Acclaimed San Antonio pizzeria Il Forno taking over Tucker’s Kozy Korner

Neopolitan-style pizzeria Il Forno is increasing its slice of the San Antonio food scene.  

The acclaimed dining spot helmed by chef Michael Sohocki of Restaurant Gwendolyn and Kimura fame will open a second location in the former Tucker’s Kozy Korner, 1338 E. Houston St., the Express-News reports.

Speaking to the daily, Sohocki said he expects the new Il Forno to open within six months, adding that it will make full use of the larger space by offering catering and coursed dinners. The chef also said he may expand Il Forno by launching other locations after the East Side restaurant makes its debut.

Guests at the forthcoming Il Forno can expect classic favorites from the original menu, according to the Express-News. The restaurant is known for a straightforward selection of 12-inch, scratch-made pizzas, from a classic Margherita to a carbonara with guanciale and garlic.

Tucker’s, a 76-year-old East Side nightlife institution, quietly closed last fall after trying a variety of food concepts, from Vietnamese and barbecue to hosting pop-ups and food trucks.

Sohocki opened the first Il Forno, 122 Nogalitos St., in 2016, and the spot has since racked up a solid local following along with no small amount of outside acclaim.

The restaurant landed on Italian rating guide 50 Top Pizza’s list of best pizzerias in the U.S for three consecutive years, and it also grabbed accolades from Food & Wine, which recognized the spot on its 2021 state-by-state list of best pizzerias.

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This article appears in Nov 28-29, 2024.