

Cover Story
Dining Disorder: San Antonio restaurants continued to face turmoil in 2023
Food and operating costs continue to be a headwind for many local restaurants.
Downtown San Antonio’s Bier Garten Riverwalk closes after more than a decade
The spot’s closure will make way for the upcoming Alamo Visitor Center and Museum, slated to open in 2027.
Beerhead Bar & Eatery now open in Northwest San Antonio
The Illinois-based chain expects to open two additional San Antonio-area stores.
Bexar County quietly votes to end tax incentive deal for DeLorean Motors Reimagined
An official with the electric-vehicle startup sent a letter to the county asking it to end the abatement deal, which called for it to create 450 jobs.
San Antonio burger joint Mr. Juicy to open Castle Hills location
Owner Andrew Weissman hopes to have the second store open on or before June 1.
Report: Texas undermined nonprofits’ attempts to aid migrants bused out of state
An investigation found that Texas officials initially provided information on the trips to advocacy groups but quietly ended those communications last fall.
San Antonio Pig Liquors closing landmark Southtown shop
After more than 20 years serving the south-of-downtown area, owner Anet Alaniz is ready to retire.
New Jan. 6 video shows U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls in tense Capitol standoff
Despite once condemning the violent attack, Nehls has since downplayed the insurrection and defended many of the rioters who have been prosecuted.
Judge gives class-action status to suit against San Antonio-based USAA
The lawsuit, filed by two service members in California, accuses the insurance giant of pushing enlisted military personnel toward higher-priced policies.
California’s Iguanas Burritozilla chain to make San Antonio debut this Saturday
The Cali-based chain known for 5-pound burritos will make its San Antonio debut in the Balcones Heights area.
San Antonio ISD receives federal funding for electric school buses
SAISD will receive nearly $6 million to electrify a portion of its bus fleet.
Two San Antonio-area ZIP Codes were among last year’s hottest for homebuyers
Both Alamo Ranch’s 78253 and New Braunfels’ 78130 were hot markets in 2023, according to the report.
San Antonio among top cities for threesomes, study finds
Dallas and Houston also ranked in the new analysis’ Top 10.
San Antonio’s Wembanyama surprises Spurs fan with tickets after missing game
Wemby saw the distraught high schooler’s social media post and reached out to offer tickets.
Texas not participating in new federal program to combat food insecurity among kids
More than 30 other states have signed up for the Summer EBT program, which advocates said could help 3.7 million Texas children.
Greenhouse coffee spot to open in San Antonio’s Olmos Park neighborhood Jan. 21
Espresso-based drinks and gluten-free pastries will be on offer at the new Olmos Park java joint.
San Antonio nightclub El Ojo permanently closing next month
El Ojo opened in summer 2018, spinning obscure punk, ’80s goth and industrial music.
Beloved San Antonio bakery Meemo’s has closed
The company noted ‘staffing and supply concerns in the challenging economic climate’ as the reasons for the closure.
Willie Nelson & Family offers raucous but thorough look at Texas legend’s life
The four-part documentary on Paramount+ looks at the ups and downs of the singer-songwriter’s lengthy career.
How Texas polluters classify big facilities as smaller ones to avoid stricter environmental rules and public input
Industrial developers describe large facilities as “minor” polluters to avoid federal permitting requirements, and environmental lawyers say the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality lets it happen.
New San Antonio seafood concept Hook Land & Sea opening inside The Creamery
Hook Land & Sea will celebrate its grand opening with a week’s worth of freebies and discounts, according to officials at The Creamery.
Clip of Matthew McConaughey having fun at San Antonio’s Fiesta Texas goes viral
McConaughey appeared to be lying low, wearing an oversized sweatshirt and a wool knit cap.
Cinderella Bakery, Ay Que Chula: San Antonio’s biggest food stories of the week
South Barbecue & Kitchen, Tre Trattoria and the Anime-focused Otaku Food Festival also made the cut this week.
Victor Wembanyama, 2023 in Review: The top 10 headlines in San Antonio this week
Plenty of readers were also curious about Texas Lonhorns fans blaming Ted Cruz for their team’s loss in the Sugar Bowl.
Peri Peri Republic now serving flame-grilled chicken in Northwest San Antonio
Each dish features a spicy sauce made with African Bird’s Eye chili, also called Peri Peri.
San Antonio police say third person could be charged in Savanah Soto shooting case
Internet sleuths have been calling on SAPD to arrest an unidentified third person allegedly caught on video.
San Antonio startup DeLorean misses a self-imposed marketing deadline
DeLorean teased a marketing collaboration with Pepsi that was to have launched in December. Officials at both companies have been unavailable to discuss why that didn’t happen.
Trailblazing San Marcos tiki joint LaniKai Lounge has permanently closed
The bar had been a destination for rum-loving cocktail enthusiasts since its inception in 2021.
Car of San Antonio man accused in Savanah Soto shooting death vandalized
Pregnant teen Soto and her boyfriend were slain during a drug deal gone bad, San Antonio police allege.
FTC sues San Antonio financial app FloatMe, accusing it of customer deception
The feds allege the company, which provides cash advances, charged users without consent and wasn’t transparent about eligibility requirements.
New York City sues bus companies that Texas hired to transport migrants
More than 33,000 migrants have arrived from Texas since August 2022. The city wants bus companies to pay more than $700 million.
Cruzin’ for a bruisin: Can anyone defeat Ted?
After 12 years in office, the junior senator podcasts more than he legislates. But history suggests Texans will give him six more years to talk.
Puffy San Antonio Councilman McKee-Rodriguez denies getting facial work done
In a video clip, the District 2 councilman said his altered facial appearance is due to his higher water intake.
San Antonio City Council vote on Gaza ceasefire resolution postponed
Council was scheduled to vote on the resolution Jan. 11, but now it won’t happen until February.
This town wants to be named the quinceañera capital of Texas
Diboll’s growing Hispanic population has inspired a new economy of party planners and DJs to produce quinceañeras. City leaders are taking notice.
Chicken Salad Chick chain opening third San Antonio-area location
The new store, run by a local franchisee, will be the brand’s first in New Braunfels.
San Antonio’s Box Street drops January grand opening date for La Cantera location
Reservations for the highly anticipated eatery, the second for chef-owner Edward Garcia and co-owner Daniel Treviño, are open now.
San Antonio sweet shop Chocollazo permanently closing next month
The high-end chocolate business began in 2013 as a dessert-only food trailer and eventually grew into a trio of shops.
Justice Department sues Texas to stop state’s ‘show me your papers’ law
The federal government says the new law, which allows state police to arrest people they think crossed the border illegally, violates the U.S. Constitution.
San Antonio fire chief retires amid investigation into alleged lewd comments
SAFD Chief Charles Hood used the phrase ‘Pussy always wins’ on several occasions, according to a memo from the city manager.
San Antonio father, son charged in connection with death of pregnant teen Savanah Soto
Christopher Preciado, 19, is charged with capital murder. His father, Ramon Preciado, 53, is charged with abuse of a corpse.
Former U.S. Rep. Mayra Flores accused of cribbing others’ pictures of Mexican food as her own cooking
Flores, who is challenging U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez for her old seat, is being accused of routinely stealing stylish photos of Mexican campfire cooking and passing them off as her own idyllic life on a ranch.
Otaku Food Festival headed to San Antonio to celebrate anime, Asian fare
The fest will host more than 100 food vendors as well as cosplay contests and meet-and-greet events with anime voice actors.
Texas’ Abbott tears into federal official for saying climate change leads to border crossings
Despite Abbott’s claim that it’s ‘pathetic’ to blame migration on climate change, experts say extreme weather events in Central America have displaced millions.
Utah-based Beans & Brews Coffeehouse opens first San Antonio shop
The Alamo Ranch shop is the first of 40 locations planned for San Antonio and Austin.
Owner of San Antonio’s shuttered Carnitas Lonja revamping eatery with new concept
Carnitas Lonja’s Instagram page shifted its branding to that of a new concept called Chilaking, which will serve chilaquiles, a popular Mexican breakfast dish.
Wembanyama ignores San Antonio Spurs coach Popovich, checks self into game
The French phenom has been playing limited minutes since suffering an ankle injury in December.
Two San Antonio police officers suspended for failure to respond to calls
Officers Michael Garcia and Stephanie Cherry were accused of rules violations including neglect of duty, failing to obey a lawful order and failing to respond promptly to calls.
University of Texas at San Antonio quarterback Frank Harris retiring from football
Harris set 38 school records in his five seasons at UTSA.
Emergency rooms not required to perform life-saving abortions, federal appeals court rules
The Biden administration reminded hospitals of their obligation to perform life-saving abortions under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act after the overturn of Roe v. Wade. Texas sued, arguing it was an overstep that mandated abortions.
Live Music in San Antonio This Week: Garrett T. Capps, Haley Reinhart and more
Hometown singer-songwriter Brandon Padier is also celebrating the release of a new album.
San Antonio Zoo celebrates first-ever babirusa birth on New Years Day
Babirusas only give birth once or twice in their lives, so the baby’s arrival is a kind of a big deal.
San Antonio Brahmas will play another season following XFL-USFL merger
The Brahmas are one of only three XFL teams to survive the merger.
West San Antonio staple Cinderella Bakery closes after 60-plus years
The family-owned bakery started out serving pan dulce but expanded to include other Mexican favorites, including tamales and barbacoa.
Owner of San Antonio’s El Camino food-truck park opens bar in former Luther’s Cafe
Brightly colored nightspot Ay Que Chula is open daily until 2 a.m. and will begin serving food next week.
Snoop Dogg taps San Antonio company to collaborate on hemp-based drinks
Cannabis-infused brand Do It Fluid is now available online, and company officials said retail will follow.
Fans blame ‘Cruz Curse’ for Texas Longhorns’ Sugar Bowl loss
Ted Cruz has attended 17 sporting events since 2017. The teams he was rooting for lost 15 of those games, according to one online sports account.
Backlog in U.S. immigration cases reaches new record
The steep backlog means asylum seekers now face an average five-year wait for courts to close out their proceedings.
San Antonio attorney says it’s too early to call for Councilman Marc Whyte’s resignation
The District 10 councilman was arrested Friday on a DWI charge.
Total of 18 San Antonio police officers, Bexar deputies arrested in 2023
The charges range from murder and fatal hit-and-run to illegal recording and indecency with a child, records show.
San Antonio Spurs set to take on championship contender Milwaukee Bucks on Jan. 4
The Spurs lost by 13 points in Wemby’s first matchup against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks.
U.S. Department of Justice says it’ll sue if Texas enforces new law punishing illegal border crossing
The state has until Jan. 3 to say it won’t arrest people accused of unauthorized entry from Mexico. If not, the Biden administration will sue, saying immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility.
Diversity offices on college campuses will soon be illegal in Texas, as 30 new laws go into effect
Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. DENTON — When Texas college students return to their campuses after the winter break, they’ll discover the lights are still off in their campuses’ diversity offices. That’s because a new law that outlaws…
San Antonio 2023: A look back at the year’s 10 biggest news stories
San Antonio’s top news stories of the year were dominated by big-city problems, from dangerous dogs to construction closing major thoroughfares.
As San Antonio ponders a Spurs arena, it should remember Sunset Station’s lessons
Developers tend to make a lot of promises, but revitalizing downtown isn’t as easy as many would have you believe.
10 notable 2023 books from Texas authors
In 2023, Lone Star State authors showed their skills at blending genres, giving chills and shifting between funny and bleak.
Spurs will face stacked Celtics in New Year’s Eve matchup in San Antonio
Kristaps Porzingis and the Celtics stand near the top of the Eastern Conference.
Assclown of the Year: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is an utter embarrassment to Texas
Patrick tried to pretend he was an impartial overseer of Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial, but it should clear it was rigged from day one.
Growing Collections: A brief look at what San Antonio museums acquired in 2023
Three local institutions significantly amped up their collections — with their combined acquisitions ringing in at just under 700 works.
Tastemakers: San Antonio’s 10 most exciting restaurant openings in 2023
These bar and restaurant openings made the biggest impressions on us this year.
San Antonio Spins: The 10 best albums by Alamo City artists in 2023
This was a banner year for local releases by veteran acts and newcomers alike.
Live Music in San Antonio This Week: Holiday Edition
Case Hardin, K.Flay and Snail Mail are among the acts hitting San Antonio during the holidays this year.
San Antonio’s New Year’s Eve bash will ring in 2024 with fireworks, live music and more
CelebrateSA will take over downtown with festivities spread across Market Street and Hemisfair’s Civic Park, as well as at the Arneson River Theatre.
Hot Takes: The best, worst and most memorable quotes from San Antonio’s 2023 news stories
Remember when Popovich said this year was about winning? The Current sure does.
Oklahoma Sooners will face Arizona Wildcats at Valero Alamo Bowl on Dec. 28
The Big 12 and PAC 12 schools haven’t played against each other since 1989.
From a Frankensteinian rom-com to a web-slinging sequel, these rank as 2023’s best movies
Poor Things, Barbie and more are among Current’s 10 favorite films of 2023.






