New San Marcos restaurant ventures through Texan cuisine with South African and Chinese twists

Around the world in 80 dishes

Photo by Jane Yun

Sometimes you don't have to plan a pricey trip to travel around the world — all you have to do is drive to San Marcos, thanks to the new internationally flavored cuisine at Tarbox & Brown, open now.

Located inside Kissing Tree, a 55+ community (but don't worry, anyone can dine at Tarbox & Brown), the complex's newest signature restaurant boasts a seasonal rotating menu of dishes inspired by executive chef Chanel Beattie's life growing up in Johannesburg, South Africa, and Beijing, China.

Photo by Jane Yun

The menu at Tarbox & Brown is sometimes quaint and Texan, and sometimes a bit more international.

Offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Tarbox & Brown's name is a nod to the historic Brown and Tarbox Stagecoach Line, a crucial method of delivering communications between Austin and San Antonio back in the early 1800s.

“When creating the menu for Tarbox & Brown, I wanted to share dishes people hadn't experienced yet while also including some familiar favorites," said Beattie in a news release. "We’ll have Asian and Texan dishes, and some French-influenced items, as well. I, of course, also want to add some South African flavor. My team has so many recipes and treats for you to try, and we can’t wait for you to try them all."

For example, Beattie's South African Prego rolls — a steak-centric dish with spicy peri-peri sauce, tomatoes, red onions, leafy greens, and freshly baked bread — may broaden some diners' horizons (especially with the extremely reasonable $16 price tag). There will also be more standard burgers, sandwiches, and grilled cheeses on the menu.

Some nice details that sets Tarbox & Brown's menu apart include a complimentary cup of coffee with each order off of the breakfast menu, and affordable lunch options. T&B's serves multiple meal options priced under $20.

More reasonably priced, international meals with a Texas twang include a New Zealand spring rack of lamb served with honey butter rolls ($36); a 12-ounce Maple Bourbon ribeye served up with mashed potatoes and roasted seasonal vegetables ($33); and vegetarian options like an asparagus and mushroom risotto ($20).

The drink menu also follows a merciful pricing structure, with every signature cocktail coming in at $10 or less, including a white wine-based sangria and a tequila-based cocktail called the "Texas Valley Girl" that is essentially a sweetened paloma.

Having previously served as the executive chef at the four-star Michelangelo Hotel in New York City, chef Beattie also brings extensive baking experience to her tenure as Tarbox & Brown.

Tarbox & Brown is located at 201 Kissing Tree Ln., Bldg. 5, in San Marcos. Breakfast is served daily from 7-11 am, followed by a daily lunch service at different times: Saturday through Tuesday from 11 am-6 pm, and Wednesday through Friday from 11 am-4 pm. Right now, dinner service is only Wednesday through Friday, from 5-8 pm.

More information is available at tarboxandbrown.com. Reserve by calling 512-749-1031 and selecting extension 2.

Photo courtesy of Alamo Biscuit Co.

Loaded-up Alamo Biscuits arrive in 2 convenient San Antonio locations

Does This Butter Your Biscuit?

Anything feels convenient on a biscuit, but two new Alamo Biscuit Co. and Panaderia locations are taking that to the next level. The restaurant known for its hot biscuits, pan dulce, and fun environment (including a whimsical outdoors mural), just set up shop at Trinity University and Methodist Hospital Metropolitan last week.

At Trinity University, the biscuit company is sharing a space in the food court on a rotating schedule with two other local eateries. Each will spend a week in the space, so fans of one restaurant will see it pop up every third week for the whole school year.

The program, called Taste of San Antonio, previously offered daily pop-ups, but found that students often missed their favorites in such a quick window. Panaderia items will also be sold daily in the university’s cafeteria in Mabee Hall.

In hospital space (1310 McCullough Ave.), the restaurant is more permanent thanks to a multi-year lease. This location in the lobby relies on counter service to get orders out, but still offers some of the same menu items as the main location on Huebner Road, according to a release.

The release also shares that owner John Vale said opening these two locations in such significant institutions is “a dream come true.” Two more brick-and-mortar locations are reaching the end of the planning stage in the San Antonio area, and Vale anticipates even more locations in the future.

Alamo Biscuit Co. and Panaderia will next be at Trinity Univeristy from September 4-10, 6:30 am to 9 pm on weekdays and 10:30 am to 2 pm on weekends. The Methodist Hospital Metropolitan location is open to the public daily from 5 am to 9 pm. More information is available at alamobiscuitco.com.

European Dumplings Cafe/ Facebook

Where to eat this semester in San Antonio: 7 new college-friendly restaurants

Dining Hall

Years ago, college dining used to be much simpler. Outfit a kid with a microwave and an electric kettle, and they could study into the night, noshing pizza rolls, chicken nuggets, and Cup Noodles. Then, Padma Lakshmi done messed it up.

Weaned on a regular diet of food television and TikToks — not to mention their parents' increasingly international tastes — today's generation isn't so satisfied stirring powdered blends in tepid water. The young palate is increasingly demanding, even if university life still dictates fast and cheap food.

For University of Texas at San Antonio students, add one more hurdle to cross. The Northwest Side may be the culinary hinterlands, but no one wants to brave traffic for a quick weekday meal.

Fortunately, a fresh pack of restaurants has graduated magna cum laude in these new economics. When it's midterms, undergrads will be glad to have a meal plan.

European Dumplings Café
College is an opportunity to expand horizons, something this Ukranian café has been doing since it was a food truck. Now settled in Castle Hills, it still impresses with Eastern European classics such as empanada-like chebureki and fluffy pierogi stuffed with mashed potatoes and onions.

Kabayan Kusina
This Filipino gem's menu goes well beyond lumpia. Wake up with to-silog (cured pork served with a fried egg and garlic fried rice), score a bargain with one of the lunch specials, or just go for dessert. Halo-halo is a classic study break for a reason. And the tiny, semi-hidden store front is sure to make a student look cool when saying, offhandedly, "I know a place."

McIntyres North Star
The second San Antonio location of a popular Houston sports bar has a sophisticated drink menu of classic cocktails and 14-year Scotch. However, collegians may still reach for the White Claw. Whatever's in that glass (or can), it's an essential place to hang out during Roadrunners game day.

Mr. Ramen
One can't expect students to give up their ramen habit entirely. At least this newcomer offers tonkatsu and vegetable broths and an array of toppings that are not freeze-dried. Noodle lovers will also appreciate Korean japchae loaded with bulgogi and udon soup brightened by kimchi.

Palomar Comida & Cantina
True, this colorful Northside eatery doesn't break any barriers, but comfort food is an undeniable anchor of the college diet. Students should schedule a visit during the daily happy hour, generously held from 2-6 pm and 9-10 pm. Nothing on the special menu is over $10, including warm weather essential mangonada flights.

Texas Dog Co.
Just ask Elle Woods. College is more fun if you have a pet. But even students not yet ready to commit to a furry companion will enjoy blowing off steam at this waggish bar. Plus, the joint is home to El Mitote, a food trailer dishing out affordable ceviche, mini tacos, and quesabirria.

Wok N' Fries
Located within earshot of campus, this food truck specializes in fries topped with everything from bacon and onion rings to chicken, mushrooms, and alfredo. While the calorie-dense piles and huge portions may not win Michelle Obama's admiration, finals are no time to fret about one meal.

European Dumplings Cafe/ Facebook

Expand the college palate at European Dumplings Cafe.

Photo by Velton Hayworth

Cult fried chicken and biscuits chain hatches first San Antonio location

BEST OF CLUCK

Sure, Church's has some devotees. Popeyes has at least one legendary stan. But no fried chicken chain has captured a fanbase quite like Bojangles.

Now the North Carolina-based franchise is looking to enlist Texans in its cult. The company will open its first San Antonio location at 8730 Potranco Rd. on July 24, according to a social media announcement. The outpost will be the first of three promised storefronts in the city.

The move is part of Bojangles' ambitious plans in the Lone Star State. In early 2022, the chain divulged plans to open 50 locations in the Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio areas. The local spots will be operated by Copacetic Group.

The San Antonio Bojangles will naturally serve the chains buttermilk biscuits — accompanied by bacon, egg, and cheese; country ham; sausage; or "bo-berries" The chain often makes theater out of its signature non-chicken dish, showcasing the biscuit-making process behind a glass partition.

One thing it won't offer is bone-in chicken. As part of an effort to operationally streamline new stores, the Texas menus focus on boneless options like chicken sandwiches and tenders accompanied by sauces like creamy Buffalo and the especially coveted honey mustard.

An array of Southern sides will also be available, like pinto beans, macaroni and cheese, cole slaw, and Bo-Tatos, Bojangles' disc-like answer to tater tots. And, of course, each meal can be washed down with gallons of the eatery's signature sweet tea.

There's no word yet on when San Antonians can expect the other two locations, but the initial release said the franchising group was zeroing in on the Northeast Side.

Earl Abel's/ Facebook

8 classic San Antonio restaurants new Spurs player Victor Wembanyama must try

DRAFT PICKS

Judging by the exuberance in the air, one would think it’s Fiesta. But as most off-season celebrations go, San Antonio’s current giddiness has something to do with the Spurs. After a disappointing row of playoff misses, the hometown heroes have drafted French phenom Victor Wembanyama — widely considered the best new NBA prospect since LeBron James.

It’s a big honkin’ deal! The least we fans can do is offer a few dining recommendations. After all, it takes a lot of calories to fuel a 7-foot-5 powerhouse. And what better way to get acquainted with a new city than through its food?

Broadway 5050
This Alamo Heights staple is filled with screens, which makes it the perfect spot to watch a few highlight reels over fried mushrooms and a juicy burger. There are almost a dozen variations, from the puro bean burger to the spicy 09’er spiked with ghost pepper cheese, chipotle mayo, and jalapeños. Ouch!

Earl Abel’s
While mere mortals may have to split this Pearl eatery’s chicken fried steak over two sittings, we bet the newest Spur won’t have any problem at all. We’d also wager that the famously hungry forward never has to worry about saving room for dessert — a great trait to have in a place that serves 10 pie flavors daily.

La Fonda on Main
Though Wembanyama is still too young to enjoy this classic’s punchy margaritas, the pineapple grapefruit spritzer will sub on the spot. And the menu goes far beyond the greatest hits of Tex-Mex. The prime beef and chicken fajitas sizzle with the best — supplementing more unexpected options like a pepita-crusted salmon cooked on a plancha and served with a tangle of spaghetti squash.

Niki’s Tokyo Inn
It’s comical to imagine Wemby crumpled up on a tatami mat, but the sushi bar is where the action is anyway. And if the baller wants to devote one of his five daily meals to lean protein, it’s hard to beat the dizzying array of toro, uni, Hamachi, and hotate. Sure, Niki’s is a little timeworn, and the décor hasn’t been updated since Julius Irving was a thing. The raucous atmosphere is eternal.

Original Donut Shop
Only in San Antonio could you find a shop that does breakfast so well. The go-to dish is breakfast tacos served on pillowy flour tortillas, but the titular doughnuts are made with just as much finesse. For lunch, Wembanyama should dive into one of the daily plate specials like fideo loco. Even an instant millionaire can appreciate a bargain.

Paesano’s
We don’t know what carb loading looks like for a dude with an eight-foot wingspan, but we do know this Lincoln Heights standard-bearer has oodles of noodles. The ravioli de formaggio is topped with succulent veal meatballs and a luscious sauce; the tortellini has enough fresh veggies to almost qualify as health food.

Ray’s Drive Inn
Arguably no San Antonio dish is as iconic as the puffy taco — and no purveyor as famous as the dish’s OG. The beef version, of course, is quintessential, but the spot can fill the shell with fajita chicken, beans, or shrimp. None of them are anyone’s idea of lean protein, but even the most demanding athletic diets come with a few cheat days.

Schilo’s
Tex-Mex isn’t the only cuisine making up San Antonio’s rich culinary heritage. The oldest operating restaurant in Alamo City, in fact, is more known for schnitzel than sopapillas. The classic sandwiches are just as good, ranging from a Reuben to a Dagwood club. Young Wemby will no-doubt also appreciate the root beer — a relic of this joint’s Prohibition days.

Twin Sisters Bakery & Cafe/Facebook

6 things to know about San Antonio food right now: Sisterly cafe calls it quits

NEWS YOU CAN EAT

Editor's note: We get it. It can be difficult to keep up with the fast pace of San Antonio's restaurant and bar scene. We have you covered with our weekly roundup of essential food news.

Openings and closings

It's the end of an era for one of San Antonio's true dining institutions. Via a Facebook message offering no further explanation, TwinSisters Bakery & Café announced the "heartbreaking" news that it was closing shop after a 43-year run. The Alamo Heights restaurant debuted in 1981, quickly becoming a neighborhood staple for its artsy décor, health-conscious fare, and community minded spirit. The post attracted scores of well-wishers, a testament to the indelible impression the café made on locals.

A colorful new concept has taken over the former home of El Bosque Mexican Restaurant at 12656 West Ave. Although Palomar Comida & Cantina opted out of a grand announcement, social media posts indicate that the eatery opened around June 15. Menu details are missing from the website, but the restaurant has featured several offerings like chocoflan, crispy enchiladas verdes, fajitas, and poblano mac 'n' cheese. Palomar also boasts a full bar with margarita flights and frozen sangria.

Wildly popular brunch spot Comfort Cafe is spreading the gospel to Leon Valley. The pay-as-you-go restaurant took to Facebook to tease the new location at 6812 Bandera Rd. #101. The nonprofit venture, completely staffed by workers in recovery, currently has two outposts in San Antonio and another in Smithville. The team newly signed the lease but hope to be operational by early August.

Continuing the recent explosion of out-of-state coffee franchises colonizing San Antonio (see PJ's, Dutch Bros et al.), Oregon-based The Human Bean is brewing up a third area location. As with the others, the new drive-through will be outside the loop at 8403 Culebra Rd. According to Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation records, construction will be completed by the end of October.

Other news and notes

Much-missed St. Mary's Strip eatery La Botánica is gearing up for a one-night-only comeback at new West Side barChiflada's. The pop-up will be part of Cura la Cruda on June 25, a Pride-themed showcase with performances by Wayne Holtz, De la O, and DJ Melon. The evening will also feature plant-based bites from Carmen Vidal and wares from Very That and Amorcito by Yari G.

June 25 is also the anniversary of Hugman's Oasis. The River Walk tiki bar is celebrating on the patio with rum cocktails, Polynesian-inspired nibbles, and vinyl deejay sets. The festivities begin at 5 pm.

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Official Texas Fashion Week sashays into San Antonio with top emerging designers

BURSTING AT THE SEAMS

Few among us have the clout to sidle up to Anna Wintour on Loewe’s front row, but one doesn’t need the ear of the legendary editor-in-chief to gain fashion inspiration. As Paris Fashion Week winds down in October, the locally hosted Texas Fashion Week is just kicking off.

The annual affair — the official fashion week of the state’s emerging fashion industry — strutted into San Antonio on October 1 and will inspire through October 7 with a full slate of runway shows, educational programs, and glamorous celebrations. A collaboration between the state nonprofit Texas Fashion Industry Initiative and the Council of Fashion Designers of America, the event aims to give promising designers a chance to showcase their ideas.

KLRN’s TV studios at 501 Broadway will be the epicenter of four days of presentations highlighting inspiring new collections. The shows kicked off with a college night featuring Lillian Jenae Designs, Brøc, and Aubrey Frey Apparel, labels created by Texas university students.

“Texas Fashion Week aims to provide a platform for emerging designers to showcase their innovative designs, including students,” said Texas Fashion Industry Initiative Vice President Saige Thomas in a release. “Fashion students deserve a chance to stage their work as well, without the standard financial limitations holding them back.”

In addition to soaking in wardrobe inspiration, local fashionistas can enjoy fashion and beauty panels, a high school sustainability competition, exhibitions, and networking opportunities. An educational program on October 2 covers topics such as branding and drag.

The jam-packed days lead up to the Texas Fashion Industry Awards at the Tobin Center on October 6. A curated brunch at Kiki’s Coffee on October 7 gives gala guests one last chance to congratulate the winners.

The full schedule of events can be found at texasfashionindustry.org. A limited number of all-access and single-day passes are still available.

Comedian Chris Tucker returns to road after a decade with a stop in San Antonio

Comedy Comeback News

Comedian Chris Tucker will make San Antonio's Majestic Theatre one of the stops on his first major tour in North America since 2011, performing at the venue on Thursday, November 2.

The 33-city" Legend" Tour 2023 will kick off in Charleston, South Carolina on September 8, continuing through January 12.

This new date in San Antonio was added due to high demand, as well as a second date in Houston (November 4-5). Tucker will also perform in Irving on November 1.

"I started my career doing stand-up in comedy clubs and it's stand-up comedy that prepared me for all of my movie roles," said Tucker in a statement. "I'm looking forward to getting back to my roots. I love performing live, there's nothing like the energy of a live crowd and making people laugh."

Tucker’s career began in the early 1990s when he became a favorite on Russell Simmons’ HBO Def Comedy Jam. He is best known for his role in the Rush Hour action-comedy film franchise, as well as Friday and The Fifth Element.

He's been in only a few films since the Rush Hour series ended, but recently had a prominent role opposite Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and Viola Davis in Air.

Tickets will be available on Tuesday, October 3, at 10 am on Ticketmaster.

THE LEGEND TOUR DATES (*new show):

Fri Sep 08 – North Charleston, SC – North Charleston Performing Arts Center
Sun Sep 10 – Norfolk, VA – Chrysler Hall
Wed Sep 20 – Louisville, KY – The Louisville Palace
Fri Sep 22 – Memphis, TN – The Orpheum Theatre Memphis
Sun Sep 24 – Durham, NC – DPAC
Sat Sep 30 – Oakland, CA – Paramount Theatre-Oakland
Tue Oct 03 – Denver, CO – Paramount Theatre
Wed Oct 04 – Inglewood, CA – YouTube Theater
Thu Oct 05 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre
Sat Oct 07 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Pantages Theatre
Tue Oct 10 – Columbus, OH – Palace Theatre Columbus
Wed Oct 11 – Cincinnati, OH – Aronoff Center
Thu Oct 12 – Cleveland, OH – State Theatre at Playhouse Square
Wed Oct 18 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met Philadelphia
Thu Oct 19 – Pittsburgh, PA – Benedum Center
Sun Oct 22 – Baltimore, MD – Hippodrome at France-Merrick Performing Arts
Thu Oct 26 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium
Wed Nov 01 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
Thur Nov 02 — San Antonio, TX — Majestic Theatre*
Sat Nov 04 – Houston, TX – Bayou Music Center
Sat Nov 05 – Houston, TX – Bayou Music Center*
Tue Nov 07 – Oklahoma City, OK – Criterion Theater
Wed Nov 08 – Kansas City, MO – Music Hall Kansas City
Tue Nov 14 – Jacksonville, FL – Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts - Moran Theater
Wed Nov 15 – Orlando, FL – Dr Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Fri Nov 17 – New York, NY – Beacon Theatre
Sat Nov 18 — New York, NY — Beacon Theatre*
Wed Nov 29 – Chicago, IL – The Chicago Theatre
Sat Dec 02 – Indianapolis, IN – Murat Theatre at Old National Centre
Mon Dec 04 – St. Louis, MO – Stifel Theatre
Thu Dec 07 – Washington, DC – The Anthem
Tue Jan 09 – Toronto, ON – Meridian Hall
Fri Jan 12 – Detroit, MI – Fox Theatre

Hopdoddy mooves toward regenerative meats, nixing plant-based substitutes

86 the Beyond Patties

Hearty Central Texas-based chain Hopdoddy Burger Bar has unveiled a new lineup of regenerative burgers that are supposed to be better for the planet and the consumer.

The term ‘regenerative burger’ could cause a few head-scratches: Some may think of lab-grown or 3D-printed meat, while others think of plant-based alternatives but it’s neither. It is grass-fed meat, sourced a bit differently. "Regenerative farming" is a term used to describe farming and grazing practices that claim to restore and rebuild degraded soil, resulting in better-quality air and water.

Hopdoddy’s vice president of culinary Matt Schweitzer explained that it all began with with a sense of obligation to do better as a brand for the consumers and the ecosystem.

“We felt like we could really take a stand and look to move our entire supply chain in a regenerative fashion, so we could really be proud of the work we’ve done and we could hopefully leave the animals, the farmers, the ranchers, the native grasslands, and our planet a better place than before we started,” says Schweitzer.

The new menu items include the "Roosevelt Burger" with grass-fed regenerative bison; the "Nashville Hot Sandwich" with regenerative raised chicken; the "Regenerative Royale," which is a play on a classic double quarter-pounder with cheese; the "Mother Nature" with grass-fed regenerative beef; and the "Buffalo Bill" also uses regenerative bison, but appears not to be grass-fed.

The five burgers are available at all Hopdoddy locations nationwide. The beef and bison are sourced from Texas-based regenerative company Force of Nature, while the chicken is from Cooks Venture.

With this launch, Hopdoddy removes all plant-based meat substitutes from its menu, significantly reducing the options for vegans and vegetarians. The company felt the ingredients and ethos of the alternative meats — describing some such as Beyond Meats as "falsely advertised" regarding nutrition in a press release — no longer aligned with its values and mission. However, the house-made veggie patty remains on the signature "El Bandito" burger.

Schweitzer says the regenerative burgers have received positive feedback, as people are excited to know where their food comes from, how it gets to their table, and what type of impact it causes. Regarding the future of regenerative meat, he says there is no doubt it could become mainstream soon.

“I think the flavor profile, the eating experience, the story, the mission, the purpose, really speaks for itself," says Schweitzer. "So, I really think it’s a matter of time until 'regenerative' is talked about in the same way that 'organic,' or 'sustainable,' or those type of buzzwords are talked about."

To further show its commitment to regenerative agriculture, Hopdoddy is also one of the sponsors of Common Ground, a documentary about the pioneers of the regenerative movement, premiering October 4 in Austin. The "uplifting" film, according to a release, features well-known actors Laura Dern, Rosario Dawson, Jason Momoa, Woody Harrelson, Ian Somerhalder, and Donald Glover, emphasizing that this motley crew does share one thing in common: a strong belief in regenerative agriculture.

For more information about the new regenerative burgers, visit hopdoddy.com.

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