Stay Current with the Pick of the Day: Poetry reading of the works of Sor Juana
In celebration of National Poetry Month, Dr. Carmen Tafolla, Alicia Galvan, Janka Klescova, Bryce Milligan, and Jim Lavilla-Havelin join forces to explore the bilingual poetry of 17th-century scholar and nun Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz (1651-1695). The illegitimate child of Pedro Manuel de Asbaje (a Spanish Captain) and Isabel Ramírez (a Criollo woman), Sor…
Judge Biery on Local Strip Club Ordinance: ‘Does Size Matter?’
Here at the Current, we honestly get giddy whenever Chief U.S. District Judge Fred Biery issues a new ruling in a case we’re watching. It’s always hands down the finest comedy of the day. Today’s ruling, in which Biery denied a request by local strip clubs to keep the City of San Antonio from enforcing…
#ComedyFest: Judd Apatow, Carl Reiner + Mel Brooks
In case you haven’t heard, comedy legend Mel Brooks joined Twitter today. Turns out, it’s all part of Comedy Central and Twitter’s first ever #ComedyFest, a Twitter-centric five day long digital fest boasting cyber-events like this particular dialogue between Brooks and Carl Reiner as moderated by Judd Apatow, as well as others like “Ben Hoffman…
National Poetry Month, Reading by Carmen Tafolla, Alicia Galvan, Bryce Milligan
These excerpts are from my translation of the historical document written by Sor Juana in 1681 to Antonio Nunez de Miranda, her Father Confessor, defending her right to continue studying and writing. The document was discovered in Monterey, Mexico by Monsignor Aureliano Tapia Mendez, an eminent Sor Juana scholar. He published the document under the title, Carta…
National Poetry Month, Poem by Eugene Novogrodsky
Unwelcoming Prudence I used to walk into yards: On treed bluffs above the Mississippi in Missouri, On grassy prairies above the Mississippi in Illinois, In soaked rice fields, levee-protected, near the Mississippi in Arkansas, On beet-planted plains bordering the Red in North Dakota. “Some water, please?” “Sure, help yourself.” Not as certain, not as confident…
Stay Current with the Pick of the Day: Fiesta Blues Heritage Series
Jackson, Mississippi-born Zac Harmon can go toe-to-toe with any Delta blues cat on earth, but it’s his voice that really makes the difference. Harmon can effortlessly go from smooth R&B crooner to smoky, rough wailer (literally, as he incorporates reggae elements as well), and is always backed by a solid band that keeps the groove…
Stay Current with the Pick of the Day: Caitlin Rose
Indie-country songstress Caitlin Rose comes to Limelight supporting her painstakingly gorgeous third album The Stand In. Rose’s momentum is rising sharply on the merits of her beautiful voice and classic-meets-contemporary take on everything in the Americana spectrum – from blues and jazz to folk and country. Hers is a voice and a style that, in…
Stay Current with the Pick of the Day: Gipsy Kings
At a time when gypsy culture is questionably poached by reality shows (most notably TLC’s My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding), the Gipsy Kings possess an authentic mystique that predates the 1987 release of their global hit “Bamboleo.” An outgrowth of the late flamenco legend José Reyes’ France-based family band Los Reyes, Gipsy Kings —…
R.I.P. The Possum, No-Show, Thumper, George Jones
Music lovers have lost George Jones, who passed away today after being hospitalized since April 18 for irregular blood pressure, according to a statement from his public relations firm. I interviewed Jones for the Current in advance of a 2010 appearance in SA. E-mail interviews are not my favorite, but I made an exception for…
COSA’s payday lending ordinance in the clear, for now
For the past week, Sen. John Carona (R-Dallas) has sounded like a tired, battered man. Carona found himself in the middle of a proverbial firestorm on the Senate floor last Thursday while trying to bring up for a vote his SB 1247, which would toughen state-wide regulations for payday and auto title lenders. After a…
Exoneration Commission Bill Clears House, on to Senate
Applause broke out on the floor Wednesday when the Texas House passed Rep. Ruth Jones McClendon’s (D-San Antonio)House Bill 166, which would establish a commission to investigate and review wrongful convictions in the state. It was a far cry from last session when, on the verge of passage, House members got spooked and failed to…
Stay Current with the Pick of the Day: Fiesta Gartenfest
Preserving German song, music, and language since 1867, the Beethoven Maennerchor has earned its reputation as “the oldest active singing society in Texas.” Home to the men’s choir along with the Damenchor, and Kinderchor (ages 4-15), Beethoven Halle und Garten puts a German spin on Fiesta with Gartenfest, a three-day shindig serving up “a little…
Officials accuse jailer of falsifying records the night inmate died
Bexar County officials allege a detention officer tampered with jail records to make it falsely appear he conducted mandatory cell checks the night an inmate died on his unit. The Bexar County District Attorney’s office is currently reviewing charges that former jailer Ernesto Flores tampered with official government documents, a third degree felony, according to…
Video: Bosnian Rainbows’ “Turtle Neck”
Bosnian Rainbows, the first post-The Mars Volta project from Omar Rodríguez-López, unveiled the video for second single “Turtle Neck.” It is a stop-motion work directed by Rodríguez-López featuring the band (which includes Teri Gender Bender from Le Butcherettes, Deantoni Parks and Nikki Kasper) in their travels around the world. The self-titled album will be released…
Woman fighting for exoneration speaks at film screening
Anna Vasquez says she’s twice seen footage from an in-the-works documentary chronicling an ordeal that’s lasted nearly two decades. Each time, she says, “It makes me re-live the past It really effects me, but I’m trying to keep it together.” In July 1994, two young girls accused Vasquez and her three friends – Elizabeth Ramirez,…
Stay Current with the Pick of the Day: Mother Falcon & Ernie Halter
Some classes take exams, others presentations. The assignment for the students in UTSA’s Music Marketing program? Throw a concert. “The goal for us in the program is to work with professionals in the industry,” said UTSA Senior Michael Kelly. “Basically, to get our feet wet with show promoting,” Kelly and his classmates will present the…
Best Radio Station, News
1. Texas Public Radio 89.1 FM, tpr.org 2. WOAI News Radio 1200 AM, radio.woai.com 3. KTSA 550 AM, ktsa.com
Best Farmers Market
1. Pearl Farmers Market 312 Pearl Pkwy., pearlfarmersmarket.com 2. Quarry Farmers and Ranchers Market 255 E Basse, (210) 722-5077, quarryfarmersmarket.com
Best Old Man Bar
1. Raffles Restaurant and Bar 1039 NE Loop 410, (210) 826-7118, rafflesrestaurantandbar.com 2. Esquire Tavern 155 E Commerce, (210) 222-2521, esquiretavern-sa.com 3. Bar America 723 S Alamo
Best Sports Bar
1. The Ticket Sports Pub 420 E Houston, (210) 222-9722, ticketsportspub.com 2. Freetail Brewing Company 4035 N Loop 1604 W, (210) 395-4974, freetailbrewing.com 3. The Lion and Rose Multiple locations, Thelionandrose.com
Best Local to Follow on Instagram
1. Ricardo Ordieres instagram.com/RicardoOrdieres San Antonio’s Ricardo Ordieres is a new media whiz kid. Boasting almost 2,500 subscribers on his YouTube channels, over 45,000 followers on Instagram and 67,000 on Twitter, this 20-year-old Broadcast Journalism student at San Antonio College has quite literally got the world at his fingertips. An anti-bullying activist and supporter of…
Best Video Artist
1. JC Caylen youtube.com/user/jccaylen Who the hell is JC Caylen? How dare this kid steal the spotlight from serious artists, you know, the ones who make movies and stuff? Well, only 100,633 subscribers who clicked on his YouTube channel 2,943,815 times know the answer to that question. Caylen is all about making faces and, basically,…
Best Zine
1. Back Beat backbeatzine.com 2. Broken Bones Zine brokenboneszine.webs.com
La Santa Cecilia: '30 Días'
If you’re going to put out an EP, make sure it’s as good as La Santa Cecilia’s latest. Eight freaking singles, each one stronger than the next, by the bilingual L.A. fusion band that earned its honorary SA citizenship through a handful of stirring shows here. The new 30 Días is also La Santa Cecilia’s…
Best Local Activist/Watchdog/Nonprofit Leader
1. Lanny Sinkin Solar San Antonio, 118 Broadway, Ste. 621, (210) 354-0236, solarsanantonio.org The Aztec sun god was called Tonatiuh (Toh-nah-tee-OO); in SA, we just like to call him Lanny (LA-nee). Winner of this category in our Best of 2010-2011 issues, Solar San Antonio executive director Lanny Sinkin has always been in our top three…
Best Steakhouse
1. Little Red Barn 1902 S Hackberry, (210) 532-4235, littleredbarnsteakhouse.com Definitely not as “little” as the name may have you believe, this institution on the South East side attracts people from all walks of life with their stellar daily special deals (we’re partial to the Rodeo, which includes an 8 oz. ribeye, side, salad, drink,…
Best Wine Shop
1. Joe Saglimbeni’s Fine Wines 638 W Rhapsody, (210) 349-5149, jsfinewines.com 2. Central Market 4821 Broadway, (210) 368-8600, centralmarket.com
Best College or University
1. University of Texas at San Antonio 1 UTSA Circle, (210) 458-4011, utsa.edu 2. Trinity University 1 Trinity Place, (210) 999-7011, trinity.edu 3. San Antonio College 1300 San Pedro, (210) 486-0000 , alamo.edu/sac
Best Pool Tables
1. Joey’s 2417 N St. Mary’s, (210) 733-9573 2. Clicks Billiards 903 E Bitters, (210) 496-5113, clicks.com 3. Bar America 723 S Alamo
Best Korean Restaurant
1. Ilsong Garden 6905 Blanco, (210) 366-4508, ilsonggarden.com Consistently regarded as the most authentic Korean joint in town, Ilsong Garden’s lunch specials, sushi bar, and traditional Korean and Japanese fare keep the people coming back. Particularly notable are the spicy pork bulgogi, bibimbap (rice, veggies, and meat or tofu with a fried egg on top),…
Best Jogging Trail
1. River Walk Thesanantonioriverwalk.com This one hits close to home, as we truly do jog the River Walk at least once a week. Though a cement surface occasionally clogged with tourists might not seem the best running environment, the River Walk has three important features: First, it’s lighted at night; second, it’s relatively flat; third,…
Best Art Gallery
1. R Gallery 110 E Lachapelle, (210) 793-8899, rgallerytx.net Run by artist and art mentor extraordinaire Alex Rubio and longtime promoter Roland “Nightrocker” Fuentes, R Gallery specializes in highlighting up-and-coming talent with more than a nod toward female and Latina/o artists. Just across the tracks from the fabled 1906 building, and its ever-evolving gallery scene…
Best Sportscaster
1. Greg Simmons KSAT 12 ksat.com 2. Don Harris News 4 WOAI woai.com 3 Joe Reinagel KENS 5 Kens5.com
Best Liquor Store
1. Gabriel’s Wine and Spirits Multiple locations, gabrielsliquor.com 2. Pig Liquors 712 S St. Mary’s, (210) 226-6465
Best Tamales
1. Delicious Tamales 1330 Culebra, (210) 255-2023, delicious-tamales.com 2. Tellez Tamales 1737 S Gen. McMullen, (210) 433-1367 3. Culebra Meat Market (Encino location) 1662 Encino Rio, (210) 545-2525, culebrameatmarket.com/texas-meat-market Multiple locations, greensanantonio.com
Best Barber
1. Kathy Hedgepeth Randolph AFB Parr Club Barber Shop For the past five years, Kathy Hedgepeth has run Randolph Air Force Base’s shear shop. A red, white, and blue barber pole marks the outside of her shop, located in the basement of Randolph’s on-base Parr Club, what was once called the Officer’s Club. A decades-long…
Best Salsa
1. Taco Taco Café 145 E Hildebrand, (210) 822-9533 tacotacosa.com 2. Perricos on Sonterra 1439 E Sonterra Blvd, (210) 402-6006 pericosgrill.com 3. Paloma Blanca 5800 Broadway, Ste. 300, (210) 822-6151 palomablanca.net
Best DIY House Venue
1. That Place Off Evergreen Established as That Place Off Evergreen in 2010, the top floor of the two-story house with chipped white paint has played host to its fair share of SA’s bands, punk rockers, hipsters, and gangsters. Tenants Daniel Zamarripa and Josh Vera came up with the concept. Vera said, “We’re just two…
Best Salsa Club
1. Azuca Nuevo Latino 713 S Alamo, (210) 225-5550, azuca.net 2. Arjon’s International Club 8736 Tesoro, (210) 804-1419, arjonsinternationalclub.com 3. COCO Chocolate Lounge and Bistro 18402 US 281 N, Ste. 114, (210) 491-4480, sa-coco.com
Best Chinese Food
1. Golden Wok Multiple locations, golden-wok.com Whether you’re looking to gorge yourself on dim sum or are more in the mood for a little egg drop soup with a side of oolong, Golden Wok is the place to be. It also doesn’t hurt that it’s got a great happy hour to boot. This place is…
Best of SA 2013 – People
Best Beard Best Comedian or Comedy Group Best Local to Follow on Instagram Best Local to Follow on Twitter Best Chef Best Roller Derby Girl Best Radio Station, News Best Radio Station, Music Best Reporter Best Art Curator Best Local Activist/Watchdog/Nonprofit Leader Best Burlesque Troupe Best Radio Talk-Show Host Best Doula Best…
Best Indian Restaurant
1. India Palace 8474 Fredericksburg, Ste. 100, (210) 692-5262, indiapalacesa.com 2. Indian Oven 1031 Patricia, (210) 366-1030, indiaoven.biz 3. Mela Indian Bar and Grille 4987 NW Loop 410, (210) 682-1234, melagrill.com
Best Makeout Spot
1. Japanese Tea Gardens 3853 N St. Mary’s 2. River Walk Thesanantonioriverwalk.com 3. The Overtime Theater 1203 Camden, (210) 557-7562, theovertimetheater.org
Best Bakery
1. Bakery Lorraine 511 E Grayson, (210) 862-5582, bakerylorraine.com They met at Thomas Keller’s famed Bouchon Bakery in Napa Valley, and Anne Ng and Jeremy Mandrell have been baking together ever since — a sweet story that is reflected in the delights at Bakery Lorraine that have made them the darlings of the SA culinary…
Best Cigar Shop
1. Club Humidor Multiple locations, clubhumidor.com We all know that smoking cigarettes is stupid, but it would be a crying shame if there were no cigars in the world. And pipes, too. They’re both made for tasting, not vacuuming in, the smoke of the heavenly leaf that Native Americans wisely reserved for special occasions. Candy-flavored…
Best Lounge
1. Gypsy Café 2813 Thousand Oaks, (210) 494-1312, gypsycafe-sa.com Here we thought our readers had discovered some new gem in the Thousand Oaks hinterlands. Instead, we got the Gypsy Café. Let’s suspend our disbelief and assume that Gypsy came by these titles honestly, and not via bot-bombing. They do, in fact, stay open late and…
Best Florist
1. Fresh Urban Flowers 100 Taylor, Studio 106 freshurbanflowers.com Brooke Harris is not your mother’s florist, but she’ll totally charm your mom anyway. Harris and the crew at Fresh Urban Flowers listen intently when creating event designs, willing to work with non-traditional choices like wildflowers, dried leaves, and painted branches in addition to the usual…
UTSA Music Dept. Presents Mother Falcon and Ernie Halter
Some classes take exams, others presentations. The assignment for the students in UTSA’s Music Marketing program? Throw a concert. “The goal for us in the program is to work with professionals in the industry,” said UTSA Senior Michael Kelly. “Basically, to get our feet wet with show promoting,” Kelly and his classmates will present the…
Best Karaoke Night
1. Dad’s Karaoke 2615 Mossrock, (210) 267-5703, facebook.com/dadskaraoke Have you ever woken yourself up in the middle of the night, warbling Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” into your pillow? Have you ever sprinted out of work on a Friday evening, involuntarily belting the chorus to “9 to 5” by Dolly Parton? Fret not, compulsive singer, there is…
Best Lesbian Bar
1. Sparky’s Pub 1416 N Main, (210) 320-5111, sparkyspub.com You don’t have to wait for the weekend or break the bank to go clubbing. Sparky’s is open seven days a week with daily drink specials that are so dangerously cheap you may find it prudent to put a cap on pocket money and leave the…
Best Cocktails
1. The Brooklynite 516 Brooklyn, (210) 444-0707, thebrooklynitesa.com Your choices show you’re savvy to our nascent cocktail culture, San Antonio, no arguments from our drink experts on these. But putting Jeret Peña’s establishment on top shows a special refinement. Even before launching The Brooklynite last year, Peña racked up national honors with a Rising Star…
Metric at The Pearl Stable
Metric is a great band not just because of how they sound, but how they think. The Canadian band has been racking up their country’s Juno Awards for the past decade. Synthetica, their latest, and arguably their best, album, is an imaginative alt-rock trip full of hooks, groove, and the band’s gentle but biting analysis…
Best Shoe Store
1. Sole Boutique 201 NW Loop 410, (210) 822-7653, soleboutique.com 2. Lee Lee Shoes 303 Pearl Pkwy., Ste. 105, (210) 832-0066, leeleeshoes.com 3. San Antonio Shoes Multiple locations, sasshoes.com
Best Pizza
1. Dough Pizzeria 6989 Blanco, (210) 979-6565, doughpizzeria.com 2. Freetail Brewing Co. 4035 N 1604 W, (210) 395-4974, freetailbrewing.com 3. Big Lou’s Pizzeria 2048 S WW White, (210) 337-0707, biglouspizzaonline.com
Best Live Music Venue
1. Sam’s Burger Joint 330 E Grayson, (210) 223-2830, samsburgerjoint.com 2. The Korova 107 E Martin, 3. 502 Bar 502 Embassy Oaks, (210) 257-8125, 502bar.com
Best Mural
1. ‘The Spirit of Healing’ Artist: Jesse Treviño Christus Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital 333 N Santa Rosa 2. The White Rabbit 2410 N St. Mary’s (210) 737-2221 sawhiterabbit.com
Best Nachos
1. Chacho’s Multiple locations, chachos.com 2. Taco Taco Café 145 E Hildebrand, tacotacosa.com 3. Chris Madrid’s 1900 Blanco, (210) 735-3552
Best Celebrity
1. TIE: David Robinson/George Strait The pairing of David Robinson and the still-active Tim Duncan gave San Antonio its first two NBA championship rings and, like Duncan, Robinson is the perfect Saytown hero: classy on and off the field, low-profile, and scandal-free. He’s a loveable guy even if he hadn’t won two NBA championships, two…
Phoenix: 'Bankrupt!'
Can’t say I saw it coming, but Phoenix has started looking curiously like the biggest band in the world. Check their Lollapalooza headlining slot, the surprise collab with R. Kelly, and the roughly 7,000 commercials featuring their singles “1901” or “Lisztomania.” Bankrupt!, the fifth release by the Parisian quartet, is the record meant to reflect…
Best Menudo
1. Taco Taco Cafe 145 E Hildebrand, (210) 822-9533 Despite glacial wait times during peak weekend hours, Taco Taco Cafe deservingly swept six different Best Of categories this year and remains a favorite breakfast and lunch destination for visitors, locals, and hung over college students alike. This much lauded and greatly loved San Antonio staple…
Best Meat Market Bar
1. The Mix 2423 N St. Mary’s, (210) 735-1313, facebook.com/themix.sanantonio 2. Blue Box Bar 312 Pearl Pkwy., facebook.com/blueboxatpearl 3. The Lion and Rose Multiple locations, Thelionandrose.com
Best Theater Company
1. The Overtime Theater 1203 Camden, (210) 557-7562, theovertimetheater.org 2. Stone Oak Youth Theatre 21518 Blanco, #101 , (210) 481-2400, stoneoakyouththeatre.com 3. Jump-Start Performance Company 108 Blue Star, (210) 227-JUMP, jump-start.org
Robert Redford’s 'The Company You Keep' isn't bad, but could've used some help from two guys named Sidney
Where are the two Sidneys when you really need them? Either Sidney Pollack or Sidney Lumet could have easily injected Robert Redford’s old-fashioned thriller with some much needed snap and suspense. It’s not that The Company You Keep’s mix of ’60s radicalism and crime drama isn’t solid; in fact, it’s the best thing Redford’s directed…
Best Michelada
1. The Friendly Spot 943 S Alamo, (210) 224-BEER, thefriendlyspot.com You’d be forgiven for mistaking this Southtown ice house for a dog park. Above the din of the crowd or the occasional Spurs game, you’ll hear pooches barking next to their boozed-up owners. The laid-back, outdoor setting makes it a perfect place for four-legged friends…
Best Cupcake
1. Kate’s Frosting Multiple locations, Katesfrosting.com True story: we here at the Current were having a tough time plowing through ‘Best of’ write-ups while news broke of the tragic explosions last week and we needed something stronger than a brisk walk and lighter than a stiff drink to keep us focused. Enter the cupcake. Just…
¡Ask a Mexican!
Dear Mexican: I have always liked ranchera music. As of late, I have wanted to get deeper into it as far as the history, the culture and especially the songs and lyrics. The older I get, the more rancheras seem like poetry to me. Sounds cursi, I know. So what I was wondering is if…
Best Comedy Club
1. Laugh out Loud 618 NW Loop 410, (210) 541-8805 lolsanantonio.com 2. The Overtime Theater 1203 Camden, (210) 557-7562 theovertimetheater.org 3. Rivercenter Comedy Club 849 E Commerce, Ste. 893 (210) 229-1420 rivercentercomedyclub.com
Best Filmmaker
1. Bryan Ortiz Facebook.com/bryanortizdirector 2. Comedia A Go Go Comediaagogo.libsyn.com 3. Scott Langford Twitter.com/slangjuice
Best Drag Queen/King
1. Erica Andrews (1969-2013) If you search Google images for “Erica Andrews,” the top hits show the late performer winning Miss International Queen in Thailand and posing on the red carpet at the Tribeca Film Festival. It’s safe to say Andrews, who was born Eddie Salazar and passed away from a lung infection in March,…
Best Public Swimming Pool
1. San Pedro Springs Park 1415 San Pedro 2. Alamo Heights Pool 250 Viesca (210) 824-2595 heightspool.com 3. San Antonio Natatorium 8400 N Loop 1604 W (210) 397-7525
Best Thrift Store
1. Texas Trash Clothing Exchange 1710 McCullough, (210) 259-6028, texastrashclothingexchange.yolasite.com 2. Boysville Auxiliary Thrift Store 307 W Olmos, (210) 826-2195, boysvilletexas.org 3. Texas Thrift Store 7500 N I-35, (210)654-7222
Best of 2013 – Around Town
Best Dog Park Best Place to Work on Your Laptop Best Place to View Human Atrocities Best Beauty Counter to Use for a Touch-up on the Fly Best Florist View in the City Best Playground Best Skate Park Best Art Gallery Best Fiesta Event Best Festival Best CrossFit Box Best Public Swimming Pool Best Place…
'Room 237': 'The Shining' and how Kubrick and Hitler killed the Indians
"There ain’t nothing in room 237." — Scatman Crothers, The Shining Stanley Kubrick was an obsessive filmmaker, infamous for his endless takes, rigorously composed images and meticulous attention to detail. But while the subject matter of his movies varied wildly (this is the man who made Dr. Strangelove, A Clockwork Orange and Full Metal Jacket,…
Best Burlesque Troupe
1. Stars and Garters Burlesque starsandgartersburlesque.com SA’s burgeoning burlesque scene has some hot talent — and you’ve ID’d the top contenders, people. All three winning troupes are tempting, but your first choice really seals the deal. With an all-star cast filled with pros from Jump-Start Performance Company (including Foxxy Blue Orchid, aka Dino Foxx, and…
Best Web Site
1. The Rivard Report therivardreport.com 2. TIE: Plaza de Armas plazadearmastx.com Puro Pinche puropinche.com
Best Athlete
1. Tim Duncan San Antonio Spurs Nba.com/spurs 2. Drew Bignall Mission CrossFit San Antonio 827 E Rector, (210) 865-9348, missioncrossfitsa.com 3. Manu Ginobili San Antonio Spurs Nba.com/spurs
Best River Walk Restaurant
1. Casa Rio 430 E Commerce, (210) 225-6718, casa-rio.com 2. Acenar 146 E Houston, (210) 222-2362, acenar.com 3. Biga on the Banks 203 S St. Mary’s, (210) 225-0722, biga.com
Best French Restaurant
1. La Frite 728 S Alamo, (210) 224-7555, lafritesa.com Belgium is a tiny country on the western edge of Europe, famous for amazing French-style pastries and really good pomme frites or French fries. But it’s not France. We let your choice stand because, as does many a restaurant in Brussels or Ghent, La Frite Belgian…
Best Local Burgers
1. Chris Madrid’s 1900 Blanco Road (210) 735-3552 chrismadrids.com 2. The Cove 606 W Cypress (210) 227-2683 thecove.us 3. Bigz multiple locations bigz-burgerjoint.com
Best Bookstore
1. The Twig Book Shop 200 E Grayson, Ste. 124, (210) 826-6411, thetwig.indiebound.com SA has some great used bookstores, but when it comes to new titles, especially from small presses, head to the Twig. A favorite stop off for visiting writers, The Twig provides discerning readers of all ages with fiction, poetry, and non-fiction classics…
Best Bowling Alley
1. University Bowl 12332 W I-10, (210) 699-6235, ubbowl.com Many of us have felt the desire to knock down a bunch of smug-looking pins with a heavy urethane ball. And this year, the best spot in San Antonio to satiate that urge is University Bowl. With 32 lanes and a family friendly atmosphere, you’ll feel…
Best Jukebox
1. Bar America 723 S Alamo 2. Bond’s 007 Rock Bar 450 Soledad, (210) 225-0007, bonds007rockbar.com 3. Tucker’s Kozy Korner 1338 E Houston, (210) 320-2192, tuckerskozykorner.com
Best Ice House
1. The Friendly Spot 943 S Alamo (210) 224-BEER thefriendlyspot.com 2. Wurzbach Ice House 10141 Wurzbach (210) 877-2100 wurzbachicehouse.com 3. La Tuna Ice House 100 Probandt
Best Public Art Installation
1. F.I.S.H. San Antonio River Walk, Museum Reach, under I-35, Artist: Donald Lipski Just under Interstate 35 near Camden Street, these monster fish made by Philadelphia artist Donald Lipski seem to be jumping out of the San Antonio River to swim through the air, delighting children of all ages touring the River Walk by foot…
Best Bathroom to Sneak into as a Non-paying Customer
1. Grand Hyatt San Antonio 600 E Market, (210) 224-1234, grandsanantonio.hyatt.com If you know where you’re going, you can sneak in through the patio in back, or better yet — just walk in the front door. But remember to act like you own the place. If things have gotten desperate, take the lost tourist approach.…
Best Eco-friendly Business
1. Clothesline Cleaners Multiple locations, clotheslinesa.com This homegrown dry cleaning chain goes beyond offering non-toxic and solvent-free solutions to perk up funky duds. Clothesline uses several natural cleaners like banana oil, citrus and soy agents, and silk protein to tackle the trickiest stains on everything from wool coats to down comforters. At each location you…
Best Skate Park
1. Ladybird Johnson Skate Park 10700 Nacogdoches 2. Rosedale Park 303 Dartmouth, sanantonio.gov/parksandrec/directory_rosedale.aspx 3. TIE: Martinez Skate Park 201 Merida San Pedro Springs Park 1415 San Pedro, sanantonio.gov/parksandrec/directory_san_pedro.aspx
Best Comedian or Comedy Group
1. The Denials (210) 557-7562, facebook.com/theovertimedenials The first and most important rule of improv is to always say ‘yes.’ To say ‘no’ in the world of improv comedy is to neuter the free flowing spirit of the performance and rob yourself and your fellow players of wacky times ahead. At the Overtime Theater, The Denials…
Best Coffee Shop
1. Local Coffee Multiple locations, localcoffeesa.com 2. Olmos Perk 5223 McCullough, (210) 858-2956, olmosperk.com 3. Candlelight 3011 N St. Mary’s, (210) 738-0099, candlelightsa.com
Best Food Truck
1. Say.She.Ate (210) 446-8257, facebook.com/saysheatetx 2. Cullum’s Attaboy attaboyburgers.com 3. Rickshaw Stop (210) 902-9308, rickshawstop-sa.com
Best Dive Bar
1. Rookie’s Bar 6402 Callaghan, (210) 377-0909, myspace.com/rookiesbarsatx Rookie’s is the essence of the good ol’ ‘merican dive bar. The drinks are cheap and the Spurs are always on at this neighborhood haunt. Covered in wood paneling and boasting an impressive selection of board games as well as shuffleboard and darts, this dim hole-in-the wall…
Best Gift Shop
1. Ooples Apparel 7460 Callaghan, (210) 370-3203, ooples.com. A destination on Callaghan along with neighboring Minnano Japanese Grocery, Ooples celebrates both anime and geek culture. Here in a strip mall, Pikachu, Sonic, and Sailor Moon coexist with erasers shaped like hamsters ($1.25), wacky cell-phone charms ($2.99), and graphic tees imported from Japan ($19.99). But the…
Best Fiesta Event
1. NIOSA Niosa.org 2. Oyster Bake Oysterbake.com 3. King William Fair Kwfair.org
Best CrossFit Box
1. Mission CrossFit San Antonio 827 E Rector, (210) 865-9348 , missioncrossfitsa.com Opened in April of 2010, Mission CrossFit San Antonio offers an essential CrossFit experience to people of all fitness levels. Mission’s goal is to make people comfortable with CrossFit, an intense and admittedly hellish strength and conditioning program that aims to improve fitness…
Best Hairdresser
1. Belle Howard Salon Boutique, 11503 NW Military Hwy. (210) 215-9458 Working out of her own studio located in Salon Boutique in the Alon Center, Belle Howard brings a decade of experience to her clients. It’s a good thing too, because Howard’s the first to admit her customers are “all over the board… from punky…
Best Photographer
1. Daniela ZaaZaa Riojas danielariojas.com Photog, videographer, singer, and subject of some amazing self-portraits, Riojas is an all-around talent and art advocate, too. She organizes shows and curates writing and visual art as a founding member of The Arts United, a grassroots collective. Her photography blends digital techniques with natural inspirations to create painterly portraits…
Best Museum
1. The Witte Museum 3801 Broadway, (210) 357-1900, wittemuseum.org The Witte Museum promotes learning through exhibitions, programs, and collections in natural history, science, and South Texas heritage. Unjustly underrated in favor of other more “serious” museums, the Witte has had its own share of superb exhibits: the diorama-based “Dinosaurs Unearthed,” “Mummies of the World,” and…
Best Place to Nurse a Hangover
1. Taco Taco 145 E Hildebrand, (210) 822-9533 tacotacosa.com 2. The Friendly Spot 943 S Alamo, (210) 224-BEER thefriendlyspot.com 3. Taco Haven Multiple locations tacohaven.info
Best Flea Market
1. Traders Village 9333 SW Loop 410 , (210) 623-8383, tradersvillage.com Advertised as a “swap meet, treasure hunt, shopping complex, county fair, and festival attraction all rolled into one,” Traders Village is a sprawling flea market on steroids, orbiting around an 80-foot high carnival ride dubbed Star Dancer. Once through the “Toll Plaza” ($2 per…
Best Meteorologist
1. Steve Browne KSAT 12 ksat.com 2. Albert Flores News 4 WOAI woai.com 3. Bill Taylor KENS 5 Kens5.com
Best Graffiti Artist
1. Nik Soupe (Soup) The Paint Yard, 525 San Pedro, (210) 229-1707, thepaintyard.com You’ve probably seen him working on a piece at an ArtSlam, the Korova, or at On the Half-Shell Oyster bar. Curator at The Paint Yard, a spray paint shop and gallery located on the 500 block of San Pedro, Nik Soupe hardly…
Best Seafood
1. Sea Island Shrimp House Multiple locations, (210) 342-7771, shrimphouse.com From turning his father’s downtown landmark Manhattan Cafe into one of SA’s first desegregated restaurants back in ’63 to co-founding a “fast-casual” eatery specializing in wild-caught, sustainable seafood in ’65, restaurateur Dan Anthony lived life ahead of the curve. Nearly half a century after Anthony…
Best Place to be at 4:20
1. My house 2. Lazy Daze 502 Embassy Oaks, #114 (210) 494-4420 lazydazeco.com 3. Planet K 1015 E Mulberry (210) 822-7767 planetktexas.com
Best Bar Trivia Night
1. The Lion and Rose 5148 Broadway (for smoking, multiple locations elsewhere in SA) (210) 822-7673, thelionandrose.com Home to British comfort food like bangers and mash, fish and chips, and a hearty selection of international beers to wash ‘em down, the Lion and Rose is a local exemplar of Britain’s best export — the neighborhood…
Best Personal Trainer
1. Drew Bignall Mission CrossFit San Antonio, 827 E Rector, (210) 865-9348, missioncrossfitsa.com Drew Bignall, founder of Mission CrossFit San Antonio, started as a personal trainer in 2009 with a desire to help people move past their fears of failure and become skilled athletes. He offers positivity and encouragement with a focus on technical ability…
Best New Bar/Club
1. The Brooklynite 516 Brooklyn, (210) 444-0707, thebrooklynitesa.com Your choices show you’re savvy to our nascent cocktail culture, San Antonio, no arguments from our drink experts on these. But putting Jeret Peña’s establishment on top shows a special refinement. Even before launching The Brooklynite last year, Peña racked up national honors with a Rising Star…
Best Sushi
1. Godai Sushi Bar & Japanese Restaurant 11203 West Avenue, (210) 348-6781, godaisushi.com 2. Niki’s Tokyo Inn 819 W Hildebrand, (210) 736-5471 3. Sushihana 1810 NW Military Hwy., (210) 340-7808 sushihanasan.com
Best Local News Anchor
1. Randy Beamer News 4 WOAI woai.com 2. Isis Romero KSAT 12 ksat.com 3. Steve Spriester KSAT 12 ksat.com
Metric in SA: Emily Speaks
“I really want our art guy to win,” Metric singer-keyboardist-songwriter Emily Haines told the Current on April 16 from the Honolulu airport on her way to Sacramento. She was talking about Sunday’s Juno Awards (the Canadian Music Awards), where Metric won two of five nominations, including Best Alternative Album for Synthetica. And that’s all you…
Best Art Curator
1. Alex Rubio R Gallery, 101 E Lachapelle, (210) 793-8899, facebook.com/RGallerytx 2. David Rubin Brown Foundation Curator of Contemporary Art, San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 W Jones, (210) 978-8100, samuseum.org 3. Chris Davila Independent curator, facebook.com/theChrisDavila
Best Spa
1. Spa d’sante Multiple locations, spadsante.com With five locations around town, Spa d’sante serves customers from Alamo Heights to Bulverde. Hour-long massages start at $47 and a half-hour spot treatment massage for one or two areas can run as low as $32. As for the spa, just reading the menu of packages is relaxing. With…
Best Jeweler
1. James Avery (Quarry Market) 255 E Basse, (210) 822-0048, jamesavery.com Growing up in San Antonio, the James Avery charm bracelet, first created by Avery (left, with sons) in nearby Kerrville, was every tween girl’s dream. We got sterling silver charms for all kinds of achievements – playing a sport, making the play, joining the…
Best Radio Talk-Show Host
1. Joe “Pags” Pagliarulo WOAI 1200 AM, radio.woai.com Looking for Bill O’Reilly-grade conservatism with some Glenn Beck passion, just without all the spittle and tears? Look no further than Clear Channel’s Joe Pagliarulo. Sure, he’ll tear down the liberal nanny state with the best of ‘em, but Pags does it with a bit more wit,…
Best Dog Park
1. Phil Hardberger Park 8400 NW Military Hwy, 13202 Blanco philhardbergerpark.org 2. McAllister Park 13102 Jones Maltsberger sanantonio.gov/parksandrec/directory_mcallister.aspx 3. Madison Square Park 400 Lexington sanantonio.gov/parksandrec/directory_madison_square.aspx
Best Restaurant outside Downtown Loop
1. Two Step Restaurant and Cantina 9840 W Loop 1604 N, (210) 688-2686, twosteprestaurant.com Two Step Restaurant and Cantina, housed in the renovated historic Ruempel homestead, takes pride in its rustic roots. Vintage Texana decor adorns the walls, and the menu offers traditional comfort food favorites like chicken fried steak, prime rib, catfish, and barbecue.…
Best Meat Market
1. Bolner’s Meat Market 2900 S Flores, (210) 533-5112, bolnersmeatmarket.com 2. Culebra Meat Market Multiple locations, culebrameatmarket.com/texas-meat-market 3. Central Market 4821 Broadway, (210) 368-8600, centralmarket.com
Best Bartender
1. Elyse Blechman The Irish Pub, 9726 Datapoint, (210) 692-7620 An unassuming pot o’ gold near Medical Center, the Irish Pub’s lucky charms are considerably enhanced by bubbly bartender Elyse Blechman. The UTSA fine arts student pours her creativity into every cocktail, favoring cordials, infused liquors, and “other out-there ideas from baking,” another of her…
Best Author
1. Rick Riordan Rickriordan.com Born and bred in the Alamo City, Rick Riordan is the author/alchemist of The New York Times’ best-selling young adult series Percy Jackson and the Olympians (the first book in the series, The Lightning Thief, was made into a feature film), the Heroes of Olympus, and the Kane Chronicles. In 2011,…
Best Hookah Bar
1. Gypsy Café 2813 Thousand Oaks, (210) 494-1312, gypsycafe-sa.com Here we thought our readers had discovered some new gem in the Thousand Oaks hinterlands. Instead, we got the Gypsy Café. Let’s suspend our disbelief and assume that Gypsy came by these titles honestly, and not via bot-bombing. They do, in fact, stay open late and…
Best Playground
1. Hardberger Park 8400 NW Military Hwy (West), 13203 Blanco (East) philhardbergerpark.org Mayor Phil Hardberger (2005-2009) was a popular mayor, but he’ll be forever immortalized by the beautiful park that bears his name, a vast area of virtually untouched land in the middle of the city. Its playground for children ages two to 12 boasts…
Best Dance Floor
1. The Bonham Exchange 411 Bonham, (210) 271-3811, bonhamexchange.com 2. Cowboys Dancehall 3030 NE Loop 410, (210) 646-9378, cowboysdancehall.com 3. TIE: Industry 8021 Pinebrook, (210) 366-3229, feelgoodfridays.com Brass Monkey 2702 N St. Mary’s, (210) 584-0103, facebook.com/BrassMonkeyTX
Best New Restaurant
1. The Luxury 103 E Jones, (210) 254-2274, twitter.com/TheLuxurySA Two years in the making, chef Andrew Weissman’s riverside shipping container haven is finally open, and the little people rejoice. Though sharing the fine locally sourced ingredients used at his upscale joints, Il Sogno and Sandbar, Weissman keeps the Luxury’s price points low. This almost-an-ice-house pours…
Best Rock Club
1. Nightrocker Live 605 San Pedro, (210) 265-3573, nightrockerlive.net Nightrocker Live has been showcasing metal, rock, hip-hop, and even reggae on a regular basis since opening in 2009. Stand-up comedy and a sexy tattoo ladies’ night help round out the weekly schedule. The last time we visited, it was for the annual Ram Jam, a…
Best Smoke Shop
1. Planet K 1015 E Mulberry, (210) 822-7767, planetktexas.com 2. Lazy Daze 502 Embassy Oaks, #114, (210) 494-4420, lazydazeco.com
Best Roller Derby Girl
1. La La Diabla (Angela Gonzales) Alamo City Roller Girls, alamocityrollergirls.com 2. TIE: Virginia Pound (Elyse Blechman) and Jinjure (Jen Pogue Barrera) Alamo City Roller Girls, alamocityrollergirls.com 3. Hollow Point Bexar County Roller Girls, bexarcountyrollergirls.org
Best Local Elected Official (city)
1. Julián Castro Mayor sanantonio.gov/mayor 2. Diego Bernal City Council District 1 sanantonio.gov/council/d1 3. Rey Saldana City Council District 4 sanantonio.gov/council/d4
Best Fajitas
1. Taco Taco Cafe 145 E Hildebrand, (210) 822-9533 Despite glacial wait times during peak weekend hours, Taco Taco Cafe deservingly swept six different Best Of categories this year and remains a favorite breakfast and lunch destination for visitors, locals, and hung over college students alike. This much lauded and greatly loved San Antonio staple…
Best Local Elected Official (state)
1. Mike Villarreal State Representative, District 123 house.state.tx.us/members/member-page/?district=123 2. Leticia Van de Putte State Senator, District 26 vandeputte.senate.state.tx.us 3. Trey Martinez Fischer State Representative, District 116 house.state.tx.us/members/member-page/?district=116
Best of SA 2013 – Nightlife
Best Lounge Best Hookah Bar Best Ladies’ Night Best Place to Nurse a Hangover Best Ice House Best Karaoke Night Best Salsa Club Best Margarita Best Country Bar Best Hotel Bar Best Dive Bar Best Meat Market Bar Best Live Music Venue Best Specialty Shot Best Gay Bar Best Lesbian Bar Best Dance Floor Best…
Best Place to Adopt a Pet
1. Humane Society 4804 Fredericksburg, (210) 226-7461, sahumane.org San Antonio’s premier no-kill shelter boasts a 97 percent save rate (2012). Adoption fees are $65-$99 for dogs and $30-$50 for cats and include spay/neuter surgery, first set of vaccinations, microchip, de-wormer, flea and heartworm prevention, collar, tag, complimentary wellness exam within the first five days of…
Best Desserts
1. Bakery Lorraine 511 E Grayson, (210) 862-5582, bakerylorraine.com They met at Thomas Keller’s famed Bouchon Bakery in Napa Valley, and Anne Ng and Jeremy Mandrell have been baking together ever since — a sweet story that is reflected in the delights at Bakery Lorraine that have made them the darlings of the SA culinary…
Best Romantic Restaurant
1. Grey Moss Inn 19010 Scenic Loop, Helotes, (210) 695-8301, grey-moss-inn.com There’s always been a romantic element to “getting away from it all.” Why else do newlyweds honeymoon? Grey Moss offers escapism about half an hour outside of downtown, under the shade of giant Oaks and twinkling lights on the edge of the Hill Country.…
Best Late-Night Restaurant
1. Gypsy Café 2813 Thousand Oaks, (210) 494-1312, gypsycafe-sa.com Here we thought our readers had discovered some new gem in the Thousand Oaks hinterlands. Instead, we got the Gypsy Café. Let’s suspend our disbelief and assume that Gypsy came by these titles honestly, and not via bot-bombing. They do, in fact, stay open late and…
Best Country Bar
1. Cowboys Dancehall 3030 NE Loop 410, (210) 646.9378, cowboysdancehall.com/san-antonio Cowboys Dancehall has all the making of an ‘untz untz’ kind of club, except instead of Skrillex and Swedish House Mafia, they blast Randy Rogers and Miranda Lambert. This is the place to be if you feel like wearing your cowgirl boots, putting away some…
Best Dog Friendly Restaurant
1. The Friendly Spot 943 S Alamo, (210) 224-BEER, thefriendlyspot.com You’d be forgiven for mistaking this Southtown ice house for a dog park. Above the din of the crowd or the occasional Spurs game, you’ll hear pooches barking next to their boozed-up owners. The laid-back, outdoor setting makes it a perfect place for four-legged friends…
Best Bar You Can Still Smoke In
1. The Lion and Rose 5148 Broadway (for smoking, multiple locations elsewhere in SA) (210) 822-7673, thelionandrose.com Home to British comfort food like bangers and mash, fish and chips, and a hearty selection of international beers to wash ‘em down, the Lion and Rose is a local exemplar of Britain’s best export — the neighborhood…
Best Massage Therapist
1. Michelle A. Jiménez Reyes 5152 Fredericksburg, Ste. 200d, (210) 508-2277, majrmassage.com “I love a client that comes in with a problem,” says 2011 BOSA winner Michelle A. Jiménez Reyes, “I like a good challenge.” For nine and a half years her prize-winning hands have specialized in Swedish massage, deep tissue, trigger point therapy, and…
Best Radio Station, Music
1. KROV 91.7-HD2 FM, krovfm.com 2. KSYM San Antonio College radio, 90.1 FM, sacrtfnet.alamo.edu/ksym 3. KRTU Trinity University radio, 91.7 FM, krtu.org
Best Barbacoa
1. Taco Taco 145 E Hildebrand, (210) 822-9533, tacotacosa.com 2. Rios Multiple locations, Visit their Facebook page for locations and contact information 3. Tellez Tamales and Barbacoa Multiple locations, Visit their Facebook page for locations and contact information
Best Craft Beer Selection
1. The Friendly Spot 943 S Alamo, (210) 224-BEER, thefriendlyspot.com You’d be forgiven for mistaking this Southtown ice house for a dog park. Above the din of the crowd or the occasional Spurs game, you’ll hear pooches barking next to their boozed-up owners. The laid-back, outdoor setting makes it a perfect place for four-legged friends…
Best Bike Route
1. Mission Reach Sanantonioriver.org/mission_reach/mission_reach.php Cruise down Mission Reach during spring’s temperate climes and you’ll have to agree, this rehabbed stretch of the San Antonio River is pretty damned special. Wildflowers and waterfowl compete for attention, while the paved routes accommodate most any type of bike. The South Side reach, which connects to a larger bike…
Best View in the City
1. Tower of the Americas 601 Tower of the Americas Way, (210) 223-3101, toweroftheamericas.com Only the Alamo rivals the Tower of the Americas as San Antonio’s most recognizable symbol. The 750-foot-tall tower (the city’s tallest) features the revolving Chart House restaurant (complete with a solid international selection of wines), the $8.95-$10.95 Observation Deck (children under…
Best of SA 2013 – Shopping
Best Record Store Best Cigar Shop Best Designer Best Bike Shop Best Thrift Store Best Shoe Store Best Bookstore Best Plant Nursery Best Sex Toy Shop Best Wine Shop Best Liquor Store Best Locally Crafted Product Best Eco-friendly Business Best Gift Shop Best Flea Market Best Jeweler Best Video Game Shop Best Farmers Market Best…
Best Local Sandwiches
1. The Station Cafe 108 King William, (210) 444-2200, thestationsa.com The Station Cafe, still known to many by its old name, The Filling Station, has delighted Alamo City sandwich lovers since 2006. Of the practically countless options, both hot and cold, a few crowd favorites include the turkey pastrami Reuben, jalapeño roast beef, “Turkey Chupacabra”…
Best Local Elected Official (county)
1. Nelson Wolff Bexar County Judge bexar.org/CountyJudge 2. Tommy Adkisson County Commissioner, Precinct 4 bexar.org/commct/cmpct4/pct4.asp 3. Susan Parmeleau Bexar County Sheriff bexar.org/sheriff/Pamerleau.html
Best Bike Shop
1. Bike World Multiple locations, bikeworld.com When it opened nearly 40 years ago as a Schwinn shop, Bike World was one of the first to champion cycling in San Antonio. It’s now part of the patchwork of local cycle shops, offering a range of road bikes, cruisers, and hybrids out of its restored 1920s-era building…
Best Margarita
1. La Fogata 2427 Vance Jackson, (210) 340-1337, lafogata.com 2. Chacho’s Multiple locations, chachos.com 3. Rosario’s Restaurant y Cantina 910 S Alamo, (210) 223-1806, rosariossa.com
Best Veggie Burger
1. Green Vegetarian Cuisine multiple locations, greensanantonio.com 2. The Cove 606 W Cypress, (210) 227-2683, thecove.us 3. Vegeria 8407 Broadway, Ste. 1, (210) 826-4223, myvegeria.com
Best Hotel Bar
1. Ocho at Hotel Havana 1015 Navarro, (210) 222-2008, havanasanantonio.com The term “hotel bar” conjures memories of a dimly lit mahogany lounge with a few commercial travelers tended by a tired barkeep who ignores his regulars — two working girls, hoping for an easy mark. Not so, Ocho. Perched over the river, the glass and…
Best Ice Cream
1. Brindles Awesome Ice Creams 11255 Huebner, (210) 641-5222 It is a shame that an ice cream store this good doesn’t have a website. But you do find them on Facebook and, better still, you find them in the store. Delicious, store-made (literally) ice cream, gelato and even espresso, with flavors that go anywhere from…
Best Piercing Shop
1. Dandyland 1821 Bandera, Ste. B, (210) 432-5747, dandylandtattoo.com 2. Buddha Box Studios 5337 Glen Ridge, Ste. 109, (210) 647-2929, buddha-box.com 3. Platinum Tattoos and Piercing Multiple locations, platinumtattoos.com
Best Fashion Boutique
1. Evolve Boutique 22806 US 281 N, Ste. 105, (210) 549-5001, evolveboutique.co Online shopping increasingly lures us away from the time-consuming process of picking through the racks, offering oh-so-convenient e-blasts and social media updates about new trends and big sales. Too bad none of that supports an independent business or the local economy (well, maybe…
Best Italian Restaurant
1. Il Sogno Osteria 200 E Grayson, (210) 223-3900, pearlbrewery.com Hailed as a “five-star ode to the trattorias and osterias of Rome and Florence,” Andrew Weissman’s Il Sogno infuses the rustic flavors of Italy into everything from the house-made cheeses and pastas to hearty entrées and pizzas cooked in a wood-fired oven. Alluring as the…
Best Ceviche
1. La Gloria 100 E Grayson, (210) 267-9040, lagloriaicehouse.com If you’re looking for a tasty snack on the river, try a La Gloria ceviche. Touting itself as a restaurant offering authentic Mexican street dishes, La Gloria is nestled in the Pearl Brewery complex with a great view of the Museum Reach. Our server recommended the…
Best Reporter
1. Natalie Tejeda KENS5, kens5.com How anyone can be so bright and bubbly pre-dawn is beyond us. Especially when much of their morning is spent giving us reports of fiery wrecks and traffic snarls. But Natalie Tejeda pulls it off, delivering KENS 5’s traffic reports each morning and co-hosting Great Day SA, the station’s daily…
Best Colorist
1. Belle Howard Salon Boutique, 11503 NW Military Hwy. (210) 215-9458 Working out of her own studio located in Salon Boutique in the Alon Center, Belle Howard brings a decade of experience to her clients. It’s a good thing too, because Howard’s the first to admit her customers are “all over the board… from punky…
Best Comic Shop
1. Dragon’s Lair 7959 Fredericksburg, Ste. 129, (210) 615-1229, dlair.net 2. Heroes & Fantasies Multiple locations, heroesandfantasies.com 3. Alien Worlds 1255 SW Loop 410, (210) 674-1700
Best Doula
1. Tina Castellanos (210) 888-2149, thenurturedcenter.com In the case of pregnancy, familiarity often breeds (excuse the pun) security. For first-time mothers, or women wanting a change from a previous birth experience, a good referral can make all the difference. In fact, that’s how doula Tina Castellanos gets many of her clients — “they say they…
Best Brunch
1. Candlelight 3011 N St. Mary’s, (210) 738-0099, candlelightsa.com Candlelight is where North St. Mary’s collectively gathers to shake off long, booze-soaked weekend benders. Pair any of their delicious omelets, waffles, pancakes, or French toast with bottomless mimosas. The loungy, couch-filled dining area serves as a nice recovery room, or head out to the patio…
Best Guacamole
1. Taco Taco Cafe 145 E Hildebrand, (210) 822-9533 Despite glacial wait times during peak weekend hours, Taco Taco Cafe deservingly swept six different Best Of categories this year and remains a favorite breakfast and lunch destination for visitors, locals, and hung over college students alike. This much lauded and greatly loved San Antonio staple…
Best Waiter/Waitress
1. Captain Jack Sparrow Magic Time Machine, 902 NE Loop 410, (210) 828-1470, magictimemachine.com There’s waiters and waitresses, and then there’s the servers of Magic Time Machine, an out-of-this-world place to dine and celebrate while being served by Ace Ventura, Woody the Sheriff, Wonder Woman, and even Dora the Explorer. But somehow, it is Capt.…
Best Festival
1. Fiesta Fiesta-sa.org 2. Luminaria Luminariasa.org 3. Oyster Bake Oysterbake.com
Best Breakfast Taco
1. Taco Taco Cafe 145 E Hildebrand, (210) 822-9533 Despite glacial wait times during peak weekend hours, Taco Taco Cafe deservingly swept six different Best Of categories this year and remains a favorite breakfast and lunch destination for visitors, locals, and hung over college students alike. This much lauded and greatly loved San Antonio staple…
Best Authentic Jukebox
1. Bar America 723 S Alamo 2. Mary Ann’s Pig Stand 1508 Broadway, (210) 222-9923
Best City Park
1. Brackenridge Park 3700 N St. Mary’s, brackenridgepark.org For more than 100 years, Brackenridge has been a lush, green escape near downtown. Tree-lined paths, both paved for biking and dirt for walking, snake through the park, as do the cool waters from our cleanest-in-recent-memory San Antonio River. Lots of quiet, tree-covered nooks offer ideal siesta…
Best Chicken-Fried Steak
1. De Wese’s Tip Top Café 8214 Fredericksburg, (210) 732-0191, tiptopcafe.com The trusty, musty Tip Top has been serving up down home cookin’ since 1938. Things don’t change much around the wood-paneled dining room, not the decor, the ancient waitresses, or the menu, in which the lone appetizer is vegetable soup. Bless their hearts, it…
Best BBQ
1. Rudy’s Multiple locations, Rudysbbq.com 2. Two Bros. BBQ Market 12656 West Avenue, (210) 496-022 twobrosbbqmarket.com 3. Augie’s Barbed Wire Smokehouse BBQ 3709 N St. Mary’s St, (210) 735-0088 augiesbs.com
Best Vintage Shop
1. Montage Vintage 423 W Grayson, (210) 324-0157 montagevintage.com 2. Texas Trash 1710 McCullough, (210) 259-6028 texastrashclothingexchange.yolasite.com 3. Bearded Lady 4745 Fredericksburg, Ste. B (210) 913-3666 facebook.com/BeardedLadyEmporium
Best Record Store
1. Hog Wild Records 1824 N Main (210) 733-5354 facebook.com/hogwildrecords 2. Flip Side Record Parlor 840 SW Military Drive (210) 923-7811 3. TIE: CD Exchange Multiple locations Cdexchange-sa.com Janie’s Record Shop 1012 Bandera Road (210) 735-1241 janiesrecordshop.com
Best Happy Hour
1. Lüke 125 E Houston, (210) 227-5853, lukesanantonio.com Due to its location inside the Embassy Suites downtown, happy hour prices at Lüke, where a domestic craft beer can run upward of $7, may seem like regular prices just about anywhere else in SA. However, Lüke is awfully democratic in its deals; half off of beer…
Best Vegetarian Restaurant
1. Green Vegetarian Cuisine multiple locations, greensanantonio.com 2. Vegeria 8407 Broadway, Ste. 1, (210) 826-4223, myvegeria.com 3. The Cove 606 W Cypress, (210) 227-2683, thecove.us
Best Local Artist
1. Nik Soupe (Soup) The Paint Yard, 525 San Pedro, (210) 229-1707, thepaintyard.com You’ve probably seen him working on a piece at an ArtSlam, the Korova, or at On the Half-Shell Oyster bar. Curator at The Paint Yard, a spray paint shop and gallery located on the 500 block of San Pedro, Nik Soupe hardly…
Best Place to Work on Your Laptop
1. Gypsy Café 2813 Thousand Oaks, (210) 494-1312, gypsycafe-sa.com 2. Local Coffee Multiple locations, localcoffeesa.com 3. Olmos Perk 5223 McCullough, (210) 858-2956, olmosperk.com
Best Chef
1. Jason Dady Jason Dady restaurants, Jasondady.com 2. Andrew Weissman Il Sogno, Sand Bar, The Luxury, twitter.com/AKWeissman 3. Johnny Hernandez La Gloria, The Fruteria, chefjohnnyhernandez.com
Best Vietnamese Restaurant
1. Pho Sure 741 W Ashby, (210) 733-8473, pho-sure.com A staff favorite for their veggie-friendly menu, readers likely voted Pho Sure tops for its pho soup, Vietnamese-style sandwiches, and lemongrass-spiked specials. Though they also make overtures to Chinese, Thai, and Japanese cuisines, we recommend you try some of their lesser-known Vietnamese specialties if you’re not…
Best Gay Bar
1. Sparky’s Pub 1416 N Main, (210) 320-5111, sparkyspub.com You don’t have to wait for the weekend or break the bank to go clubbing. Sparky’s is open seven days a week with daily drink specials that are so dangerously cheap you may find it prudent to put a cap on pocket money and leave the…
Best Nonprofit
1. Haven for Hope 1 Haven for Hope Way, (210) 220-2100, havenforhope.org Why help the homeless? They should all get out there and get a job! Giving them free room and board and what Haven for Hope people call “radical compassion” — “We show love to everyone in how we speak, see, and serve,” they…
Best Exotic Dancers (Female)
1. Palace Men’s Club 2482 NE Loop 410, (210) 599-6011, thepalacemensclubsa.com More than 200 of the hottest girls in South Texas (from centerfold material to girl-next-door types), a steak-based menu, and special treats for exclusive members (preferred VIP seating, bottle service, and fine cigars in the members-only smoking lounge) are some of the reasons Current…
Best Real Estate Agent
1. Danny Charbel Keller Williams, 10999 I-10 W, Ste. 175, (210) 887-7080, dannycharbel.com Danny Charbel is totally wired, in a good way. During the ulcer-inducing process of buying or selling a home, it’s nice to know you can get a hold of your agent, stat. Charbel’s easy access and love for communication can be attributed…
Best Place to View Human Atrocities
1. Wal-Mart 2. The Mix 3. The River Walk
Best Pet Groomer
1. Lucy’s Doggy Day Care and Spa Multiple locations, lucysdoggydaycare.com Those smart enough to admit it know that it’s really our four-legged friends that take care of us. Unlike their moody masters, they’re rock-solid cheer machines. We may groan about office pressures, family squabbles, that car that won’t start. But our pooches always see us…
Best Blogger
1. Stephanie Guerra Puro Pinche, puropinche.com Stephanie Guerra, the mastermind behind Puro Pinche, truly has her finger on the pulse of San Antonio’s live music scene. Unrivaled amongst local music blogs, Puro Pinche’s website, Twitter feed, and Facebook page constantly aggregate and share need-to-know information about shows and events happening around town. On the recently…
Best Beauty Counter to Use for a Touch-up on the Fly
1. Sephora Multiple locations sephora.com 2. MAC Multiple locations maccosmetics.com 3. Ulta Multiple locations ulta.com
Best Beard
1. Chris Champlin Chris Champlin likes to call himself “an agent of the collective.” The Overtime Theater’s sole employee, Champlin does a little bit of everything, from answering phones and working the box office to helping build sets. Champlin helped guide the Overtime through its latest relocation/expansion. Exiting stage left from Blue Star amid the…
Best of SA 2013 – Food
Best BBQ Best Barbacoa Best Salsa Best Local Burgers Best Cupcake Best Coffee Shop Best Bakery Best Desserts Best Italian Restaurant Best Indian Restaurant Best Middle Eastern Best French Restaurant Best Thai Best Sushi Best New Restaurant Best Food Truck Best Breakfast Taco Best Fajitas Best Enchiladas Best Menudo Best Guacamole Best Lunch Under $10…
Best Sex Toy Shop
1. Love Shack Boutique 1580 Babcock, (210) 767-9411, theloveshackboutique.com Inspired by in-home parties where gaggles of girlfriends giggled over the latest toys, lubes, handcuffs, and crotchless panties together in relative privacy, Love Shack creates a similarly lady-friendly environment. Brightly lit and trimmed in pink, the small store carries vibes, costumes, flavored oils, etc… all geared…
Best Video Game Shop
1. Propaganda Palace 2100 McCullough, (210) 400-0240 2. Game Over Video Games 602 NW Loop 410, Ste. 111, (210) 366-4263, gameovervideogames.com
Best Middle Eastern
1. Pasha Mediterranean Grille Multiple locations, gopasha.com 2. Gypsy Café 2813 Thousand Oaks, (210) 494-1314, gypsycafe-sa.com 3. Jerusalem Grill 3259 Wurzbach, (210) 680-8400, jerusalemgrill.net
Best Elected Official (National)
1. Joaquín Castro U.S. House of Representatives (D20), castro.house.gov While this category traditionally goes to our U.S. House District 20 rep, formerly Charlie Gonzalez (successor of Henry B.), it’s nice to see some fresh meat in the Best Elected Official category. In his new national role, Castro the (one-minute) younger has created a political identity…
Best Bike Mechanic
1. Greg Maitland Bicycle Heaven 1931 NW Military Hwy (210) 494-0035 bicycle-heaven.com 2. Fernando Guajardo The Bicycle Shack 31007 I-10 W, Ste 118, Boerne (830) 755-5369 thebicycleshack.com 3. Nic Jacobs Ride Away Bicycles 2838 N Loop 1604 E (210) 495-2453 rideawaybicycles.com
Best Locally Crafted Product
1. Ranger Creek beer Ranger Creek Brewing and Distilling, 4834 Whirlwind, (210) 775-2099 drinkrangercreek.com Once a brewery powerhouse, San Antonio lost the big companies, but now shows talent brewing more refined beers. Famous amongst Texas beer aficionados for their seasonal offerings, and gaining rep and shelf-space at select bars for their small-batch whiskey, Ranger Creek…
PBS Documentary Focuses Immigration Debate on Mass Migrant Deaths
Don’t mistake The Undocumented as another contribution to the bitter, polarizing dialogue on illegal immigration and immigration reform. Rather, it is an austere adjustment, working to redirect the debate to a moral center: migrant deaths. Since 1998, more than 2,000 dead bodies have been found in the Arizona Sonora Desert, and the annual toll increases every…
Best Local Website
1. The Rivard Report therivardreport.com Barely a year old, Robert Rivard’s online journal has become the go-to site for an ongoing conversation about San Antonio’s renaissance. With our city undoubtedly at a crossroads, The Rivard Report provides the talking points the city needs in order to shape its future as a creative and economic player…
Best Movie Theater
1. Alamo Draft House Multiple locations drafthouse.com/san_antonio 2. Santikos Palladium 17703 W I-10, (210) 496-2221 santikos.com 3. Santikos Bijou 4522 Fredericksburg (210) 734-4552 santikos.com
Best Local to Follow on Twitter
1. Ricardo Ordieres twitter.com/RicardoOrdieres San Antonio’s Ricardo Ordieres is a new media whiz kid. Boasting almost 2,500 subscribers on his YouTube channels, over 45,000 followers on Instagram and 67,000 on Twitter, this 20-year-old Broadcast Journalism student at San Antonio College has quite literally got the world at his fingertips. An anti-bullying activist and supporter of…
Best Wine Bar
1. Copa Wine Bar 19141 Stone Oak Pkwy, Ste. 704, (210) 495-2672, thecopawinebar.com The flyover from 281 to 1604 makes Stone Oak much more accessible to downtowners, but after inching up Stone Oak Parkway, we still needed a drink. Luckily, Copa offered the perfect reward. A warm faux Tuscan interior, friendly staff, and neighborhood vibe…
Best Tattoo Shop
1. Dandyland 1821 Bandera, Ste. B, (210) 432-5747, dandylandtattoo.com 2. Flesh Electric Tattoo 12510 West Avenue, (210) 314-5685, fleshelectricstudio.com 3. Calaveras Custom Tattoos 628 S St. Mary’s, (210) 227-7673, facebook.com/CalaverasCustomTattoos
Best Patio
1. The Friendly Spot 943 S Alamo, (210) 224-BEER, thefriendlyspot.com You’d be forgiven for mistaking this Southtown ice house for a dog park. Above the din of the crowd or the occasional Spurs game, you’ll hear pooches barking next to their boozed-up owners. The laid-back, outdoor setting makes it a perfect place for four-legged friends…
Best Place to Sleep in Public
1. Brackenridge Park 3700 N St. Mary’s, brackenridgepark.org For more than 100 years, Brackenridge has been a lush, green escape near downtown. Tree-lined paths, both paved for biking and dirt for walking, snake through the park, as do the cool waters from our cleanest-in-recent-memory San Antonio River. Lots of quiet, tree-covered nooks offer ideal siesta…
Worst Best of Category
1. Best Place to View Human Atrocities 2. Best Place to be at 4:20 3. Best Place to Sleep in Public
Best Hot Dogs
1. King’s Court Frankfurter Express 111 King’s Court, (210) 737-7774, frankfurterexpress.com 2. RockerDogz Mobile, (210) 467-8066 3. Jerry’s Chicago Style Hot Dogs 149 E Commerce, (210) 465-8200, jerryshotdogs.com
Best Enchiladas
1. Taco Taco Cafe 145 E Hildebrand, (210) 822-9533 Despite glacial wait times during peak weekend hours, Taco Taco Cafe deservingly swept six different Best Of categories this year and remains a favorite breakfast and lunch destination for visitors, locals, and hung over college students alike. This much lauded and greatly loved San Antonio staple…
Best Ladies’ Night
1. Nightrocker Live 605 San Pedro, (210) 265-3573 nightrockerlive.net 2. Hard Bodies Ladies Club 2726 N St. Mary’s, (210) 736-4865 hardbodiesclub.com 3. Cowboys Dancehall 3030 NE Loop 410, (210) 646-9378 cowboysdancehall.com/san-antonio
Best Specialty Shot
1. Pickle Shot Hi-Tones, 621 E Dewey, (210) 785-8777 We couldn’t pry the secret pickle shot recipe from the otherwise friendly Hi-Tones bartenders just south of the St. Mary’s Strip, but you already know the magic ingredient. In addition to casting a neon green glow, sodium-laden pickle juice helps replenish electrolytes, making it a surprisingly…
Best Childcare
1. Colonial Hills United Methodist School 5247 Vance Jackson, (210) 349-1092, colonialhills.info Established 43 years ago, Colonial Hills is a faith-based school that serves three-year-olds through systems employing units and literacy activities to build a foundation of oral language, phonological awareness, alphabet knowledge and concepts of print and a love of books. For older kids…
Best Exotic Dancers (Male)
1. Hard Bodies Ladies Club 2726 N St. Mary’s, (210) 736-4865, hardbodiesclub.com 2. Essence 1010 N Main, (210) 223-5418 3. Heat Nightclub 1500 N Main, (210) 227-2600, heatsa.com
Best Place to Work
1. Rackspace 5000 Walzem, (210) 312-4000, rackspace.com If you can say that you work in a place where adults use a slide to get to the first floor, a place with movie-, rock band-, book- and video game-themed meeting rooms, Nerf guns, videogame stations, and an amazingly positive atmosphere, then you probably work where I…
Best Designer
1. Crissy Baker (Nerd Alert) Nerdalertdesigns.com, facebook.com/nerdalertdesigns It all started with an Ewok dress. Crissy Baker (pictured with Nerd Alert, second from left) saw a need in San Antonio for her fellow geek girls to represent themselves and their obsessions. T-shirts just weren’t cutting it. Says Baker, “Being a proud nerd can get tricky for…
'Room 237' Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love 'The Shining'
We hover over water where mountains surround us, heading toward a small island. The water is a mirror reflecting everything above, forming parabolas of sky that touch in the center. On our left, everything is in shadows; on our right, everything is in light. The island gets closer. We are flying fast. Just as we…
Best Local Beer
1. Freetail Brewing Company 4035 N 1604 W, (210) 395-4974, freetailbrewing.com 2. Ranger Creek Brewing and Distilling 4834 Whirlwind, (210) 775-2099, drinkrangercreek.com 3. Alamo Beer Company alamobeer.com
Best Place to People Watch
1. The Alamo 300 Alamo Plaza, (210) 225-1391 Did you see the cat lady? And that guy who looks like he’s stuck in his days as a Sopranos extra? And those two that look like they’re both named Cheech? You’ll have a chance to spot these and other characters at The Alamo, Texas’ premier tourist…
Best Lunch Under $10
1. Taco Taco Cafe 145 E Hildebrand, (210) 822-9533 Despite glacial wait times during peak weekend hours, Taco Taco Cafe deservingly swept six different Best Of categories this year and remains a favorite breakfast and lunch destination for visitors, locals, and hung over college students alike. This much lauded and greatly loved San Antonio staple…
Best Pet Boarding
1. Lucy’s Doggy Day Care and Spa Multiple locations, lucysdoggydaycare.com Those smart enough to admit it know that it’s really our four-legged friends that take care of us. Unlike their moody masters, they’re rock-solid cheer machines. We may groan about office pressures, family squabbles, that car that won’t start. But our pooches always see us…
Best Place to Live Downtown
1. The Can Plant Pearl Brewery, 503 Avenue A, (210) 223-8226, thecanplant.com The Can Plant Residences are a rather nice slice of urban life. Designed for SA’s urban professional by locally based apartment developer Embrey Partners Ltd., the Plant at the Pearl is located right in el corazón of the city. Just off of Josephine…
Best Pub Grub
1. The Lion and Rose 5148 Broadway (for smoking, multiple locations elsewhere in SA) (210) 822-7673, thelionandrose.com Home to British comfort food like bangers and mash, fish and chips, and a hearty selection of international beers to wash ‘em down, the Lion and Rose is a local exemplar of Britain’s best export — the neighborhood…
Best Movie Theater to See an Impromptu Double Feature
1. Santikos Bijou Cinema Bistro 4522 Fredericksburg, (866) 420-8626, santikos.com If you’re the type of person who correctly understands film is an art form and not merely entertainment, then the Bijou is the place for you. Although it’s the artsy/foreign film lovers’ paradise in town, the Bijou also shows the best of independent and classic…
Best Thai
1. Thai Dee 5307 Blanco, (210) 342-3622, thaideesa.com 2. Tong’s Thai 1146 Austin Hwy, (210) 829-7345, tongsthai.com 3. Thai Chili Multiple locations, thaichili.net
Best Plant Nursery
1. Rainbow Gardens Multiple locations, rainbowgardens.biz 2. Shades of Green 334 W Sunset, (210) 824-3772, shadesofgreensa.com 3. Milberger’s Landscaping and Nursery 3920 N Loop 1604 E, (210) 497-3760, milbergernursery.com
Best Picnic Spot
1. Brackenridge Park 3700 N St. Mary’s, brackenridgepark.org For more than 100 years, Brackenridge has been a lush, green escape near downtown. Tree-lined paths, both paved for biking and dirt for walking, snake through the park, as do the cool waters from our cleanest-in-recent-memory San Antonio River. Lots of quiet, tree-covered nooks offer ideal siesta…
Best Columnist
1. Brian Chasnoff San Antonio Express-News, mysa.com As if we here at the Current don’t already look (and feel) like bums sometimes. Whenever Chasnoff, San Antonio’s best Banana Republic model slash columnist, walks into City Hall, he’s pretty much the best dressed there. Don’t let the charm fool you. Chasnoff was a solid newshound during…
Best Startup
1. Bake, Broil & Brew (210) 254-9155, bakebroilbrew.com Bake, Broil & Brew is like business school for foodies and hop-heads. Based out of an industrial Westside kitchen, this two-year-old start-up with a heart of gold-flecked chocolate is constantly evolving. Focused primarily on fostering local culinary talent, Bake, Broil & Brew provides local chefs and brewers…
A Storytelling Powerhouse, Bioshock Infinite Hits on Every Level, and Then Some.
“Bring us the girl, and wash away the debt.” We are all guilty of the good we do not accomplish. Our sins, our faults, our mistakes—they are all reminders that we are, in the end, human. To carry such debts, be they mental, spiritual or physical, can be a driving force behind great change. What…
Amanda Palmer on Dzhokhar Tsarnaev
In the wake of last week’s tragic Boston Marathon bombing, and through the manhunt and standoff that followed, the media and the general public have found themselves shocked, frightened, confused, speculative, and angry. Americans, human beings, feel these emotions each to varying degrees and have expressed their feelings in ways as distinct as fingerprints. We…
National Poetry Month, Poem by Jesse Castro
To What Used to be Shangri-La watching from inside an abandoned building, placing her steps lightly, measuring the emptiness of the room; reigning queen in nineteen sixty-eight, remembers, a long line of blurring faces. carefully calculating from one end to the other, what a hundred waving hands will add to the show. the queen of…
Stay Current with the Pick of the Day: San Antonio Q Fest
Benefiting Pride San Antonio, the inaugural Q Fest elevates queer cinema to new heights with three days of screenings. Of the 18 short and feature-length films, most have LGBT themes and storylines. The few that do not are either directed or written by members of the LGBT community. Tuesday’s program is as follows: 6pm: Remember…
