By Edmond Ortiz
The post-Fiesta edition of Light Bites focuses on the imminent closure of a famed San Antonio steakhouse, and the opening of a themed bar in downtown, and a new gaming-centric pub at a beloved former Beacon Hill venue.
CLOSING SOON
The Barn Door
This Mother’s Day will be a bittersweet one at The Barn Door steakhouse. The Alamo Heights-area restaurant is permanently closing its doors after May 10, concluding more than 72 years of service.
The Barn Door’s owners announced the planned closure in a press release and social media post April 27, but they did not give a reason for the restaurant and meat market’s shuttering. Nor did the owners say anything about what will happen next with the iconic red barn-like eatery, which opened in 1953.
“This is not an easy decision,” co-owner Randy Stokes said in the release. “For more than 70 years, The Barn Door has been a place where people came together to celebrate life’s milestones, share meals, and create memories. It has truly been the privilege of a lifetime to serve this community.”
The owners did thank generations of customers, employees and other community members for their support over the decades.
“To our staff, there are not enough words to say thank you. Your hard work, your personalities, your dedication, and your heart are what made The Barn Door special. Over the years, you have all become more than a team. You became family,” the owners said in the announcement.
“And to our guests, thank you for walking through our doors, sitting at our tables, and making this place feel like home for more than seven decades. You gave us purpose, and you gave this place its soul,” they added.
According to the announcement, The Barn Door will operate on a limited, reservation-only schedule from May 1 until its final day of business. Food will be served 5-10 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, and 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday.
8400 N. New Braunfels Ave. (210-824-0116)
NOW OPEN
Paradise Unknown
Created by the owners of downtown, 1980s-inspired bar Be Kind and Unwind, Paradise Unknown opened in time for recent Fiesta activities. Visitors will find a tiki- and pirate-themed experience that features appropriate craft cocktails, and Mexican-Chinese small bites from chef Jaime Gonzalez of the Wok Wey food truck
238 Losoya St. Open 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Mon.-Thu., and 2 p.m.-2 a.m. Fri.-Sun.
Jersey Mike’s Subs
The Greater Boerne Chamber of Commerce is holding a ribbon-cutting and grand opening celebration for the sub chain’s second Boerne location at 10:30 a.m. April 29.
10049 Lemon Creek Blvd., Suite 117, Boerne
UBP Burgers
New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce is holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:30 a.m. April 30 for UBP (Ultimate Burger Press) Burgers, which opened earlier this spring as a brick-and-mortar version of a popular food truck.
588 Business I-35 S. (588 S. Elliot Knox Blvd.), New Braunfels. Open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon., 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Tue.-Thu., 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri. and Sat., and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sun.
NEW FORMAT
Deco District taqueria switches concepts
Chef Alejandro Paredes, owner of Tacopolis, recently announced on the taqueria’s social media that he is changing the Deco District eatery’s concept to a Mexican seafood place called El Fish Demon.
According to Paredes, the cost of meat as well as external factors out of the control of ownership and staff contributed toward the shift at the Los Angeles Heights-Keystone neighborhood restaurant, which opened last July. The new offerings at El Demon Fish are scheduled for public release this week.
1604 Fredericksburg Road
OPENING UP
Drop Dice Tavern
The former, renowned Beacon Hill bar Web House will see new life as Drop Dice Tavern, slated to open its doors May 2. Owners Nikki and Coby Alexander announced the launch of their new venture via Instagram. The new bar will blend gaming with pub grub, and traditional cocktails as well as craft cocktails and mocktails inspired by Dungeons and Dragons.
Coby Alexander worked at Web House, which was shuttered after the death of the venue’s owner, Mikhail “Mischka” Timofeyev, in January 2025. A new mural now adorns the side of the former Web House building.
320 Blanco Road
