The 20 best San Antonio bars and restaurants to open so far this year
By San Antonio Current Staff
Opening a restaurant in the post-pandemic world takes serious gumption, given what the foodservice industry has been through. Despite labor and supply shortages, though, plenty of spots began serving delectable eats and drinks to receptive — and hungry — San Antonio crowds this year.
To that end, we gathered together the 20 most exciting food and drink establishments to open their doors since the beginning of the year.
Tu Asador 8055 West Ave. #125, (210) 530 4595, tuasadortx.com
This Monterrey, Mexico-inspired eatery is now serving up lightly fried, queso fresco-filled enchiladas regias, beef flautas and family-style portions of asada, ribeye and sirloin.
Photo via Instagram / s.a.foodie
Cheba Hut 11911 Alamo Ranch Parkway, (210) 437-4411, chebahut.com
This marijuana-themed sando shop offers a variety of “toasted” subs as well as a munchies menu, replete with dazed-and-confused-worthy bites such as soft pretzel nuggets and sauced meatballs.
Photo via Instagram / chebahut_sanantonio
Mochinut 5222 De Zavala Rd. #328mochinut.com
After a rocky start due to equipment issues, SA’s first Mochinut location is now open and serving its uniquely bubble-shaped rice flour doughnuts in a variety of flavors, including raspberry, coffee, guava, matcha, banana and ube — or mashed purple yam.
Photo via Instagram / mochinut_sa
BB's Tex-Orleans 5423 W. Loop 1604 North, bbstexorleans.com
This Houston-based Cajun eatery opened its first San Antonio location this summer, serving up crawfish boils, po'boys and other Louisiana fare — sometimes delivered with a Tex-Mex twist.
Photo via Instagram / bbstexorleans
Mr. Crabby’s Seafood Kitchen and Bar 14601 I-35, (210) 462-1122, mrcrabbyseafood.com
McAllen-born Mr. Crabby’s Seafood Kitchen and Bar is now doling out shrimp boils, crab legs, lobster and oysters in a variety of preparations in the northeastern suburb of Selma, near IKEA.
Photo via Facebook / Mr.Crabby's Seafood Kitchen and Bar Live Oak by Redhook
Dashi Sichuan Kitchen & Bar 2895 Thousand Oaks Dr., sichuaneats.com
Kristina Zhao, owner of popular Chinese eatery Sichuan House, expanded her culinary footprint this summer with Dashi Sichuan Kitchen & Bar in north central San Antonio.
Photo via Instagram / sichuaneats
Mama's Cafe 2442 Nacogdoches Rd., (210) 826-8303, mamascafesa.com
This SA staple isn’t new, exactly, but after two years of renovations, it sure feels that way. The Texas-sized chicken fried steak and fried mushrooms remain, joined by new items such as a classic patty melt and Crispy Chicken Macha, with Mexican chili oil, nopal, cabbage and queso fresco.
Photo via Instagram / mamascafesa
Amaretti Coffee 1800 Broadway Unit #1131, (210) 481-4141, facebook.com/Amaretti-Coffee-110682201291612
This new coffee spot serves up java with an international twist, boasting a menu chock-full of Indian-inspired drinkables. Armed with recipes for Indian masala chai tea, Indian cold coffee and pastries passed down from his grandmother, founder Nirav Amarnath helms the spot, housed in the space formerly occupied by Brown Coffee.
Photo via Instagram / amaretticoffee
Bar Loretta 320 Beauregard St., (210) 757-3607, barloretta.com
SA foodies can expect “exceptional-yet-approachable” fare from this Southtown spot. The new eatery, housed in the space that was previously home to Madhatter’s Tea House and Cafe, features handmade and vintage details.
Photo by Richard Casteel of Dandelion Gatherings for Bar Loretta
Clutch City Cluckers 14530 Roadrunner Way, (210) 245-0072, clutchcitycluckers.com
Houston-based Clutch City Cluckers began slinging Nashville-inspired hot chicken in SA back in August. The mobile eatery serves up sandwiches, tenders and loaded fries at heat levels ranging from “no spice” to the incendiary “cluck it like it’s HOT.”
Photo via Instagram / clutchcitycluckers