Veteran-owned restaurants in San Antonio you should've already tried by now
San Antonio is proud to be Military City, USA. As such, we figured locals would want to support veterans who now own restaurants and other food & drink businesses. While we're sure there's plenty more, here are some places to support those who served and continue to serve.
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Playland Pizza
400 E Houston St, (210) 908-9362, playlandsa.com
A joint venture from restaurateur Andrew Goodman and chef Stefan Bowers, Playland Pizza brings tasty pizza and cocktails to the heart of downtown. Bowers obviously is about having fun with his food, that much is apparent at Playland, and he’s completely deserving of having a lot of fun after serving in the Navy for five years as a search and rescue swimmer.
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playlandpizza
Schilo’s Delicatessen
424 E Commerce St, (210) 223-6692, schilos.com
Not only is Schilo’s one of the oldest restaurants in the Alamo City, it’s also proudly owned by a veteran. Serving German-inspired sandwiches, soups and even homemade root beer, the downtown deli is headed by Bill Lyons, who took over the restaurant from his father in 1977 and served as a captain in the U.S. Army.
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kaleidos_life
The Jerk Shack
117 Matyear St, (210) 776-7780, facebook.com/thejerkshacksatx
Not only is Jerk Shack headed by husband-and-wife team Cornelius and Lattoia Massey, it’s also owned by veterans. The culinary couple met while deployed in Iraq, and ended up in SA when Lattoia studied at the Culinary Institute of America-San Antonio. Thank goodness she did, since that means San Antonio gets to enjoy flavorful Jamaican bites.
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joeyyeatts
Avocado Cafe & Juice Bar
18771 FM 2252, (210) 441-8338, avocadocafesa.com
While avocados are often attributed to young millennials, this concept cafe, which opened in 2012, is actually headed by retired U.S. Air Force Major Gayle Lynn Goodman-Floyd. The menu comes after the chef’s travels and tasting of flavors from around the world. The restaurant, on top of simple, yet delicious dishes, offers a discount to military personnel every day.
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meatlesspig
Casa Rio
430 E Commerce St, (210) 225-6718, casario.com
In 1946, Albert Beyer opened Casa Rio on the River Walk, bringing an option for Mexican fare accompanied by beautiful views. Today, the restaurant is run by Beyer’s grandson, Bill Lyons, who served in the Army.
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thistexaslife
The New York Grill Express
Various locations, (516) 884-3828, facebook.com/nygrillexpress
Tracking down this local food truck shouldn’t be too hard, and if it is, it’s totally worth your while. From burgers and wings to other delectable use-your-hands foods, this moving eatery is proudly brought to you by owner a veteran who served in the U.S. Army for three years and was even deployed to Afghanistan.
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nygrillexpress
Medina River Coffee
11825 West Ave Suite 101, (210) 802-6155, medinarivercoffee.com
West Avenue is full of plenty of local favorites, and Medina River Coffee is one of them. This local coffee spot is all the more better thanks to the fact that it is in part run by business partner Jim Perkins, a retired U.S. Army Lt. Colonel who served in Afghanistan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Bosnia. So go on and grab a cup of Joe and be thankful for the fact that you’re freedom means you can drink as much coffee as you want.
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medinarivercoffee
Crawfish King
15879 I-35 Frontage Road, Selma, (210) 444-9343, facebook.com
Anyone who loves crawfish will want to get acquainted with this Selma spot. Just think of the military background as all the more reason to visit. This food truck, which is also available through Favor, has all sorts of seafood and is brought to you by veterans. Owner Ashley Chanthadara served in the U.S. Army before being medically discharged.
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210culturesa
Battalion
604 S Alamo St, (210) 816-0088, battalionsa.com
Operating out of a former fire station, Battalion has been a respected spot for Italian dishes since opening in 2017. On top of delicious fare, the stylish spot is also regarded for its cocktails. Locals would expect no less from Chef Stefan Bowers, a Navyman.
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battalionsa
Flying M Bar-B-Que
Various locations, flyingmbbq.com
Serving San Antonio, La Vernia and Seguin, Flying M is all about being part of the community. Maybe that’s influenced by service, as was the case for owner Mark, who served 22 years in the military.. Whether you’re about honoring a veteran or just want some damn good eats, you’ll be in good hands at Flying M.
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flyingmbarbque
