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San Antonio might have seen dozens and dozens of restaurant, coffeeshop, bakery and bar openings this year, but we also said goodbye to quite a few spots we’re going to miss. Join us in pouring a 40 for these homies.
King’s Hwy Brew & Q
1012 N Flores St, kingshwybnq.com
Though a favorite about locals and visiting foodies alike, pitmaster Emilio Soliz decided to closed the famed King’s Hwy in late September. Soliz and and wife Christi joined B Daddy’s BBQ in Helotes.
Photo via Instagram / s.a.vortooth Credit:Instagram/s.a.vortoothAlamo Street Eat Bar
609 S. Alamo St.
After nearly six years in business, owner Jody Newman decided to close the popular food truck spot in Southtown just after the new year. Her decision came in preparation of a second The Friendly Spot location, planned to pop up on the South Side within the next year.
Photo via Facebook / Alamo Street Eat Bar Credit:Facebook/Alamo Street Eat BarIl Sogno
200 E Grayson St, (210) 223-3900, atpearl.com
And finally, a surprise closing. Il Sogno also garnered plenty of praise from local and national publications alike. The pizza happy hour was like no other, and Il Sogno was THE spot for power breakfasts.
Photo via Instagram / ilsognosanantonioPhantom Room
2114 N St Mary’s St
A year after a fire forced it to shut down. Phantom Room reopened in November 2017. But less than a year after that, in August, the ratchet spot closed once again. The Lonesome Rose has since opened in its place.
Photo by Jessica Elizarraras Credit: Jess ElizarrarasPugel’s
3502 N Saint Marys St, (210) 467-5062, facebook.com
Hot dogs take another L here in San Antonio with the closure of this St. Mary’s spot. An off-shoot of the late Original San Antonio Hot Dog House, Pugel’s took to Facebook to share that the parking situation hurt the business to the point of closure. Neighboring businesses weren’t willing to let Pugel’s pay for parking.
Photo via Instagram / sacurrentKung Fu Kitchen Patio Bar
1010 S Flores St #109
Kung Fu Kitchen, which opened in June 2017, closed its doors to the public in April.
The restaurant and bar focused on American-Chinese food and over-the-top cocktails but management said they’re pivoting to catering.
Photo via Instagram / liveitupsaThe Last Word
229 E Houston St #10
Opened by The Boulevardier Group in late 2014, The Last Word threw its last parties just after Fiesta. At the time, co-owner Jeret Pena told the Current that BG had plans to reopen The Last Word in a different location.
Photo via Facebook / The Last WordFrank
1150 S Alamo St, hotdogscoldbeer.com
The Southtown restaurant closed after two years in a dramatic series of events in January. Employees were allegedly asked to help load equipment into a U-Haul (they refused) and multiple people said their paychecks bounced. At the time of its closing, Frank owed the state more than $186,000 sales and alcohol taxes. The two Austin locations are still open.
Photo by Bartholomew S. Taylor Credit: Bartholomew S. TaylorAlamo Ice House BBQ & Brew
802 N Alamo St
Opening in 2014, the owners at Alamo Ice House announced the closing of the popular hang-out on New Year’s Day. They went out with a bash just a week later.
Photo via Instagram / do210The Bin Tapas
511 E. Grayson
Chef Jason Dady quietly closed his tapas spot and replaced it with some ‘cue. Back in May, the esteemed chef opened Alamo BBQ Co. in its place. The move was purely business, with Dady saying tapas didn’t turn much of a profit when they’re sold for just a couple of bucks each.
Photo by Erin Winch Credit: Erin WinchThe Brass Tap
17619 La Cantera Pkwy #2-208, brasstapbeerbar.com
The upscale beer tap spot at The Rim closed at the new year, and filed for bankruptcy just days later. Brass Tap has seven other Texas locations with one in Austin and another in Round Rock.
Photo courtesy of The Brass Tap Credit:Instagram, rangercreekEdera Osteria-Enoteca
1903 San Pedro Ave
The restaurant with regional Italian fare closed in early March after just two years in business. Owners Roland & Sarah Gutierrez, along with partner Cesar Amador, announced the closing via Facebook citing new opportunities.
Photo by Dan Payton Credit: Dan PaytonCrumpets Restaurant and Bakery
3920 Harry Wurzbach Road, crumpetsa.com
After 38 years in business, chef and owner Francoi Maeder bid adieu to his long-standing Crumpets, which had its last day of service on September 15. Maeder’s culinary career in SA dated back to 1977. He’s now traveling in his retirement.
Photo by Ron Bechtol Credit: Ron BechtolHoppin’ John
100 N Santa Rosa St #140
The Southern food restaurant, located inside the ground level of the Vistana Apartments, closed its doors after just four months in business.
Photo via Instagram / hoppinjohnsa Credit:Instagram/Hoppin John SASanta Fe Trail New Mexican Restaurant
16080 San Pedro Ave
After just a year in business, Sante Fe Trail closed its doors this June.
Photo via Instagram / santafetrailcuisine Credit:Instagram/santafetrailcuisinePatsy’s Place
11319 West Ave
Patsy and Miguel Torres, along with other Ray’s Drive Inn veterans, opened up the West Avenue restaurant in April 2017, but shut down earlier this year in January.
Photo via Yelp / Leo M.Houlihan’s
938 N Loop 1604 W
While there’s still a location in Live Oak, the far-north location closed TBD Bar + Social has since opened in its place.
Photo by shinobree via Instagram / houlihansPicante Grill
3810 Broadway St
Just after the new year, Picante Grill closed suddenly with just a note left behind on the door. In the note, owner Gonzalo Pozo thanked patrons for their support during the restaurant’s 20-year tenure. Pozo later told the Express-News that he was going to focus on his banquet and catering properties, Magnolia Gardens and Hacienda Santa Maria.
Photo via Instagram / richlazoEl Mirador
722 S St Mary’s St
Southtown mainstay El Mirador closed its doors in November. Four years after purchasing the restaurant from the founding Treviño family, Chris Hill decided to sell the property to restauranteur Lisa Wong (Rosario’s, Ácenar). Wong has plans to bring a new concept to the space.
Photo via Facebook / El Mirador Credit: Facebook / El Mirador