By Edmond Ortiz
This new edition of Light Bites highlights the opening of a Yemeni coffee stop in northwest San Antonio, a Far West Side donut shop, the evolution of a Vietnamese food truck, the launch of an East Side barbecue spot, and the imminent closure of a Boerne barbecue restaurant.
Additionally, Castle Hills restaurants will again be featured in a culinary “world tour,” and a Southtown fajita taco competition returns.
NOW OPEN
Cơm Tấm Bà Thi
Having originated from a Vietnamese food truck, this pho-Vietnamese brick-and-mortar restaurant opened April 6. The food menu at the physical Cơm Tấm Bà Thi eatery expands upon the food truck menu. Offerings include varieties of pho, main entrees such as pork chop with broken rice and egg meatloaf, and Vietnam pancake with pork, sausage and bean sprouts. There are also snacks, drinks and desserts.
5616 Walzem Road, San Antonio (210-430-9006)
Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co.
The cafe chain is opening several franchises nationwide. San Antonio’s first Qamaria storefront, in the Medical Center area, opened March 26. They offer coffee drinks using beans grown in Yemen and roasted in Dearborn, Michigan. Qamaria offers an array of espresso beverages, as well as teas, smoothies, baked goods and traditional Yemeni drinks.
8134 Fredericksburg Road. Open 10 a.m.-10 p.m. daily
Donut Hub
March 16 was the grand opening date for this Far West Side donut shop, which offers a range of donuts alongside pastries, pigs in a blanket, sausage bacon wraps, coffee, smoothies and breakfast tacos.
127 County Road 381 at Potranco Road. Open 4:30 a.m.-6 p.m. daily (830-931-6169)
OPENING SOON
Holy Smoke BBQ Co.
The owners of the Holy Smoke BBQ Co. food truck are opening a brick-and-mortar restaurant April 11 in the East Side neighborhood of Dignowity Hill. Their menu features a Smoke Me Out Sandwich, with slow-smoked brisket, turkey breast and sausage on a brioche bun.
Other featured foods at Holy Smoke include brisket nachos, brisket mac and cheese, brisket tacos, loaded brisket fries, and brisket quesadillas.
517 Live Oak St. (210-204-0413)
CLOSING SOON
Pure Country BBQ and Grill
Owners of the Boerne eatery announced via Facebook on April 6 that they will shutter their restaurant at the close of business April 11. Pure Country, which opened in spring 2024 at the former home of Dog and Pony, a once popular restaurant, came from a barbecue joint whose origins date back to the mid-1990s.
While local residents praised Pure Country for fostering a family friendly atmosphere, and for hosting live music concerts and community fundraisers, the owners said “false rumors and misunderstandings” regarding their arrival at the restaurant space created a negative public perception from which the eatery could not fully recover.
1481 S. Main St., Boerne
CLOSED
The Lighthouse Seafood at 1212 Fredericksburg Road closed April 7 after 10 years of service. Owners of the seafood eatery announced the move via Facebook, but did not give reasons for the closure.
Near Dark, a Lavaca neighborhood bar that embraced goth aesthetics at 1024 S. Presa St., closed April 4 after four years of service. No reason for the closure was given by the owners.
Atlanta-based chain Round Table Pizza has closed a slew of storefronts nationwide, including all Round Table Pizza spots around San Antonio. The most recent closure was Round Table’s Stone Oak location. According to media reports, Round Table’s parent company, Fat Brands, which also owns the Fatburger chain, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and is facing multiple lawsuits from franchisees.
OTHER CULINARY NEWS
Second Castle Hills Restaurant World Tour begins April 9
People interested in checking out Castle Hills’ culinary scene are invited to take part in the city’s second Castle Hills Restaurant World Tour.
Between April 9 and 18, local diners may visit a variety of eateries located within Castle Hills’ city limits. Patrons may first grab a free “passport to flavor” at Castle Hills City Hall, 209 Lemonwood Drive, and have the passport stamped at each participating tour stop.
Passports with at least three stamps can be dropped off at City Hall or IBC Bank, 2201 NW Military Hwy., by April 30 for entry into a prize drawing. Stamped passports can also be scanned and emailed to passporttoflavor@castlehills-tx.gov. The top three winners will receive a $50 gift card to their favorite participating restaurant.
Event organizers said the Restaurant World Tour is designed to promote the range of restaurants operating in Castle Hills, and encourage diners to explore the available diversity of culinary options. City officials hailed last year’s inaugural Restaurant World Tour as a success.
Participating chain restaurants, independently owned and operated eateries, grocers and nutrition retailers include: Chicago’s Pizza, Cuban Grocery, Demo’s Greek Food, Denny’s, European Dumplings Cafe, Feng Cha Boba Tea and Desserts, Hookah Cafe, Kobe Japanese Steakhouse, Pan Dulce Bakery and Cafe, Rock’s Discount Vitamins, Sawasdee Thai Cuisine, and Thirsty Pups Brewery.
Fajita Lounge Showdown set for April 12
Southtown bar Gimme Gimme, 803 S. St. Mary’s St., will host its fourth annual Fajita Lounge Showdown 5 p.m.-midnight April 12. Eight local chefs and personnel from San Antonio Fire Department Station No. 7 and No. 28 will compete head-to-head for a $500 grand prize and the title of “Best Fajita Tacos” in San Antonio.
Admission is $10 and covers all fajita tacos from participating chefs and teams while supplies last. Since 2022, the Fajita Lounge has hosted carne asada pop-ups that have become especially popular, with attendees enjoying free tacos.
Scheduled participating culinary talent include defending 2025 event champion Leche de Tigre, The Magpie, Naco Mexican, Little Death, Aguazul, El Weinecero, Porc Slap, and Burritos Dorada.
Contestants will add Arnie Asada Seasonings to their fajita tacos, and visitors may enjoy a charro beans station featuring Arnie’s seasonings. Guests can also enjoy cocktails from Live Oak Vodka, and DJs who will play until midnight.
