By Edmond Ortiz
This edition of Light Bites revolves around a plethora of culinary spots opening this month in Far West San Antonio, as well as the long-awaited arrival of a renowned Chicago-style food destination.
Also, a popular San Antonio-based pizza chain begins operations in New Braunfels, a chicken salad chain launches a Boerne storefront, South Siders are checking out a new burger place, and the Alamo Heights area receives a juice bar, and an upscale lounge that will soon serve tapas.
Additionally, mid-June will offer two special culinary events on the North and South sides, and a globally renowned bakery cafe chain is setting up shop in Windcrest.
NOW OPEN
Neko Coffee and Plants
Neko offers an assortment of fresh-made coffee and matcha drinks, as well as several kinds of houseplants and gift items. Neko soft-opened in April, but a grand opening celebration is set for 8 a.m.-5 p.m. June 13 featuring food vendors and a ribbon-cutting.
7460 Callaghan Road, Suite 202 (210-231-0352)
Portillo’s
As first reported in May in Focus on San Antonio, Portillo’s, the iconic, Chicago-based chain of Chicago-style street food, officially opened its first San Antonio-area location in Schertz on June 9. Located at Schertz Station, amid a burgeoning master-planned, mixed-use development, Portillo’s offers hot dogs, Italian beef and sausage sandwiches, chicken sandwiches, char-broiled burgers, pasta and salads.
Portillo’s also has double drive-thru lanes, Portillo’s Pick Up shelves and a retail Grab and Go area to accommodate off-premise guests. Grand opening festivities included giveaways, and the company presenting the SCUC Education Foundation with a $8,316 contribution.
18678 I-35 N., Schertz. Open 10:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Sun.-Thu., and 10:30 a..m.-11 p.m. Fri. and Sat. (830-202-2550)
Chicken Salad Chick
Boerne Chamber of Commerce held a June 3 ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of Chicken Salad Chick’s newest location. The chain offers homemade chicken salads, sides, and sweet treats with a Southern flair.
34702 I-10 West., Boerne. Open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon.-Sat. (830-428-9899)
Sofia’s Pizzeria
New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce held a June 3 ribbon-cutting and grand opening ceremony for the family-owned, San Antonio-based pizzeria’s first location outside of the Alamo City. Sofia’s offers more than one dozen kinds of pizzas as well as pizza sold by the slice. The menu includes sweet sausage rolls, calzones, wings, subs, salads, pastas, and box lunches. Sofia’s has three San Antonio restaurants on the North and Far West Sides.
508 Landa St., New Braunfels (830-360-1200)
Teriyaki Master
This new Northwest Side eatery opened its doors in late May, serving up varieties of teriyaki as an entree or a bento (meal) – chicken, shrimp, chicken and shrimp, and fried tofu. There are also kids’ meals, sushi rolls, and sides, such as chicken karaage and pan-fried dumplings.
7090 Bandera Road, Leon Valley. Open 10:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Mon.-Sat., and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sun. (210-688-8319)
Benny’s Burgers and Shakes
Benny’s opened in late May on the South Side, focusing on budget-friendly offerings of burgers, which come as a classic, bacon cheeseburger and Western barbecue. The current menu also has a hatch green chile burger. Additionally, the locally owned and operated fast-food restaurant has regular chicken sandwiches and tenders, a buffalo chicken sandwich, Nathan’s Famous hot dogs, fries, tater tots, onion rings, and handmade milkshakes and root beer floats. Guests may dine in or take out.
3436 Roosevelt Ave. Open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Mon.-Thu., and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fri.-Sat.
Casa de Tapas
The Alamo Heights-area lounge soft-opened May 15 in the popular north Broadway entertainment corridor. Representatives say Casa de Tapas is opening in phases, beginning first as an upscale bar with craft cocktails and a focus on Latin music. Featured cocktails on the menu include a smoked Old Fashion, Casa Paloma, and a Carolina Clover, a blend of Hendrick’s Gin, lemon, raspberry, elderflower, and velvet egg-white foam.
The owners are developing a kitchen that will feature tapas. Brunch service and karaoke, too, will be launching in the next phase of operations. Each night offers specials, happy hour is held 3-8 p.m. daily, and patrons are able to host a private event, such as a birthday party or a full venue buyout.
8123 Broadway St., Suite 101 (210-399-9738)
JuiceLand
The smoothie and juice bar chain opened an Alamo Heights location in May. Aside from a range of fresh-made juices and smoothies, JuiceLand offers smoothie bowls, plant-based meals, hot food, and energizing produce, matcha, coffee beverages and shots.
5320 Broadway. Open 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon.-Sat., and 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Sun. (210-972-9193)
OPENING UP
7 Brew
The drive-thru coffee chain is formally opening a Far West Side locationJune 15, offering a wide variety of coffee, tea, chai and matcha drinks along with fizz sodas, lemonades, shakes and smoothies. 7 Brew celebrated the new location with a Caffeine for a Cause fundraiser over the first weekend of June, inviting visitors to pay what they could for a small drink with all proceeds benefiting Christus Children’s.
9219 Potranco Road. Open 5:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun. and Tue.-Thu., and 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Mon., and 5:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Fri. and Sat. (479-358-9274)
Box Street All Day
The buzzy brunch/lunch spot once known as Box Street Social is opening a third location June 17 on the Far West Side. Popular signature dishes such as Thicc Boi Pancakes, Box St. Brekky and Smoked Salmon Petite will be available at the new storefront at the growing The Portico at Shaenfield retail center. Box Street All Day has other locations at Hemisfair and La Cantera Heights.
7807 W. Loop 1604 N. Open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. (210-251-3486)
Crepeccino
Crepeccino, the locally owned European-inspired creperie known for its array of sweet and savory crepes, coffee beverages and all-day menu, opens its third San Antonio-area location at The Portico at Shaenfield Ranch retail center June 20. A grand opening event takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., starting with an inaugural ribbon-cutting ceremony. The first 50 guests in line will receive a complimentary sweet crepe of their choice. Following the giveaway, all guests can enjoy 20% off their orders through 3 p.m.
“Opening our third location is an exciting milestone and a reflection of the incredible support we’ve received from the San Antonio community,” Bara Ekhlayel, owner of Crepeccino, said in a statement. “Since day one, our goal has been to create a welcoming space where guests can gather over great food and coffee.”
Additionally, Crepeccino will award three guests gift cards valued at $500, $300 and $100. To participate, guests must RSVP via Eventbrite and make an in-store purchase. Crepeccino has other storefronts in the Medical Center area and in Cibolo.
7807 W. Loop 1604 N., Suite 2124. Open 7 a.m.-10 p.m. weekdays, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Sat., and 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Sun. (210-231-0148)
REOPENING
Bellagreen
Richardson, Texas-based fast-casual bistro chain Bellagreen is reopening its San Antonio restaurant June 16 following a closure that started last May because of construction. Bellagreen is known for signature meals such as simple salmon, brick chicken, Wagyu meatball pasta, alongside an array of handhelds, pizzas, burgers and pastas.
1900 Broadway St., Suite 112. (210-767-3908)
85C Bakery Cafe
The worldwide bakery and cafe chain is soft-opening its second San Antonio-area location this month, with grand opening festivities and multiple giveaways slated for the final weekend of June. 85C offers a wealth of homestyle sweet and savory pastries, sandwiches, toast, premium coffee drinks, and box sets. The Windcrest Economic Development Corp. has a ribbon-cutting ceremony set for 8:45 a.m. June 26. The brand name, 85 Celsius, refers to an ideal brewing temperature for espresso.
5253 Walzem Road, Windcrest
CULINARY EVENTS
June 16
As part of San Antonio Food Bank Restaurant Weeks, Wild Barley Kitchen and Brewery near Alamo Heights will team up with Chef Geronimo Lopez, vice president of culinary operations of the San Antonio Food Bank, for a one-day-only food festival pop-up at Wild Barley.
Each ticket includes bites from six curated stations, and two drink tickets redeemable for any Wild Barley house-brewed beer. The food stations will highlight freshly harvested produce from the food bank’s urban farm.
“As we planned the second annual San Antonio Food Bank Restaurant Weeks, we knew we wanted to raise the bar,” Marc Fogelsong, Wild Barley’s co-owner and general manager, said in a statement. “At Wild Barley, we’re passionate about building community, and this event is an opportunity to bring people together while supporting a cause that creates meaningful impact for families across San Antonio.”
5-8 p.m. Tickets: $50. 8403 Broadway St.
June 18
The St. Paul Square Dinner Club’s June multicourse dinner features Raul Mendoza, newly appointed executive chef at Cuba 1918.
Known for his execution with Italian cuisine, Mendoza has developed a following through his work at restaurant Alla Nonnas and previously as executive chef of Paesanos River Walk.
On June 18, Mendoza will curate meals focused on Italian and Cuban foods with a tropical touch, according to a news release.
“This dinner is really about connection — bringing people together through food that feels personal, expressive and memorable,” Mendoza said in a statement. “I’m excited to create an experience that allows guests to slow down, enjoy the evening and experience the kind of cooking that means the most to me.”
Non-alcoholic beverages and cocktail set-ups will be available for purchase during the event, and guests are welcome to bring their own beverage.
7 p.m. Tickets: $100. 2809 W. Southcross Blvd.
