By Edmond Ortiz
This edition of Light Bites highlights arrival of “heartbreak bars” in north San Antonio, the rollout of a new local burger chain, the launch of a Boerne pizza spot, and the relocation of a popular Far West Side Mexican eatery.
Also, renowned chefs are bringing new culinary concepts to Pearl and the near East Side, a public dog park reopens post-storm recovery, and a buzzy New Braunfels miniature golf course is on track for a short-distance relocation.
Meanwhile, another downtown hotel is opening up, and Southtown’s Lone Star neighborhood is the new home for a small shop that offers Latin heritage-bound items homemade by a local artist.
NOW OPEN
El Despecho
Having held a July 17 grand opening in the old Hops and Hounds space, El Despecho is among the emerging “heartbreak bars” that focus on encouraging visitors to playfully sing about their heartache to Latin breakup tunes.
El Depecho offers a full bar, food, a DJ, and lawn games, including free pickleball. But guests are highly encouraged to reserve a table for their group, which is part of the appeal of such heartbreak bars.
13838 Jones Maltsberger Road. Open 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Thu., 2 p.m.-2 a.m. Fri., 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat., and 11 a.m.-midnight Sun. (210-225-0983)
Chuzz Burgers
An emerging local chain, Chuzz Burgers specializes in smash burgers, and emphasizes buzzwords such as “chaos,” “boldness,” and “culture” in its approach to food and business. Specialty burgers include The O.G., which includes two smash-style beef patties topped with Chuzz’s signature sauce.
Another menu item, Chaos Fries, features friends stacked with beef, green hatch chili queso, chopped bacon, chopped beef, signature sauce, and room for optional jalapenos. Chuzz Burgers also has a lineup of milkshakes.
Two Chuzz Burgers eateries have opened this summer in Stone Oak and near Hill Country Village. The company is also developing a rewards program, offering franchise opportunities, catering, and soliciting community members and groups for special events and collaborations.
23503 Hardy Oak Blvd., Suite 105 (210-253-9601); 13480 San Pedro Ave. (210-204-3154). Open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sun.-Thu., and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fri. and Sat.
Carmella’s Pizza Parlor
A sister concept of 28 Songs Brewhouse and Kitchen, Carmella’s opened in late July on the same north Boerne brewpub property. Offerings include a variety of housemade pizzas, sandwiches, salads and desserts, including a gluten-free pizza crust option.
110 Market Ave., Boerne. Open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Tue.-Sun. (830-331-9937)
Residence Inn by Marriott San Antonio Riverwalk
Residence Inn by Marriott San Antonio Riverwalk recently began accepting guests. The 10-story, 171-suite hotel features studio and one-bedroom layouts, each equipped with full kitchens, separate living and working areas, and designs that support short visits and longer stays. An Aug. 26 grand opening celebration with refreshments, live music and hotels is planned.
100 N. Main Ave.
RELOCATION
Cultura Campaign
Local artist Natalie Mendez recently hosted a grand opening for the new Southtown location of Cultura Campaign, her business which along with many other vendors were affected by the abrupt closure of indoor marketplace Painted Tree Boutique.
Cultura Campaign offers a range of handmade, curated apparel, accessories, art, home decor and stationary, all of which reflect Hispanic culture.
100 Probandt St., Bldg. No. 1. Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wed.-Sat., and noon-4 p.m. Sun.
El Tequila Mexican Restaurant and Bar
The owners of El Tequila recently closed their original location at 10910 Marbach Road and moved a short distance, staying in the Far West Side neighborhood of Big Country.
2238 W. Loop 1604 S.
Sip N Putt
The owners of the popular, family friendly 18-hole miniature golf course in north New Braunfels recently announced they are moving Sip N Putt to 225 Watson Lane W. in February 2027.
Prompted by rising rent at its current location, the owners have said the Sip N Putt will remain open until construction of the new location, a short distance away, is completed.
Like the current location, the planned new Sip N Putt site will offer food items, a full bar and big-screen televisions.
7420 I-35 N. Frontage Road, New Braunfels. Open 5 p.m.-midnight Tue.-Fri., 11 a.m.-midnight Sat., and noon-11 p.m. Sun.
COMING UP
Sala de Despecho
Another heartbreak bar concept similar to El Despecho, a San Antonio version of Sala de Despecho is being readied for establishment in the former Salsita restaurant site at The Rim shopping center.
Part of the growing Sala de Despecho chain, Sala de Despecho San Antonio is expected to feature upscale cuisine, craft cocktails, and a curated music selection to accommodate patrons who want to sing about their heartbreak.
17711 Interstate 10 W., Suite 101
Filleman House
Chef Diego Galicia, the creator of Mixtli, announced plans to open Filleman House, his first solo project, this fall in the Government Hill neighborhood on the near East Side.
The upcoming restaurant is located in a restored 1910 home once owned by August Filleman, according to a news release. Inspired by notable neighborhood restaurants in New York, Chicago, Paris, and London, Filleman House’s menu will feature items such as prime rib, steak au poivre, dry-aged burger, oysters, smoked tomato vodka rigatoni, lobster beignets with hollandaise, and chocolate milk basque cheesecake.
Renowned beverage director Lauren Beckman will lead the bar program with traditional and signature cocktails, zero-proof offerings, and curated spirits.
“Filleman House is the restaurant I’ve always craved to create,” Galicia said in a statement. “After years of telling the stories of Mexico through Mixtli, I wanted to build something that reflects another part of who I am, not just as a chef, but as a diner. It’s the kind of place I want to eat in every day.”
517 E. Grayson St.
Nori Handroll Bar
Dallas-based Japanese eatery will open a location at Pearl next spring, amid the expanding Coopers Row residential development, and across the Riverwalk Museum Reach from Pullman Market.
Chef and owner Deukbok Cha blends Japanese tradition, Korean inspiration and a modern approach toward creating his dishes. According to a press release, the format features a temaki set menu of handrolls, à la carte options, Omakase, and traditional Izakaya dishes. Fish selections are flown in from Japan and Europe.
“We want to create a gathering place where people can stop in for fresh handrolls and Japanese-Korean flavors that are simple, approachable and genuinely delicious,” Cha said in a statement.
Nori Handroll Bar will join fledgling venues that are part of Pearl’s westward expansion, including Otto’s Ice House, and Perlen House, a boutique hotel that is currently under construction.
1118 E. Elmira St., Bldg. 1
REOPEN
Coyote Dog Park
The public dog park near The Rock at La Cantera reopened to the park Aug. 21 after being temporarily closed for clean-up of debris that was produced from a July 15 tornado that struck northwest San Antonio.
15915 Old Fredericksburg Road
CLOSED
The latest culinary closures include El Botero Tapas and Wine Bar in Boerne, Noy’s Bistro in Universal City, and Zorba’s Greek Mediterranean Grill in Castle Hills. Tu Asador Mexican Steakhouse closed its Encino Park neighborhood location, but its Castle Hills site remains open.
OTHER CULINARY/HOSPITALITY NEWS
Tenfold Rooftop at Kimpton Santo San Antonio – Riverwalk will mark its second anniversary with a party happening from 7 p.m.-1 a.m. Aug. 29.
Open to hotel guests and the general public, the Italian coastal-inspired festivities will include curated drinks, Italian house music, a photo booth, Lalo Tequila tastings, and more. Attendees are encouraged to wear beachy linen attire.
The hotel is located at 431 S. Alamo St. RSVPs are accepted here.
Chef Jason Dady is partnering with Castle Hills-based Antonian College Preparatory High School by enhancing food menu items for students.
Dady will serve breakfast tacos, yogurt parfaits and pan dulce baked at Dulce and Aroma at Mexico Ceaty, Dady’s recently launched dining hub at the Shops at Rivercenter.
New lunch options include chicken tenders, personal pizzas, and Antonian Power Bowls, with daily rotations featuring pulled pork from Dady’s Two Bros. BBQ Market, bolognese pasta bake, loaded nachos, chicken quesadilla, and Sweet Fire Chicken Rice.
“We’re so excited to partner with Antonian on its new dining experience,” Dady said in a statement. “Through this program, we’re proud to be supporting student wellness, making sure each student has access to a wide range of fresh and nourishing dining options.”
