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February 07, 2019 Slideshows » Food & Drink

Culinary Couples in San Antonio You Should Already Know About

By San Antonio Current Staff

        
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Local restaurants drive San Antonio's underrated food scene, but have you ever wondered about the folks who run our favorite restaurants, bars, bakeries and more? While we do our due diligence in spotlighting esteemed chefs that have helped put the Alamo City on the map, this Valentine's Day we're giving a shoutout to the couples that hustle together to run beloved dining and drinking spots.

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Nacho Aguirre and Susana Mijares
Photo via Instagram / delice_sanantonio

While both badass bakers individually, Nacho Aguirre and Susana Mijares are one unstoppable team together. Susana actually taught Nacho a lot of what he knows in the kitchen, which must be a lot since the two have both appeared on baking competitions on the Food Network. Nacho even won in 2018! If you need to rightfully congratulate them on their skills, the couple owns Délice Chocolatier and Patisserie.
Photo via Instagram / delice_sanantonio

John and Elise Russ
Photo by joshhuskin via Instagram / clementine.sanantonio

John and Elise Russ have a whirlwind romance – especially in the kitchen. The two met while working together at The Inn at Perry Cabin in Maryland, and absolutely hated each other! The one-time frenemies eventually buried the hate between the two of them and eventually got married. In early 2018, the couple opened the highly-popular Clementine in Castle Hills where John heads the kitchen and Elise is all about desserts.
Photo via Instagram / bryanrindfuss

Cornelius and Lattoia Massey
Photo by Jessica Elizararras

After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America-San Antonio, Lattoia Massey decided to pay tribute to her native Jamaica, and we’re sure glad she did. Along with her husband Cornelius, the Masseys have brought San Antonio its first artisan Caribbean restaurant. Yes, you can thank the Masseys for The Jerk Shack.
Photo via Instagram / thejerkshacksatx

Jeremy Mandrell and Anne Ng
Photo by joshhuskin via Instagram / bakery_lorraine

After meeting while working together at a bakery in California, the sweet couple worked in various bakeries around San Francisco before deciding to head to the Alamo City. Good thing they did, ‘cause that led to the 2011 opening of Bakery Lorraine at the Pearl. The beloved bakery has since opened additional locations in San Antonio and even one in Austin.
Photo via Instagram / bakery_lorraine

PJ and Lindsey Edwards
Photo via Instagram / lkm_edwards

After years at Bin 555 under Chef Jason Dady and later serving in various management position under Dady’s Restaurant Group, PJ Edwards returned to the former Bin 555 to open Meadow Neighborhood Eatery and Bar alongside wife Lindsey, who runs the front of the house. Together, the two bring their take on Southern fare with a focus on Texan ingredients.
Photo via Instagram / meadow_sa

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Akeem and Tara Best
Photo via Instagram / govegansa

SA’s vegan scene continues to grow, partially thanks to Akeem and Tara Best. The couple opened Go Vegan San Antonio food truck after they, along with their five children, converted to a vegan lifestyle. Their goal is to make vegan eats more affordable, convenient and accessible to local residents.
Photo via Instagram / govegansa

Jeff and Jenn White
Photo via Facebook / Jeff White

Having previously held a stake in Tucker’s Kozy Korner, Jeff and Jenn White have a long history in SA’s food scene. Jenn owns Brindles Awesome Ice Cream on the city’s Northwest side while Jeff has previously been tied to Boiler House. Eastside Kitchenette is their first joint venture together, and we sure as hell love it.
Photo via Instagram / s.a.foodie

Billy and Frances Lee
Photo via Instagram / brewsleetea

College sweethearts Billy and Frances Lee have been sharing their love for teas since the 2017 opening of Brew’s Lee Tea Station. The two spent time in Taiwan, Billy’s native land, to learn everything there is about bubble tea. Researching brewing techniques and talking to tea experts obviously paid off, as the couple’s tea shop is a hit among fans of Asian treats and Instagrammers alike.
Photo via Instagram / brewsleetea

Pieter and Susan Sypesteyn
Photo via Instagram / whereyatsa

With the success of Where Yat Food Truck came three local favorites: The Cookhouse, NOLA Brunch & Beignets and Bud’s Rotisserie. You can thank Chef Pieter and his wife Susan for such tasty goodness. The couple also hosts fun events like the Mardi Gras block party.
Photo via Instagram / the_cookhouse

Jason and Crystal Dady
Photo via Instagram / chefjasondady

We all know about the highly-esteemed Chef Jason Dady, but did you know he has a badass lady by his side? While Jason heads the kitchens at Shuck Shack, Tre Trattoria, Range, Two Bros. BBQ Market, B&D Ice House and Alamo BBQ, Crystal covers the business portion of all of the restaurants. The Dadys are definitely a power couple.
Photo via Instagram / shuckshacksa

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Lucas and Tina Kent
Photo by jstella.haus.films via Instagram / the_bread_box

After years in the local food business, Lucas and Tina Kent decided to pursue their own venture – The Bread Box. Since its 2015 opening, the bread-only bakery turned café is all about natural ingredients and Texan flours with the Kents at the helm.
Photo via Instagram / the_bread_box

José and Tiffany Cruz
Photo via Instagram / senorveggie

Since 2014, José and Tiffany Cruz have let San Antonians enjoy a vegan twist to Tex-Mex fare. With Señor Veggie, locals can enjoy the cuisine we know and love but a completely vegan-friendly menu. There’s also inspiration from other cuisines like Thai, Spanish and Mediterranean, so you can thank this husband-and-wife team for going big with their vegan venture (which actually started out of a farmers market).
Photo via Instagram / senorveggie

Damien Watel and Lisa Astorga-Watel
Photo via Instagram / lisa_astorga_watel

Though not necessarily a team working out of a joint operation at the moment, Damien Watel and Lisa Astorga-Watel have both made their mark on SA’s culinary scene. Lisa owns the local favorite Bite over in Southtown while Damien has been tied to a number of different ventures. Most recently, he rebranded his long-running Chez Vatel Bistro as Bistro9.
Photo via Instagram / biterestaurantsa

Steve and Jody Newman
Photo via Instagram / hillsanddalesicehouse

Steve and Jody Newman obviously know what they’re doing. Take their ownership of The Friendly Spot, Hills & Dales Ice House and B&D Ice House as proof. Though the dynamic duo has since closed its popular Alamo Street Eat Bar, more projects are in the works for the Newmans, who are a planning a second Friendly Spot location on the South Side.
Photo via Instagram / skylinedronetx

Bronson Holbrook and Natalie Nazarewicz
Photo courtesy of PRESS Coffee

Husband-and-wife team Bronson Holbrook and Natalie Nazarewicz didn’t let a rent spike and subsequent closure stop them from shutting down PRESS Coffee for good. After almost a year, the couple was able to reopen the beloved neighborhood coffee spot in a new location on Broadway.
Photo via Instagram / presscoffee_sa

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