By Edmond Ortiz
The Fourth of July edition of Light Bites throws a spotlight on two new eateries in Universal City, one of which is a celebrated Seguin barbecue spot, as well as the newest addition to the River North entertainment district.
Also, a popular farmers market bakery is opening a brick-and-mortar shop in Olmos Park; and a Live Oak bar and a noted fried chicken chain are furthering their brands in the San Antonio area.
Additionally, there’s an update in efforts to keep a beloved East Side icehouse from closing its doors.
NOW OPEN
Andy’s Frozen Custard
The nation’s largest frozen custard-only brand opened a new store north of Alamo Heights on July 1. It is Andy’s fifth eatery in the San Antonio area.
8338 Broadway St. Open 11 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Sun.-Thu., and 11 a.m.-noon Fri. and Sat. (726) 259-0346)
Jason’s Deli
The Beaumont, Texas-based delicatessen chain opened a new restaurant July 1 at The Forum at Olympia Parkway. It is the seventh Jason’s Deli to open in the San Antonio metropolitan area. A grand opening celebration is scheduled for 10 a.m.-1 p.m. July 25.
8214 Agora Pkwy, Live Oak (210-444-2669)
Davila’s BBQ
The popular, family-owned Seguin barbecue eatery which originally opened in 1959, launched a second restaurant July 3 in Universal City. In addition to traditional, mesquite-smoked barbecue offerings, Davila’s serves Southern-fried fish, catfish and shrimp, burgers, grilled cheese sandwiches, brisket tacos, Matador Nachos, lamb barbacoa tacos, Frito Pie, loaded baked potatoes, and pie by the slice.
316 Pat Booker Road, Universal City
Nothing Bundt Cakes
The bundt cake chain recently opened its first Boerne location and its 12th storefront in the San Antonio area. Nothing Bundt Cakes also offers seasonal bundt cakes, other cakes for special occasions, as well as party supplies.
34618 I-10 W. Suite 103, Boerne. Open 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon.-Sat., and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun. (830-375-5755)
La Cabana Gorditas
This Guadalajara-based chain of Mexican restaurants opened its first U.S. location in June in Universal City. In addition to an array of gorditas, the eatery offers tacos, aguas frescas, atole and café de olla.
925 Pat Booker Road, Universal City. Open 9 a.m.-3 p.m. daily. (210-267-9148)
Lighthouse Seafood
The Deco District restaurant reopened in June in the same neighborhood, delighting fans who were initially saddened when the eatery’s owners announced in April that they were shuttering Lighthouse after 10 years of service.
3534 Fredericksburg Road, Suite 31 (210-785-9333)
Miles Bistro
Inspired by late jazz legend Miles Davis, this new St. Paul Square restaurant and bar on the near-East Side comes from the Austin-based Dreamers and Doers Hospitality Group, which is responsible for neighboring shop El Tigre Coffee Roasters, among other venues between San Antonio, Marfa and Austin.
Having opened over Memorial Day weekend, Miles has a menu that features chef-curated dishes, including ceviche, braised pork pibil, fried chicken – a half bird with “sexy slaw” and pickled jalepeño – and a “Happy Meal,” consisting of filet o’fish, American cheese, tartare sauce, pickle, and a choice of High Life pony or gin martini.
The bar offers a small range of signature cocktails. Visitors craving a sweet treat can pick between a key lime pie cheesecake or a donut containing a rotating seasonal filling.
Miles occupies the former Francis (Blessed) Bogside space, whose ownership abruptly closed that lounge and three neighboring sister concepts, including Anne’s/Vino Veritas, last summer. Dreamers and Doers plans to open Condor, a wine bar with a South American focus, soon at the former Anne’s/Vino Veritas spot.
1170 E. Commerce St. (210-201-3716)
La Bandida
The newest bar in the River North district offers an upscale yet intimate speakeasy appearance that is enhanced by candlelight in the evenings. Visitors will find vintage furniture, craft cocktails, wine, beer, a small mezcal program, and classic piano music.
The upstairs portion – dubbed The Loft – opens at 10 p.m. and closes at capacity. The Loft contains 40 seats, two card tables, a waitstaff, and a small back-bar. Reservations are released in two-week windows. and parties are capped at six.
901 N. Alamo St. Open 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Tue.-Sat., and 4 p.m.-midnight Sun.
COMING UP
Dough Baby
Dough Baby, whose founder Nancy Fitch is known for her handmade Texas-style kolaches and iced-to-order cinnamon rolls, is opening its first brick-and-mortar location at the Olmos Park Village retail center in Olmos Park.
A veteran local culinary professional and former head of the Pearl Farmers Market, Fitch has spent the last two years developing a following with Dough Baby on a weekly basis at the same weekend market.
The permanent version of Dough Baby is designed to be a casual grab-and-go destination with an expanded menu, which features baby cakes, seasonal pies, cookies, quiche, zucchini bread, and a curated coffee and tea program.
“The grand opening of Dough Baby’s first brick-and-mortar wouldn’t be possible without the continued support of our San Antonio community and everyone who has visited us at the Pearl Farmers Market,” Fitch said in a statement. “What started as a fun idea has quickly grown into a dream come true.”
A grand opening event, set for 9 a.m.-2 p.m. July 18, will have free cinnamon rolls, and raffles. Guests who make a purchase will also get a coupon for a free kolache on their next visit, available through 2 p.m.
Attendees who RSVP via Eventbrite and make a purchase will receive a raffle ticket at checkout for a chance to win one of three gift cards valued at $25, $50, or $100. Dough Baby can still be found on weekends at the Pearl Farmers Market.
4219 McCullough Ave., Suite 2, Olmos Park. Open 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Wed.-Fri., and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat. and Sun.
Panfila Cantina
Charlie Gonzalez and Gabby Hinojosa, the creators of Panfila Cantina, have said via social media that they hope to open a second storefront at the Park North retail center near Castle Hills in July.
Located near the Encino Park neighborhood, the original Panfila Cantina’s menu contains traditional Mexican cuisine, including street food-inspired dishes. Panfila Cantina will fill the space previously occupied by Miguelito’s Mexican Grill and Cantina, which abruptly closed last January.
842 NW Loop 410, Suite 115
The Break Room
This Live Oak-based bar is opening a northeast San Antonio location July 17. The Break Room is a full bar that offers traditional pub grub, several big-screen television sets, darts, billiards and poker games. The Break Room also accommodates private events.
11855 Perrin Beitel. Open 2 p.m.-2 a.m. daily
Bojangles
The North Carolina-based fast-food chain that specializes in Southern-style fried chicken, biscuits and tea is expanding its presence in the San Antonio area. Franchisees have filed to build Bojangles restaurants at 7613 FM 78 in Converse, and 11043 FM 471 in the Far West Side. There is no word yet when either new Bojangles will open, but according to state filings, construction on each site is slated to start this summer with completion estimated for the end of 2026. Bojangles has an operational storefront at 3003 SW Military Drive, and on Farm Road 775 west of Seguin.
CLOSING/CLOSED
LaFours, the famed Boerne seafood restaurant, closed its doors June 27 following 43 years of service.
Besitos Cafe at 1123 Nogalitos St., Suite 1, will shutter July 12 as owners have attributed the imminent closure to a lack of business in recent months. Besitos, which opened Nov. 1, 2025, offers house-made tacos, pancakes and other dishes alongside a variety of coffee drinks.
The Art of Donut is closing July 26 after 10 years of service as owners Andrea Aguirre and Miguel Aja prepare to “embark on an exciting new adventure in a different city,” according to a social media post. Fans of The Art of Donut’s unique creations can still get their fill at the shop at 3428 N. St. Mary’s St.
As of July 3, a GoFundMe campaign to keep The Dakota Ice House going had hit $8,505 – half of the fundraiser’s $16,000 goal. Kent Oliver, owner of the popular, 8-year-old East Side ice house, announced in late June that he would not be renewing his lease. Aug. 9 is the tentative closing date.
The announcement prompted an immediate response from fans who have lauded The Dakota as a bar and live music venue that has welcomed all sorts of people, and various forms of entertainment and community spirit, from jazz to blues to belly dancing and drum circles.
April Pantheress Winn, the fundraiser’s co-organizer, said the initiative will continue until its goal has been met.
“Thanks to everyone that came out on Wednesday and all of the community support to help The Dakota out of their financial bind and keep its doors open,” Winn wrote on the GoFundMe page, referencing Oliver’s birthday. “We are all rooting for The Dakota for a fresh start In our community. For many more great years to come.”
OTHER CULINARY NEWS
July and August make up Restaurant Month in Live Oak. Now through Aug. 31, visitors to participating Live Oak restaurants, such as the recently opened Applebees/IHOP, can collect stamps on their Diner’s Game Card. Participating eateries can be found here; game cards can be printed from this link.
Once a game card is full, the diner is entered into a random drawing for a $500 gift card to participating local restaurants. All cards will be submitted Sept. 3 to Live Oak City Hall; the winner will be announced Sept. 8.
