restaurants and bars is sprouting up to feed all the hungry newcomers. From promising new ideas from the city's most lauded chefs to a gaggle of Austin imports, here are the most anticipated spots — making local's mouths water — and coming soon.

Be Kind & Rewind
This upcoming arcade bar in the former Alamo Plaza Fuddruckers had sites on opening by this year's Fiesta. However, the website still lists a vague "opening 2022." The concept ignores the gravitas of the Texas Revolution for more recent history — the scrunchied pomp of the '80s.

Big Animal
Though locals were saddened to see Hello Paradise end its run in February, the announcement did come with some promising news. The team behind Bandit BBQ is planning to open a new all-American eatery on the grounds. The opening date is still anyone's guess. It had initially intended to open by spring.

Brenner's Steakhouse
Though locals have been abubble about the River Walk location of this luxury Houston steakhouse since May 2021, the Landry's restaurant group still hasn't offered exact opening details. It has, however, gotten around to updating the website with a targeted date in the fall.

Carriqui
The first of Pearl's big reveals this year, Carriqui will open at 239 E. Grayson St. on September 2. Locals are already abuzz about chef Jaime Gonzalez's menu, which is dedicated to South Texas favorites like coastal seafood, botana platters, barbacoa, and brisket.

Francis Bogside
Coyness seems to be in vogue among San Antonio restaurateurs. So goes it with Francis Bogside owner Steve Mahoney. When announcing that the popular Irish pub would leave Southtown at the end of July, he promised a new Francis Bogside would rise from the ashes. The location and timeframe are yet to be disclosed, though local reporters are no doubt breaking out their trenchcoats.

Full Goods Diner
Paperboy made a name in the Capital City with approachable, locally sourced fare. Now the team is moving into Pearl's new plaza in September. Like its Austin sibling, Full Goods will focus on breakfast and lunch. But guests can expect San Antonio flavor in dishes like carnitas tortas and breakfast enchiladas.

Go Fish Market
One of three anticipated concepts from hospitality dynamos Houston and Emily Carpenter, Go Fish will combine a fresh fish market with a casual café. The pair estimate a winter 2022 opening at 125 W. Grayson St.

Jerk Shack
Chef Nicola Blaque is gearing up for a third brick-and-mortar location of her nationally recognized concept, tentatively set for opening in late summer. The menu will have some slight tweaks with a few more upscale offerings.

Kerbey Lane Cafe
The first San Antonio location of Austin's most famous pancake slinger was expected to arrive at 5515 N. Loop 1604 W., #101 this spring. There's still no definite date, but the outpost has begun hiring.

Künstler Brewing
Vera and Brent Deckard are bringing a second location of their beloved Southtown brewery to Hemisfair's Yanaguana Garden sometime this summer. The new joint will be similar to the original but will offer to-go bites to be enjoyed on the grounds.

Ladino
This Mediterranean restaurant from Austin's acclaimed Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group will fire up the grill in late summer at 200 E. Grayson St. — the former site of Andrew Weissman's Pearl pioneer Il Sogno Osteria. Executive chef Berty Richter's menu focuses on live-fire cooking with scratch pita, mezze, and bountiful vegetables.

La Ruina
The team behind Grayson Street's The Modernist hasn't revealed much about this rum-focused bar. Will it be on the East Side or Southtown? Will it open before the end of the year? For now, San Antonians are free to wildly speculate.

McIntyre's
Construction is still underway for this upscale sports bar, a Southtown version of a Houston favorite. Social media offers little clue to the ultimate opening date. Its Instagram page's single post still says the spot will open in early 2022.

Nineteen Hyaku
Tucked into the lobby level of the upcoming Jefferson Bank tower at 1900 Broadway, Nineteen Hyaku promises upscale sushi served in chic, midcentury modern surrounds. Elevated seafood, tony design? It's no shocker that this is another project from the aforementioned Carpenters. The debut is expected in July 2023.

Pink Shark
Downtown nightlife will gain new vigor when Picks Bar owners Jessica Marinez and Amber Hernandez take over the former Davenport Lounge at 203 N. Presa St. for a brand-new concept. When CultureMap last checked in, the bar did not have a name. Now Pink Shark has an Instagram page so neighbors can follow along with the progress.

Potchernick’s Cervecería
Local architecture firm Clayton Korte is reworking a former sporting goods store at 211 N. St. Mary's St. into a stylish new restaurant and brewery. The completion date has not been revealed, but it is expected to be up and running by year's end.

Restaurant Claudine
The ever-busy Carpenters are also hard at work converting a ramshackle house at 517 E. Grayson St. into an elegant New American eatery. According to its Instagram page, Restaurant Claudine will grace Government Hill in October. Roland Gutierrez, an alum of Supper and Up Scale, will help the kitchen as chef de cuisine.

Stable Hall
Locals will have to wait a bit to enjoy this state-of-the-art music venue at the Pearl. The ambitious project with an outdoor beer garden is not set to open until Spring 2023.

Unnamed Stefan Bowers Project
Sometimes a restaurant doesn't need a name to be highly anticipated. When lauded chef Stefan Bowers unexpectedly announced the closure of Playland Pizza, he also announced a new concept opening at the 1221 Broadway Lofts this fall. Unfortunately, he shared no menu details for the upcoming eatery — only saying that pizza will not be on the menu.

Voodoo Doughnuts
Those wondering what would happen to Playland's 400 E. Houston St. spot soon got their answer. The marble-clad space will become the first San Antonio location of Portland's Voodoo Doughnut by the end of the year.

Wurst Behavior
Sean Wen and Andrew Ho, the team behind Curry Boys and Pinch Boil House, are partnering with craft butcher Joe Saenz on this upcoming beer garden just off the St. Mary's Strip. This time the prolific alchemists will meld traditional german cuisine with Asian flavors. The spot will have a fall opening to take advantage of crisper weather.

Carriqui debuts September 2.

Carriqui San Antonio
Rendering courtesy of Don B. McDonald Architect
Carriqui debuts September 2.
Photo courtesy of the Jerk Shack

The Jerk Shack spices up San Antonio with new Sunday brunch service

Jerks Who Brunch

Fried chicken on a weekend morning just took on a new flavor, as the Jerk Shack starts offering Sunday brunches. The husband-and-wife team put a Caribbean twist on some Southern American brunch classics that might wake you up and then immediately knock you right back out.

That means new menu items like catfish and grits with jerk remoulade, sweet potato and cream cheese French toast with dulce de leche, and a “Texas Toast Benedict” highlighting jerk pork or chicken (or regular bacon, if you’re not trying to stay on theme).

There’s no rush at all to get there early; the brunch menu is available from 11 am to 5 pm, alongside the regular menu, which already offers up items that pair perfectly with brunch: fried green tomatoes, a crispy chicken sandwich, or tacos smothered in avocado cream and pineapple pico de gallo. An array of colorful frozen drinks awaits hot summer days and stretches out those slow brunch vibes.

In January, 2022, the Jerk Shack opened its new location, replacing the actual shack with a modern interior and counter service, plus a drive-thru pickup window. Lines wrapped around the building. Since then, it’s started selling merch, chef Nicola Blaque was nationally recognized by Yelp on International Women’s Day, and staff participated in a donation drive by packing meals for Uvalde first responders.

Next, an additional location is slated for the very un-shack-like historic Schultze House at Hemisfair. This location is slated to open in "mid to end of 2023," a publicist confirms.

The Jerk Shack is located at 10234 Highway 151, Suite 103.

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6 splurge-worthy spas for max relaxation in San Antonio

Weekend plans sorted

It can be difficult to embark on a "treat yourself" spree when tallying up the costs of self-care. Skimming the extensive (and often expensive) menu of available services at any given spa, special treatments can feel like a waste of money. Thankfully for San Antonians, we're surrounded by local spas offering much more than the standard massage or facial. From award-winning hotel spas to salons offering boutique beauty services, here are six San Antonio spas where the end result is worth every penny.

Mokara Spa
As the city's only Forbes four-star spa, the Mokara is widely recognized as one of the best spas in the world, not just San Antonio. And you don't have to be a hotel guest to enjoy a service at the 17,000 square foot spa itself, where prices will cost $100 and up, depending on the service. Spring for the signature facial treatment, where a trained esthetician will customize a skincare regimen to your own personal needs. They also have treatments like body wraps, pedicures, manicures, massages, customized spa packages, and more. Book a service here.

Loma de Vida Spa
Looking for a way to treat a mom-to-be in your life for Mother's Day? Treat her to the Babymoon experience at La Cantera Resort's Loma de Vida spa. The experience include's a couples massage, a baby belly facial for the mom in question, and a chance for her to take some time to float peacefully in the spa's outdoor pool and enjoy lunch or a snack in one of the private cabanas. The entire experience is $555, but the spa offers weekday discounts and those Hill Country views are worth it. Book a service here.

The Thompson San Antonio Hotel Spa
It's hard not to feel like Goldilocks when entering the Thompson Hotel spa, because everything is justright from the second you walk in. Pricing for spa services range upwards from $100, but the spa offers some cost-effective spa packages (the Relax and Recharge package includes a 50-minute massage and 50-minute facial for $350, for example), or the Thompson Hotel spa membership, which includes benefits like 2 complimentary day passes a month for friends and family, 20 percent off spa services, and more. Book a service here.

The Spa at Eilan
If you're looking for a couple's treatment, the Eilan spa has a lot of options, from the Soothe for Two Rasul service (essentially a private steam and aromatherapy session), a couple's hot stone massage, or a men's facial. The spa at Eilan also has a wide assortment of spa packages that include a facial and massage in the set price. If you've never tried a body wrap before, the Eilan spa has a signature Hanakasumi body treatment, which features the calming scents of cherry blossom and lotus flower. Prices start around $110, and you can book a service here.

Folawns Medical Spa and Salon
If you're feeling a bit sluggish after a long week, you might want to try something other than a standard facial or massage. Folawns Medical Spa and Salon offers vitamin B12 shots that'll give you a boost that's both more natural and more convenient than having to stop at Starbucks. For only $20 a shot, it also helps boost your immunity, too. Folawns also offers other treatments like hydrafacials, IV treatments, laser hair removal and more. Book a service here.

Beauty Haus SA
Have you ever felt like you walked straight into a TikTok reel? Beauty Haus SA's got you covered on that front, but they aren't just about the 'gram: The talented staff offers a wide assortment of relaxing treatments, from massages and facials to lash lifts, brow tints, lip plumpers, and more. This writer tried her first ever lash lift and tint at Beauty Haus. They're not kidding when they say you won't need mascara for at least 4-6 weeks, as long as you apply castor oil to your lashes. The starting price for the lash lift and tint starts at $75 dollars (prices vary based on the technician) but it's definitely a nice confidence booster. Book a service here.

New Hill Country wine school teaches Texans how to become aficionados

TASTING NOTES

Texan wine enthusiasts and beginners wanting to test their skills or develop them further can now do so at a new Hill Country wine school led by an award-winning winery out in Hye, Texas.

William Chris Wine Co. (WCWC) has opened their William Chris Wine School with Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) classes and a one-of-a-kind ambassador certification course beginning in April. The school is offering these courses not only to educate fellow Texans about the intricacies of wine, but also to provide inspirational experiences that help ignite their passion for it.

“WSET courses are designed to inspire and empower anyone looking to develop their wine knowledge—regardless of prior experience, and from enthusiasts to professionals,” said Director of Education Kelsey Kramer in a press release. “So, we encourage anyone to sign up for our WSET courses no matter their current level of wine knowledge.”

WCWC is the first Texas winery to provide these educational courses to industry peers and enthusiasts. They’ll offer two WSET level tracks with multiple classes; their beginner-level WSET Level 1 classes are open for registration for April 15 and May 15. The WSET Level 2 Award in Wines courses are for more experienced aficionados, and are centered around trying new wines from all over the world while also educating on wine theory, grape-growing techniques, and more. The level two classes are scheduled for May, June, and July.

Kramer added that over half of the William Chris team have successfully passed the WSET Level 2 Award in Wines courses.

“Our ultimate goal, as always, is to increase the standard of knowledge for those in the Texas wine industry,” she said. “Anyone who participates in a course with us supports this goal and the future success of the industry as a whole.”

Though Texas wine is not included in the WSET curriculum, the wine school has their own solution for that. They are offering an exclusive Texas Wine Ambassador Certification program that focuses solely on wine-making and grape-growing in our own state. Their first certification class is scheduled for April 22.

More information about the William Chris Wine School and its classes can be found on their website.

Goofiness keeps Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves light on its feet

Movie Review

In the franchise world in which we now live, movie studios are always looking for the next big thing that will ensure fans come flocking to the theater. The role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons has gotten a pop cultural boost in recent years thanks to the Netflix show Stranger Things, and now – just shy of its 50th anniversary – it's getting its own blockbuster movie, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.

The film premiered at South by Southwest (SXSW) as the festival's opening pick. The somewhat complex story centers on two of the titular thieves, Edgin (Chris Pine) and Holga (Michelle Rodriguez), who lead a group of rogues who make a living by stealing, but only from those who deserve it. One such altruistic mission, a relic that can bring back the dead, leads to the pair getting caught and put in jail, separating Edgin from his daughter, Kira (Chloe Coleman).

Michelle Rodriguez and Chris Pine in Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Michelle Rodriguez and Chris Pine in Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

Fellow thief Forge (Hugh Grant) agrees to look after her, but after a daring escape, Edgin and Holga discover that Forge is even more of a scoundrel than they thought, rising to the title of Lord in their absence with the help of the sorceress Sofina (Daisy Head), and poisoning Kira’s mind against them. They must gather the rest of the team, including Simon (Justice Smith) and Doric (Sophia Lillis), to try to take him down and recover the relic once and for all.

Written and directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, with help from co-writer Michael Gilio, the film has the unenviable task of turning the famously dense game into something that pleases both fanatics and those unfamiliar with its many characters, creatures, and locations. It’s clear the filmmakers are trying to strike a balance between the two, loading the story with terms they barely attempt to explain while at the same time making the movie as goofy as possible.

Only the second of those two approaches truly works. The problem the filmmakers run into is that this is an introductory film that barely seems to care about introducing its characters. A lengthy speech by Edgin at the beginning attempts to do that, but is staged in such a way that the humor of sequence takes precedence over the details of the people. The only reason the characters wind up likable is because of the sheer amount of time spent with them and the actors’ performances.

Well, that and the comedy sprinkled throughout the film. If Daley, Goldstein, and Gilio do anything right, it’s not taking the material too seriously. The world has already seen Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones, so adding in funny elements like the wise-cracking Edgin, a supremely fat dragon, and more keeps the film from getting lost in its own minutiae. Not all the jokes land, but 75-80 percent of them do, which is enough to keep the film buoyant.

Pine, as he’s shown in the recent Star Trek and Wonder Woman films, has charm to spare. He occupies this particular role extremely well, and so even if you can’t remember his character’s name, his performance carries the film. Rodriguez is an acquired taste, but her surly demeanor and physical prowess works for her here. The supporting actors shine at times, but the film doesn’t showcase them enough to make them stand out.

While miles better than the reviled 2000 Dungeons & Dragons, Honor Among Thieves is a merely okay beginning for a possible new franchise. There’s some excitement to be had and it stays light on its feet thanks to the comedy, but more attention paid to the story is warranted if they decide to make sequels.

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Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves opens in theaters on March 31.