By Edmond Ortiz
The launch of a deli in St. Paul Square, the addition of light bites to a popular Southtown rooftop bar, potential changes at an entrenched Boerne bar, and the closure of a beloved New Braunfels brewery are among the latest major culinary and hospitality happenings in and around San Antonio.
Elsewhere (Too) Garden Bar and Kitchen
Oct. 4 was the grand opening date for Elsewhere Garden Bar and Kitchen’s much-anticipated North Side location.
Elsewhere Too, situated near Shavano Park, will feature many of the same amenities that can be found at Elsewhere’s original River North neighborhood location, including swings, picnic tables and fire pits in a dog-friendly setting.
But the North Side locale will also feature a Ferris wheel, a curved flower tunnel leading visitors from the parking lot into the outdoor bar, large-scale art displays, and a greenhouse for private events.
4513 N. Loop 1604 W.
Lil’ Bros BBQ Shack
Local chef Jason Dady has unveiled Lil’ Bros BBQ Shack, his newest barbecue pop-up at Frost Plaza at The Rock at La Cantera.
Inspired by Dady’s Two Bros BBQ Market, Lil’ Bros offers beef brisket, chopped beef, pulled pork, and kiolbassa sausage to be ordered by the quarter pound. There is also smoked half chicken, smoked brisket tacos, the “Mac Dady” grilled cheese sandwich, desserts such as banana pudding, a children’s menu, as well as beer, cocktails and wine.
The Rock at La Cantera, 1 Spurs Way. Open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Thu.-Sun.
Rosario’s ComidaMex and Bar
Patrons visiting the rooftop bar at Rosario’s can now enjoy light bites while observing the downtown skyline.
Guests 25 and older may choose from options such as guacamole, salsa, and ceviche to pair with their craft cocktail. Visitors at Rosario’s rooftop bar can also enjoy music courtesy a rotating roster of local DJs each Friday and Saturday nights.
722 S. St. Mary’s St. Rooftop bar is open 5-10 p.m. Thu., 5 p.m.-1 a.m. Fri., 4 p.m.-1 a.m. Sat., and noon-9 p.m. Sun.
Gigi’s Deli
A coffee house on the eastern edge of downtown San Antonio is now hosting a classically inspired delicatessen.
Gigi’s Deli opened up inside El Tigre Coffee in St. Paul Square, offering a slate of breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Breakfast options include a pastrami, egg and cheese sandwich, while lunch offerings include The Italian Disco with mortadella, prosciutto, salami and pepper relish. Breakfast and lunch menu items are served all day; guests can expect the menu to rotate regularly and feature seasonal specials, according to a press release.
“Gigi’s Deli started as a lighthearted residency back in 2021 at Little Death, and from there I would do occasional pop-ups throughout San Antonio,” chef Matthew Garcia said in the release. “It’s exciting to now have a permanent spot in the heart of our city, something we can call home while we continue to explore bold flavors and creative takes on the classic deli experience.
123 Heiman St. Open 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Wed.-Sun.
Crepeccino
A San Antonio-based cafe that puts a spotlight on crepes just debuted in Cibolo.
Crepeccino held a two-day grand opening celebration in mid-September for a new location near Cibolo’s Old Main Street area.
With an original store in the Medical Center area, Crepeccino offers a wide selection of sweet or savory European-style crêpes, all-day breakfast, waffles, omelets, pastries, smoothies and handcrafted lattes.
The grand opening festivities included free crepes and drawings.
“San Antonio has embraced Crepeccino in such a special way, and we’re thrilled to bring that same experience to Cibolo,” Bara Ekhlayel, Crepeccino owner, said in a press release. “Our new location is about creating a space where neighbors, families, and friends can gather over fresh crêpes and great coffee.”
857 Cibolo Valley Drive, Suite 208. Open 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Mon.-Sat., and 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Sun. (210-236-8167)
Burgers vs. Tacos
A grand opening was held Sept. 14 for Burgers vs. Tacos north of Balcones Heights, at the former site of Old Smokehouse, which closed in summer of 2024 following a 41-year run.
Burgers vs. Tacos is the brainchild of chefs Gaby Hinojosa and Charlie Gonzalez, owners of three other local ventures: Mexican restaurant Panfila Cantina, Italian eatery Tutto Pepe Osteria, and San Peter Taqueria, a Midtown-based food truck.
The burger lineup at Burgers vs. Tacos features traditional classics, as well as eclectic options such as the Kung Fu Burger, with char siu (Chinese barbecued) pork, napa cabbage slaw, white cheddar and green maya. The Sumo Burger contains a fried egg and wasabi aioli. The Taekwondo Chicken Bun comes with a Nashville crispy chicken, napa slaw, sauce and a pickle.
The roster of tacos includes The Karate Shrimp Taco features panko-fried shrimp, Asian slaw, and yum yum sauce. The Capoeira Steak Taco comes with Picanha steak, grilled tomato, green maya, and parmesan onion crisp.
5145 Fredericksburg Road. Open 11 a.m.-11 p.m. daily.
Faust Brewing Co.
A longtime New Braunfels brewery will be closing its doors for good this fall.
Faust Brewing Co. will have a final day of operations on Oct. 31 as the brewpub is slated to have a Halloween and farewell party.
The announcement was made on Faust’s social media channels, although no reason for the closure was given.
The brewery originally opened inside the Faust Hotel in downtown New Braunfels in 1998, then expanded to a site on South Castell Avenue in the last decade. The latter location included a beer garden and, more recently, a restaurant and full bar.
“Let’s come together one last time to enjoy good times, great brews, tasty food and the incredible community we’ve built,” Faust’s social media posting stated. “Your support during this time means more than you can imagine.”
499 S. Castell St., New Braunfels. Open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun.-Thu., 11 a.m.-midnight Fri., and 10 a.m.-midnight Sat. (830-606-9086)
Longbranch Saloon
The owner of a decades-old Boerne bar says she plans to retire and hopes to sell property to someone who will keep it open.
Catherine Bentley, owner of Longbranch Saloon, posted on the bar’s Facebook page on Sept. 5 about her aim to end 30 years of ownership of the bar, which has been serving the community for more than 50 years.
Bentley cited increasing land costs and property taxes as the main reason behind her push to sell the bar.
However, Bentley said she hopes to sell Longbranch Saloon to a local party interested in maintaining it as a casual, budget-friendly, cash-only bar that many patrons have come to know and love over the years.
“(I) would love for the Longbranch to continue to be the traditional local watering hole and gathering place,” Bentley stated. “Need to continue to have a hometown place for the community to gather, celebrate and mourn together.”
817 N. Main St., Boerne. Open 2-10 p.m. Sun.-Tue., 2 p.m.-midnight Wed.-Sat. (830-331-4702)
Bandidas Ice Cream
The crew of a pink former barbecue food trailer based in New Braunfels has now turned their attention to serving up ice cream.
Bandidas Ice Cream is the new name for Bar B Que Bandidas, which halted its barbecue service on Aug. 30. Pitmaster Jewel Hill had launched the barbecue trailer under the business name of Hill Barbecue in 2018 in Lubbock.
When Hill and her family moved to New Braunfels in 2024, the business underwent a name change and the trailer popped up at several local spots until arriving at a new home at The Villa, a bar and event venue in the historic Gruene district.
On her business Facepage, Hill said she has enjoyed barbecuing at her pink trailer over the years, but it was simply time for a change of pace. Bandidas started scooping ice cream on Sept. 22 at 13 Trees Coffee Haus.
“In true entrepreneurial spirit, when I chose to close (Bandidas Bar B Que), I knew I had to do something with this cute little camper trailer,” Hill said in her Facebook post. “I do love being a business owner. My brain just needs a break from full-time BBQ, so I decided I would do the next best thing…ICE CREAM!!!”
According to Hill, Bandidas’ flavors will be simple, but toppings will vary greatly, and there will be a Flavor of the Month.
One of Bandidas’ first offerings include strawberry ice cream using real berries, topped with crumbled brownie and a dusting of matcha. Another initial flavor is dulce de leche, involving vanilla ice cream, caramel and some cinnamon.
But Hill said she is not done barbecuing, with her pledge to do monthly cookouts where food will be available only by preorder.
1450 W. Klein Road, New Braunfels. Open 5-9 p.m. weekdays, and noon-9 p.m. Sat. and Sun.
Fatburger
A famed Los Angeles-based, fast-casual hamburger chain, Fatburger opened its fifth San Antonio-area location on Sept. 4 at the southwestern corner of U.S. 281 and Bitters Road.
The self-proclaimed “Last Great Hamburger Stand,” Fatburger features its signature namesake burger alongside variations, including the triple-patty Kingburger, and a range of other burgers.
This new Fatburger near Hill Country Village includes a co-branded concept, Buffalo Express, which operates in multiple Fatburger stores nationwide. The Beverly Hills-based chain focuses on chicken wings, tenders and a range of sauces.
13480 San Pedro Ave. Open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sun.-Thu., 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri. and Sat. (210-436-6206)
Julian’s Italian Pizzeria and Kitchen
Southtown will soon be home to a fourth location for Julian’s Italian Pizzeria and Kitchen.
Slated to open in October at 620 S. Presa St., the former site of Barrio Dogg, the new venture will be called Julian’s Pizza and More, offerings will slightly differ from those provided at Julian’s three current locations near Hill Country Village, in Alamo Heights, and at the Bulverde Road/Loop 1604 intersection.
Julian’s Pizza and More will have an extended menu, and a marketplace where visitors can get pasta, wine, beer and other Italian imports to go. The new eatery will also have plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, and a logo featuring Moose, the owners’ family dog who they adopted from Spay-Neuter-Inject-Protect San Antonio in 2022.
Owners Julian and Kara Solis opened the first Julian’s Italian Pizzeria and Kitchen in 2006, employing lessons they both learned while working for Kara Solis’ parents who owned two local eateries, Bambino Huey Cafe and Boccone’s Italian Restaurant.
(210-437-1530)
The Amp Room
Another live music venue on North St. Mary’s Street will be shuttering in October.
The Amp Room, which has been an outlet for fans of rock, punk, darkwave, goth and more, will close after 10 years of operations, according to a Sept. 20 Facebook post.
Club representatives attributed the imminent closure to increasing rent. The St. Mary’s Strip entertainment district has already seen its share of closed bars, music clubs and other businesses in recent years due to fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, and a prolonged road construction project, including The Squeezebox.
Amp Room owners urged fans to join them for fun over the club’s remaining days.
“Join us for our last three weekends and let’s make every night one to remember,” a Facebook post stated. “Come raise a glass, sing along, and help us close this chapter the only way The AMP Room knows how — with music, friends, and good vibes.”
2407 N. St. Mary’s St. Open 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Wed., Thu. and Sun.; 7 p.m.-2 a.m. Fri. and Sat.
Bill Miller Bar-B-Q
Bill Miller Bar-B-Q closed its public headquarters restaurant at 430 S. Santa Rosa St. on Sept. 12 and relocated that site’s operations to 1030 E. Cesar Chavez Blvd.
Bill Miller’s flagship commissary on the western edge of downtown had been serving customers for 54 years.
As it stands, the 1030 E. Cesar Chavez address, also known as restaurant Bill Miller No. 33, is the only location inside or on the edge of San Antonio’s downtown central business district for the venerable fast-food chain. Over time, Bill Miller has closed locations at 501 N. St. Mary’s St., and at the corner of Main and Commerce streets.
