By Edmond Ortiz
There is no shortage of openings of new restaurants and bars around the San Antonio area, even during the holiday season and with the end of 2025. in sight.
Check out this roundup of latest culinary news items, including the launch of new ventures by Chef Jason Dady and restaurateur Chad Carey, the local debut of a Dallas-based buzzy cafe chain, a new far West Side sports bar, a vinyl listening room and lounge on the near East Side, and a custard chain’s arrival in Cibolo.
Additionally, a closed New Braunfels brewery is back open – sort of – and a downtown San Antonio bar is offering a holiday pop-up celebration.
NOW OPEN
Umai Mi
Chef Jason Dady Restaurants opened an updated version of Umai Mi on Dec. 10 at the Food Hall at Bottling Department at Pearl. According to a news release, the idea for Umai Mi originated in 2014 when Dady opened the original Umai Mi, an eatery inspired by various Asian dishes that he made at home. The menu at the “new” Umai Mi revolves around Bánh Mì sandwiches, which feature crackling demibaguettes from Pullman Market, herbs, vegetables and a choice of protein. Other food at Umai Mi include a bún bowl with vermicelli noodles, vegetables, peanuts and a protein, coconut Thai curries, and Japanese-inspired deviled eggs. Beverages include bubble tea in taro, mango milk tea and Japanese soda and more. Desserts include the sweet hard-shell ice cream and Mochi ice cream.
312 Pearl Pkwy., Bldg. 6, Unit 107. Open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon.-Thu., 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri. and Sat., and 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sun.
Paris Baguette
A Dec. 9 grand opening was held for the first San Antonio location of this globally renowned chain, which is famous for its French-inspired pastries, artisan breads, signature cakes, savory treats, breakfast sandwiches, salads, wraps, and coffee and tea drinks. Current offerings include holiday seasonal pastries and beverages, such as peppermint mochi donut, and cinnamon sugar churro latte. Paris Baguette is housed inside The Gunter Hotel, which has undergone renovations to accompany new and enhanced dining and entertainment areas.
205 E. Houston St. Open 6 a.m.-9 p.m. Sun.-Thu., and 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri. and Sat. (210-399-1122)
La La Land
The Dallas-based cafe chain held a Dec. 6 grand opening for its first San Antonio storefront at The Shops at La Cantera. La La Land’s menu features specialty coffee and tea drinks, pastries and signature toasts, such as the truffle burrata toast. But more than that, La La Land was created several years ago as a means to help support foster youth and individuals in need. According to company representatives, La La Land aims to connect with local organizations, programs and initiatives that are dedicated toward promoting kindness and community service. La La Land’s additional offerings, such as apparel, coffee mugs and accessories, either have the company brand or a simple positive, upbeat slogan. The new San Antonio location is currently offering a gift card giveaway through Dec. 13.
15900 La Cantera Pkwy., Suite 20100
Andy’s Frozen Custard
The Missouri-based custard chain formally opened a new Cibolo location on Dec. 6 in a celebratory event that included live music, games and prizes. Andy’s offers an array of quick-service frozen desserts, including standard, year-round flavors, concretes, sundaes, banana splits, and seasonal flavors.
933 Cibolo Valley Drive, Cibolo. Open 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sun.-Thu., and 11 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Fri. and Sat. (726-253-1152)
Pour Zone
This new far West Side sports bar hosted a formal Dec. 6 grand opening with music, drawings, prizes, and free Dos XX. A soft opening took place in late October. Pour Zone offers reverse happy hours, karaoke, live music, and food. The bar is celebrating the holiday season with seasonal cocktails, themed photo opportunities, and pictures with Santa Claus.
8770 Texas Hwy. 151. Open noon-2 a.m. daily.
Hoka Hoka Fuku
A local ramen chain that has established restaurants in Live Oak and the Helotes area, Hoka Hoka Fuku opened its first San Antonio storefront on Thanksgiving weekend in the Medical Center region. Japanese fried chicken and fries topped with shredded crab meat and spicy aioli are among the appetizers. The restaurant offers three stir fry dishes, four rice bowls, and a children’s menu.
10222 Huebner Road, Suite 102. Open 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-9 p.m. weekdays, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sat., and noon-9 p.m. Sun.
Al Carbon Pollos Asados
Monterrey-style roast chicken is the main attraction at this local Mexican chain, which opened its fifth location on the West Side in late November. Menu highlights include 1-pound and half-pound plates of beef fajitas or short ribs.
7310 Marbach Road (210-257-0480)
Kaedama Battleship
Restaurateur Chad Carey and his business venture Empty Stomachs Group fully opened this new ramen restaurant in late November at The Savoy, a reinvigorated 19th century downtown building. (“Kaedama” means an order of an extra serving of noodles at a ramen shop.) Here, all noodle bowls are topped with flagship collard greens, nori and green onion. Starters included charred edamame, crab croquettes, and macaroni salad with hot dog, corn, cucumber and sunflower seeds. Bar offerings feature Japanese beers, highballs with Japanese spirits, and a variety of sake.
122 E. Houston St., Suite 103. Open 11 a.m.-midnight
Volta
Volta is a hi-fi listening room that softly opened in the Government Hill neighborhood, just east of downtown, on Nov. 27, but DJ The General is due to be part of a Dec. 19 grand opening. Volta has cocktails and an extensive vinyl library, which lends itself to an atmosphere of easygoing record-listening. There is also a small patio at Volta, which is the brainchild of Danny Delgado, owner of local bars such as Hi-Tones and Lowcountry.
1522 Grayson St.
Billy’s Ice
The new Billy’s Ice bar and live music venue opened in a new location Nov. 20 after a two-month closure at the old address, 1193 Loop 337, following sale of the original property.
Housed in a former drive-thru convenience store, Billy’s Ice, created by Bill Sisoian, hosted a range of Hill Country musical acts and raised more than $1 million for community causes over the 16-plus years it operated at the old address. The vacant Billy’s Ice structure is currently being demolished.
On the new property in the far northern part of New Braunfels, Billy’s Ice features indoor and outdoor seating, and a kitchen that produces pub grub such as burgers and cheese nuggets.
6390 FM 1102, New Braunfels
La Concheria
La Concheria is a new food truck that recently launched in a Dec. 6 grand opening at Sip and Sit with ME coffeehouse on the South Side.
Cristina Chio initially created the concept during the COVID-19 lockdowns of 2020 when she took up baking as a hobby, with a focus on conchas.
The menu features a variety of mini-concha flavors, as well as mini-empandas, mini-marranitos, mini-cinnamon rolls, coffee, and personalized sweet bread cups.
La Concheria is posted at different spots around the San Antonio area, including 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 12 at Frenchie Coffee Roasters, 200 Pfeil Road in Cibolo, and 8 a.m. until sold out Dec. 13 at Kip’s Korner, 402 Steves Ave.
The food truck also caters various private events, and is offering corporate gifts, branded boxes and La Concheria merchandise.
IN THE NEWS
New Braunfels brewpub briefly “reopens” for the holidays
Faust Brewing Co. in New Braunfels permanently shuttered at the end of October. However, by popular demand, the owners have temporarily reopened the brewpub to serve community members through the holiday season.
According to a Faust Brewing social media post on Dec. 9, the tasting room will offer beer and cocktails noon-8 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays now through Dec. 27 or while supplies last.
Company representatives said they received an overwhelmingly positive response from supporters when they briefly reopened Faust over the first weekend of December.
499 Castell Ave., New Braunfels (830-609-9086)
Growler Exchange Midtown location to close
The Growler Exchange craft beer bar will close its Tobin Hill location Dec. 13. According to a company social media post made Dec. 9, the Midtown storefront, which opened in late November 2023, will offer $5 pints and discounted growler to-go fills now until the doors are permanently closed.
Company representatives also encouraged patrons to bring their own food to the bar while it remains operational. The bar’s Broadway Street location is still open.
914. E. Elmira St.
Downtown area hosts holiday pop-up bar
Anaqua Garden Bar at Plaza San Antonio Hotel and Spa is the setting for Miracle on Arciniega, a holiday pop-up bar that is open now through Dec. 28. Visitors can enjoy cocktails, such as Sweet Sanctuary, made with Kinsman Rakia from local company Dorcol Spirits, cream, chocolate liqueur and Licor 43. The craft cocktails are served in festive themed mugs. Food offerings include tamales and s’mores. The bar features a Christmas tree, twinkling lights, decorations, music, and hourly “snow” showers.
555 S. Alamo St.
New Braunfels restaurant hosts weekly family movies
New Braunfels restaurant Muck and Fuss is hosting a screening of a family friendly movie every Tuesday night through the holiday season.
Each screening begins at 5:45 p.m. in the eatery’s biergarten.Attendees can enjoy complimentary popcorn and hot chocolate. Patrons are encouraged to dress in line with every movie theme. Additionally, specially priced children’s meals are available for $6.95.
Remaining film screenings this month are “The Polar Express” on Dec. 16, a triple feature of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Frosty The Snowman” and “The Year Without Santa Claus” on Dec. 23, and “Frozen” on Dec. 30.
295 E. San Antonio St., New Braunfels
