It’s to be expected that we’ll see a wave of restaurant closures each year — it’s the nature of the industry, after all — but 2023 hit San Antonio’s food scene particularly hard.
This year, we said goodbye to a variety of bars and restaurants beloved by the community, from historic, long-standing eateries such as the Pig Stand to nationally lauded Carnitas Lonja.
As the year comes to a close, we’re taking a look back at the places San Antonio foodies lost that we know they’re going to miss.
Carnitas Lonja
1103 Roosevelt Ave.
Carnitas Lonja had a tumultuous 2023 that ultimately ended with the spot’s closure. In June, owner Alex Paredes announced that the spot would take a “short break,” and also vacate its original location, which was taken over by Lovers Pizza. In August, Lonja Food Hall debuted in the space next door, but by December Paredes announced the closure of Carnitas Lonja and Fish Lonja, with the final day of service slated for Dec. 31. Credit: Amber EsparzaPig Stand
1508 Broadway
After 101 years of service, the iconic downtown-area diner Pig Stand announced the sale of its Broadway building to a land developer in February and confirmed its permanent closure in March. San Antonio’s Pig Stand was the last in a nationwide chain, which flourished in the mid-20th century. Credit: Sanford NowlinTwin Sisters Bakery & Cafe
6322 N. New Braunfels Ave.
After 43 years serving breakfast and lunch in Alamo Heights, Twin Sisters closed its doors in June. The eatery was known for its signature sweet potato muffins and Caesar salads. Credit: Brandon RodriguezBeto’s Alt-Mex
Multiple Locations, betosaltmex.com
Beto’s modern take on empanadas, which come in over ten different varieties, is more than worth the trip down Broadway. This spot has a signature alt-mex flavor that seeks to innovate on beloved Mexican street food dishes. Those on the North Side can now grab food at the restaurant’s Rapido location.
Photo via Instagram / betosaltmex Credit:Photo via Instagram / betosaltmexMartha’s Mexican Restaurant and Grill
5822 Babcock Road
Martha’s Mexican Restaurant and Grill, a longtime hidden gem for margaritas and Tex-Mex, announced its closure in April. According to the owners, this decision was due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the state of the economy. Credit: Photo via Google MapsSangria on the Burg
5115 Fredericksburg Road
In early December, local chef Ceasar Zepeda revealed that his beloved brunch spot Sangria on the Burg would close Dec. 31. He cited “rising costs and declining sales” as the reason for the decision to shutter the Medical Center-area restaurant. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Sangria on the BurgLuna Music Bar & Lounge
6740 San Pedro Ave., instagram.com/lunalivesatx
In case you haven’t heard, Luna is open again under new management. And although it’s not exactly the same as it was, it’s still a swanky local to show off your dancing moves. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Luna Music Bar & LoungeCredit:Photo via Instagram / windmill_ice_houseLittle Gretel Restaurant
518 River Road, Boerne
Little Gretel, a Boerne restaurant alongside Cibolo Creek which specialized in Czech-German-Eastern European fare, announced its closure in April due to the retirement of chef-owners Denise and Jimmy Mazal. Its menu included items such as schnitzel, sauerbraten and wild boar sausages. Credit: Photo via Google MapsThe Squeezebox
2806 N. St. Mary’s St.
St. Mary’s Strip staple The Squeezebox shuttered this summer, citing losses from lengthy road construction in the area as “the final death blow” to the bar. Credit: Jaime MonzonBubby’s Jewish Soul Food
12730 NW Military Highway
Bagel haven Bubby’s Jewish Soul Food shuttered in July after two years in business. Married business partners Jason and Charlie Nuttall-Fiske opened the restaurant in November of 2021, serving up sandwiches, soups and deli counter items prepared using recipes passed on by their own bubbies, or grandmothers. Credit: Nina RangelGrady’s Bar-B-Q
Multiple Locations
Grady’s Bar-B-Q, well-known for its smoked meats, fried catfish and homestyle sides, shockingly closed all three of its locations this May after more than 70 years operating in San Antonio. A reason was not provided for the closure, but company representatives said they were attempting to find work for as many of their employees as possible. Credit: Photo via Google MapsSarah’s Barbacoa
6330 De Zavala Road, Suite 103
North Side Mexican restaurant Sarah’s Barbacoa shut its doors this March after four years of serving tamales and tacos. Owner Sarah Hernandez took to Instagram to share that she was looking to pursue other venture: “[A] very promising opportunity has come up that I cannot turn away from.” Credit: Photo via Google MapsBetty’s Battalion
1524 E. Grayson St.
Once located just across from Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, the Government Hill institution Betty’s Battalion served civilians and service-members alike for 37 years. The laid-back military-themed tavern, whose walls were lined with photos capturing years and years of memories made by patrons, closed in April after its lease was terminated. Credit: Brandon RodriguezRockerDogz Gourmet Street Dogz
3014 Roosevelt Ave.
After starting as a hot dog cart in 2011 and opening a permanent location in late 2020, the South Side staple RockerDogz shuttered in April. Its owner, Kris Martinez, hinted at potential monthly pop-ups moving forward, but the permanent brick-and-mortar location in the bright pink house is no more. Credit: Photo via Google MapsProject Pollo
Multiple Locations, projectpollo.com
This SA-based chain offers vegan versions of basic chicken dishes, including tenders, buffalo-chicken mac and cheese and an array of breaded sandwiches, as well as various side items. Credit:Photo via Instagram / project_pollo210 Ceviche
9502 Interstate 10 West, Suite 101
210 Ceviche owners Arnie Ortega and Ricardo Mora announced the restaurant’s closure in July. Opened in 2013, 210 Ceviche offered a selection of Mexican-style ceviches and was known for its nautical theme, tapas and frozen drinks. Credit: Photo via Google MapsEspuelas — The Bar at The Bridge
306 Austin St.
Espuelas — The Bar at The Bridge closed its doors in August. Located under the scenic Hays Street Bridge, the bar was known for its eclectic tap offerings, which range from locally produced vanilla sage white tea kombucha to a variety of craft, domestic and imported beers. Credit: Brandon RodriguezSari-Sari Supper Club
10234 State Highway 151
Sari-Sari Supper Club owners Adrian and Camille De Los Reyes announced the restaurant’s closure in December. “After two years of meeting our amazing guests, and hosting delectable dinners in collaboration [with] very talented chefs; it’s the end of an era and all good things must come to an end,” an Instagram post about the closure read. The restaurant announced its last day in business would be Dec. 23. Credit: Photo via Google MapsThe Texan Icehouse
4518 West Ave.
Balcones Heights watering hole The Texan announced its shuttering in April due to the new owners’ desire to reinvent the location under a new name. For 10 years, The Texan dished out drinks and hosted karaoke nights in its cozy white-brick outpost right off West Ave. Credit: Photo via Google MapsTJ’s Burgers and More
259 Loop 337, New Braunfels
New Braunfels spot TJ’s Burgers and More closed at the end of July. The restaurant, which styled itself as the “Home of the Build Your Own Burger Bar,” served up comfort food in the ‘burb north of SA for 20 years. Credit: Photo via Google MapsBull Gogi Boys
14530 Roadrunner Way
Food truck Bull Gogi Boys closed up shop this summer. The mobile concept had served bulgogi bowls, Korean tacos and crispy yaki mandu dumplings since fall 2018. Credit:Photo via Instagram / bullgogiboysBroadway Delicatessen
122 Broadway
After only two years in operation, Broadway Delicatessen closed in August. Located downtown near the Alamo, the spot served cold-cut sandwiches and New York-style pizza, making it a lunch favorite for downtown workers. Credit: Photo via Google Maps
