San Antonio-area bars and restaurants that we said goodbye to in 2022
Though it looks like San Antonio's restaurant scene is finally recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, it's the nature of the foodservice business that we see businesses close annually as new ones open.
As we look to the new year, we tallied up some of the San Antonio eateries that shut their doors in 2022 or are expected to soon. They'll be sorely missed. While some of these departures are related to the pandemic or the uncertain economy, lease adjustments and other factors played roles as well.
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Photo via Google Maps
Mr. and Mrs. G’s Home Cooking
2222 S. W.W. White Rd.
William Garner and his wife Addie opened this spot in 1991, focusing on family recipes and old-fashioned hospitality. It quickly became a staple of the city’s East side and remained open for more than three decades before closing in July of 2022.
Photo via Google Maps
Santikos Bijou Cinema Bistro
4522 Fredericksburg Rd.
This Balcones Heights movie theater offered food alongside indie flicks — a concept ahead of its time — and closed abruptly in April 2022. The Woodlawn Theatre will be taking over the space under the new name, Wonder Theatre, in 2023.
Photo via Google Maps
Cerroni’s Purple Garlic – Austin Highway
1017 Austin Highway
Staffing issues plagued this local favorite, which served central San Antonio via two locations. The pizzeria was well known for its affordable pizza, house-baked bread, lasagna and family friendly atmosphere, but fans needn’t worry — the San Pedro Avenue location remains open.
Photo via Google Maps
Jacala Mexican Restaurant
606 West Ave.
West side institution Jacala burned down in March, marking the end of a chapter for one of the oldest restaurants in the city. The five-alarm fire burned almost everything in the restaurant and was declared a total loss by fire officials as they arrived at the scene.
Photo via Instagram /
mwdsanantonio
Max’s Wine Dive
340 E. Basse Rd., Ste. 101
Popular Quarry destination Max’s Wine Dive shut their doors in February 2022. The chain abruptly closed their Austin and San Antonio locations, opting to keep the lights on in their two Houston stores. Fast-casual fresh salad chain Sweetgreen is set to take over the space.
Photo via Google Maps
Rosella Coffee
200 W. Jones Ave.
One of the original local coffee chains in San Antonio, Rosella’s flagship brick and mortar near downtown San Antonio was a haven for those who appreciated good coffee and affable service. The coffee shop offered a casual atmosphere alongside food and wine until its closure in March of 2022.
Photo via Instagram /
tenkoramen
Tenko Ramen
312 Pearl Parkway Bldg. 6, #6112
Pearl Bottling Department has been home to Tenko Ramen since the beginning, which served up savory, soulful ramen with fun add-ons such as Narutomaki — a Japanese cured fish surimi — and Japanese pork belly. Tenko will permanently shut down on Dec. 31, after operating at the Pearl Bottling Department food hall for the last 5 years.
Photo via Google Maps
Playland Pizza
400 E. Houston St.
This trendy downtown pizzeria offered an electric atmosphere and an array of craft cocktails and wine as well as cheeky approaches to brunch. Chef-owner Stefan Bowers has teased a new restaurant nearby, and he’s remained mum about most of the details, he says it will not offer pizza.
Photo by Ron Bechtol
5 Points Food and Drink
1017 N. Flores St.
Chef Michael Sohocki’s latest venture, European concept 5 Points Food and Drink, shut its doors due to staffing shortages. The space offered dishes from Sohocki’s past restaurant, Restaurant Gwendolyn — which closed in December 2021 — as well as other fare inspired by the old continent.
Cervecería Chapultepec
Multiple Locations
Cervecería Chapultepec suddenly shuttered both SA locations in June 2022. The one-price Mexican chain made its SA debut in 2020, offering tacos and tortas along with cocktails, wine and beer. A new Mexico-based restaurant concept called Santa Diabla is set to open soon in the Pearl-area space.