So when Jason Dady’s not hosting fellow Iron Chef Gauntlet contestant Shota Nakajima and taking him to NIOSA, or cooking at Austin Food & Wine Festival, or making every Iron Chef viewing party at Shuck Shack (he cleared episode three Sunday and has yet to face the the Secret Ingredient Showdown), the 40-year-old is busy…
On Friday, the second abortion clinic will reopen in Texas after House Bill 2 was deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court last June. At face value HB2 focused on changing building code requirements in abortion clinics. However, as five of the nine Supreme Court judges saw, the true intent of HB2 was to prevent women from…
Based on the 2004 film of the same name, Finding Neverland is a musical retelling of the story behind J.M. Barrie’s most famous creation, the immortal boy Peter Pan. As it turns out, Peter and the Darlings were inspired by a real family — the Davies, whom the author met by chance in London’s Kensington…
To the delight of many who’ve been craving a drag fix but can’t get away with the whole late-night experience, drag brunches have become a thing in San Antonio. While nightlife promoter/drag enthusiast Rey Lopez regularly takes over the Amp Room with Sunday Funday extravaganzas catered by La Parroquia Mexicana, Paramour has also proven itself…
You’ve watched the debates, you’ve seen the lawn signs, you’ve argued about it on Facebook — and now it’s finally time to cast your vote for San Antonio’s next mayor. And have a whopping 14 candidates to chose from. Before you head to the polls May 6 (or vote early before May 2), take a…
On Tuesday, a judge ruled in favor of Bexar County District Attorney Nico LaHood in a murder case that’s offered a revealing look at how the DA operates in a courtroom. By now, the ruling has little to do with the original purpose of the case — to rule whether or not Miguel Martinez, 29,…
*Update 3:30 pm: The Texas House gave Senate Bill 4 final approval Thursday afternoon. As the Austin American-Statesman reports, Democrats on Thursday hadn’t give up efforts to change the bill even as it sailed towards passage, including filing a failed, last-minute amendment to delay SB 4’s implementation until the U.S. Supreme Court can decide whether…
Seems like there have been many old nu-metal and “active rock” groups descending upon San Antonio recently, like a ’90s baggy jeans-wearing, Airwalk-rocking blast from the past. Last week P.O.D. played a set at this year’s Oyster Bake, tonight Stabbing Westward and SA’s The Union Underground are slated to play Siesta Fest and last night,…
Denise Hernández, who born and raised on the Westside of San Antonio, is the founder of community organization Maestranza, a New Leaders Council fellow, and a spokesperson for a new media-based millennial engagement non-profit called Growing Empowered Together. She is passionate about empowering others and community building through education, collaboration, and activism. This essay, which…
You probably know by now that El Paso Congressman Beto O’Rourke has announced he’ll run for Ted Cruz’s U.S. Senate seat next year — an uphill battle, considering Texas hasn’t elected a Democrat to the Senate in nearly 30 years. You may also have heard that O’Rourke used to be a punk rocker and had…
While it may not boast the rich history of the Battle of Flowers Parade (which we highlighted in our seasonal refresher Cascarón Confusion? Your Guide to All Things Fiesta), the Fiesta Flambeau stands out as a San Antonio original that’s billed as “America’s largest illuminated night parade.” With the official parade mascot Torchy and the…
Housed in the Alkek Library at Texas State University, the Wittliff Collections are dedicated to “collecting and preserving the creative legacy of Texas, the Southwest and Mexico.” Focused on photography and literary arts, the collection acquired the archive of internationally revered author, MacArthur “Genius” Grant recipient and former San Antonio resident Sandra Cisneros in 2015.…
King William Fair began in 1968 as a small and quirky celebration of the eclectic neighborhood that lends the fair its name. The Fiesta San Antonio favorite now attracts tens of thousands of revelers from all over each year. Aside form being a damn good time, the fair, like most Fiesta events, serves a good…
With the city’s May 6 election quickly approaching (and early voting already upon us), it’s time you figure out who you want to represent you at city hall — not just in the mayor’s office, but in the council chambers. This year, every single council seat is up for grabs — and only six of…
Since making the transition from co-founder and head brewer at The Granary, to head pub brewer at Freetail Brewing Co., Alex Rattray’s made a splash with some new brews and fresh ideas, giving the SA craft beer scene something to talk about. Rattray has always added a creative flare to his brews, making beer sampling…
During NIOSA in the late 2000s and early 2010s, did you ever, mid-way through your chicken on a stick and Budlight chaser, hear the sounds of rock music playing across the street? Perhaps you staggered from La Villita over to Hemisfair Park to find yourself at Siesta Fest, where bands like The Toadies or Korn…
Thu 4/27 Amy Described by film critic Daniel Barnes as “a simple picture of a troubled girl who got too famous too fast,” Asif Kapadia’s 2015 documentary Amy built a compelling yet tragic portrait of Amy Winehouse through archival footage (from paparazzi clips to home movies), more than 100 interviews and the late British icon’s…
We all have a some sort of story that includes the odd Spurs sighting. Personally, I’ve watched Robert Horry pick up his Jason’s Deli order. I took a photo with David Robinson when we both judged a chili cook-off. There was that time I got on the phone with Tony Parker to chat about his…
This week San Antonio went viral in a very unflattering way – that is, if you’re not a social conservative or worry about religion guiding politicians’ actions on some of society’s most serious challenges, like addressing the root causes of poverty. It looks like a blogger at Patheos.com, a website that covers religion and spirituality,…
With temperatures already hitting the low 90s, chances are that San Antonio’s sticky spring has got you looking for a refreshing way to cool down. If you’re not one of the fortunate ones that have access to a private pool, you’re probably stuck waiting (like me) until the local public pools open. Luckily, the wait…
The House committee heard testimony Tuesday evening on a bill that would make it easier for parents to keep their kids from getting vaccinated. The bill, proposed by conservative Rep. Matt Krause, would expedite the process for parents seeking vaccine exemptions. The bill would require the state to provide blank immunization exemption forms on the…
Although the Spurs lost both games during their trip to Memphis, one local waiter scored big from the team’s visit last week. San Antonio’s own Gregg Popovich reportedly left a more than generous tip at McEwen’s Memphis, an upscale restaurant known for its wine selection. According to a picture of a receipt posted on Reddit…
Since President Donald Trump’s January election, his sweeping declaration that Mexico will pay for a giant border wall has awkwardly evolved into “Well, maybe we will pay for it but Mexico will pay for it one day, somehow.” That’s an answer Sen. Ted Cruz has refused to accept. But since there is little the U.S.…
Consider last night a much-needed return to form for the Spurs as a team. Sure, they got a superhuman performance out of Kawhi Leonard in Game 4, the type that drew Kobe Bryant comparisons for his ability to take over offensively. He scored a career-high 43 points to go with eight rebounds and six (!)…
Before his turn as grand marshal of the annual Fiesta Flambeau Parade, Guillermo Rodriguez, of “Jimmy Kimmel” fame, will visit with local San Antonians on the River Walk. From 2 to 5 p.m., Rodriguez will be at TacoLand Riverwalk on Saturday, April 29. The TacoLand Riverwalk location opened this past December inside the former Worm…
On Tuesday, a judge temporarily blocked President Donald Trump from following through on his threat to strip federal funding from so-called “sanctuary cities,” where police departments seek to limit their role in federal immigration enforcement. The ruling by federal district judge William H. Orrick comes after a lawsuit filed earlier this year by the City of…
Founded in 2001 by photographer Selena Mooney, Suicide Girls began as an alternative online forum for models and photographers. The name, originating from a line in Chuck Palahniuk’s 1999 novel Survivor (“It’s the same with all these suicide girls calling me up”) represents women who commit “social suicide” — rebelling against society’s aesthetic and character…
If Fiesta’s onslaught of cascarones, confetti, medal swapping and sloshing beer makes you want to run for the hills, the Hill Country Film Festival might be just what the doctor ordered. Launched in 2010 with a mission to “encourage discovery through visual storytelling,” the four-day gathering brings a thoughtful array of independent films and panel…
A 30-something man shot and wounded two North Side teenagers Tuesday afternoon. An 18-year-old woman and 16-year-old boy were walking home from school along Jackson Keller Road, near Robert E. Lee High School, when they were stopped by an unknown man. According to the San Antonio Police Department, the man (dressed in a black shirt…
A Perfect Circle Wednesday, April 26 Nu-metal prog rockers A Perfect Circle are back on the road and have announced a new record that’s supposedly due out sometime this year. The last song they released was “By and Down” back in 2013, but it’s been about 13 years since they’ve released a full album, even…
Hailing from Ciudad Satélite, Mexico, Café Tacvba found early success with the 1992 release of their debut self-titled album. Twenty-five years later, the group’s repertoire includes everything from bolero and funk to electronica, punk and hip hop, though they’re most known for their alternative rock style. Now with 11 albums under their belt, including an MTV Unplugged album,…
Miami-based Pollo Tropical, owned by parent company Fiesta Restaurant Group, will close all locations in Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin, Texas, and Nashville, Tennessee, per a press release featured on the franchises website. Fiesta Restaurant Group, owners of Taco Cabana, first launched an aggressive expansion campaign in 2014 with stores opening across Texas and the South. Of…
He was a real-life Indiana Jones. Literally: the Harrison Ford character was based on British explorer Percy Fawcett. A cartographer and archaeologist, he was obsessed with the idea that remnants of a lost dead civilization were hidden in the Amazonian jungles, and he disappeared in those jungles in 1925 on what would be the last of many…
Beware jovial Fiesta goers: an unusually high number of people were arrested for driving while intoxicated this weekend. Cue concerned entities, VIA Metro Transit and Uber, who are teaming up to make sure that the city is safe over the course of marathon partying. Bexar County Court records show that between Sunday and Monday evenings…
The San Antonio Cocktail Conference doesn’t stop once festival week ends. No, these days, host Houston Street Charities is helping keep cocktails in your mitts at The DoSeum during ReDo Recess, and now with a pop-up bar by Milagro Tequila this week. On April 26 and 27, the Modern Mexico Cantina Experience will open from…
Over the past weekend, a video of Mayor Ivy Taylor sharing her thoughts on systemic poverty has spread quickly across the internet — sparking national coverage and upset. Her words, that poverty is what happens to “broken people…people not being in a relationship with their Creator,” rattled one national group in particular: American Atheists. “Let…
Are you a Millennial that’s into food, but also into cutting the cord? Yeah, us too. But thanks to the interwebs we know that San Antonio’s own Jason Dady has made it to the third episode of Iron Chef Gauntlet, after landing a safe spot during the Chairman’s Challenge. Cleveland’s Jonathon Sawyer lost to Seattle’s Shota…
To close out his 2010 comedy special From Ashy to Classy, Donnell Rawlings offers his own take on a time-honored tradition among African American comics: the “white voice.” Rawlings (Ashy Larry and many others on Chappelle’s Show and Day-Day Price on The Wire) gets a lot of comedic mileage out of the disparity between races,…
On April 3, a small but raucous crowd gathered midday at the corner of Avenue E and Third Street. Clustered below the San Antonio Express-News’ epic tower-style facade, people vowed to cancel their subscriptions while others hurled insults like “racist,” “bigot” and “xenophobe.” Some protesters waved signs emblazoned with the words “fake news.” It was…
There are three things you can always expect at a Mexican wedding: mariachis, polvorones and “La Charanga.” Growing up with two parents from Laredo meant that the Fito Olivares’ “La Charanga” was synonymous with weddings for me. There was the toast, the bouquet toss and the Charanga — they were staples of any nuptial celebration.…
Have you ever wondered what a sign language interpretation of a rap song would sound like? In 2013 a video of SA native and sign language interpreter Amber Gallego interpreting A$AP Rocky’s “Fuckin’ Problems” at Lollapalooza went viral after it was uploaded to Youtube. Though Gallego has been interpreting at concerts for over a 10…
Fiesta magic brings together two collaborators— artist Cruz Ortiz and La Familia Cortez’s gift shop — through the duration of Fiesta. The Cortez gift shop will be open everyday from noon to 9 p.m. in the Historic Market Square and features a pop-up show from local the artist and his Snake Hawk Press. Ortiz will…
Early voting for the May 6 mayoral, bond and local elections begins today, so we’ve put together a handy list of places where San Antonians can cast their vote. Hours of early voting are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon., April 24- Thu. April 27, Sat. April 29; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mon. May…
At an April 3 mayoral candidate forum, Mayor Ivy Taylor shared her surprising views on systemic poverty in San Antonio. To her, the “broken people” facing poverty just have a bad relationship with God. Now, weeks after the forum, a video of her answer has gone viral. The video shows Taylor and fellow candidate Councilman…
On Sunday night, one on-duty SAPD police was caught on video shaking his groove thang after responding to a noise complaint at the same San Antonio residency. Lesley Sapp was hosting her child’s dance club, NXG Dance Crew, when police showed up to investigate the bumpin’ music scene. That’s also when SAPD Officer Juan Bruno decided…
In what San Antonio police are calling a “crime spree,” a total of seven fast-food chains and one convenience store were burglarized over the weekend. The two latest took place at a Domino’s Pizza and Papa John’s, both on the North Side, early Monday morning — about an hour apart from each other. Employees at…
Sad news, Frito-Lays fans. Frito-Lays recalled its Jalapeño Flavored Lay’s Kettle Cooked Potato Chips and Jalapeño Flavored Miss Vickie’s Kettle Cooked Potato Chips due to a potential presence of Salmonella in the seasoning. All sizes of the two products with a “guaranteed fresh” date of July 4 or prior, and multipacks (12 count Lay’s Kettle Cooked…
Described by film critic Daniel Barnes as “a simple picture of a troubled girl who got too famous too fast,” Asif Kapadia’s 2015 documentary Amy built a compelling yet tragic portrait of Amy Winehouse through archival footage (from paparazzi clips to home movies), more than 100 interviews and the late British icon’s own words and…
With Kawhi Leonard’s artistry on full display in the fourth quarter of Game 4, it was hard to imagine his shot at the buzzer – a pull-up jumper with the game tied – would barely draw iron. Leonard had single-handedly dragged the Spurs to the brink of a 3-1 series lead, scoring 16 straight points…
It’s hard to comprehend that pornographic movie theaters were established before all-male strip shows — but that’s how it happened. In order to exploit the male form, it had to be publicly eroticized first. The 1970s, a time of great sexual revolution and exploration, made way for the proliferation of male revue shows at clubs…
The beagle known as Katie, who inspired owner Andrea Thompson to create preservative-free, natural and small batch dog treats, passed away on Wednesday at 11 human-years-old. Thompson first began making Katie’s treats after the pup developed allergies. She launched Katie’s Jar with dog-friendly empanadas, biscuits, and churros in 2011 and became a market staple with…
The State Board of Education voted Friday morning to makes changes to how evolution will be presented in high school biology classes. But if you blink, you may miss them. The new curriculum, first discussed in February, moves away from language that openly questions the theory of evolution — while still leaving plenty of room for…
For South Texas landowners, Donald Trump’s presidential win came as a warning shot. With a campaign centered on the rallying cry “Build that wall,” Trump’s election meant their private property may soon be crowded with unwanted construction — and may no longer be theirs, at all. Shortly after Trump’s January inauguration, some landowners along the…
Attention all Nina Diaz and Girl In A Coma Fans: the front woman of both SA projects will play a set at the Bang Bang Bar along with Austin’s Selena Tribute band Bidi Bidi Banda on Saturday, April 22. The singer/guitarist will take the stage to play tracks off her solo record The Beat Is…
As San Antonians, we often put our city inside of a box. We have the River Walk, the Alamo, margaritas y Fiesta, Mexican restaurants on every corner — all tied neatly together as the perfect package. And we’ve learned how to sell this package to out-of-towners, marketing it as our cultura. But do we really…
Leave it to a team called the Grizzlies to demonstrate an acute sense of self-preservation. Facing a potential 0-3 deficit, Memphis’ David Fizdale made the right adjustments and, with his squad feeding off the fervent energy of a raucous crowd, got the first postseason win of his young head-coaching career. Under a sea of yellow…
JBSA Lackland Fiesta Military Parade The Military City’s 10-day party includes the actual military, no question about it. The parade is the annual salute to Fiesta, open to all authorized DoD identification Cardholders or invited guests. Parade organizers are sure to include Fiesta royalty and officials, civic leaders and military commanders. 9-10 a.m. April 21…
Fantastic Fest’s favorite filmmaker and a guy who really, truly loves drunken karaoke, Nacho Vigalondo’s fourth film launches him out of the genre ghetto and into a semblance of mainstream (i.e., big stars, bigger budget) filmmaking. Longtime fans can relax, as this isn’t a sellout anymore than the director’s previous film Open Windows was a…
The biggest party of the year is here and even native San Antonians need a refresher when it comes to Fiesta must-haves and must-dos. Aside from urging you to hydrate, stock up on sunscreen and cash, here’s a quick explainer on what you should know about San Antonio’s largest celebration which runs from April 20-30.…
A panel of federal court judges has ruled that Texas lawmakers deliberately tried to dilute the state’s minority vote when they redrew the lines for Texas’ House districts in 2011. Thursday’s highly-anticipated ruling from the San Antonio-based panel of judges concluded that lawmakers intentionally tried to blunt the impact of the minority vote by diluting…
Winning pretty much every award a band can win— from Grammys, to lifetime achievement awards, to being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame — Chicago’s dynamic Earth, Wind & Fire really don’t need any introduction. That being said, on Saturday, July 22 the 10-piece band whose songs have been played at probably…
Ranger Creek Brewing & Distilling sent its newly released San Antonio Lager to the World Beer Championships in Chicago this January with little more than a pat on its pretty turquoise bottom, and the hope that it would represent the city well. A few months later, and the lager has returned home from its tour…
Calling all professional taco eaters — ok amateurs, too. The seventh annual Twisted Taco Truck Throwdown has been announced for Saturday, May 13 from 3 p.m. to midnight. As in years past, it will be at the VFW Post 76 at Broadway and 10th St. Tacos al pastor are $1 and Twisted Tea is $3…
This Wednesday, SeaWorld San Antonio welcomed what will be the last orca whale born at the theme park after the company’s promise to end orca breeding. The mother of whale, Takara, is the 25-year-old matriarch of SeaWorld San Antonio and has had four previous children. “Takara is a great mom and immediately began bonding with…
If you find yourself frequently hitting up the St. Mary’s Strip or venues like The Aztec Theatre or Tobin Center to check out local or touring bands, chances are you’ve had some sort of radical concert experience to keep you coming back for more – chasing the dragon if you will. Maybe it was some…
Fiesta kicks off at the Hemisfair Get the party started down at Fiesta at Hemisfair, the official opening of this year’s festivities with the breaking of cascarones. Enjoy live entertainment throughout the night while you have the chance to meet Fiesta royalty and other special guests.. Within the party, you can also buy, sell or…
The Big D is about to get a splash of fish sauce by way of Hot Joy, which is collaborating with the Front Burner restaurant group to open a location inside an old Texas Land & Cattle Co. at 3130 Lemmon Ave. Announced via press release to Dallas media on Tuesday afternoon, Hot Joy 2.0…
While San Antonio wear usually means a Spurs shirt that your cousin’s girlfriend’s neighbor is selling (shoutout to all the corner stands on Culebra), Fiesta calls for a more festive look. Whether it’s bright colors, fun cutouts or a dash of Mexican flair, we’ve found the necessities for you to look as fun as the…
The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission announced Monday that its executive director, Sherry Cook, will step down from her position after allegations of misusing agency money. In March, the Texas Tribune unearthed records showing that top TABC officials have spent at least $85,000 on boozy and unnecessary out-of-state travel since 2011. Cook herself was depicted in…
Family members of a man killed in a deadly March bus crash have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the 20-year-old driver of the truck that caused the wreck and his father. Jack Young drove his father’s pickup truck into a bus carrying a church group just outside Garner State Park on March 29, killing 13…
San Antonio Police arrested a 49-year-old woman on Tuesday for hitting her 12-year-old daughter with a cascarón and continuing to beat her after. Police say Belinda Abundis attacked her daughter at an Easter family gathering on Sunday, where she reportedly pushed, punched, kicked and pulled the hair of her young daughter. KSAT 12 reports that doctors…
WINNER: Sushi Zushi, multiple locations, sushizushi.com 2. Godai Sushi Bar and Restaurant, 11203 West Ave., (210) 348-6781 3. Sushihana Japanese Restaurant, 1810 NW Military Hwy., (210) 340-7808, sushihanasan.com
WINNER: Elora, twitter.com/elorasworld 2. Rey Lopez, twitter.com/ReyMines 3. The Batman of San Antonio, facebook.com/thebatmanofsanantonio
WINNER: Tencha La Jefa, twitter.com/tencha_lajefa 2. Lucy Lips, twitter.com/lucylips_drag 3. Amerie Parker, instagram.com/amerieparker
WINNER: Boysville Auxiliary Thrift, 307 W. Olmos, (210) 826-2195, boysvilletexas.org 2. Texas Thrift, multiple locations, buythrift.com 3. Thrift Town, 2864 Thousand Oaks Drive, (210) 656-8696, thrifttown.com
WINNER: Mi Tierra, 218 Produce Row, (210) 225-1262, mitierracafe.com 2. Sweet Yams, 218 N. Cherry St., (210) 229-9267, facebook.com/sweetyamsorganic 3. Rosario’s, multiple locations, rosariossa.com Related Stories
WINNER: Henry’s Puffy Tacos, multiple locations, henryspuffytacos.com 2. Jacala, 606 West Ave., (210) 732-5222, jacala.com 3. Ray’s Drive Inn, 822 SW 19th St., (210) 432-7171, facebook.com/raysdriveinn
WINNER: Dorcol Distilling Co., 1902 S. Flores St., (210) 229-0607, dorcolspirits.com 2. Babio’s, 527 W. Hildebrand Ave., (210) 409-7245, facebook.com/babiosedd 3. The Squeezebox, 2806 N. St. Mary’s St., facebook.com/thesqueezebox
WINNER: Slacker’s, multiple locations, slackerssa.com 2. Cobalt Club, 2022 McCullough, (210) 251-2027, facebook.com/cobalt-club
WINNER: Paramour, 102 9th St., (210) 340-9880, paramourbar.com 2. Blue Box, 312 Pearl Pkwy., Suite 2107, (210) 227-2583, blueboxbar.com 3. Bar 1919, 1420 S. Alamo St., (210) 227-1420, bar1919.com
WINNER: Casa Azul de Andrea, 1036 S. Alamo St., (210) 451-9393, facebook.com/casaazuldeandrea 2. Hi Tones, 621 E. Dewey Place, (210) 785-8777, facebook.com/hi-tones 3. SA Country Saloon, 10127 Coachlight St., (210) 525-0915, facebook.com/sacountrysaloon
WINNER: Alamo Beer Co., 415 Burnet St., (210) 872-5589, alamobeer.com 2. Freetail Brewing Co., multiple locations, freetailbrewing.com 3. HighWheel Beer Works, 1902 S. Flores St., (210) 229-0607, highwheelbeer.com
Our Pick: Texas Thrift, 7500 I-35 N., 210-654-7222, buythrift.com Thrifting ain’t easy. Those who have been at it for some time know there are tricks to the trade of bin-diving for that special something. And in our experience, Texas Thrift has proven to have the most consistently stacked collection of goods, and with four locations…
OUR PICK: San Pedro Springs Park Pool, 2200 N. Flores St., (210) 732-5992, sanantonio.gov/ParksAndRec/ Between the months of June through August, you can expect to find us at San Pedro Springs Park Pool almost daily. When it’s 90-plus degrees outside and you break a mean sweat just walking to your car, SPSP is there to…
OUR PICK: Low Country, 318 Martinez St., (210) 560-2224, facebook.com/lowcountrysa Now, before anyone gets their chaps in a bunch, we understand fully that Lowcountry, the quaint and relatively new watering hole on Martinez Street, is not a country bar in the overblown sense of Cowboys or Midnight Rodeo. But, in a manner that’s somehow a…
OUR PICK: Laugh Out Loud, Park North Shopping Center, 618 NW Loop 410 #312, (210) 541-8805, lolsanantonio.com We like to think San Antonio has a good sense of humor, and the Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club is definitely proof of that. The venue brings in big names like Carlos Mencia and Ralphie May, yet also…
Our Pick: Brackenridge Park, 3910 N St Mary’s, sanantonio.gov/sapar Here’s how much San Antonio loves Brackenridge: When city planners last year rolled out a plan that would radically change the nature of the park (namely, building parking garages and closing the streets that wind through the trees), the people revolted. Public pressure ultimately convinced the…
WINNER: Sweet Yams, 218 N. Cherry St., (210) 229-9267, facebook.com/sweetyamsorganic 2. Green Vegetarian Cuisine, multiple locations, eatatgreen.com 3. Viva Vegeria, 1422 Nogalitos St., (210) 465-9233, myvegeria.com
WINNER: Hogwild Records, 1824 N. Main Ave., (210) 733-5354, facebook.com/hogwildrecords 2. Southtown Vinyl, 1010 S. Flores St., (210) 231-0512, facebook.com/southtownvinyl 3. Friends of Sound, 700 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 971-8044, friendsofsound.com
WINNER: Las Americas, 6623 San Pedro Ave., (210) 340-2747, lasamericaslatinmarket.com 2. Tim’s Oriental Seafood Market, 7015 Bandera Road, Suite 8, (210) 523-1688 3. Ali Baba, 9307 Wurzbach Road, (210) 691-1111, alibabasanantonio.com
WINNER: Bazinga Comics, 2941 Thousand Oaks Drive, Suite 101, (210) 404-9174, bazingacomics.com 2. Dragon’s Lair, 7959 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 615-1229, dlair.net 3. Gotham Newsstand, 4522 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 379-5115, gothamnewsstand.com
WINNER: Tellez, multiple locations, (210) 433-1367 2. Taco Libre, 6511 Ingram Road, (210) 592-6288, facebook.com/vivatacolibre 3. Papi’s Barbacoa, multiple locations, (210) 682-6334
WINNER: Mission Crossfit San Antonio, 8842 Broadway St., (210) 865-9348, missioncrossfitsa.com 2. Mix Fit SA, 100 Villita St., mixfitsa.com 3. Gold’s Gym, Multiple locations, goldsgym.com
WINNER: Nectar Wine Bar & Ale House, 214 Broadway, (210) 375-4082, nectarsa.com 2. Slacker’s, multiple locations, slackerssa.com 3. Pegasus, 1402 N. Main Ave., (210) 299-4222, pegasussanantonio.com
WINNER: Chisme, 2403 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 530-4236, eatchisme.com 2. Casa Azul de Andrea, 1036 S. Alamo St., (210) 451-9393, facebook.com/casaazuldeandrea 3. Bang Bang Bar, 119 El Mio Drive, (210) 320-1187, facebook.com/thebangbangbar210 Related Stories
WINNER: Cover 3, 1806 Loop 1604, (210) 479-9700, cover-3.com 2. Casa Azul de Andrea, 1036 S. Alamo St., (210) 451-9393, facebook.com/casaazuldeandrea 3. SA Country Saloon, 10127 Coachlight St., (210) 525-0915, facebook.com/sacountrysaloon
WINNER: Soluna, 7959 Broadway, Suite 204, (210) 930-8070, calvillosmexicanfood.com 2. Rosario’s, 910 S. Alamo St., (210) 223-1806, rosariossa.com 3. La Gloria, multiple locations, chefjohnnyhernandez.com/lagloria
OUR PICK: Embassy 14, 13707 Embassy Row, (210) 496-4957 There was no better place to watch 2016’s sorta-sweetheart flick, La La Land, than Santikos’ “Re-Imagined” Embassy 14. The facelift included new sound and projection systems, but the Tinseltown makeover was made complete with a full bar, and gleaming interiors set up to look like a…
Our Pick: Graciela Sanchez, Esperanza Peace & Justice Center, 922 San Pedro, esperanzacenter.org Graciela Sanchez embodies the definition of what it means to be a social justice warrior. A firm believer in addressing social issues through art and community, the executive director of the Esperanza Peace & Justice Center has spent her entire life fighting…
OUR PICK: Ana Fernandez, anafernandez.com Since the term “artist” encompasses a wide array of disciplines, trying to decide who’s “best” feels futile and unfair (like comparing a glassblower to a performance artist). But what about who creates art that best captures San Antonio? A solid answer to that question is Ana Fernandez — a Corpus Christi…
Our Pick: Hays Street Bridge This revitalized San Antonio landmark is the perfect perch from which to view the city’s skyline and growing downtown. First built in 1881 over the Nueces River in Uvalde, the bridge was relocated to its current spot bridging the railroad tracks just east of downtown before slipping into disrepair. Luckily,…
Our Pick: San Antonio Missions, missionsofsanantonio.org In 2015, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) made official what we’ve all known for a long time – that San Antonio’s five, uncommonly well-preserved Spanish colonial mission compounds are one of the world’s cultural treasures. The 18th-century Franciscan missions—San José, San Juan, Espada, Concepción and,…
WINNER: Sweet Yams, 218 N. Cherry, (210) 229-9267, facebook.com/sweetyamsorganic 2. Mr. & Mrs. G’s Home Cooking & Pastries, 2222 S. W.W. White Road, (210) 359-0002, facebook.com/mrmrsgs 3. Tony G’s Soul Food, 119 Heiman St., (210) 451-1223, tonygssoulfood.com
WINNER: Magda’s Quality Jewelry & Repair, 8275 FM 78 Ste. #10, Converse, (210) 310-7444 2. Sweet Craft Jewelry, sweetcraftjewelry.com 3. Jimmy Green, Vineyard Shopping Center, 1604 North Loop 1604 W., (210) 492-0022, jgreenjewelers.com
WINNER: Blanco Cafe, 1720 Blanco Road, (210) 732-6480 2. Taco Libre, 6511 Ingram Road, Suite 101, (210) 592-6288, facebook.com/vivatacolibre 3. Rosario’s, multiple locations, rosariossa.com
WINNER: Shades of Green, 334 W. Sunset Road, (210) 824-3772, shadesofgreensa.com 2. Rainbow Gardens, multiple locations, rainbowgardens.biz 3. Evergreen Garden, 922 W. Hildebrand Ave., (210) 735-0669, facebook.com/evergreengardensatx
WINNER: Wing Daddy’s, multiple locations, wingdaddysusa.com 2. Wayne’s Wings, 2427 Austin Highway, (210) 300-3891, facebook.com/wayneswings.dwayneprice 3. BreWingZ, multiple locations, brewingz.com
WINNER: Mission Crossfit San Antonio, 8842 Broadway St., (210) 865-9348, missioncrossfitsa.com 2. JonesN4Crossfit, 3131 Thousand Oaks, (210) 997-1600, jonesn4crossfit.com 3. Crossfit San Antonio, 5337 Glen Ridge, (210) 952-0019, crossfitsanantonio.com
OUR PICK: (TIE) Battalion, 604 S. Alamo St., (210) 816-0088 Ming’s Noodle Bar, 5253 McCullough, (210) 570-6318 We can’t say third time is the charm with Battalion, which counts Feast and Rebelle as popular restaurant brethren. But it has commanded attention from the start, way back in 2014 when it was announced Andrew Goodman would…
WINNER: Paper Tiger, 2410 N. St. Mary’s St., (800) 513-7540, papertigersa.com 2. Jazz TX, 312 Pearl Pkwy., Suite 6001, (210) 332-9386, jazztx.com 3. The Aztec Theatre, 104 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 812-4355, theaztectheatre.com
OUR PICK: Silo Terrace Oyster Bar, 22111 I-10 W., (210) 698-2002, siloelevatedcuisine.com It may be a tad out of the way and on the spendy side, but most folks who’ve tried Silo Terrace Oyster Bar will tell you it’s worth it. Situated across from The Dominion, the restaurant offers two very different dining areas: 1)…
WINNER: Inn on the Riverwalk, 129 Woodward Pl., (210) 225-6333, innontheriverwalk.com 2. Arbor House, 109 Arciniega St., (210) 472-2005, arborhouse.com 3. King William Manor, 1029 S. Alamo St., (210) 222-0144, kingwilliammanor.com Related Stories
OUR PICK: SAY Sí, 1518 S Alamo St., (210) 212-8666, saysi.org Launched in 1994 under the King William Neighborhood Association’s umbrella, the nonprofit SAY Sí has evolved from a modest operation serving 12 students to a full-time “creative youth development organization” offering tuition-free programming to 200 students representing 70 schools — and reaching thousands more…
Our Pick: San Antonio Running Company, 711 S St. Mary’s St., (210) 246-2253, sarunningco.com Running is hard, but finding the right running shoes, apparel and accessories shouldn’t have to be. That’s where the San Antonio Running Company comes in. The boutique running shop carries everything from sneakers by top running shoe brands and ergonomic water…
OUR PICK: Fiesta on Main, 2025 N. Main Ave., (210) 591-8144, alamofiesta.com Founded as an outlet for Mexican artisans to sell their wares, family-owned favorite Fiesta on Main has long been a go-to for party supplies and decor for almost any imaginable occasion. During Fiesta itself, the distinctly San Antonio operation bustles with shoppers stocking…
OUR PICK: Brass Monkey, 2702 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 480-4722, facebook.com/brassmonkeytx A frequent winner of this category, Brass Monkey owns its dance club status. There’s never a cover, drink specials are never more than $3 a pop (oh, and 75 cent wells on Thursday nights), and the groove parties can’t stop, won’t stop. Events…
OUR PICK: Jazz, TX, 312 Pearl Pkwy., (210) 332-9386, jazztx.com A lot goes into the making of a great cocktail bar. For starters, the bar itself should have attitude — not necessarily in-your-face, but, at the very least, a theme should emerge. Then there are the servers: both reasonably cordial and exceptionally well-versed in the…
WINNER: Thai Topaz, multiple locations, thaitopaz-sat.com 2. Thai Dee, 5307 Blanco Road, (210) 342-3622, thaideesa.com 3. Tong’s Thai, 1146 Austin Hwy., (210) 829-7345, thongsthai.com Related Stories
WINNER: Anel Flores, anelflores.com 2. Jan Jarboe Russell, janjarboerussell.com 3. John Phillipo Santos, johnphillipsantos.com
WINNER: Tommy Lee Jones 2. Jesse Borrego, twitter.com/thejesseborrego 3. Larry Garza, twitter.com/larrygarzacomic
WINNER: Pastie Pops, facebook.com/pastiepops 2. Stars and Garters, facebook.com/starsandgarters 3. The Smitten Kittens, twitter.com/showkittens Related Stories
WINNER: La Panaderia, 8305 Broadway, (210) 375-6746, lapanaderia.com 2. Mi Tierra, 218 Produce Row, (210) 225-1262, mitierracafe.com 3. Panifico Bake Shop, 602 NW 24th St., (210) 434-9290, panifico.com
WINNER: Astro Bowl, 3203 Harry Wurzbach Road, (210) 824-6348, astrosuperbowl.com 2. Bowl and Barrel, 17619 La Cantera Pkwy., Suite 102, (210) 920-1102, bowlandbarrel.com 3. Oak Hills Lanes, 7330 Callaghan Road, (210) 344-6251, oakhillslanes.com
WINNER: Slacker’s, multiple locations, slackerssa.com 2. Sancho’s, 628 Jackson St., (210) 320-1840, sanchosmx.com 3. Artisan on Alamo, 315 8th St., (210) 896-5070, artisanonalamo.com
WINNER: LOL Comedy, 618 NW Loop 410 Suite 312, (210) 541-8805, lolsanantonio.com 2. Blind Tiger Comedy Club, 902 NE Loop 410, blindtigercomedy.com 3. Rivercenter Comedy Club, 849 E. Commerce St., (210) 390-6073, rivercentercomedyclub.com
Our Pick: The Bin Tapas Bar, 511 E. Grayson St., (210) 994-809 Can Dady do no wrong? It’s a legitimate question, as the prolific chef and restauranteur has had success with more than a handful of foodie operations throughout the Alamo City. At The Bin Tapas Bar, Dady dials into romantic nostalgia, bringing his popular…
WINNER: San Pedro Swimming Pool, 2200 N. Flores St., (210) 732-5992 2. Woodlawn Lake, 1103 Cincinnati Ave., (210) 207-7275
Our Pick: Rainbow Gardens, Multiple locations, rainbowgardens.biz Thanks to Rainbow Gardens, you don’t need to have a green thumb to become an excellent gardener. With two locations in San Antonio, the garden center is a one-stop shop for both expert gardeners and those just getting their feet wet. Whether you’re browsing through the hundreds of…
OUR PICK: Montage, 423 W. Grayson St., (210) 324-0157, montagestyle.com Getting bored with modern fashion? We don’t blame you. If you’re wanting to look like a flower child of the 60s, mod queen of the 70s, yacht rocker of the 80s — or just a grungy 90s kid — Montage is the spot for you.…
OUR PICK: Sexology Institute and Boutique, 727 S. Alamo St., (210) 487-0371, sexologyinstitute.com As its name might suggest, Sexology Institute and Boutique aims to set itself apart from other adult businesses in San Antonio, and rises to that occasion on a variety of levels. Since opening in Southtown to a fair amount of chatter back…
OUR PICK: Faust Tavern, 517 E Woodlawn Ave, (210) 257-0628 facebook.com/TheFaustTavern Hoping to impress a Tinder date but not trying to run into anyone you know? Faust Tavern, a cozy bar with satanic vibes, has the atmosphere you’re looking for. Hidden in plain view along the St. Mary’s Strip, Faust is the perfect spot to…
OUR PICK: Mobile Om, 1114 S. St. Mary’s St., Suite 210, (210) 816-0936, mobileomtx.com What makes Mobile Om stand out is that the studio doesn’t simply seek to build a human community, but also to foster a connection to the city at large by holding classes in a variety of locales. Whether you’d rather downward…
WINNER: Trader’s Village, 9333 SW Loop 410, (210) 623-8383, tradersvillage.com/san-antonio 2. Eisenhauer Flea Market, 3903 Eisenhauer Road, (210) 468-1081, eisenhauerfleamarketsa.net 3. Busseys, 18738 I-35 S., Schertz, (830) 609-0800, busseysfm.com
WINNER: Laurie Ann Guerrero, twitter.com/laurannguerrero 2. Naomi Shihab Nye 3. Polly Anna Rocha, twitter.com/pollylabruja
WINNER: Redbone, 8126 Broadway, (210) 822-4111, redboneguitar.com 2. Alamo Music Center, multiple locations, alamomusic.com 3. Robot Monster, 517 E. Woodlawn Ave., (210) 320-1710, robotmonsterguitars.com
WINNER: Steve Browne, facebook.com/meteorologiststevebrowne 2. Bill Taylor, facebook.com/billtaylorkens5 3. Adam Caskey, facebook.com/caskeyweather
WINNER: Pinks Popcorn 2. Justin’s Ice cream 3. Kinsman Rakia by Dorcol
WINNER: Riverwalk, thesanantonioriverwalk.com 2. The Alamo, 300 Alamo Plaza, (210) 225-1391, thealamo.org 3. The Pearl, 303 Pearl Pkwy, (210) 212-7260, atpearl.com
WINNER: Woodhouse Day Spa, Multiple locations, woodhousespas.com 2. Blush Makeup & Hair, 2540 Thousand Oaks Dr., (210) 842-3794, facesbyblush.com 3. The Wax Bar, Multiple locations, bodywaxbar.com
OUR PICK: Station Café, 108 King William St., (210) 444-2200, thestationsa.com There’s a reason these sammies keep drawing us back: attention to detail. From the house-made sauces to the fresh-baked breads, owners Jon and Stacie Row and their staff at Station Café know what they’re doing inside this eclectic shop that’s decorated with local art.…
WINNER: Max’s Wine Dive, 340 E. Basse Road, Suite 101, (210) 444-9547, maxswinedive.com 2. Squeezebox, 806 N. St. Mary’s St., facebook.com/thesqueezebox 3. Slacker’s, Multiple locations, slackerssa.com
WINNER: Montage, 423 W. Grayson St., (210) 324-0157, montagestyle.com
WINNER: Woodlawn Theatre, 1920 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 267-8388, woodlawntheatre.org 2. Overtime Theater, 5409 Bandera Road Suite 205, (210) 557-7562, theovertimetheatre.org 3. The Playhouse, 800 W. Ashby Place, (210) 733-7258, theplayhousesa.org
OUR PICK: Cornyation Thanks to Trinity University associate professor Amy Stone’s recently published book, San Antonians can easily dig into the colorful history of Cornyation — from its inception in the 1950s as a family-friendly satire of the notoriously elite Coronation of the Queen of the Order of the Alamo to its current incarnation as…
OUR PICK: Bexar Goods, 2202 Broadway, bexargoods.com The essential place for high quality, handcrafted leather goods made right here in Bexar County is none other than Bexar Goods Co. A family business (two brothers and a cousin, who say they learned how to run a business from growing up in their family’s pizza restaurant), the…
OUR PICK: sloan/hall, 5424 Broadway, (210) 828-7738, sloanhall.com Although it has only occupied the converted Magnolia/Mobil service station since 2011, it’s hard to imagine a time that sloan/hall’s carefully curated collection of designer goods hasn’t filled the space. The store possesses the dichotomous feel of an over-filled curio cabinet and an open, airy gallery, allowing…
OUR PICK: (TIE) Ocho at Hotel Havana, 1015 Navarro St., (210) 222-2008, havanasanantonio.com; Sternewirth at Hotel Emma, 136 E. Grayson St., (210) 448-8300, thehotelemma.com > Although it’s only natural that two of San Antonio’s coolest hotels also have super-stylish bars, it’s a welcome surprise that Sternewirth (in Hotel Emma) and Ocho (in Hotel Havana) are…
OUR PICK: Pearsall Park, 4700 Old Pearsall Rd. The newest addition to San Antonio’s system of city parks has just about everything you could ask for: A disc golf course, expansive dog park, delightful public sculptures, a “fitness challenge zone,” skate park, dozens of picnic areas — the list goes on. But what stands out…
WINNER: Steve Spriester, facebook.com/steve.spriester 2. Randy Beamer, facebook.com/randy.beamer 3. Chelsey Hernandez, facebook.com/chelseyhernandeztv Related Stories
WINNER: Jeremy Carolino, Hop & Vine, 5619 W. Loop 1604 N., Suite 109, (210) 878-4071, hopandvinesa.com 2. Gabriel Cardenas, The Fridge, (210) 473-0916, facebook.com/TheFridgeSA 3. Mark Bliss, Bliss, 926 S. Presa St., (210) 225-2547, foodisbliss.com/chef
WINNER: Jeanelle Stauffer, 827 E. Rector St., facebook.com/focalmassageandrecovery 2. Robert Baldwin, 8842 Broadway, (210) 336-8868, baldwinmassagetherapy.com 3. Laura Valdez, facebook.com/lauravaldezlmt
WINNER: Damon Billeck, twitter.com/happy2badad 2. Denise Hernandez, facebook.com/maestranzatx 3. Jessica O. Guerrero
Three-way tie Theory Coffee Company, 2347 Nacogdoches Road, (512) 507-3025, theorycoffeeco.com Paramour, 102 9th St., (210) 340-9880, paramourbar.com Highlander Bar and Grill, 5562 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 340-4577, highlanderbarandgrill.com
WINNER: USAA, 9800 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 282-1888, usaa.com 2. HEB, Multiple locations, heb.com 3. Parkhurst NuVision, 9725 Datapoint Dr #200, (210) 615-9358, sanantonio-lasik.com
WINNER: Mission Marquee Plaza, 3100 Roosevelt Ave., (210) 207-8612, facebook.com/missionmarqueeplaza 2. Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair, 434 S Alamo St., (210) 709-4750 3. The Friendly Spot, 943 S. Alamo St., (210) 224-2337, thefriendlyspot.com
WINNER: Slacker’s, multiple locations, slackerssa.com 2. Ricky Bobby’s Sports Bar, 2335 NW Military Hwy, (210) 348-1513, rickybobbysbar.com 3. Cover 3, 1806 Loop 1604, (210) 479-9700, cover-3.com
WINNER: Hair Candy SA, 742 NW Loop 410, (210) 860-4704 2. Chairish the Day, 18819 FM 2252 Suite 5, (210) 632-3877, chairishtheday.com 3. Victory Salon, 4745 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 281-5808, facebook.com/victorysalontx
Our Pick: Garcia’s Mexican Food, 842 Fredericksburg, facebook.com/Garcias-Mexican-Food. The Garcias are not playing around. The family, presently led by brothers Andrew and John Garcia, have been serving up amazing BBQ and Mexican dishes since 1962 when they opened their first restaurant, which now sits across the street from their current location on Fredericksburg. Most notable…
WINNER: Glaze Nail Lounge, 742 NW Loop 410 Suite, Suite 113, facebook.com/glazenaillounge 2. The Opal Office, 6245 Vance Jackson Road, Suite 1, (210) 414-6985, facebook.com/theopalofficesalon 3. The White Orchid, 4079 N. Loop 1604 W., Suite 107, (210) 408-1699, thewhiteorchidsa.com
OUR PICK: Laurie Ann Guerrero Former poet laureate of San Antonio and current poet laureate of Texas, Laurie Ann Guerrero easily has the fancy accolades to earn the distinction of San Anto’s best poet. But our designation here is more about personal and poetic potency than posts or positions. Guerrero, a graduate of McCollum High…
Our Pick: AT&T Center, 1 AT&T Center Pkwy, (210) 444-5000, attcenter.com I mean, if you really want to know about something, it’s only natural that you should go straight to the source—right? While this may only be an option for home games (save occasional playoff watch parties), what an option it is! When you’ve got…
Our Pick: Roo & Me, 302 Pearl Pkwy. Suite 110, (210) 276-0212, facebook.com/rooandme Baby fashion has changed a lot since we were in diapers. One look around Roo & Me, and you’ll agree. Bowie T-shirts, fuzzy pink capes, taco slippers, and onesies reading “Bean & Cheese” — the list goes on. What’s more, Roo &…
Our Pick: Rumble, 2420 N. St. Mary’s, (210) 365-3246, rumblesa.com In Los Angeles, you’ll find the Sunset Strip; in Miami, Ocean Drive, or the Main Strip; in Vegas, the infamous Las Vegas Strip, and in San Antonio, we have our beloved St. Mary’s Strip — nearly a mile’s worth of bars where both locals and…
OUR PICK: El Mirador, 722 S. St. Mary’s St., (210) 225-9444 After closing for a number of months, El Mirador re-opened its doors in late December with a serious makeover that included murals by Garrett Mormando, artwork by Cruz Ortiz that lines the bar and a private dining room with late artist Chuck Ramirez’s work.…
WINNER: Taste of Asia, 300 W. Bitters Road, Suite 120, (210) 496-6266, facebook.com/taste-of-asia 1. Pho Ha Long, 6424 NW Loop 410, Suite 104, (210) 521-4507, facebook.com/phohalong/ 2. Pho Kim Long, 4230 McCullough Ave., (210) 829-8021,
WINNER: Caterina Gutierrez, instagram.com/caterinagtz 2. Oralia v Espinoza, Spring Garden Flower Shop, 211 Brooklyn Ave., (210) 229-1231, springgardenflowershop.com 3. Leighton W., facebook.com/leightonwcouture
WINNER: The Gypsy Diner, (210) 885-3339, facebook.com/theygypsydiner 2. The Fridge SA, (210) 473-0916, facebook.com/thefridgesa 3. Philly’s Phamous Cheesesteaks, 2301 San Pedro Ave., (210) 621-8908, facebook.com/phillysphamousitalianice
WINNER: Local Coffee, multiple locations, localcoffeesa.com 2. Barrio Barista, 3735 Culebra Road, (210) 519-5403, barriobarista.coffee 3. Rosella Coffee Co., 203 E. Jones Ave., Suite 101, (210) 277-8574, rosellacoffee.com
WINNER: Luciano Ristorante Italiano, multiple locations, lucianorestaurants.com 2. Piatti, multiple locations, piatti.com/sanantonio 3. Il Sogno, 200 E. Grayson St., Suite 100, (210) 223-3900
WINNER: Alamo Drafthouse, multiple locations, drafthouse.com 2. Santikos Embassy, 13707 Embassy Row, (210) 496-4957, santikos.com/san-antonio/embassy-14 3. Casa Blanca, 11210 Alamo Ranch Pkwy, (210) 982-0180, santikos.com/san-antonio/casa-blanca
WINNER: Midnight Rodeo, 12260 Nacogdoches Road, (210) 655-0040, midnightrodeosanantonio.com 2. SA Country Saloon, 10127 Coachlight St., (210) 525-0915, facebook.com/sacountrysaloon 3. Wild West San Antonio, 21025 Encino Commons Blvd., (210) 496-9453, wildwestsanantonio.com
WINNER: Babio’s, 527 W. Hildebrand Ave., (210) 409-7245, facebook.com/babiosedd 2. Brass Monkey, 2702 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 480-4722, facebook.com/brassmonkeytx 3. Bonham Exchange, 411 Bonham St., (210) 224-9219, bonhamexchange.com
WINNER: Southtown Yoga Loft, 724 S. Alamo St. #3, (210) 881-9087, southtownyogaloft.com 2. MBS Yoga, 1115 S. Alamo St., (210) 412-0398, mbs-yoga.com 3. Mobile Om, Multiple locations, (210) 816-0936, mobileomtx.com
OUR PICK: South Alamode Panini & Gelato Company, 1420 S. Alamo St., suite 102, (210) 788-8000 Josh Biffle knows gelato. Having studied the art of gelato under lauded makers in Italy — where he met wife and partner Diletta Gallorini — Biffle lets his palate and love of fresh ingredients do the talking. At South…
WINNER: Pearl Brewery, 303 Pearl Pkwy. Suite 300, (210) 212-7260, atpearl.com 2. Uptown Gypsy, 4522 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 530-1859, facebook.com/uptowngypsyboutique 3. River Walk, thesanantonioriverwalk.com
Our Pick: Maverick Music Festival, maverickmusicfestival.com When Maverick Music Festival first started in 2013, you could still get away with calling it a good “local” festival. The main draws for that maiden voyage were Gary Clark Jr., Girl in a Coma, and (of course) the Toadies. Year two, Maverick managed to bring in hip-hop supergroup…
Our Pick: Kawhi Leonard This award will look comically small in his giant mitts, but there’s no question that Kawhi Leonard is 2017’s Best Spur. Timmy retired, Manu and Tony got a year older, and Pop (who naturally also received award consideration) had to replace almost half his roster on the fly. The reason the…
OUR PICK: (Tie) Friends of Sound, 700 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 971-8044, friendsofsound.com; Southtown Vinyl, 1010 S. Flores St., Suite 120, (210) 231-0512, southtownvinyl.com It once seemed like the brick-and-mortar music store was destined for extinction. Of course, this was before vinyl and cassettes enjoyed the surge in popularity that they are still enjoying today. Thus,…
Our Pick: The Squeezebox, 2806 N. St. Mary’s St., facebook.com/thesqueezebox When The Squeezebox opened back in July 2016, brought to you by Danny Delgado and partners, it quickly became apparent that the place was — not only, but also — filling the void left by Saluté International Bar, a favorite Tejano (especially) venue and watering…
OUR PICK: Bowl and Barrel, The Rim, 17619 La Cantera Pkwy Ste 102, (210) 920-1102, bowlandbarrel.com Bowling alleys are traditionally known for smelling like feet and cheap beer, but Bowl and Barrel raises the standards from booze and grub to service and aesthetic. One visit will make you realize that B&B is more than a…
WINNER: Urth Juice, multiple locations, urthjuicebar.com 2. Juice Boss, 15701 San Pedro Ave., (210) 495-2677, facebook.com/juicebosshq 3. Revolucion, 7959 Broadway, Suite 500, (210) 701-0725, revolucionsa.com
WINNER: Ray Mendoza, misssanantonio.org 2. Christopher Rodriguez, Woodlawn Theatre, 1920 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 267-8388, facebook.com/ChrisWoodlawn 3. Scott McDowell, Overtime Theater, 5409 Bandera Road, Suite 205, (210) 557-7562
WINNER: La Maceta Tapatios, (210) 419-3845, facebook.com/lamaceta.52 2. Taco Libre, 6511 Ingram Road, Suite 101, (210) 592-6288, facebook.com/vivatacolibre 3. Casa Azul de Andrea, 1036 S. Alamo St., (210) 451-9393, facebook.com/casaazuldeandrea
WINNER: Bike World, multiple locations, bikeworld.com 2. Bicycle Heaven, multiple locations, bicycle-heaven.com 3. Blue Star Bike Shop, 1414 S. Alamo St., (210) 858-0331, bluestarbikeshop.com
WINNER: Chama Guacha, 18318 Sonterra Place, (210) 564-9400, chamagaucha.com 2. Bohanan’s, 219 E. Houston St., (210) 472-2600, bohanans.com 3. La Maceta Tapatios, (210) 419-3845, facebook.com/lamaceta.52
WINNER: NIOSA, niosa.org 2. King William Festival, kwfair.org 3. Cornyation, fiestacornyation.org
Our Pick: Mama’s Cafe, 2442 Nacogdoches Road, (210) 826-8303, mamasrestaurants.com Often overshadowed by the size of the chicken fried steak plate at Lulu’s or the novelty of stopping by MK Davis for the classic dish, the chicken fried steak at Mama’s Cafe never quite gets the credit it truly deserves. Though you could find the…
Our Pick: Hawx Burger Bar and Electro Lounge, 2603 Vance Jackson Road, (210) 320-4299, hawxburgerbar.com Who has the best burgers in San Antonio? Really, embarrassingly enough, it’s almost no contest. Hawx Burger Bar and Electro Lounge’s otherworldly masterpieces are simply divine. Have you seen these babies? Every burger on their menu is a work of…
WINNER: Palm Beach Tan, multiple locations, palmbeachtan.com 2. Glam and Glow Hair and Tanning, 24200 I-10 Frontage Road Suite 108, (210) 698-7700, glamandglowsa.com
WINNER: Natures Mosquito Repellent, natures-repel.com 2. In the Weeds Natural Skin Care, (210) 960-3376, shopintheweeds.com 3. Very That, (210) 602-3291, facebook.com/verythat
WINNER: Victory Salon, 4745 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 281-5808, facebook.com/victorysalontx 2. All American Barbershop, 105 Warren St., facebook.com/allamericanbarbershops 3. Traveler Barbershop, 2202 Broadway, (210) 920-4134, travelerbarbershop.com
Our Pick: Gregg Popovich This past year we’ve seen a different side of Gregg Popovich. While we’re used to him Popping off on stupid questions from sideline reporters or masterfully evading any line of inquiry that even hints at his personal life, the Trump Era seems to have weighed heavily on our beloved Spurs coach.…
OUR PICK: La Cocina, 2602 Nogalitos St., (210) 922-9660 San Antonio may be home to plenty of taquerias and taco trucks, but we can safely bet that you haven’t been to every one of them. One of the lesser known taquerias is the impressive La Cocina in Palm Heights. While it’s unfortunate that it doesn’t…
OUR PICK: Pegasus, 1402 N. Main Ave., (210) 299-4222, pegasussanantonio.com You might not hear many LGBT bar-hoppers call Pegasus their favorite watering hole, but most will confess it’s a regular stop on their crawl back and forth along the Main Strip — and there are several good reasons why. Divey, cruisey, unpretentious and unpredictable, the…
OUR PICK: Hemisfair Park, 434 S. Alamo St., (210) 709-4750, hemisfair.org Pack a picnic (can we suggest a discrete wine bladder to go with your snacks?), grab your most comfortable camping chair, and head to Hemisfair’s lush lawn. Slab Cinema shares family-friendly flicks in the shadow of the Tower of the Americas, with access to…
OUR PICK: Chisme, 2403 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 530-4236, eatchisme.com Since opening last fall, Chisme’s gained a solid following. It could have something to do with its superb happy hour offerings or perhaps its delightful brunch, or we could point to the micheladas available for both of these time slots. Created by bar manager…
WINNER: Cover 3, 1806 Loop 1604, (210) 479-9700, cover-3.com 2. Max’s Wine Dive, 340 E. Basse Road, Suite 101, (210) 444-9547, maxswinedive.com 3. Hop and Vine, 5619 W. Loop 1604 N., Suite 109, (210) 878-4071, hopandvinesa.com
WINNER: Gabriela Tijerina, twitter.com/gabyitijerina 2. Kim Kerley, facebook.com/kim.dayoc 3. Larry Garza, twitter.com/larrygarzacomic
WINNER: Zocalo, 175 E. Houston St., Suite 115, (210) 314-8468, zocalomio.com 2. Sangria on the Burg, 5115 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 744-1448, sangriaontheburg.com 3. Hop & Vine, 5619 W 1604 N., Suite 109, (210) 878-4071, hopandvinesa.com
WINNER: Nectar Wine Bar & Ale House, 214 Broadway, (210) 375-4082, nectarsa.com 2. Snociopa, 6423 Babcock Road, Suite 104 , (210) 455 -8638, snopioca.com 3. Bar Louie, multiple locations, barlouie.com
WINNER: The Fridge SA, (210) 473-0916, facebook.com/thefridgesa 1. Bar Louie, multiple locations, barlouie.com 2. Snopioca, 6423 Babcock Road, Suite 104 , (210) 455 -8638, snopioca.com
WINNER: Out in the Park, sixflags.com/fiestatexas/special-events/out-in-the-park 2. Texas Folklife Festival, texasfolklifefestival.org 3. Mexiqueens, facebook.com/mexiqueensa
WINNER: Keylife Med Spa, 19234 Stonehue Road, (210) 481-9125, keylifemedspa.com 2. Spa Black, 7272 Wurzbach Rd Suite 804, (210) 615-6625, spablack.com 3. Sonterra Laser Med Spa, 1202 E. Sonterra Blvd. Suite 303, (210) 545-3327, sonterralaser.com
WINNER: Shisha Cafe, 550 Babcock Road, Suite 101, (210) 694-4800, shishacafesa.com 2. Naara, 9329 Wurzbach Road, Suite 101, (210) 558-9800, naaracafe.com 3. Hookah Harem, 6862 Ingram Road, (210) 455-9499, hookahharem.com
Tie Winner: Lambermont, 950 E. Grayson St., (210) 271-9145, lambermontevents.com Winner: Hotel Emma, 136 E. Grayson St., (210) 448-8300, thehotelemma.com Tie 2. Kendall Plantation, 20 Guthrie Road, (830) 229-5090, kendallplantation.com 2. ZaZa Garden, 723 S. Flores St., (210) 273-1083, zazagardens.com
Three-way tie Babio’s, 527 W. Hildebrand Ave., (210) 409-7245, facebook.com/babiosedd La Botanica, 2911 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 716-0702, vivalabotanica.com Wax Club Lounge, 2211 San Pedro Ave., (210) 737-9191, facebook.com/waxclublounge
WINNER: Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway St., (210) 357-1900, wittemuseum.org 2. McNay Art Museum, 6000 N. New Braunfels Ave., (210) 824-5368, mcnayart.org 3. The DoSeum, 2800 Broadway St., (210) 212-4453, thedoseum.org
OUR PICK: Donkey Lady You can’t live in San Antonio long without hearing a version of the city’s favorite creepy legend: the story of the Donkey Lady. The story goes something like this: In the 1950s, a young woman attempted to save her children from a house fire (that some say was lit by her…
Our Pick: Rod Dog’s Saloon, 2617 Wagon Wheel St., (210) 828-2582, roddogsaloon.com There is so much to love about Rod Dog’s Saloon that makes it the best dive bar in San Antonio: the real dart boards (not the electronic type), the book collection by the bathroom that features a solid Tom Clancy collection, the interior…
Our pick: Ranger Creek Brewing & Distilling, 4834 Whirlwind Drive, (210) 775-2099, drinkrangercreek.com Ranger Creek Brewing & Distilling was started by three beer-loving and business-minded dudes back in 2010. The company, which places admirable emphasis on sourcing local ingredients and championing local food that pairs well with its products, has steadily won us over with…
Our Pick: Cocina Heritage, (210) 560-3454, cocinaheritage.com Cocina Heritage, the catering firm headed by Lupita Rivero and Silvia Alcaraz, has been highlighted many times during its four year history. Both its rakia-infused flan and tres leches cake have made headlines, and deservedly so. Today (and every day), we’re celebrating their tamales. The sisters make several…
WINNER: Ivy Taylor, twitter.com/ivyrtaylor 2. Ron Nirenberg, facebook.com/nirenberg 3. Diego Bernal, twitter.com/diegobernaltx
WINNER: Nectar Wine Bar & Ale House, 214 Broadway, (210) 375-4082, nectarsa.com 2. Cured, 306 Pearl Pkwy., Suite 101, (210) 314-3929, curedatpearl.com 3. Cafe Dijon, 555 E. Basse Road, Suite 113, (210) 822-2665, cafedijonsa.com
WINNER: Green Vegetarian Cuisine, multiple locations, eatgreen.com 2. La Botanica, 2911 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 716-0702, vivalabotanica.com 3. Viva Vegeria, 1422 Nogalitos St., (210) 465-9233, myvegeria.com
WINNER: Twig Book Shop, 306 Pearl Pkwy., (210) 826-6411, thetwig.com 2. Nine Lives, 4907 NW Loop 410 #102, (210) 647-5656, ninelivesbooks.com 3. Imagine Books and Records, 8373 Culebra Ste 201B, (210) 236-7668, imaginebookstore.com
WINNER: Tellez Tamales & Barbacoa, multiple locations, (210) 433-1367 2. Delicious Tamales, multiple locations, delicioustamales.com 3. Ruben’s Barbacoa, 7475 W. Military Drive, (210) 674-9882
WINNER: Camilla Crown, 427 N. Loop 1604 W., Suite 105, (210) 497-5406, shopcamillacrown.com 2. Penny Lane, 5928 Broadway, (210) 826-9007, pennylaneonline.com
WINNER: Matador Recording Studios, (210) 689-6505, facebook.com/matadorsatx 2. Keith Harter Music, 3477 Northeast Pkwy., (210) 829-1211, keithhartermusic.com
Our Pick: Il Forno, 122 Nogalitos St., (210) 616-2198, ilfornosa.com From the looks of it, you might not guess this humble little shop tucked away near Southtown’s Nogalitos/Flores/Cevallos intersection cranks out some of the best pies in town. Pulling up to the restaurant, the place looks rustic, even a little feral, with lush gardens and…
WINNER: Yanaguana Garden, 434 S. Alamo St., (210) 709-4750, hemisfair.org 2. Landa Branch Library, 233 Bushnell Ave., (210) 207-9090 3. Kiddie Park, 3015 Broadway St., (210) 824-4351, kiddiepark.com Related Stories
WINNER: La Roca Cantina, 416 8th St., facebook.com/larocacantina 2. Squeezebox, 2806 N. St. Mary’s St., facebook.com/thesqueezebox 3. Jazz, TX, 312 Pearl Pkwy. #6001, (210) 332-9386, jazztx.com
WINNER: Phil Hardberger Park, 13203 Blanco Road, (210) 492-7472, philhardbergerpark.org 2. Bark Park of Alamo Heights, 5150 Broadway, gotdoggetpark.com 3. McAllister Dog Park, 13102 Jones Maltsberger Road, (210) 207-7275
OUR PICK: Cheever Books, 3613 Broadway, (210) 824-2665 When it comes to shopping for quality used and vintage books (which, let’s be honest, is almost always more fun than shopping for new ones), Cheever Books is hands-down the place to go. Here, you can spend hours searching through the store’s bookshelves, which are always packed…
OUR PICK: Fidel Ruiz-Healy, vimeo.com/ruizhealy The last thing filmmaker Fidel Ruiz-Healy, 26, wants to do is make a movie just for the sake of it. Even with the $25K-grant he received last year from the San Antonio Film Commission to produce his upcoming satirical comedy Rio Grande City, Ruiz-Healy wants to create something with staying…
Our Pick: The Playhouse, 800 W. Ashby Place, (210) 733-7258, theplayhousesa.org With its 2016-17 season still underway and an impressive list of performances slated for the 2017-18 season, The Playhouse is knocking it out of the park when it comes to community theater in San Antonio. Under the artistic direction of George Green, The Playhouse…
Our Pick: Robot Monster Guitars, 517 E. Woodlawn Ave., (210) 320-1710, robotmonsterguitars.com Have you ever walked into a bar, cafe or boutique and felt immediately sized up and judged by the shop person? Well, that most likely won’t be your experience at Robot Monster Guitars. Located at the end of St. Mary’s in our only…
WINNER: Golden Wok, multiple locations, goldenwoksa.com 2. Ding How, 4531 NW Loop 410, (210) 549-8881, dinghowsa.com 3. Taste of Asia, 300 W. Bitters Road, Suite 120, (210) 496-6266
WINNER: Total Wine and More, multiple locations, totalwine.com 2. PigLiquors, 519 S. Presa, (210) 226-6465, pigliquors.net 3. Gabriel’s, multiple locations, gabrielsliquor.com 4. Alamo City Liquor, 2943 Thousand Oaks Drive, Suite 3, (210) 490-9883, garrisonbros.com/alamo-city-liquor
WINNER: Bohanan’s, 219 E Houston, (210) 472-2600, bohanans.com 2. Little Red Barn Steakhouse, 1836 S Hackberry, (210) 532-4235, littleredbarnsteakhouse.com 3. Josephine Street, 400 E Josephine, (210) 224-6169, josephinestreet.com
WINNER: India Palace, 8474 Fredericksburg Rd, (210) 692-5262, indiapalacesatx.com 2. Simi’s India Cuisine, 4535 Fredericksburg Road, Suite 109, (210) 737-3166, simisindiacuisine.com 3. India Oven, 1031 Patricia Drive, (210) 366-1030, indiaoven.biz
WINNER: Sea Island Shrimp House, multiple locations, shrimphouse.com 2. El Bucanero, multiple locations, bucanerosanantonio.com 3. Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, 76 North East Loop 410, (210) 340-7143, pappadeaux.com
WINNER: The Fridge SA, (210) 473-0916, facebook.com/thefridgesa 2. Philly’s Phamous Cheesesteaks, 2301 San Pedro, (210) 621-8908, facebook.com/phillysphamousitalianice 3. OMG Burgers & More, 13777 Nacogdoches, (210) 598-2463, facebook.com/O.M.G.BurgersandMore
WINNER: The Ghost Tracks, 2902 Shane Road 2. Donkey Lady, Applewhite Road over the Medina River
WINNER: Giovanna Diz Zurita Gallery, 555 W. Bitters Road Suite 123, (210) 863-4445, gdzgallery.com 2. Ruiz-Healy Art, 201-A E. Olmos Drive, (210) 804-2219, ruizhealyart.com 3. Anarte Gallery, 7959 Broadway St. Suite 404, (210) 826-5674, anartegallery09.com
WINNER: Perfect 10, 111 NW Loop 410, (210) 344-6601, perfect10sa.com 2. The Palace Men’s Club, 2482 NE Loop 410, (210) 599-6011, thepalacemensclubsa.com
WINNER: La Roca Cantina, 416 8th St., facebook.com/larocacantina 2. Casa Azul de Andrea, 1036 S. Alamo St., (210) 451-9393, facebook.com/casaazuldeandrea 3. SA Country Saloon, 10127 Coachlight St., (210) 525-0915, facebook.com/sacountrysaloon/
WINNER: Pearl Farmers Market, 306 Pearl Pkwy., (210) 212-7260, atpearl.com/farmers-market 2. The Rim Farmers Market, 18039 I-10, (210) 954-1476, hillcountryfarmersmarket.org 3. Straight from the Crate, 904B Pat Booker Road, Universal City, (210) 566-5557, facebook.com/str8fromthecrate
WINNER: Brackenridge, 3910 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 207-7275, brackenridgepark.org 2. Hemisfair, 434 S. Alamo St., (210) 709-4750, hemisfair.org 3. Phil Hardberger, 13203 Blanco Road, (210) 492-7472, philhardbergerpark.org
OUR PICK: Jason Dady, @chefjasondady, jasondady.com Things are only looking up for chef Jason Dady, owner of six restaurants with more on the way. Even as the face of the Jason Dady Restaurant Group, and “menu writer” for Tre Enoteca, Tre Trattoria, Two Bros. BBQ Market, DUK Truck, Shuck Shack and The Bin, Dady spends…
Our pick: The Cobalt Club, 2022 McCullough Ave., (210) 251-2027 If you’re a heavy drinker or just trying to get your day started with a little bit of stumble in your step, then the Cobalt Club might be the place for you. Nestled on the corner of Ashby and McCullough, the Cobalt Club (better known…
OUR PICK: Paper Tiger, 2410 N. St. Mary’s St., (800) 513-7540, papertigersa.com If you follow touring indie acts in San Antonio at all, this one is most likely as much of a no-brainer to you as it was to us. Since opening its doors in March 2015, Paper Tiger, which of course replaced the old…
Our pick: Hot Joy, 1014 S. Alamo St., 210-368-9324, hotjoysa.com If you’ve been living in San Antonio for more than a year and haven’t tried the crab fat caramel wings from Hot Joy … we honestly don’t know what your excuse could be. Named one of the top 10 best new restaurants by Bon Apetit…
WINNER: Lulu’s Bakery & Cafe, 918 N. Main Ave., (210) 951-2802, luluscafeinsa.com 2. De Wese’s Tip Top Cafe, 2814 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 735-2222 3. MK Davis Restaurant, 1302 N. Flores St., (210) 223-1208, mkdavisrestaurant.com
WINNER: Tellez, multiple locations, (210) 433-1367 2. Mary Lou’s Cafe, 4405 McCullough Ave., (210) 396-7909, facebook.com/mary-lous-cafe 3. Taco Libre, 6511 Ingram Road, (210) 592-6288, facebook.com/vivatacolibre
WINNER: Mellow Monkey, 2286 Bandera Road, (210) 432-9333, mellowmonkey.net 2. Glass House Gallery, 6411 Bandera Road, Suite 2, (210) 627-6431, facebook.com/glasshousesmokeshop 3. Planet K, multiple locations, planetktexas.com
WINNER: Chacho’s, multiple locations, chachos.com 2. Taco Libre, 6511 Ingram Road, (210) 592-6288, facebook.com/vivatacolibre 3. Rosario’s, multiple locations, rosariossa.com
WINNER: Bill Millers, multiple locations, billmillerbbq.com 2. Taco Libre, 6511 Ingram Road, (210) 592-6288, facebook.com/vivatacolibre 3. El Milagrito, 521 E Woodlawn Ave., (210) 737-8646, elmilagritocafe.com Related Stories
WINNER: Javier Gil, youtube.com/javiergil1910 2. Laura Varela, twitter.com/varelafilm 3. Bryan Ortiz, youtube.com/filmclassicsprod
WINNER: Caliente Harley Davidson, 7230 NW Loop 410, (210) 681-2254, calienteharley.com 2. Quick Performance Cycles, 14590 Toepperwein Road, (210) 637-1333, quickperformancecycles.com 3. The Motorcycle Shop, 2423 Austin Hwy., (210) 654-0211, themotorcycleshopsa.com
WINNER: The Can Plant, 503 Avenue A, (210) 223-8226, thecanplant.com 2. The Flats at Big Tex, 423 Blue Star, (844) 368-9900, bigtexflats.com 3. Refugio, 300 Labor St., (210) 212-5256, refugioplaceapts.com
WINNER: Sternewirth at Hotel Emma, 136 E. Grayson St., (210) 223-7375, thehotelemma.com/culinary/sternewirth 2. Ocho at Hotel Havana, 1015 Navarro St., (210) 222-2008, havanasanantonio.com/restaurant-and-bar/ocho 3. Bar 414 at Sheraton Gunter, 205 E. Houston St., (210) 585-9999, sheratongunter.com/bar-414
WINNER: Oak Hills Tavern, 7920 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 614-8855, facebook.com/oak-hills-tavern 2. Hi Tones, 621 E. Dewey Place, (210) 785-8777, facebook.com/hi-tones 3. Bang Bang Bar, 119 El Mio Drive, (210) 320-1187, facebook.com/thebangbangbar210
OUR PICK: Chisme, 2403 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 530-4236, eatchisme.com Maybe we just miss The Monterey’s fabulous brunch, but when sister restaurant, Chisme, launched their Saturday and Sunday offerings, we were hit with a pang of nostalgia and a serious dash of deliciousness. The menu is compact, but features citrusy aguachiles and campechana shrimp…
WINNER: Tower of the Americas, 739 E César E. Chávez Blvd., (210) 223-3101, toweroftheamericas.com 2. Paramour, 102 9th St., (210) 340-9880, paramourbar.com 3. Sunken Gardens, 3875 N. St Mary’s St., (210) 207-3050
Our Pick: Animal Defense League of Texas, 11300 Nacogdoches Road, (210) 655-1481, adltexas.org Adopting a pet of any kind can be both a scary and hard decision, but lucky for us, there’s the Animal Defense League. The knowledgeable staff and group of volunteers at the ADL make bringing a furry pal into the family easy,…
Our Pick: Cured, 306 Pearl Pkwy., Suite 101, (210) 314-3929, curedatpearl.com Most of us know where to head if we just want a great cocktail: Bohanan’s, Brooklynite, Paramour, 1919…But what if you include dinner, or at least more than marinated olives, in the equation? To further up the ante, let’s also assume that the food…
OUR PICK: Ruiz-Healy Art, 201-A East Olmos Drive, (210) 804-2219, ruizhealyart.com It’s probably worth pointing out that there are several important destinations within the San Antonio art scene that don’t quite fall within the confines of a “gallery.” For instance, Artpace, Blue Star Contemporary and the Southwest School of Art all contain galleries but also…
OUR PICK: Trader’s Village, 9333 SW Loop 410, (210) 623-8383, tradersvillage.com/san-antonio Trader’s Village isn’t your average flea market. Described as “a swap meet, treasure hunt, shopping complex, county fair, and festival attraction all rolled into one,” this 100-acre, 1,000-vendor jumbo marketplace can easily fill an entire day. Try on some cowboy boots, hop on a…
WINNER: Bakery Lorraine, 306 Pearl Pkwy., Suite 110, (210) 862-5582, bakerylorraine.com 2. Cake Crumbs, 1218 W. Bitters Road, Suite 108, (210) 906-3783, cakecrumbssa.com 3. Bird Bakery, 5912 Broadway, (210) 804-2473, birdbakery.com
WINNER: The Fridge SA, (210) 473-0916, facebook.com/thefridgesa 2. Philly’s Phamous Cheesesteaks, 2301 San Pedro Ave., (210) 621-8908, facebook.com/phillysphamousitalianice 3. Mina & Dimi’s Greek House, 7159 W. Hwy. 90, (210) 674-3464, agreekhouse.com
WINNER: Sean Elliott, twitter.com/seanelliott_32 2. Gregg Popovich, nba.com/spurs/bios/gregg-popovich 3. Kahwi Leonard, twitter.com/kawhileonard Related Stories
1. The Rose Bush, 2301 San Pedro Ave., (210) 621-8908, facebook.com/therosebushsa 2. Snopioca, 6423 Babcock Road, Suite 104 , (210) 455 -8638, snopioca.com 3. The Cove, 606 W. Cypress St., (210) 227-2683, thecove.us
WINNER: Justin’s Ice Cream, 245 E. Commerce, (210) 222-2707, facebook.com/Justinsicecreamsanantonioriverwalk 2. Lick Honest Ice Creams, 312 Pearl Pkwy., Suite 2101, (210) 314-8166, ilikelick.com 3. Amy’s Ice Creams, 255 E. Basse Road, Suite 430, (210) 832-8886, amysicecreams.com
WINNER: Dru photography, 403 Dawson St. #2, (210) 863-4338, druphotography.com 2. Raven Red photography, 1333 Buena Vista St., (210) 526-1941, facebook.com/ravenredphoto 3. Bea Simmons Photography, 1100 Broadway Suite #306, (210) 605-8694, facebook.com/beasimmonsphotography
WINNER: God’s Dogs Rescue, godsdogsrescue.org 2. SNIPSA, (210) 237-9400, snipsa.org 3. San Antonio Pets Alive, sanantoniopetsalive.org
WINNER: Dad’s Karaoke, 2615 Mossrock Drive, (210) 267-5703, facebook.com/dadskaraoke 2. SA Country Saloon, 10127 Coachlight St., (210) 525-0915, facebook.com/sacountrysaloon 3. Oak Hills Tavern, 7920 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 614-8855, facebook.com/oak-hills-tavern
OUR PICK: (TIE) Local Coffee, Multiple locations, localcoffeesa.com, Estate Coffee Co., 1320 E. Houston St., (210) 667-4347 Coffee in San Antonio is no joke. Long gone are the days of convenience over flavor. This year’s coffee shop tie goes to a long-standing player in the bean scene and a new kid on the block with…
WINNER: ATT Center, 1 AT&T Center Pkwy., (210) 444-5000, attcenter.com 2: Cover 3, 1806 Loop 1604, (210) 479-9700, cover-3.com 3:Slacker’s, multiple locations, slackerssa.com Related Stories
OUR PICK: 2M Smokehouse & Catering, 2731 S. W.W. White Road, (210) 885-9352 Though we’re living in the age of instant gratification (instant likes, instant snaps, texting, emails), the old adage of “good things come to those who wait” couldn’t apply more to a visit to our Best of San Antonio barbecue winner. Opened by…
OUR PICK: Tim’s Oriental and Seafood Market, 7015 Bandera Road, Suite 8, (210) 523-1688 Freshly roasted Peking duck, Meiji chips and a good Sencha tea are hard to find in San Antonio — unless you make a trip to Tim’s. The market — run by Tim and Cathy Lim since 1986 — celebrates the ingredients,…
Our Pick: Downstairs, 155 E. Commerce St., (210) 222-2521, esquiretavern-sa.com/downstairs Cured meats are having more than a moment in San Antonio. Charc Week, organized by Chef Michael Sohocki, celebrated its fourth iteration last July when it had already spread as far as Boerne and Austin. Artfully arrayed spreads of cured, smoked, dried and otherwise manipulated…
Our Pick: Mi Tierra Restaurant and Bakery, 218 Produce Row, (210) 225-1262, mitierracafe.com No matter what time it is or at what stage of intoxication you’re at, Mi Tierra has something for you. The 24-hour Mexican restaurant has been a favorite destination for San Antonians after the downtown bars close for decades — maybe even…
OUR PICK: (TIE) Humble House Food, humblehousefoods.com Wildflower, wildflowersa.com Our first ever stab at best locally made product features something spicy and something sweet. You may already be familiar with Luis Morales’ Humble House Foods, an early staple of the Pearl Farmers Market, but Morales and his line of sauces are ready for the big…
WINNER: Zocalo, 175 E. Houston St., Suite 115, (210) 314-8468, zocalomio.com 2. Rosario’s, multiple locations, rosariossa.com 3. Jacala, 606 West Ave., (210) 732-5222, jacala.com
WINNER: Kawhi Leonard, twitter.com/kawhileonard 2. Manu Ginobili, twitter.com/manuginobili 3. Tony Parker, twitter.com/tonyparker
WINNER: Chris Madrid’s, 1900 Blanco Road, (210) 735-3552, chris madrids.com 2. Burger Boy, 2323 N St Marys, (210) 735-1955, facebook.com/burgerboysa 3. Big Z’s Burger Joint, 2303 N Loop 1604, facebook.com/bigzburgerjoint
WINNER: Capo’s Pizza, 8522 Broadway, Suite 105, (210) 362-1901, capospizzasa.com 2. Luciano’s, multiple locations, lucianorestaurants.com 3. Dough, 6989 Blanco Road, (210) 979-6565, doughpizzeria.com
WINNER: Nectar Wine Bar & Ale House, 214 Broadway, (210) 375-4082, nectarsa.com 2. Max’s Wine Dive, 340 E. Basse Road, Suite 101, (210) 444-9547, maxswinedive.com 3. High Street Wine Company, 302 Pearl Pkwy., Suite 104, (210) 908-9144, highstreetwine.com
WINNER: Miss Dakota Puggy, instagram.com/missdakotapuggy 2. Raven Red Photography, instagram.com/ravenredphoto 3. Dru photography, instagram.com/dru.photo
WINNER: Little Surprises, 11745 I-10 W., Suite 118, (210) 377-2510, facebook.com/littlesurprisesgifts 2. Learning Express, multiple locations, learningexpress.com 3. Crib & Kids, 1309 N. Loop 1604 W., (210) 764-2742, cribandkids.com
Our Pick: 5 Points Local, 1017 N. Flores St., (210) 267-2652, 5pointslocal.com Don’t eat meat? No problem. Staying away from gluten? No sweat. Like to power up on juices and greens before hitting the yoga mat? 5 Points Local has those, too. Whether you stick to a carb-free, sugar-free, dairy-free or bad-vibes free diet, the…
WINNER: God’s Dogs Rescue, godsdogsrescue.org 2. Project HOT, 722 Isom Road, (210) 393-1981, projecthot.org 3. The Pride Center San Antonio, 1002 N. Flores St., (210) 370-7743, pridecentersa.org
WINNER: Sancho’s, 628 Jackson St., (210) 320-1840, sanchosmx.com 2. Oak Hills Tavern, 7920 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 614-8855, facebook.com/oak-hills-tavern 3. Crossroads Kitchen at Faust, 517 E. Woodlawn Ave., (210) 257-0628, facebook.com/thefausttavern
WINNER: Alamo Ice House, 802 N. Alamo St., (210) 758-5151, alamoicehouse.com 2. Texas Ice House, Blanco Road, (210) 771-2765, facebook.com/texas-icehouse 3. Sanchez Ice House, multiple locations, facebook.com/sanchezicehouse
OUR PICK: No. 9 Florals, 4347 McCullough Ave., (210) 232-4471, no9floralandgifts.com While Laredo native David Garcia’s distinctive floral operation Statue of Design has already found its niche in San Antonio by creating both traditional and wildly original arrangements and full-on environments for photo shoots, special events, weddings and clients in the know, his new venture…
OUR PICK: Steve Browne, facebook.com/meteorologiststevebrowne Steve Brown has talked about San Antonio weather on KSAT for 25 years — but it doesn’t show. If anything, his decades in meteorology have only increased his enthusiasm for the region’s wonky weather. It’s like your favorite goofy uncle accidentally strolled into the KSAT studio — and decided to…
Our Pick: High Street Wine Company, 302 Pearl Pkwy., Suite 104, (210) 908-9144, highstreetwine.com Wine bars have not had an easy time of it in San Antonio — especially pure-play operations not depending in large part on extensive food offerings. And then, along comes High Street at Pearl. The handsome, smartly run bar is the…
Our Pick: Neon Drive, Nolan Street underpass San Antonio is home to a wide variety of colorful and unique murals — and they keep popping up. Unsurprisingly, this year’s mural sprung out of the Luminaria festival, San Antonio’s weeks-long public art festival. Titled “Neon Drive,” this eye-popping, 300-foot long mural is tucked under the railroad…
OUR PICK: Olmos Park Barber Shop, 207 E Hildebrand Ave, (210) 980-8544, olmosparkbarbershop.com If you have a sweet spot for old school barber shops or want a fresh-as-hell fade, then you probably already know that Olmos Park Barber Shop is the best place to go. A step into the shop transports you to another time…
WINNER: Rosario’s, multiple locations, rosariossa.com 2. La Maceta Tapatios, (210) 419-3845, facebook.com/lamaceta.52 3. Casa Azul de Andrea, 1036 S. Alamo St., (210) 451-9393, facebook.com/casaazuldeandrea
WINNER: Amols’, 710 S. Flores St., (210) 227-1457, amols.com 2. Piñata Time, 3005 W. Commerce St., (210) 277-7406, facebook.com/pinatatimes.a.3005/ 3. Fiesta on Main, 2025 N. Main Ave., (210) 738-1188, alamofiesta.com
WINNER: Jeff Dillingham, 11001 Wurzbach Road #601, (210) 504-4800, myhomesa.com 2. Maggie Wilmoth, 10999 W Interstate 10, Suite #175, (210) 573-6979, maggieandcompany.com 3. Danny Charbel, 175 IH 10 W. Access Road, Seguin, (210) 887-7080, dannycharbel.com
WINNER: Spring Garden Flower Shop, 211 Brooklyn Ave., (210) 229-1231, springgardenflowershop.com 2. Artistic Blooms, 7863 Callaghan Road, Suite 103, (210) 696-8080, artisticblooms.com 3. HEB Blooms, multiple locations, heb.com
WINNER: Smoke Shack, 3714 Broadway, (210) 957-1430, smokeshacksa.com 2. Rudy’s Country Store & Bar-B-Q, multiple locations, rudysbbq.com 3. 2m Smokehouse & Catering, 2731 S. W. W. White Road, (210) 885-93 52
WINNER: Broseph, instagram.com/brosephsgoods 2. Analy Diego, instagram.com/analydiego 3. Anthony Diaz, instagram.com/anthlemons
WINNER: Fleet Feet Sports, multiple locations, fleetfeetsports.com 2. iRun Texas, multiple locations, iruntexas.net 3. Soler’s, 5933 Broadway, (210) 930-3148, solerssports.com
OUR PICK: (TIE) Cured, 306 Pearl Pkwy., Suite 101, (210) 314-3929, curedatpearl.com Rosario’s Mexican Café y Cantina, Multiple locations, rosariossa.com Give your out-of-town visitors the best of both worlds. Margaritas and cheesy Tex-Mex are a requisite meal when visiting the area, and you can enjoy both with a visit to Rosario’s. The restaurant — with…
WINNER: Blue Box, 312 Pearl Pkwy., Suite 2107, (210) 227-2583, blueboxbar.com 2. Paramour, 102 9th St., (210) 340-9880, paramourbar.com 3. Pegasus, 1402 N. Main Ave., (210) 299-4222, pegasussanantonio.com
WINNER: A Place to Shoot, 13250 Pleasanton Road, (210) 628-1888, aplacetoshoot.com 2. The Bullet Hole, 2715 Grosenbacher Road, (210) 679-6781, bullethole.com 3. San Antonio Gun Club, 928 E. Contour Drive, (210) 828-9860, sagunclub.com
WINNER: David Davis at Heat, 1500 N. Main Ave., (210) 227-2600, heatsa.com 2. Bobby Sanchez at Smoke, 1170 E Commerce St., (210) 253-9919, smoketherestaurant.com 3. Esteban Medina at Chisme, 2403 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 530-4236, eatchisme.com Related Stories
Our Pick: Element Tattoo, 4741 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 979-9877, elementtattoo.com After surviving a fire in 2009, Element Tattoo rebuilt and grew into a powerhouse studio that employs about a dozen of the Alamo City’s best artists – heavy-hitters like Sweet Lorraine, Kelly Edwards and Justin Martinez. Element is the brainchild of Jedidiah Reed (or Jedi,…
OUR PICK: Pig Liquors, 519 S. Presa St., (210) 226-6465, pigliquors.net Those who remember the days when Pig Liquors was tucked into a colorful little house down on South Presa might get a blast of déjà vu upon entering its welcoming new digs. After a successful run in a commercial strip on South St. Mary’s,…
OUR PICK: Beyoncé D. Mykels, facebook.com/beyonce.mykels If you’ve ever attended a drag show at Pegasus, there’s a fair chance you’ve witnessed the powerhouse that is Beyoncé D. Mykels, a fierce queen who does double duty as DJ. Taking cues from her Texan namesake, Mykels claims to have studied “hair-agraphy and dance at Beyoncé University” and…
OUR PICK: The DoSeum, 2800 Broadway, (210) 212-4453, thedoseum.org Compared to all major San Antonio museums, the DoSeum is still in its infancy. But since opening a mere two years ago, this next-level children’s museum has worked hard to keep up with (and whiz past) its competitors in this category. The DoSeum is rooted in…
OUR PICK: Las Nieves, Multiple locations, lasnievesfruitcupssa.com The lines are usually out to the street any day of the week, but the raspas are totally worth the wait. If you like the ice big and crunchy, Las Nieves is a God-send. They’re not too heavy on syrup, letting you get the full flavor without coating…
WINNER: Justin’s Ice Cream, Rio Plaza, 245 E. Commerce, (210) 222-2707, mercadoritas.com/justin-s-ice-cream 2. Sweet Yams, 218 N. Cherry St., (210) 229-9267, facebook.com/sweetyamsorganic 3. Bakery Lorraine, 306 Pearl Pkwy., Suite 110, (210) 862-5582, bakerylorraine.com
WINNER: Love Shack boutique, 1580 Babcock Road, (210) 767-9411, theloveshackboutique.com 2. Shades of Love, 300 W. Bitters Road, Suite 150, (210) 494-3006, shadesoflove.com 3. Adam & Eve, multiple locations, adameve.com
WINNER: Ramsey Island, 4522 Fredericksburg Road #B73, (210) 649-6011, facebook.com/ramseyislandvideogames 2. Game Over, multiple locations, gameovervideogames.com 3. Propaganda Palace, 2100 McCullough, (210) 400-0240
WINNER: Element Tattoo, 4741 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 979-9877, elementtattoo.com 2. Doomsday Tattoo, 910 San Pedro Ave., (210) 957-1050, doomsdaytattoos.com 3. Red Dirt Tattoo Company, 8373 Culebra Road, Suite 107, (210) 595-1294, facebook.com/reddirttattooco
WINNER: Frank, 1150 S. Alamo St., (210) 265-5292, hotdogscoldbeer.com 2. Pugel’s Hot Dogs, 3502 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 467-5062, pugelshotdogs.com 3. La Maceta, (210) 419-3845, facebook.com/lamaceta.52
WINNER: Joe Pags, facebook.com/joetalkshow 2. Jason Minnix, twitter.com/jasonminnix 3. Billy Madison, twitter.com/bms_billy
WINNER: El Mirador, 722 S. St. Mary’s St., (210) 225-9444, elmiradorrestaurant.com 2. The Cove, 606 W. Cypress St., (210) 227-2683, thecove.us 3. Alamo Ice House, 802 N. Alamo St., (210) 455-7912, alamoicehouse.com
OUR PICK: Zinc Bistro & Bar, 207 N. Presa St., (210) 224-2900, zincwine.com A stylish haunt just off the River Walk, Zinc Bistro & Bar maintains a colorful existence as it caters to devoted regulars, service industry folks, night owls in the know, discerning winos and tourists who stumble upon it by chance. In addition…
WINNER: Lucy’s Doggie Daycare, 2250 Thousand Oaks Drive, Suite 200, (210) 495-3647, lucysdoggydaycare.com 2. Green Dog Kennels, 610 E. Josephine St., (210) 930-8600 3. Camp Bow Wow, Multiple locations, campbowwow.com
WINNER: Nectar Wine Bar & Ale House, 214 Broadway, (210) 375-4082, nectarsa.com 2. High Street Wine Company, 302 Pearl Pkwy., Suite 104, (210) 908-9144, highstreetwine.com 3. Copa Wine Bar, 19141 Stone Oak Pkwy., Suite 704, (210) 495-2672, thecopawinebar.com
WINNER: Heat, 1500 N. Main Ave., (210) 227-2600, heatsa.com 2. Pegasus, 1402 N. Main Ave., (210) 299-4222, pegasussanantonio.com 3. Babio’s, 527 W. Hildebrand Ave., (210) 409-7245, facebook.com/babiosedd
Our Pick: Pawderosa Ranch, Two locations, (210) 404-9941, pawderosaranch.com We know that when you go on vacation, you expect to be spoiled — so why wouldn’t you expect the same for your pets? At Pawderosa Ranch, pets are given baths, massages and are pampered in the pet spa, fed homemade treats, housed in climate-controlled rooms…
OUR PICK: Henry the Puffy Taco, facebook.com/henrytheouffytacomascot There are few minor league baseball mascots as cherished as Henry the Puffy Taco. This enthusiastic human-sized taco is known to steal the show at every San Antonio Missions home game — whether he’s taunting the visiting team, being barraged by a gaggle of children, or having a…
OUR PICK: Amy Stone, twitter.com/amylstone1 For Trinity sociology and anthropology associate professor Amy Stone, her research on our favorite LGBTQ+ Fiesta tradition, Cornyation, was a labor of love. Stone writes about LGBTQ+ visibility in civic life, from festivals like Mardi Gras to issues at the ballot box. For her new book, Cornyation: San Antonio’s Outrageous…
OUR PICK: South Flores Market H-E-B, 516 Flores St., (210) 444-1879, heb.com Full disclosure: H-E-B doesn’t sell liquor, so you won’t be tossing back any cheap wells during this happy hour (and we can blame Texas’ arcane alcohol laws for that). But what you will find at H-E-B’s Downtown is $10 pizza from 4 to…
Our Pick: Phil Hardberger Park, 8400 NW Military Hwy., (210) 207-3284 For us, the off-leash dog parks at Phil Hardberger Park are just a tiny portion of what makes this sprawling 311-acre park special. But for the pooches, behind those double-entry gates lies paradise. Both fenced-off areas for small and large dogs include space for…
So who won? In years past, that would have been a pretty simple answer. Best of San Antonio was a cut-and-dry majority-rules affair, meaning that businesses with the most engaged or dedicated fanbase (or the ones smart enough to do vote-for-us specials, figure out how to bot-bomb our poll, or find some other way to…
WINNER: Brackenridge Park, 3910 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 207-7275, brackenridgepark.org 2. Japanese Tea Gardens, 3853 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 559-3148, saparksfoundation.org/japanese-tea-garden 3. Hays Street Bridge, 803 N. Cherry St., (210) 207-0970
WINNER: Hoppy Monk, 1010 N. Loop 1604 E., (210) 545-3300, thehoppymonk.com 2. The Friendly Spot, 943 S. Alamo St., (210) 224-2337, thefriendlyspot.com 3. Big Hops, multiple locations, bighops.com
Our Pick: Royal Cuisine, 8931 Wurzbach Road, (210) 265-5463, royalcuisine.co Royal Cuisine bills itself as an Indo-Pakistani restaurant, but the differences between the two countries are in steps, not leaps. Start, if you will, in the south of India with a spongy pancake called masala uttapam and work your way north stopping to appreciate the…
OUR PICK: Yeya’s Antique & Oddities, 1423 E. Commerce, 210-827-5555, yeyasantiques.net In San Antonio, there are definitely a lot of places where one can find interesting and quirky items of yesteryear, but no store has had the continual outpouring of weird, quirky and sometimes downright creepy stuff as Yeya’s Antique & Oddities. Located just a…
