Pandemic-related hardships, lease adjustments and labor shortages took their toll on San Antonio bars and restaurants this year. Sadly, plenty we saw plenty go the way of the dodo.

Casualties included longtime favorites such as The Grill at Leon Springs and Southside BBQ joint Snoga’s as well as flashes in the proverbial pan such as Golden Wat Noodle House and House of Má.

We went back to the beginning of the year and tallied 20 Alamo City food and beverage businesses that permanently shuttered this year — all of which left their mark on our culinary history, one plate or cocktail at a time.

Two Step Restaurant & Cantina 9840 W. Loop 1604 North This Tex-Mex-inspired barbecue restaurant had been shuttered since last March, in what was intended to be temporary closure due to the pandemic, but its owner said the West Side business simply wasn’t able to regain its footing. Photo via Instagram / craze_killa
Espada Coffee 1119 Camden St. Coffee drinkers who frequented the vibrant pink façade of Espada Coffee now have to find somewhere else to get their caffeine fix. The mobile coffee purveyor closed permanently in late October. Photo via Instagram / espadacoffee
House of Má 135 E. Commerce St., (210) 441-7229, houseofmasatx.com This new downtown spot has been a long-awaited concept from team behind the popular downtown-area eatery Singh’s Vietnamese. The menu of the brand new street-level spot features Cambodian Noodle Soup and Chicken Pho as well as a selection of signature cocktails, and provides its tiki-forward river-level counterpart, Hugman’s Oasis, with bar eats. Courtesy Photo / Giles Design Bureau
Tomatillos – Broadway 3210 Broadway For more than 25 years, Tomatillos Cafe y Cantina served up huge portions of Tex-Mex fare on Broadway just north of downtown, but the fiesta came to an end this year — at least in its near-downtown location. It reopened in a new spot, on the city’s north side. Photo via Instagram / tomatillos_satx
¡Salud! 8123 Broadway This Alamo Heights-area drinkery known for its impressive tequila, mezcal and sotol offerings closed in September, making way for the owner of neighboring bar Bentley’s to take over the space. Photo via Facebook / Salud Ultimate Tequila Bar
The Jerk Shack 117 Matyear St, (210) 776-7780, facebook.com/thejerkshacksatx Taste the goodness of Jamaica – right here in San Antonio. Consider Flavor a godsend for bring you the Jerk Shack. The West Side spot if a new contender in the local food scene, but is a favorite for artisan, yet authentic Jamaican fare made right. Photo by Jessica Elizarraras Credit: Jessica Elizarraras
Lulu’s Bakery & Cafe 918 N Main Ave, (210) 951-2802, lulusbakeryandcafe.com Lulu’s brings all the diner/cafe vibes you need in your life. Although best-known for its Texas-sized cinnamon roll and chicken fried steak, you can try all the diner classics like fried mushrooms, hot sandwiches and burgers. Photo via Instagram / haw_tien
Hop & Vine 5619 W. Loop 1604 N. After nearly five years of dishing up creative culinary offerings in Northwest San Antonio, Hop & Vine gastropub this year permanently closed. The cozy restaurant earned a rep for serving inventive dishes with a focus on locally-sourced ingredients and craft beer. Photo via Instagram / slow_felt_moments
Lee’s El Taco Garage 8403 Broadway Lee’s El Taco Garage, known for its potent margarita flights and sprawling patio, permanently shut its doors in February, but other eateries with the same owner — Burleson Yard Beer Garden near downtown, Hops and Hounds near McAllister Park and the property next to Taco Garage — are all still in business. Photo via Instagram / babytacogarage
The Grill at Leon Springs 24116 IH-10 West Longtime San Antonio eatery The Grill at Leon Springs was decimated by a two-alarm fire this spring, rendering the building that housed the New American eatery completely unsalvageable. Photo via Instagram / thegrillatleonsprings
Little Rhein Steak House 231 S. Alamo St. This storied steak house announced in March its temporary closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of reopening with its old, romantic theme, it now boasts an Oktoberfest-themed overhaul, replete with German brews on tap. Photo via Instagram / littlerheinsteakhouse
Golden Wat Noodle House 111 Kings Court, (210) 320-8211, goldenwatnoodlehouse.com This Cambodian concept is co-owner Susan Sypesteyn’s culinary love letter to the dishes of her upbringing, offering comforting dishes packed with bold and traditional flavors such as lemongrass, ginger and mint. Make sure you inquire on the seasonal donut, which is typically just as gorgeous as it is delicious. Photo via Instagram / goodbitesa
Kuma – Northwest 6565 Babcock Road The original Northwest San Antonio location of sweet-shop chain Kuma permanently closed in May of this year, ending a nearly four-year run of doling out authentic Hong Kong-style waffle cones piled high with ice cream and toppings. Two other locations remain open. Photo via Instagram / kuma.satx
Willa Eatery 106 Auditorium Circle, (210) 233-8288, willasa.com While this Tobin Center-area dining spot is largely vegan- and vegetarian-friendly, meat-eating guests can grab any of its sandwiches with seared pork belly or grilled chicken. Keep an eye out for brunch plans from the new spot. Photo via Instagram / willaeatery
Restaurant Gwendolyn 152 E Pecan St #100, (210) 222-1849, restaurantgwendolyn.com Having your entire meal prepared without motorized machines and only using ingredients within a 150-mile radius will already have you in awe when you dine at Restaurant Gwendolyn. The decor and laidback setting is an added bonus to the wow factor put on display here by Chef Michael Sohocki and company. Photo via Instagram / kodymelton
Kimura 152 East Pecan Street #102, (210) 444-0702, kimurasa.com Though there are plenty of other options on the menu, you’ll want to order the ramen at Kimura — we like the tonkotsu. Adapt it to your liking, and top it off with the house spice, which is sure to change your life. Photo via Instagram / notorioushuyig
Pinch Boil House – Downtown 124 N. Main Ave. Pinch Boil House permanently closed its original downtown location to open up mental bandwidth for a new spot in Alamo Heights. This is the second foray into brick-and-mortar opportunities for co-owners Andrew Ho and Sean Wen. Photo via Instagram / pinchboilhouse
Snoga Bar-B-Q 2567 Goliad Road Family-owned Southside comfort food and catering mecca Snoga Bar-B-Q closed its doors this fall after 44 years in business. Photo via Facebook / Snoga Bar-B-Que Food to Go & Catering Service
1718 Steak House 321 Alamo Plaza #300, (210) 377-1718, 1718steakhouse.com With the classic steak cuts and traditional, hearty sides, 1718 Steak House will have you rubbing your belly in satisfaction. Even better, you’ll pair your steak with an unbeatable view of the Alamo. Photo via Instagram / 1718_steakhouse
The Fruteria 1401 S. Flores St. Ste. 102 Local chef Johnny Hernandez’s Southtown spot La Fruteria closed earlier this year for a bit of freshening up. Now rechristened The Frutería-Botanero, the boldly-decorated space now serves up new menu offerings, ranging from ceviches to mole dishes. Photo via Instagram / thefruteriasa

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