The pandemic brought a wave of closures to the national culinary landscape — and San Antonio didn't escape unscathed.
The prolonged business downturn, followed by labor shortages and record-high inflation, spelled the end for plenty of bars and restaurants here, from cozy neighborhood favorites to longtime institutions.
All these San Antonio spots closed since the beginning of 2023 — a reminder of the challenges still faced by the hospitality industry and its need for ongoing support.
The San Antonio-area bars and restaurants that closed so far in 2023
By San Antonio Current Staff on Fri, Jun 2, 2023 at 12:39 pm
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Sanford Nowlin
Pig Stand
1508 Broadway
After 101 years of service, the iconic downtown-area diner Pig Stand announced the sale of its Broadway building to a land developer in February and confirmed its permanent closure in March. San Antonio’s Pig Stand was the last in a nationwide chain, which flourished in the mid-20th century.
1508 Broadway
After 101 years of service, the iconic downtown-area diner Pig Stand announced the sale of its Broadway building to a land developer in February and confirmed its permanent closure in March. San Antonio’s Pig Stand was the last in a nationwide chain, which flourished in the mid-20th century.
Photo via Google Maps
Martha’s Mexican Restaurant and Grill
5822 Babcock Road
Martha’s Mexican Restaurant and Grill, a longtime hidden gem for margaritas and Tex-Mex, announced its closure in April. According to the owners, this decision was due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the state of the economy.
5822 Babcock Road
Martha’s Mexican Restaurant and Grill, a longtime hidden gem for margaritas and Tex-Mex, announced its closure in April. According to the owners, this decision was due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the state of the economy.
Photo via Instagram / project_pollo
Project Pollo
Multiple Locations
Project Pollo, a San Antonio-based vegan chain based on a menu of faux-chicken options, closed its doors this April after it was purchased by a franchise group. Founder Lucas Bradbury stated that all San Antonio stores, including one rebranded as Side Chicks, would close, calling it a “bittersweet moment.”
Multiple Locations
Project Pollo, a San Antonio-based vegan chain based on a menu of faux-chicken options, closed its doors this April after it was purchased by a franchise group. Founder Lucas Bradbury stated that all San Antonio stores, including one rebranded as Side Chicks, would close, calling it a “bittersweet moment.”
Photo via Google Maps
Rosario’s – San Pedro
9715 San Pedro Ave.
Citing the successful opening of Rosario’s Southtown location, Rosario’s closed its San Pedro Ave. location this March to unite its management and staff. Owner Lisa Wong stated that this closure would allow the management team to focus on the Rosario’s brand and other business interests in the downtown district.
9715 San Pedro Ave.
Citing the successful opening of Rosario’s Southtown location, Rosario’s closed its San Pedro Ave. location this March to unite its management and staff. Owner Lisa Wong stated that this closure would allow the management team to focus on the Rosario’s brand and other business interests in the downtown district.
Brandon Rodriguez
Betty’s Battalion
1524 E. Grayson St.
Once located just across from Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, the Government Hill institution Betty’s Battalion served civilians and service-members alike for 37 years. The laid-back military-themed tavern, whose walls were lined with photos capturing years and years of memories made by patrons, closed in April after its lease was terminated.
1524 E. Grayson St.
Once located just across from Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, the Government Hill institution Betty’s Battalion served civilians and service-members alike for 37 years. The laid-back military-themed tavern, whose walls were lined with photos capturing years and years of memories made by patrons, closed in April after its lease was terminated.
Photo via Google Maps
Van’s Restaurant
3214 Broadway
Than Hein Nguyen, owner of Van’s Chinese Seafood Restaurant, announced in April that the store would be permanently closing. In addition to COVID-related business struggles and a failed health inspection, he also cited his age as reason for the closure. It was also caught up in a criminal probe for possession and sale of shark fins in 2022.
3214 Broadway
Than Hein Nguyen, owner of Van’s Chinese Seafood Restaurant, announced in April that the store would be permanently closing. In addition to COVID-related business struggles and a failed health inspection, he also cited his age as reason for the closure. It was also caught up in a criminal probe for possession and sale of shark fins in 2022.
Photo via Instagram / betosaltmex
Beto’s Alt-Mex
8142 Broadway
Due to a 40% rise in operating costs over the past year, longtime Broadway eatery Beto’s Alt-Mex closed in March after 25 years. The owners indicated they hope to maintain the brand by creating a cookbook and potentially collaborating with stores like H-E-B on pre-packaged meals.
8142 Broadway
Due to a 40% rise in operating costs over the past year, longtime Broadway eatery Beto’s Alt-Mex closed in March after 25 years. The owners indicated they hope to maintain the brand by creating a cookbook and potentially collaborating with stores like H-E-B on pre-packaged meals.
Brandon Rodriguez
Pasta Factory
312 Pearl Parkway Building 6
After a short stint serving the Pearl’s Bottling Department Food Hall, Pasta Factory seems to be no more. They announced their last day at the Pearl on April 23 and have not announced any new locations. The pop-up restaurant, owned by the team behind fellow Pearl joint Chilaquil, was in operation for just over a month.
312 Pearl Parkway Building 6
After a short stint serving the Pearl’s Bottling Department Food Hall, Pasta Factory seems to be no more. They announced their last day at the Pearl on April 23 and have not announced any new locations. The pop-up restaurant, owned by the team behind fellow Pearl joint Chilaquil, was in operation for just over a month.
Photo via Google Maps
Grady’s Bar-B-Q
Multiple Locations
Grady’s Bar-B-Q, well-known for its smoked meats, fried catfish and homestyle sides, shockingly closed all three of its locations this May after more than 70 years operating in San Antonio. A reason was not provided for the closure, but company representatives said they were attempting to find work for as many of their employees as possible.
Multiple Locations
Grady’s Bar-B-Q, well-known for its smoked meats, fried catfish and homestyle sides, shockingly closed all three of its locations this May after more than 70 years operating in San Antonio. A reason was not provided for the closure, but company representatives said they were attempting to find work for as many of their employees as possible.
Nina Rangel
Olla Express Cafe
2015 NE Interstate 410 Loop
Olla Express Cafe announced that it will be closing its Los Patios location in late May. This is not a permanent closure, however, as a new location is slated to open later in the summer, according to Instagram posts.
2015 NE Interstate 410 Loop
Olla Express Cafe announced that it will be closing its Los Patios location in late May. This is not a permanent closure, however, as a new location is slated to open later in the summer, according to Instagram posts.
Photo via Google Maps
The Texan Icehouse
4518 West Ave.
Balcones Heights watering hole The Texan announced its shuttering in April due to the new owners’ desire to reinvent the location under a new name. For 10 years, The Texan dished out drinks and hosted karaoke nights in its cozy white-brick outpost right off West Ave.
4518 West Ave.
Balcones Heights watering hole The Texan announced its shuttering in April due to the new owners’ desire to reinvent the location under a new name. For 10 years, The Texan dished out drinks and hosted karaoke nights in its cozy white-brick outpost right off West Ave.
Photo via Google Maps
Little Gretel Restaurant
518 River Road, Boerne
Little Gretel, a Boerne restaurant alongside Cibolo Creek which specialized in Czech-German-Eastern European fare, announced its closure in April due to the retirement of chef-owners Denise and Jimmy Mazal. Its menu included items such as schnitzel, sauerbraten and wild boar sausages.
518 River Road, Boerne
Little Gretel, a Boerne restaurant alongside Cibolo Creek which specialized in Czech-German-Eastern European fare, announced its closure in April due to the retirement of chef-owners Denise and Jimmy Mazal. Its menu included items such as schnitzel, sauerbraten and wild boar sausages.
Photo via Google Maps
RockerDogz Gourmet Street Dogz
3014 Roosevelt Ave.
After starting as a hot dog cart in 2011 and opening a permanent location in late 2020, the South Side staple RockerDogz shuttered in April. Its owner, Kris Martinez, hinted at potential monthly pop-ups moving forward, but the permanent brick-and-mortar location in the bright pink house is no more.
3014 Roosevelt Ave.
After starting as a hot dog cart in 2011 and opening a permanent location in late 2020, the South Side staple RockerDogz shuttered in April. Its owner, Kris Martinez, hinted at potential monthly pop-ups moving forward, but the permanent brick-and-mortar location in the bright pink house is no more.
Photo via Google Maps
Bovino's at La Cantera
15900 La Cantera Parkway Suite 11200
After two years of operation near the Shops at La Cantera, the Mexico-based Brazilian steakhouse chain Bovino’s announced in May that it would be closing the doors of its Northwest San Antonio location until further notice. It is currently unclear when or if it will return to business. The nearest Bovino’s location is now Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico — a 33-hour drive from San Antonio.
15900 La Cantera Parkway Suite 11200
After two years of operation near the Shops at La Cantera, the Mexico-based Brazilian steakhouse chain Bovino’s announced in May that it would be closing the doors of its Northwest San Antonio location until further notice. It is currently unclear when or if it will return to business. The nearest Bovino’s location is now Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico — a 33-hour drive from San Antonio.
Photo via Google Maps
Barbell Sweets
12682 FM 1560 N., Suite 206, Helotes
Barbell Sweets, a popular local bakery known for its healthy sweets and snacks, permanently closed and sold all its equipment in January. Owner Audrey Ayala announced the closure in an emotional New Year’s Eve Facebook livestream. The Helotes sweet spot had been selling sweet treats for around four years.
12682 FM 1560 N., Suite 206, Helotes
Barbell Sweets, a popular local bakery known for its healthy sweets and snacks, permanently closed and sold all its equipment in January. Owner Audrey Ayala announced the closure in an emotional New Year’s Eve Facebook livestream. The Helotes sweet spot had been selling sweet treats for around four years.
Photo via Instagram / righteouspiesa
Righteous Pie
Righteous Pie, a plant-based pizza food truck, permanently ceased operations this April after two years of business around San Antonio. The owners of the bright-red mobile eatery announced this on Instagram, citing inflation and road construction around the city as the cause of the closure.
Righteous Pie, a plant-based pizza food truck, permanently ceased operations this April after two years of business around San Antonio. The owners of the bright-red mobile eatery announced this on Instagram, citing inflation and road construction around the city as the cause of the closure.
![Sarah’s Barbacoa
6330 De Zavala Road, Suite 103
North Side Mexican restaurant Sarah’s Barbacoa shut its doors this March after four years of serving tamales and tacos. Owner Sarah Hernandez took to Instagram to share that she was looking to pursue other venture: “[A] very promising opportunity has come up that I cannot turn away from.”](https://media2.sacurrent.com/sacurrent/imager/closures/u/zoom/31857460/sarahs-barbacoa.jpg?cb=1685725846)
Photo via Google Maps
Sarah’s Barbacoa
6330 De Zavala Road, Suite 103
North Side Mexican restaurant Sarah’s Barbacoa shut its doors this March after four years of serving tamales and tacos. Owner Sarah Hernandez took to Instagram to share that she was looking to pursue other venture: “[A] very promising opportunity has come up that I cannot turn away from.”
6330 De Zavala Road, Suite 103
North Side Mexican restaurant Sarah’s Barbacoa shut its doors this March after four years of serving tamales and tacos. Owner Sarah Hernandez took to Instagram to share that she was looking to pursue other venture: “[A] very promising opportunity has come up that I cannot turn away from.”
Photo via Google Maps
Tripoli's
322 Valley Hi Drive
This February, Tripoli’s closed its location on the north side in preparation for its relocation to 1726 Alamo Ranch on the far West Side. The Alamo Ranch location has not opened yet, but will be similar to the previous location with an added patio.
322 Valley Hi Drive
This February, Tripoli’s closed its location on the north side in preparation for its relocation to 1726 Alamo Ranch on the far West Side. The Alamo Ranch location has not opened yet, but will be similar to the previous location with an added patio.
Photo via Facebook / Gather Boerne
Gather Boerne
946 N. School St., Boerne
Gather Boerne shut its doors this January after only one year of business. At the time, the owners did not indicate whether it was a permanent or temporary closure, stating in an Instagram post that they need to reflect on the future of the business. However, no further announcements have been made.
946 N. School St., Boerne
Gather Boerne shut its doors this January after only one year of business. At the time, the owners did not indicate whether it was a permanent or temporary closure, stating in an Instagram post that they need to reflect on the future of the business. However, no further announcements have been made.
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