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ANXIETY
Anyone who collects vinyl, or even owns a few dusty old albums that get an occasional spin, knows the value of a “Best Of” record.
If assembled well, those albums compile an artist’s most vital tracks — not just a collection of their greatest hits but also deep cuts that showcase their versatility and reach. Taken together, they’re a distillation of that musician’s essence, a 12-inch slab offering a comprehensive overview of their career.
We like to think of the Current’s annual Best of San Antonio issue in the same way. While we don’t recommend trying to play it on your turntable, it’s like a “Best Of” record in that it documents the essence of San Antonio at this point in time. Consider it a look at the runaway hits — and the worthwhile deep tracks — in dining, nightlife, shopping and more.
And we know this collection is solid because the BOSA winners are selected by you, our readers. You value them, praise them and recognize just what they represent to the Alamo City. The winners are chosen solely by popular vote and without the need for us to weigh in with Critics’ Picks. The Current’s editorial staff offers plenty of commentary in our other issues. This time, it’s all about hearing from you.
Of course, even the most carefully compiled “Best Of” album has standout tracks and those we may choose to skip over. Likewise, with BOSA, you may disagree with your fellow readers’ choices in some categories and wonder how they could overlook your particular favorite.
But, hey, that’s fine. Tastes in retail stores, restaurants and SA cultural icons are subjective — kind of like musical tastes. At the end of the day, the votes of our fellow residents help us better understand our city’s culture right now, and the directions in which it’s headed.
So, thanks for helping expertly compile an issue that truly reflects the “Best of San Antonio 2025.” Keep it on the top of the pile and get it out for a spin anytime you need to kick back and learn more about what our amazing city has to offer.
All the best,
Sanford Nowlin Editor-in-Chief The San Antonio Current
BEST BAKERY
Winner: La Panadería Multiple locations lapanaderia.com
2. Baklovah Bakery & Sweets 9329 Wurzbach Road, Suite 104 (210) 982-3231 baklovah.com
3. Bird Bakery 5912 Broadway (210) 804-2473 birdbakery.com
BEST BARBACOA Winner: Rios Barbacoa Multiple locations
2. Papi’s Barbacoa Multiple locations papisbarbacoa.com
3. Martinez Barbacoa Y Tamales 728 Fredericksburg Road (210) 734-6621
BEST BARBEQUE Winner: 2M Smokehouse 2731 S. WW White Road (210) 885-9352 facebook.com/2msmokehouse
2. Pinkerton’s Barbecue 107 W. Houston St. (210) 983-0088 pinkertonsbarbecue.com
3. Smoke Shack 3714 Broadway (210) 957-1430 smokeshacksa.com
BEST BOBA Winner: Bobalicious
4961 NW Loop 410 (210) 979-8040 bobaliciousbubbletea.com
2. Woo Ri Teahouse 4009 Broadway (210) 265-3412 instagram.com/wooriteahouse
3. The Nest Boba 6903 Blanco Road (210) 444-9596 thenestboba.com
Winner: Cibolo Creek Brewing Co.
448 S. Main St., Boerne (830) 816-5275 cibolocreekbrewing.com
2. Peggy’s on the Green 128 W. Blanco Road, Boerne (830) 572-5000 peggysonthegreen.com
3. The Creek
119 Staffel Street, Boerne (830) 816-2005 thecreekrestaurant.com
BEST BREAKFAST TACOS
Winner: Pete’s Tako House 502 Brooklyn Ave. (210) 224-2911 petestakohouse.com
2. Con Huevos Tacos 1629 E. Houston St. (210) 229-9295 instagram.com/conhuevostacos
3. Taquitos West Avenue Multiple locations taquitos-west-ave.com
BEST BRUNCH
Winner: Magnolia Pancake Haus Multiple locations magnoliapancakehaus.com
2. La Panadería Multiple locations lapanaderia.com
3. Max and Louie’s New York Diner
226 W. Bitters Road, Suite 126 (210) 483-7600 maxandlouies.com
BEST BURGER
Winner: Burger Boy Multiple locations burgerboy.com
2. Chris Madrid’s 1900 Blanco Road (210) 735-3552 chrismadrids.com
3. Pumpers 1101 Broadway (210) 888-0666 eatpumpers.com
BEST CARIBBEAN RESTAURANT
Winner: Real Real Jamaica 6828 San Pedro Ave.
(210) 858-3015 instagram.com/realrealjamaica
2. The Jerk Shack 10234 TX-151, Suite 103 (210) 776-7780 thejerkshacksatx.com
3. Luna Rosa Puerto Rican Grill y Tapas
910 S. Alamo St. (210)-314-2723 lunarosatapas.com
BEST CHARCUTERIE
Winner: Cured
306 Pearl Parkway, Unit 101 (210) 314-3929 curedatpearl.com
Founded in 2013, Cured is more than a name — it’s a nod to chef Steve McHugh’s journey from cancer survivor to culinary star. It’s also a bold reference to the house-cured meats that made the Pearl hot spot a must-visit. As famous as the James Beard-nominated chef himself, Cured invites diners to build their own charcuterie boards stacked with anything from 90-day pork belly to pickled pimento cheese and country-style pork pâté. McHugh’s obsession with fermentation runs so deep, he wrote the book on it, literally: Cured: Cooking with Ferments, Pickles, Preserves and More.
2. The Board Couple 2218 N. Zarzamora St. (210) 573-2100 theboardcouple.com
3. Honey and Pickle honeyandpickle.com
BEST CHICKEN FRIED STEAK
Winner: Bobbie’s Southern Kitchen 606 Embassy Oaks, Suite 100 (210) 923-1158 bobbiessouthernkitchen.com
2. Good Time Charlie’s 2922 Broadway (210) 828-5392 gtcsatx.com
3. MK Davis
1302 N. Flores St. (210) 223-1208 facebook.com/mkdavisrestaurant
BEST CHINESE FOOD
Winner: Best Quality Daughter 602 Avenue A
(210) 819-4236 bestqualitydaughter.com
Chef Jennifer Hwa Dobbertin opened Best Quality Daughter at the Pearl in fall 2020, a brutal time for restaurants. But her bold Chinese-fusion menu made the dining spot an instant standout. Set in a pink-hued historic building, the Best Quality Daughter draws crowds for craveable plates including peanut-tamarind Brussels sprouts, curry guisada dan dan and family-style cashew chicken. Don’t skip dessert: ice cream sandwiches made with scoops from local Dorp Creamery. Rooted in Dobbertin’s heritage, Best Quality Daughter feels like a warm, rebellious celebration — and also like home.
2. Ding How Chinese Food 4531 NW Loop 410 (210) 340-7944 dinghowsa.com
3. Ming’s Multiple locations mingsthing.com
BEST COFFEE SHOP
Winner: Summer Moon Coffee Multiple locations summermooncoffee.com
Atrue Hill Country original, Summer Moon Coffee roasts its beans over seasoned Texas oak for a signature smooth flavor you can taste in everything from its bold espresso shots to the fan-favorite iced Summer Moon latte. Born in 2002 from a group of caffeine-loving friends, the Texas-born brand now boasts five San Antonio locations. With its signature Moon Milk (vegan option included), campfire-cozy vibe and a menu full of inventive sips, Summer Moon isn’t just honoring Texas tradition, it’s forging a new one.
2. What’s Brewing Coffee Roasters
138 W. Rhapsody Drive (210) 308-8882 sacoffeeroasters.com
3. La Panadería Multiple locations lapanaderia.com
BEST COMFORT FOOD
Winner: Comfort Cafe 6812 Bandera Road, Suite 101 (210) 501-9719 serenitystar.org/comfort-cafe
2. Southerleigh Fine Food and Brewery
136 E. Grayson St., Suite 120 (210) 455-5701 southerleighatpearl.com
3. Tony G’s Soul Food Multiple locations tonygssoulfood.com
BEST CONCHA
Winner: La Panadería Multiple locations lapanaderia.com
2. Concha Style Multiple locations conchastyle.com
3. La Concheria
Location not available (210) 328-8723 laconcheria.com
BEST CRAWFISH
Winner: H-E-B Multiple locations heb.com
2. BB’s Tex Orleans 5423 W. Loop 1604 North (726) 600-2022 bbstexorleans.com
3. Smashin Crab Multiple locations smashincrab.com
BEST DATE NIGHT RESTAURANT
Winner: Bar Loretta 320 Beauregard St. (210) 757-3607 barloretta.com
Bar Loretta is King William in a nutshell: stylish, storied and effortlessly cool. Housed in a century-old building on Beauregard Street, the spot blends chef Paul Petersen’s Texas-inspired dishes with Roger Herr’s polished hospitality, an impressive wine list and standout cocktails. With late-night hours and moody lighting, it’s tailor-made for date nights or post-work wind-downs. Bonus: there’s a charming market next door worth a peek.
2. The Moon’s Daughters 115 Lexington Ave. (210) 942-6032 themoonsdaughters.com
3. Bliss
926 S. Presa St. (210) 225-2547 foodisbliss.com
BEST DONUT SHOP
Winner: Art of Donut 3428 N. St. Mary’s St. (210) 265-5423 artofdonut.com
2. The Original Donut Shop 3307 Fredericksburg Road (210) 734-5661 facebook.com/theoriginaldonutshop
3. Mini Donut Lab
Location not available (210) 307-0959 minidonutlabsa.com
BEST ENCHILADAS
Winner: Blanco Cafe 1720 Blanco Road
(210) 732-6480 blancocafesa.com
2. Los Barrios Mexican Restaurant 4223 Blanco Road (210) 732-6017 losbarriosrestaurant.com
3. La Fonda on Main 2415 N. Main Ave. (210) 733-0621 lafondaonmain.com
BEST FAMILY FRIENDLY RESTAURANT
Winner: The Cove 606 W. Cypress St. (210) 227-2683 thecove.us
estled off San Pedro Avenue just north of downtown, the Cove is the perfect spot to grab a beer and eat as healthy — or unhealthy — as
you want while knowing the ingredients are sourced close to home. Beyond that, the Cove’s expansive outdoor seating area makes it a standout for kid-friendly gatherings, from family reunions to birthday parties to casual weeknight family meals. The centerpiece there is a large play structure where kids can blow off steam while parents maintain a watchful eye from picnic tables arrayed around the perimeter. It certainly doesn’t hurt that the icehouse-style setting offers Mom and Dad a selection of more than 50 beers on tap while the youngsters play.
2. Viola’s Ventanas 9660 Westover Hills Blvd. (210) 684-9660 violasventanas.com
3. Pinstack
Multiple locations pinstackbowl.com
BEST FOOD TRUCK
Winner: Pete’s Hot Chicken
2418 S. Presa St. (210) 262-1109 instagram.com/peteshotchicken
Turning up the heat since 2020, Pete’s Hot Chicken has made a name for itself with fiery Nashville-style wings, tenders, sandwiches, burgers, loaded fries and a formidable Sunday brunch. From “mild” to “aww, hell no,” the mobile kitchen’s heat scale is not for the faint of heart. What started as a local food truck with a cult following now boasts a full-blown brick-and-mortar — with the OG truck still parked out front and slinging hot chicken just like day one.
2. Malik’s Philly’s Phamous Cheesesteaks
Multiple locations maliksphillysphamous.com
3. UBP Burgers
840 S. Business I-35, New Braunfels (830) 624-9404 ubpburgers.com
BEST FOOD TRUCK PARK
Winner: El Camino Food Truck Park & Bar 1009 Avenue B elcaminosa.com
2. 1604 Cantina Food Truck Park 1850 W Loop 1604 South (210) 255-3755 1604cantina.com
3. The Block SA 14530 Roadrunner Way (210) 690-3333 theblocksa.com
BEST FRENCH FRIES
Winner: Sam’s Burger Joint 330 E. Grayson St. (210) 223-2830 samsburgerjoint.com
2. La Frite 728 S. Alamo St. (210) 224-7555 lafritesa.com
3. Mark’s Outing Multiple locations marksouting.com
BEST FRENCH RESTAURANT
Winner: Brasserie Mon Chou Chou 312 Pearl Parkway (210) 469-3743 brasseriemonchouchou.com
Astroll through Paris is just steps away at the Pearl thanks to Brasserie Mon Chou Chou. Opened in December 2020 by Laurent Réa, Philippe Placé and Jérôme Sérot, this charming brasserie delivers French flair from the first bite to the last sip. An assortment of breads seemingly plucked straight from a boulangerie greets guests at the door, while the menu offers classics such as filet de boeuf, croque monsieur and a melty
Southern cuisine, and its crisp, melt-inyour-mouth fried yardbird is definitely a star attraction. Don’t sleep on the fries, sandos and impressive craft beer selection either. Word of warning: if you decide to have a romantic date enjoying some of Attagirl’s chicken under the mood lighting of the outdoor patio, use a napkin to wipe off your mouth and fingers before you decide to make out.
2. Bill Miller’s Multiple locations billmillerbbq.com
3. Southerleigh Fine Food And Brewery
136 E. Grayson St., Suite 120 (210) 455-5701 southerleighatpearl.com
BEST FRUTERÍA
Winner: Las Nieves Fruit Cups & More Multiple locations lasnieves.net
2. Frutería La Tropicana Multiple locations sanantonioicecreamshop.com
3. Frutería La Mission 553 E. White Ave. (210) 922-2997 facebook.com/fruterialamission
BEST HOT DOG
raclette sandwich served tableside. With its breezy terrace, warm lighting and pitch-perfect details, Mon Chou Chou — “my darling” in French — is a love letter to la belle vie.
2. Julia’s Bistro & Bar 1725 Blanco Road (210) 476-5404 juliasonblanco.com
3. Frederick’s Restaurant 7701 Broadway, Suite 20 (210) 828-9050 fredericksrestaurantsa.com
BEST FRIED CHICKEN
Winner: Cullum’s Attagirl 726 E. Mistletoe Ave. (210) 437-4263 cullumsattagirl.com
The Cullum’s Attagirl name may not adorn the sign of this St. Mary’s Strip fave, but take its win in this category as your sign to pay it another visit. Locals and visitors alike love Attagirl for its fresh, hip take on
Winner: The Dogfather Multiple locations sadogfather.com
When it comes to dressed up dogs, San Antonio’s The Dogfather is the undisputed Don, and it’s time to kiss the ring. And for those who like a good sequel, one also has to enjoy that the owners dubbed their second location the Dogfather II. To make someone an offer they can’t refuse, we recommend the Frito Pie Dog, The Elote or the Tot Dog.
2. Chicago Hot Dogs
12914 Jones Maltsberger Road, Unit 101 (210) 906-5260 chicagohotdogs.com
3. El Chunky
2620 S. Presa St. (210) 418-2538 instagram.com/el.chunky.sa
BEST ICE CREAM
Winner: Lick Honest Ice Cream Multiple locations
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ilikelick.com
Known for some of the wildest artisanal flavor combinations in the game, inventive ice cream emporium Lick has developed a following for good reason. Flavor combos such as Goat Cheese Thyme and Honey, Roasted Beets and Fresh Mint, and Blackberry Lime Basil add sophistication and panache to its creamy concoctions. Lick refers to its approach as “honest,” meaning it mixes fresh local ingredients with crumbles and mixins made in house and by hand. It also means no preservatives, artificial colors and flavors or high fructose corn syrup. The Texas-based business is intentional about every step of its process, from sourcing dairy at family farms to serving it up with compostable spoons and cups.
2. Paletería San Antonio
510 S. Alamo St., Suite 104 (210) 954-6753 paleteriasanantonio.com
3. Freshest Ice Creams 8053 Callaghan Road (210) 371-6510 freshesticecreams.com
BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT
Winner: Tarka Indian Kitchen
Multiple locations tarkaindiankitchen.com
Austin-based casual dining
chain Tarka Indian Kitchen isn’t going to introduce aficionados of the subcontinent’s rich and varied cuisine to new flavor profiles. Its menu sticks to tried-and-true restaurant favorites such as tikka masala and korma curries, fragrant biryani rice dishes and crisp fried samosas. However, it’s easy
spiceindiantx.com
BEST INTERNATIONAL MARKET Winner: Tim’s Oriental & Seafood Market
7015 Bandera Road #8 (210) 523-1688 facebook.com/timsorientalmarketsatx
2. Ali Baba International Food Market
9307 Wurzbach Road (210) 691-1111 alibabainternationalfoodmarket.com
3. Minnano Japanese Grocery 7460 Callaghan Road, Suite 310 (210) 340-7900 instagram.com/minnano_sa
BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT Winner: Paesano’s Multiple locations paesanos.com
Fto understand why Tarka’s two San Antonio locations are a hit with readers. First, its kitchens get the basics right — the ingredients are fresh and the dishes pack the requisite spice. Second, its simple-to-understand menu helps demystify what can be a tough cuisine for novices to unpack. The stores’ quick counter service also offers an ideal spot for a quick lunch that avoids the buffet experience that’s tempted so many of us to overeat and end up wishing we’d passed up that last plate of channa masala and saag paneer.
2. India Oven 1031 Patricia Drive, Suite 106 (210) 544-5968 indiaovensa.com
3. Spice Fine Indian Cuisine 3720 NW Loop 410 (210) 253-9658
ounded in 1969, Paesano’s has seen trends come and go, and it’s remained a San Antonio staple all the while thanks to the dedication of founders Joe Cosniac and Nick Pacelli. While the brand has grown beyond Texas, its heart beats strongest in the Alamo City, where four outposts dish out crowd-pleasing Italian classics. Think rich fettuccine Alfredo, crispy pollo parmigiana and tender scallopine — all served in welcoming spaces just as suited for date nights, business lunches or special family dinners. The bar brings its own twist too, offering playful takes on classics such as its blackberry old fashioned, house-made limoncello martini and bold Paesano’s cosmo.
2. Little Italy Restaurant & Pizzeria 824 Afterglow St. (210) 349-2060 littleitalysatx.com
3. Purple Garlic Italian Cafe Multiple locations purplegarliccafe.com
BEST JUICE OR SMOOTHIE SHOP Winner: Bee’s Wellness Cafe & Juicery
3030 Thousand Oaks Drive, Suite 102 (210) 836-8141 beeswellnesscafe.com
2. Queen Bee Juicery 13469 Wetmore Road (210) 332-5065 queenbeejuicery.square.site
3. Revolución Multiple locations enjoyrev.com
BEST LATE NIGHT PLACE TO EAT
Winner: Elsewhere Garden Bar & Kitchen 103 E. Jones Ave. (210) 201-5595 elsewheretexas.com
2. Bar Loretta 320 Beauregard St. (210) 757-3607 barloretta.com
3. The Dogfather
Multiple locations sadogfather.com
BEST LATIN AMERICAN RESTAURANT
Winner: Gloria’s Latin Cuisine 17623 La Cantera Parkway, Suite 103 (210) 451-5412 gloriascuisine.com
2. Ocho (Closed June 29) 1015 Navarro St. (210) 222-2008 bunkhousehotels.com
3. Cuba 1918 2809 W. Southcross Blvd. (210) 236-9925 cuba1918.com
BEST MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT
Winner: Mina & Dimi’s Greek House
7159 W. U.S. Highway 90 (210) 674-3464 agreekhouse.com
2. Pasha Mediterranean Grill Multiple locations gopasha.com
3. Demo’s Greek Food Multiple locations demosgreekfood.com
BEST MENUDO
Winner: Mi Tierra Café y Panadería 218 Produce Row (210) 225-1262 mitierracafe.com
2. Taqueria Chapala Jalisco 1902 McCullough Ave. (210) 735-5352 taqueriachapala.top
3. El Milagrito Café 521 E. Woodlawn Ave. (210) 737-8646 facebook.com/elmilagrito
BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT
Winner: Rosario’s 722 S. St. Mary’s St. (210) 223-1806 rosariossa.com
2. La Fonda on Main 2415 N. Main Ave. (210) 733-0621 lafondaonmain.com
3. Los Barrios Mexican Restaurant 4223 Blanco Road (210) 732-6017 losbarriosrestaurant.com
BEST NEW BRAUNFELS RESTAURANT
Winner: Muck & Fuss Craft Beer and Burgers
295 E. San Antonio St., New Braunfels (830) 255-7055 muckandfuss.com
Muck & Fuss Craft Beer and Burgers claimed a decisive win with this year’s debut of the Best New Braunfels Restaurant category. The trendy spot located in the heart of the Hill Country town’s historic downtown features lots of outdoor seating and an affordable, approachable menu that includes an array of American casual-dining favorites, 16 different burgers among them. This spot also doubles as a beer garden, of-
fering anything from the German-style brews befitting New Braunfels’ cultural heritage to hoppy and bold IPAs and more adventurous craft creations.
2. McAdoo’s Seafood Company 196 N. Castell Ave., New Braunfels (830) 629-3474 mcadoos.com
3. Huisache Grill
303 W. San Antonio St., New Braunfels (830) 620-9001 huisachegrill.com
BEST NEW RESTAURANT (JANUARY 2024-PRESENT)
Winner: Fife & Farro 221 Newell Ave. (210) 759-0087 fifeandfarro.com
Ataste of Italy in the heart of the Pearl’s Pullman Market, Fife & Farro serves up wood-fired pizzas and scratch-made pastas bold enough to crush any carb craving. Since debuting with the Pullman’s April 2024 launch, the Emmer & Rye concept has hit its stride as both a lively family hangout and cozy date-night spot. Don’t skip the wine list, lovebirds. While the pizzas and pastas are undeniable stars, the towering Caesar salad just might steal the spotlight.
2. Blü PrimeSteakhouse
1818 N. Loop 1604 West, Suite 101 (210) 879-1111 bluprimesteakhouse.com
3. Isidore
221 Newell Ave. (210) 756-7359 isidoresatx.com
BEST PERUVIAN RESTAURANT
Winner: Leche de Tigre
318 E. Cevallos St. (210) 265-5933 lechedetigretx.com
Astute readers might recognize that Best Peruvian Restaurant is a new addition to our Best of San Antonio poll — and perhaps wonder if the category was created expressly for an eatery that’s garnered major buzz since opening just two years ago. Instead, it’s an approving nod to San Antonio’s rapidly expanding dining landscape. Housed in a quaint cottage that’s been thoughtfully updated with homegrown murals, artwork and decor, Leche de Tigre is a family affair created by brothers Alec, Axel and Emil Oliva, who developed an affinity for Peruvian cuisine while living in Lima for eight years. With a culinary spirit that’s equal parts reverence and innovation,
the menu is highlighted by Peruvian mainstays such as potent pisco sours and five varieties of ceviches — incredibly fresh and tangy concoctions combining seasonal fish with everything from avocado and habanero to plantains and sweet potato. A testament to Leche de Tigre’s understated love for global fusion, the incredibly popular “Nikkei” ceviche is a Japanese-inspired melange of tamarind ponzu, avocado and sushi-grade yellowfin tuna sourced from Austin-based “fresh fish wizards” Minamoto Foods. Bonus: In addition to the aforementioned pisco sours — the national drink of Peru — Leche de Tigre caters to non-imbibers with mocktails including a Sana-gria and a Ritual crafted with spiritless tequila.
2. Rocotos Grill Peruvian Cuisine 8333 Culebra Road, Suite 204A (210) 521-4367 rocotos-grill-peruvian-cuisine-105967.
square.site
3. El Ceviche de Waldito 5526 Evers Road (210) 214-7812 elcevichedewalditotx.com
BEST PIZZA
Winner: Mattenga’s Pizzeria Multiple locations mattengas.com
With seven locations dotting the metro, Alamo City residents are never too far from a Mattenga’s Pizzeria. Husband and wife Matt and Enga, both engineers by trade, launched Mattenga’s in 2014 with little restaurant experience but a strong passion for high-quality pies. Clearly, the pair had their fingers on SA’s pizza pulse, having now racked up the chain’s third win in this category. We’re guessing Mattenga’s consistent
quality, combined with Alamo City-appropriate specialties such as the Honey Bexar Pizza dressed with jalapenos and hot honey and brisket-stuffed Texas Rolls continues to seal the deal.
2. Dough Pizzeria Napoletana Multiple locations doughpizzeria.com
3. Pizza Classics
3440 N. St. Mary’s St. (210) 225-3356 pizzaclassics.com
BEST PHO
Winner: Pho Kim Long 4230 McCullough Ave., Suite 2 (210) 829-8021 kimlongsatx.wixsite.com/pho-kimlong
2. Heavenly Pho 19178 Blanco Road, Suite 305 (210) 545-3553 orderheavenlypho.com
3. Pho Four Star 2921 Pat Booker Road, Suite 120 (210) 659-2568 pho4starsatx.com
BEST PUFFY TACOS
Winner: Henry’s Puffy Taco Multiple locations henryspuffytacos.com
2. Los Barrios Mexican Restaurant 4223 Blanco Road (210) 732-6017 losbarriosrestaurant.com
3. Ray’s Drive Inn 822 SW 19th St. (210) 432-7171 raysdriveinn.net
BEST RAMEN
Winner: Bakudan Multiple locations bakudanramen.com
2. Suck It Multiple locations
chefsuckit.com
3. Kimura 1017 N. Flores St. (210) 444-0702 kimurasa.com
BEST SALSA/BEST TACOS
Winner: Las Palapas Multiple locations laspalapas.com
ASan Antonio staple since 1981, Las Palapas is so iconic, its red, green and roasted salsas have sparked online copycats. From classic breakfast tacos to house specials such as its panko-crusted fish and flamegrilled Norteño tacos topped with grilled avocado, every bite is puro San Antonio, down to the extensive affordable menu and hearty margaritas to match. It’s the legacy of late founder Edward “Ron” Acosta — and his deep love for the city — that continues to fuel this homegrown chain’s delicious growth across Texas.
SALSA: 2. Rosario’s 722 S. St. Mary’s St. (210) 223-1806 rosariossa.com
3. Panchito’s Mexican Restaurant Multiple locations panchitos.net
TACOS: 2. Taqueria Datapoint Multiple locations taqueriadatapoint.net
3. Henry’s Puffy Tacos Multiple locations henryspuffytacos.com
BEST SANDWICHES
Winner: Gino’s Deli Stop N’ Buy 13210 Huebner Road #110 (210) 764-0602 myginosdeli.com
2. Beacon Hill Market & Deli
1717 Blanco Road (210) 999-5239 beaconhillmarketanddeli.com
3. Picnikins Patio Cafe Multiple locations picnikins.com
BEST SCHERTZ RESTAURANT
Winner: The Purple Pig BBQ 537 Main St., Schertz (210) 442-8246 thepurplepigbbq.com
2. Makos on the Creek 169 Buffalo Place, Cibolo (830) 730-5947 makostx.com
3. Noli’s Vite Italian Kitchen 170 Buffalo Place, Cibolo (210)257-6566 cibolo.nolisvite.com BEST SEAFOOD
Winner: Sea Island Shrimp House Multiple locations shrimphouse.com
2. Fish City Grill Multiple locations fishcitygrill.com
3. Smashin Crab Multiple locations smashincrab.com
BEST SOUL FOOD
Winner: The Jerk Shack 10234 TX-151, Suite 103 (210) 776-7780 thejerkshacksatx.com
Chef and retired Army vet Nicola Blaque made her mark on San Antonio when she opened The Jerk Shack in 2018 — a tiny spot on Matyear Street that gained a quick following for its big, bold Jamaican flavors.
Today, the Bib Gourmand-recognized eatery has found a new home on the Far West Side, but its soul remains the same. From smoky jerk chicken and fall-apart oxtails to creamy shrimp and grits and fiery Rasta pasta, every dish is a vibrant tribute to Blaque’s family roots — and a testament to her James Beard-nominated talent that fuses tradition with fearless flavor.
2. Tony G’s Soul Food Multiple locations tonygssoulfood.com
3. Honey’s Kitchen 7119 Joe Louis Drive (210) 420-9645 facebook.com/mzhoneysplace
BEST STEAKHOUSE
Winner: Bohanan’s Prime Steaks and Seafood 219 E. Houston St. (210) 472-2600
bohanans.com
2. Brasão Brazilian Steakhouse 19210 I-10 West (210) 233-6868 brasaousa.com
3. Tu Asador Mexican Steakhouse Multiple locations tuasadorsatx.com
BEST SUSHI
Winner: Sushihana 1810 NW Military Highway (210) 340-7808 sushihanasan.com
While some culinary snobs turn up their noses at any sushi not served up in a coastal town, the freshness and quality of Sushihana’s seafood could be enough to win them over. The Northwest Military stalwart’s chefs display a deft hand with classic sashimi and
nigiri sushi along with a variety of creative rolls. The soy paper-wrapped and tempura-fried Tiger Eye with nori, smoked salmon, jalapeño and masago is a standout, as is the Crazy Mike with spicy crawfish and spicy tuna topped with tuna, salmon, white fish, avocado, rice pearls and sriracha. Bento boxes available at lunchtime feature chicken teriyaki and grilled Scottish salmon among other tasty centerpieces.
2. Shiro Japanese Bistro 107 W. Jones Ave. (210) 585-1863 shirossan.com
3. Toro’ko Sushi Multiple locations toroko-sushi.square.site
BEST TAMALES Winner: Alfonso’s Tamales 2000 SE Loop 410 Access Road, Suite 103 (210) 648-6060 alfonsostamales.com
2. SA Tamale Boy
5300 S. Flores St. (210) 663-2033 satamaleboy.com
3. La Fonda on Main 2415 N. Main Ave. (210) 733-0621 lafondaonmain.com
BEST THAI RESTAURANT Winner: Tong’s Thai Restaurant 1146 Austin Highway (210) 829-7345 tongsthai.com
2. Thai Chili 2950 Thousand Oaks Drive, Suite 10 (210) 656-8589 thousandoaks.thaichili.net
3. Thai Bird Alamo Heights Multiple locations thaibirdrestaurant.com
BEST VEGAN RESTAURANT WInner: Plantaquería 124 Broadway plantaqueria.com
Rooted in a grassroots vegan tamale company founded in 2020 by Sofia Maria Renteria, Plantaquería is a fairly new addition to the lower Broadway corridor. Although parking woes have long troubled this downtown stretch, destinations such as Saveurs 209, La Boulangerie and Alamo Antique Mall have made it worth the hassle — and the area boasts a vintage vibe that evokes a classic movie set. Occupying a sunlit corner that once hosted the downtown location of Twin Sisters Cafe, Plantaquería serves up “plant-based versions of the Mexican foods we grew up loving.” Among those health-conscious offerings are breakfast tacos made with soy chorizo, jackfruit and vegan cheese; quesadillas and tortas stuffed with portobello mushrooms and other plant-based proteins; scratch-made aguas frescas; and hearty sides spanning from street-style corn to charro beans — charmingly served in compostable coffee cups.
2. Hash Vegan Eatery
5007 S. Flores St. (210) 332-9244 instagram.com/hash.veganeats.sa
3. Viva Vegeria 1422 Nogalitos St. (210) 465-9233 facebook.com/myvegeria
BEST VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT
Winner: Green Vegetarian Cuisine
255 E. Basse Road, Suite 940 (210) 320-5865 eatatgreen.com
2. The Pharm Table 611 S. Presa St., Suite 106 (210) 802-1860 pharmtable.com
3. Plantaquería 124 Broadway plantaqueria.com
BEST WINGS
Winner: Fried Hard 521 E. Grayson St. (901) 598-7480 friedhard.square.site
Veteran-owned Fried Hard has Current readers’ finger-licking approval when it comes to wings. This kiosk, which operates from the back of Three Star Bar in the burgeoning Grayson Street nightlife district, serves up an assortment of Memphis-style wings. To that point, Fried Hard owner Laura Mountford argues that Memphis “produces the best wings, bar none.” Those looking for proof can order up the spot’s signature “Memphis Bold” wings and wash them down with its famous Kool-Aid. Bold indeed, Fried Hard is a must for local wing enthusiasts.
2. Wayne’s Wings Multiple locations wayneswingssa.com
3. Cullum’s Attagirl 726 E. Mistletoe Ave. (210) 437-4263 cullumsattagirl.com
BEST ADULT STORE
Winner: Adult Megaplex Multiple locations megaplexsa.com
2. Romantix
8622 Huebner Road #101 (726) 223-4666 romantix.com
3. Love Shack Boutique Multiple locations theloveshackboutique.com
BEST ANTIQUE STORE
Winner: La Segunda Bartique & Gallery
1302 S. St. Mary’s St. (210) 314-2740 instagram.com/ la_segunda_bartiqueandgallery
Some antique outlets and vintage stores exude posh sophistication, while others ooze funky charm. La Segunda Bartique & Gallery is squarely in the latter category, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Tucked into a two-story house in Lavaca, the retail space, bar and neighborhood hangout, is chock full of kitschy, freaky and modishly hip finds, ranging from ’60s and ’70s furniture in eye-popping colors to retro hi-fi gear to mind-melting black-light posters. Crates of vintage vinyl fill one room, and the upstairs clothing selection boasts an abundance of well-worn concert shirts, including a sweet King Diamond tour tee that some metalhead just won’t be able to live without. San Antonio musician Eddie Hernandez, La Segundo’s owner, is adept at playing affable host. On a recent visit, he bounced between running the register, talking to customers and tending the four-seat bar — vintage, of course — which offers craft beer, micheladas and wines by the glass to fuel shopping excursions. No, you probably won’t find a Victorian walnut armoire while browsing La Segunda, but you just may leave with a vibrant velvet painting to liven up your living space. And you’ll have a damn good time making your purchase.
2. Karolina’s Antiques 1709 Blanco Road (210) 731-9787 karolinasantiques.com
3. Armadillo Antiques N More 7243 Blanco Road (210) 236-5340 instagram.com/armadilloantiquessa/
BEST BICYCLE SHOP
Winner: Level Up Bike Shop 1409 E. Commerce St. Suite C (210) 505-7686 levelupbikeshop.com
2. HUB MRKT Bikes 1407 S. St. Mary’s St. (210) 334-0205 hubmrktbikes.com
3. Britton’s Bicycle Shop 434 N. Loop 1604 West #1109 (210) 656-1655 brittonbikes.com
BEST BOOKSTORE (INDEPENDENT)
Winner: Nowhere Bookshop 5154 Broadway (210) 640-7260 nowherebookshop.com
Native Texan Jenny Lawson
— aka The Bloggess — made a name for herself by penning soul-bearing slices of life that have been collected in the New York Times bestsellers Let’s Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir (2012), Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things (2015) and You Are Here: An Owner’s Manual for Dangerous Minds (2017). Beloved for her earnest and humorous approach to writing about depression and
anxiety, Lawson boasts an irreverent spirit that’s brilliantly reflected in her smartly curated Nowhere Bookshop. Located on a fairly traditional stretch of Broadway in Alamo Heights, Nowhere goes far beyond the expectations of a San Antonio bookstore by stocking an incredibly diverse assortment of titles — not to mention coffee drinks, wine and beer. During a recent visit, we sipped a glass of Pinot Noir while perusing staff-approved books including Johnny Compton’s Gothic horror fantasy Devils Kill Devils, Madeline Miller’s subversive historical fiction Circe and Alex Michaelides’ psychological thriller The Silent Patient . And while books
are the main affair at Nowhere, don’t sleep on the excellent assortment of giftables, which run the gamut from LGBTQ+ and pro-choice stickers to artsy greeting cards employing kitty cats to deliver such pointed messages as “Fuck Elon and His Dumbass Cars and Rockets.”
2. The Twig Book Shop
306 Pearl Parkway #106 (210) 826-6411 thetwig.com
3. Nine Lives Books
7959 Fredericksburg Road, Suite 119 (210) 647-5656 mobile.ninelivesbooks.com
BEST BRIDAL STORE
Winner: Julian Gold Bridal 4109 McCullough Ave. (210) 824-2493 juliangoldbridal.com
2. Olivia Grace Bridal 4343 McCullough Ave. (210) 876-5366 oliviagracebridalshop.com
3. Bridal Galleria of Texas 2504 N. Main Ave. (210) 342-5752 bridalgalleriaoftexas.com
BEST CAR DEALERSHIP
Winner: Red McCombs Ford
8333 I-10 West (210) 514-1363 saford.com
2. North Park Subaru 9635 San Pedro Ave. (210) 817-1000 northparksubaru.net
3. Genesis of Northwest San Antonio 25766 I-10 West, Boerne (726) 207-3479 genesisnorthwest.com
BEST CBD SHOP
Winner: Bee’s Wellness Cafe & Juicery
3030 Thousand Oaks Drive, Suite 102 (210) 836-8141 beeswellnesscafe.com
Bee’s Wellness Cafe & Juicery is way more than a CBD shop, which helps explain its fourth consecutive win in this category. With a guided wellness program based equally on hard science and holistic practices, it’s a go-to for anyone with chronic stress, fatigue, autoimmune disorders and emotional imbalances. Founded by reiki practitioner Brook “Blazey” Richie and breathwork expert David Richie, the duo takes a root-cause approach to helping their clientele uncover the reasons that they feel out of sorts, then o ffers real-world solutions.
2. Alamo Botanicals Multiple locations alamobotanicals.com
3. Creme De La Hemp (210) 843-2921 facebook.com/cremedelahemp
BEST CHILDREN’S STORE Winner: Fox & Tots
502 Embassy Oaks, Suite 109 (210) 502-0004 foxandtots.com
2. Hopscotch Kids Boutique 555 W. Bitters Road (210) 413-8686 facebook.com/MintToBeChildrensBoutique
3. Bambinos Boutique 5926 Broadway (210) 824-7676 bambinosboutique.com
BEST CLOTHING BOUTIQUE Winner: Chasing Camilla 522 Northwest Loop 410, Suite 211 (inside Painted Tree Boutiques) (949) 201-8483 chasingcamilla.com
2. Defiant Boutique 11858 Wurzbach Road (512) 710-9099 defiantboutique.com
3. Lolo Modern Mexican Mercadito 4305 McCullough Ave. (210) 501-3236 lolomercadito.com
BEST COMIC BOOK/ GAME SHOP
Winner: Big Alpaca Comics
Big Alpaca Comics 5885 Babcock Road (726) 300-2833
bigalpacacomics.com
The “comics” part of Big Alpaca’s name tells you just what to expect. Its inventory is 95% comic books with a few caps and action figures making up the rest. That enables the store to offer an exceptional experience for both die-hard collectors and more casual fans who appreciate the stories. The retailer also is affiliated with Certified Guaranty Company (CGC), which grades collectibles,
including comic books, and customers can get their books graded or know they’re purchasing graded books. What’s more, shoppers also have access to an online portal to update their subscriptions — and that’s super convenient, pun intended.
2. Dragon’s Lair Comics & Fantasy
Multiple locations dlair.net
3. Heroes & Fantasies
Multiple locations heroesandfantasies.com
BEST FARMERS MARKET
Winner: The Market at Shavano Park
900 Saddletree Court
(210) 799-0176
facebook.com/themarketatshavanopark
The Market at Shavano Park, produced by SATX Market Events, positions itself as a valuable local resource. First, it’s a destination for those wanting to spend their hard-earned dollars locally. Second, it’s a vendor hub for those specializing in anything from fresh produce and wellness goods to handmade crafts and one-of-a-kind boutique finds. The organizers also host The Market at Just Pots (17115 Redland Road) on Saturdays and The Market at Shavano Park (900 Saddletree Court) on Sundays. Showing its support for the San Antonio small-business community, The Market at Shavano Park also makes it super easy
for new vendors to join the fold.
2. Pearl Farmers Market
312 Pearl Parkway (210) 212-7260 atpearl.com/weekend-market
3. Garden Ridge Market Days Northeast Bible Church 19185 FM 2252, Garden Ridge (602) 920-9301 gardenridgemarketdays.com
BEST FLEA MARKET
Winner: Traders Village San Antonio
9333 SW Loop 410 (210) 623-8383 tradersvillage.com/san-antonio
2. Bussey’s Flea Market 18738 I-35 North, Schertz (210) 651-6830 busseysfm.com
3. Mission Open Air Market
207 W. Chavaneaux Road (210) 923-8131 missionopenairmarket.com
BEST FLOWER SHOP
Winner: Brianna’s Boutique — The Flower Market
555 W. Bitters Road #117 (210) 440-5681 briannasuniquegiftsandfreshflowerboutique.com
2. Ray’s Floral Boutique 313 N. Main Ave. (830) 357-0075 instagram.com/raysfloralboutique
3. Travis Wholesale Florist 240 W. Josephine St. (210) 732-8261 traviswholesale.net
BEST FURNITURE STORE
Winner: Home Consignment Center
17603 La Cantera Parkway #130 (210) 558-3968 thehomeconsignmentcenter.com
Other San Antonio furniture retailers can’t stack up to the Home Consignment Center, at least when it comes to our readers. Shoppers at the used furniture outlet know everything they see has already “worked” in someone’s home, an assurance that they’ll probably find something to fit their aesthetic. And then there’s the variety — treasures lie in every corner, from
sleek Midcentury pieces to contemporary items that look like they’ve come straight from a showroom. Art lines the walls, and cases offer a wide variety of jewelry to browse. On a recent visit, it was hard to pass up a pair of vintage framed San Antonio Tejano Conjunto Festival posters priced at $99 each.
Period Modern
4347 McCullough Ave. (210) 902-1217 periodmodern.com
3. Office Furniture Liquidations
6838 Bandera Road (210) 823-3744 officefurnituresa.com
BEST JEWELRY STORE
Winner: James Avery Artisan Jewelry Multiple locations jamesavery.com
2. Kendra Scott
Multiple locations kendrascott.com
3. Americus Diamond
12362 W. I-10 Frontage Road (210) 561-1000 americusdiamond.com
BEST LIQUOR STORE
Winner: Spec’s Wine, Spirits & Finer Foods
Multiple locations specsonline.com
2. Twin Liquors
Multiple locations twinliquors.com
3. Alamo City Liquor
Multiple locations alamocityliquorblog.wordpress.com
BEST LOCAL CORNER STORE
Winner: Fischer’s Neighborhood Market
Multiple locations fischersmkt.com
2. Molina’s San Antonio Country Store
700 N. Alamo St. (210) 444-0711 molinassanantoniocountrystore.net
3. Bar Loretta Market
320 Beauregard St. (210) 757-3607 barloretta.com
BEST LOCALLY MADE PRODUCT
Winner: Ricos Products 830 S. Presa St. (210) 222-1415 ricos.com
As far as San Antonio success stories go, Ricos Products is one for the books. Founded in 1909 by Sicilian immigrant Rosario “Frank” Liberto, the endeavor began as a humble grocery store and butcher shop. Over the years, his Liberto Market and Grocery became a major player in the peanut market, selling to passenger trains and traveling circuses and eventually emerging as one of the nation’s first concessions suppliers. Eventually renamed Ricos Products after his son Enrico, the business expanded across Texas by opening a string of snack bars selling hot dogs, popcorn and snow cones in malls and drive-in theaters. In 1976, Ricos struck gold with the crowd-friendly innovation of “concession nachos” — a winning combination of melted cheese sauce, sturdy tortilla chips and jalapeños. Since becoming a mainstay in movie theaters and stadiums
in the 1970s, Ricos nachos have handily conquered the global snack market and are now sold in more than 60 countries around the world. To celebrate this rich history, the family-owned business even established a Ricos Museum at its Southtown headquarters, which also houses a cash-and-carry store echoing its roots as a homegrown grocer.
2. Son of a Sailor 904 Nolan St. sonofasailor.co
3. Casa Chocolates
555 W. Bitters Road #127 (210) 570-2225 casachocolates.com
BEST MALL/SHOPPING CENTER
Winner: The Shops at La Cantera 15900 La Cantera Parkway theshopsatlacantera.com
Not really a mall but more of a placid, open-air stroll, the Shops at La Cantera development offers more than 150 high-end retail spots along with
a diverse array of dining options. Dappled in shade, gardens and adorned with water features, it’s easy to see why USA Today recently named the destination the nation’s No. 1 Shopping Center just on the eve of its 20th birthday. La Cantera has become the source of luxury staples in San Antonio and beyond.
2. Alamo Quarry Market 255 E. Basse Road (210) 824-8885 quarrymarket.com
3. Shops at Rivercenter 849 E. Commerce St. (210) 225-0000 shoprivercenter.com
BEST MUSICAL INSTRUMENT STORE
Winner: Alamo Music Center 425 N. Main Ave. (210) 224-1010 alamomusic.com
2. Bexar Music 1016 Townsend Ave. (210) 255-1922
bexarmusicsatx.com
3. Hillje Music Center Multiple locations hilljemusic.com
BEST PET BOUTIQUE/ PET SUPPLIES
Winner: Pet’s Barn Multiple locations petsbarn.com
2. Fine Whines & Lickers Dog Bar and Spa
300 W. Bitters Road #160 (210) 245-0519 fwldogbar.com
3. Polly’s Pet Shop 940 Pat Booker Road (210) 658-0420 pollyspets.com
BEST PLACE TO BUY A MOTORCYCLE
Winner: Caliente Harley-Davidson 7230 NW Loop 410 (210) 681-2254 calienteharley.com
TIE:
2. BMW Motorcycles of San Antonio 9929 Broadway (210) 828-5513 bmwmcsat.com
2. Dream Machines of San Antonio 12241 San Pedro Ave. #100 (210) 463-9090 dreammachinesofsanantonio.com
3. Family PowerSports Alamo 11900 I-10 West (210) 696-2000 familypowersports.com
BEST PLACE TO BUY A PIÑATA
Winner: Amols’ Party and Fiesta Store
227 Fredericksburg Road (210) 227-1457 amols.com
2. Historic Market Square 514 W. Commerce St. (210) 207-8600 marketsquaresa.com
3. Piñata Time Multiple locations instagram.com/pinatatimesa
BEST PLANT NURSERY
Winner: Rainbow Gardens Multiple locations rainbowgardens.biz
Rainbow Gardens’ moniker is well-chosen given the abundance of colorful plants at its two expansive, park-like locations, 8516 Bandera Road and 2585 Thousand Oaks Drive. Each store hosts a hard-to-match variety of what the owners term “green goods,” from fruit trees and flowers to herbs and indoor plants. Indeed, it’s easy to lose track of time exploring the beautiful and serene surroundings. Both locations also stock a wide variety of gardening products, clay pots, yard decor, water features and other essentials. Those looking to up their gardening game will appreciate the informative signage the business uses to offer information on the proper care of its plants.
2. Milberger’s Landscaping and Nursery
3920 N. Loop 1604 East (210) 497-3760 milbergernursery.com
3. Shades of Green Nursery
334 W. Sunset Road (210) 824-3772 shadesofgreensa.com
BEST RECORD STORE
Winner: Batcave Vinyl 555 W. Bitters Road #122 (210) 990-0071 facebook.com/batcavevinylllc
Vinyl enthusiasts aren’t afraid to dig for gold. Give ‘em a dimly lit shop cluttered with crates full of vintage releases, and most are happy to while away the time looking for elusive additions to their collections. Tucked into the cluster of specialty shops that make up the Alley on Bitters, Batcave Vinyl is just such a digger’s paradise. Now in its fifth year in the location, the business offers an abundance of vintage vinyl, going back to the 1930s. Two nuggets that stuck out on a recent visit were a pristine copy of the Dave Brubeck Quartet’s Jazz Impressions of Japan and a copy of the
Scorpions’ Tokyo Tapes double-signed by the whole band. In addition to all that vinyl, owner Blaine Pendergraff also stocks CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes, used stereo equipment and such a dizzying array of memorabilia — from gig posters to signed drumheads — that it fills both the walls and the ceiling.
2. Hogwild Records Tapes & CDs
1824 N. Main Ave. (210) 733-5354 instagram.com/hogwildrecords
3. Southtown Vinyl
1112 S. St. Mary’s St. (210) 231-0512 southtownvinyl.com
BEST SMOKE SHOP
Winner: Hazel Sky Smoke & Vape Multiple locations hazelskysmokeshop.com
2. Smokerz Paradize Multiple locations smokerzparadize.com
3. Smokers Galaxy Multiple locations sasmokersgalaxy.com
BEST VINTAGE OR USED CLOTHING STORE
Winner: Texas Thrift Multiple locations texasthrift.com
Thrifting has become so gentrified that it’s now commonplace to walk into some second-hand stores and see a faded concert T-shirt with a $100 price tag. Thankfully, some truly thrifty thrift stores are still holding the line, allowing budget-conscious shoppers to get great stuff for dirt cheap. And the Current’s readers put the Texas Thrift chain at the top of that discount heap. Inventory ranges from a wide selection of men’s and women’s clothes to knick-knacks, home goods and toys. Texas Thrift also lets customers double down on the deals with senior discounts every Tuesday and military discounts every Wednesday.
2. Boysville Thrift Store
307 W. Olmos Drive (210) 826-2195 boysvillethriftstore.com
3. Thrift at the Warehouse Multiple locations thriftatthewarehouse.com
Come celebrate with us and enjoy: • Coffee • Kombucha
• Sourdough pastries
• Sourdough bread
Pearl Farmers Market
312 Pearl Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78215
Saturdays and Sundays 9am-1pm
Alamo Heights Farmers Market
255 E Basse Rd, San Antonio, TX 78209
Sundays 10am-2pm
Modern studio, one-, and two-bedroom residences and townhomes, are all part of The Creamery District. Experience a curated collection of amenities tailored to your lifestyle. Immerse yourself in the intimate ambiance of the speakeasy, relax above the city on the 6th-floor sky lounge or find focus in thoughtfully designed conference and micro-office spaces. Enjoy a short stroll to nearby restaurants and the Riverwalk. Located just north of the Pearl and downtown San Antonio.
BEST ALL-TIME SPURS PLAYER
Winner: Tim Duncan
There’s no denying No. 21’s unparalleled impact on the San Antonio Spurs’ winning culture. During his 19-year reign, Tim Duncan led the Spurs to five NBA championships, earned two NBA MVP awards and was named NBA Finals MVP three times. His quiet dominance on both ends of the court set the standard for NBA excellence. Duncan redefined his position as power forward in one of the most successful eras in NBA history. Beyond the stats, he embodied the meaning of teamwork and professionalism, making him the face and heart of our beloved basketball franchise.
2. David Robinson
3. Manu Ginobili
BEST CHEF
Winner: Ana Sofia Sada, Culinary Institute of America
312 Pearl Parkway, Building 2, Suite 2102 (210) 554-6400 ciachef.edu
2. Geronimo Lopez, Hotel Emma/ Supper 136 E. Grayson St. (210) 448-8300 thehotelemma.com
3. Christopher Cullum, Cullum’s Attaboy 111 Kings Court (726) 229-7301 cullumsattaboy.com
BEST DRAG PERFORMER
Winner: Kristi Waters instagram.com/thekristiwaters
Since arriving in San Antonio a decade ago, former Corpus Christi s choolteacher Kristi Waters has earned accolades and titles spanning from Grand Marshal of the inaugural Pride River Parade to Countess of the River Walk. She’s also won Best Drag Performer in Current’s annual poll for six years and counting. One of the hardest-working queens on the San Antonio scene, Waters has created one-woman comedy shows and acted in campy Golden Girls spoofs while multitasking as an unsinkable performer, entertainment director and DJ. When Waters announced she’d be dipping out of the spotlight to undergo cancer treatment this summer, the outpouring of love and support was nothing short of inspiring. Evidenced by her devoted fan base, Waters isn’t just a key member of our LGBTQ+ scene, she’s
the hot-pink glitter glue holding it together. Now that the wigs have come off as she tackles chemotherapy and radiation, Waters has been documenting her cancer journey in soul-bearing Instagram posts punctuated with the hashtags #KristiWatersStrong and #CancerCanSuckIt. Among the hundreds of supportive comments have been shoutouts from RuPaul’s Drag Race stars including Kimora Blac, Kornbread “The Snack” Jeté and Brooke Lynn Hytes — the latter of whom shared our very sentiments: “You got this!!!”
2. Valenteno Capri instagram.com/kingvalentenocapri
3. Maria G instagram.com/respar5
BEST INSTAGRAM INFLUENCER
Winner: S.A. Foodie instagram.com/s.a.foodie
With so many people on the brink of mass layoffs, it’s fascinating to know that younger generations are using the power of social media to manifest their destinies. Take this year’s Best Instagram Influencer, Amanda Spencer. As S.A. Foodie, the industrious Spencer parlayed an interest in photography into a full lifestyle brand. With just 2,000 posts, her followers are inching up to 600,000, thanks to clever cross - platform marketing, event promotions and an enviable knack for finding perfect branding partners. S.A. Foodie’s future looks bright and shiny as its online profile.
2. David Elder instagram.com/eldereats
3. SA Texas Foodies instagram.com/satexasfoodies
BEST LOCAL CLOTHING DESIGNER
Winner: Hunsen Abequeer instagram.com/hunsen_abequeer
2. Austin Alegria instagram.com/alegria1987_
3. Gabriela Garcia Congrains congrainsdesign.com
BEST LOCAL RADIO SHOW
Winner: Live On Air With Rita, KLMO-FM instagram.com/ritamariehernandez
Tie:
2. The Sauce with Hot Mustard, KSYM-FM instagram.com/djhotmustard
2. The Urban Suite, KSYM-FM instagram.com/urbansuitesa
3. The Runout Groove, KRTU-FM instagram.com/__therunoutgroove__/
BEST METEOROLOGIST
Winner: Bill Taylor, KENS-TV kens5.com
ENS 5 meteorologist Bill Taylor has landed at the top of this BOSA category for the
sixth time in the past seven years. The Emmy-winning meteorologist started his career at the NBC affiliate in Lake Charles, Louisiana, before he made it to KENS 5, where he’s expected to celebrate his 30th anniversary next year. Taylor grew up in New Jersey and is a big New York Giants fan, but we won’t hold that against him. As long as he continues to provide San Antonio residents with accurate forecasts, an approachable manner and an engaging sense of humor, it’s obvious Current readers are Team Taylor through and through.
2. Adam Caskey, KSAT-TV ksat.com
3. Jeannette Calle, WOAI-TV news4sanantonio.com
BEST NEWS ANCHOR
Winner: Isis Romero, KENS-TV kens5.com
KENS 5’s Isis Romero has taken top honors in the Best News Anchor category for four consecutive years. The streak coincided with the South Texas native’s 2022 jump to the station after being fired from KSAT, the station where she worked for 11 years. That departure came as a shock to many, especially since it came after Romero helped lead an audit that showed a lack of Latinos in San Antonio newsrooms. “Ultimately, it wasn’t my decision, and I have to respect that,” Romero told the Express-News last year. “I’m so grateful [to] now find myself at KENS 5 and be able to continue my career. My approach has been to try to move forward in a positive way.” Clearly, Current readers respect that positivity along with Romero’s professionalism and ease in front of the camera.
2. Steve Spriester, KSAT-TV ksat.com
3. Henry Ramos, KENS-TV kens5.com
B EST PET GROOMER
Winner: For the Love of Dogs Pet Boutique & Grooming 2815 N. Loop 1604 East, Suite 111 (210) 265-3611 fortheloveofdogstx.com
2. Fine Whines and Lickers Dog Bar & Spa
300 W. Bitters Road #160 (210) 245-0519 fwldogbar.com
3. Erta’s Pet Grooming 16915 Blanco Road (210) 236-5179 groomer.io/request/ertas
BEST PLASTIC SURGEON
Winner: Dr. Manuel A. Lopez, Advanced Aesthetics Lopez Plastic Surgery
Multiple locations lopezplasticsurgery.com
Dr. Manuel A. Lopez has certainly made his mark on San Antonio with his Advanced Aesthetics Lopez Plastic Surgery practice. Lopez covers surgical, non-surgical, L Med Spa and a variety of wellness procedures, showing his versatility. And reflecting the high demand for his services, he operates clinics in Alamo Heights, Stone Oak and Boerne areas. A board-certified facial, plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Lopez earned his Bachelor of Science in Physiological
Sciences at the University of California at Los Angeles and attended medical school at the University of Louisville. His residency was at the University of Cincinnati Department of Otolaryngology.
2. Dr. Wendie Grunberg, Alluring Aesthetics
16530 Huebner Road #211 (210) 714-5390 alluringaesthetics.com
3. Dr. William Albright, Alamo Plastic Surgery 941 Proton Road (210) 670-5302 alamoplasticsurgery.com
BEST REALTOR
Winner: Akil Robinson instagram.com/robinsonakil3drealty
Air Force veteran Akil Robinson has been in the real-estate business for a little more than 10 years, and that’s clearly long enough to make an impression with Current readers. Robinson says around 75% of his business is referrals, and he prides himself on being dedicated to finding clients the right home at the right price in the right area — all while taking advantage of all the incentives that are
available, especially in this challenging market. Robinson prides himself on being an attentive listener who pays attention to what his clients are looking for and offers options to match their criteria.
2. Montana Kloss montanakloss.com
3. Jamie Zapata jewel.realestate
20 YEARS OF SERVICE AND COUNTING…
Thank you, San Antonio, for naming us Best Local Corner Store!
Fischer’s Neighborhood Market pride themselves on being a social hub of their local neighborhoods. A place where friends, neighbors, and travelers can come together to rest, fuel up, grab some coffee or snacks, and take a break from the road – while making a difference in our local community.
BEST CHIROPRACTOR
Winner: Renew Texas Family Chiropractic
18830 Forty Six Parkway, Building 1, Suite B, Spring Branch (830) 327-7327 renewfamilytx.com
2. San Antonio Family Chiropractic
9386 Huebner Road, Suite 100 (210) 699-0158 safamilychiro.com
3. Aloha Wellness - Chiropractic & Nutrition
12915 Jones Maltsberger Road, Suite 604 (210) 377-3379 alohachiro.com
BEST ACUPUNCTURIST OR ACUPUNCTURE PRACTICE
Winner: Essence Acupuncture Wellness
2191 NW Military Highway, Suite 2191 (210) 236-5862 essenceacupuncturewellness.com
Led by Dr. Chasity B. Hancock, a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist, Essence Acupuncture Wellness uses herbal medicine and mindbody practices such as acupuncture to treat or prevent conditions ranging from pain and addiction to respiratory issues and digestive disorders. Hancock and her team offer individualized treatment plans and strive to maintain a calm environment that also includes massage and spa treatments. “Our goal is to steer you back to living a more natural and healthy lifestyle and to ultimately free you from discomfort,” Essence says of its work.
2. Magic TCM
18756 Stone Oak Parkway, Suite 200 (210) 214-0729 magictcm.com
3. Alamo Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Clinic
Multiple locations alamoacupuncturesa.com
BEST AUTO BODY SHOP
Winner: San Antonio Collision Center
4247 Industrial Center Drive (210) 257-0366 sanantoniocollisioncenter.com
Founded by Ramon Lira Sr., whose industry experience includes 20 years as Gunn Collision’s body
shop manager and 15 years at Alamo Toyota, San Antonio Collision Center strives to bring quality and safety to customers needing collision repairs. While consolidation by regional and national players has swept the body shop business, San Antonio Collision Center remains locally owned and focused on delivering timely, high-quality repairs and helping customers understand the process. While dealing with the aftermath of a wreck is never fun, online customer reviews praised San Antonio Collision Center’s staff
BEST AUTO REPAIR SHOP
Winner: Belden’s Automotive & Tires
Multiple locations greatwater360autocare.com/auto-group/beldens-automotive-tires
2. Premier1 Auto Care
Multiple locations premier1auto.com
3. AT Automotive 950 W. Hildebrand Ave. (210) 734-2050 atautosa.com
BEST LOCAL BANK/BEST INSURANCE COMPANY OR AGENCY Winner: USAA Multiple locations usaa.com
LOCAL BANK:
2. Frost Bank Multiple locations frostbank.com
3. Broadway Bank Multiple locations broadway.bank
INSURANCE COMPANY OR AGENCY: 2. RBFCU Insurance Group Multiple locations rbfcu.org
TIE:
3. Texas United Insurance 6322 Sovereign Drive, Suite 220 (210) 344-7800 txunitedinsurance.com
3. AHIA
Multiple locations ahiabenefits.com
BEST BARBERSHOP
for being friendly, communicative and delivering top-notch work.
2. Miracle Body and Paint Collision Center
Multiple locations miraclebodyandpaint.com
3. Blue Ribbon Auto Collision Center 10910 Perrin Beitel Road (210) 637-7665 blueribbonautocollision.com
Winner: Urban City Barbershop 849 E. Commerce St., Suite 748 (210) 523-1200 urbancitybarbershop.com
If something endures for more than a decade, is it still a trend? Sorry folks, but bushy beards and ironic mustaches are here to stay. The trick is to keep one’s skin and said facial growth healthy and respectably coiffed. Committed to providing their customers with the best sprucing services and high-end grooming products — as well as excellent hospitality and ambiance
— Urban City Barbershop is many readers’ one-stop service shop for hipster face bush upkeep and more.
2. Fineline Barbershop Multiple locations finelinebarbershopsa.com
3. Boardroom Styling Lounge
Multiple locations boardroomstylinglounge.com
BEST CAR WASH
Winner: The Wash Tub Multiple locations washtub.com
2. The Bubble Bath Carwash Multiple locations thebubblebathcarwash.com
3. The Car Wash Express
Multiple locations thecarwashexpress.com
BEST CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY OR FIRM
Winner: Lahood Norton 16500 San Pedro Ave., Suite 300 (210) 797-7700 lahoodnorton.com
2. Raymond Martinez Attorney at Law
2. Image 360 Multiple locations image360.com
3. Culebra Print Shop 8034 Culebra Road, Suite 113-114 (210) 368-2523 culebraprinthouse.com
BEST DRY CLEANER
Winner: Comet Cleaners and Laundry Multiple locations cometsatx.com
2. Five Star Cleaners Multiple locations facebook.com/myfivestarcleaners.sa
3. Culpepper Cleaners
Multiple locations culpeppercleaners.com
BEST DENTIST
Winner: Kaci Tibbetts, KLT Dentistry
3223 Thousand Oaks Drive, Suite 102 (210) 496-5422 kltdentistry.com
Instagram / urbancitybarbercompany
301 Fair Ave. (210) 736-4656 jailreleasesanantonio.com
3. The Locke Law Group Multiple locations thelockelawgroup.com
BEST CRYOTHERAPY
Winner: Total Regen Whole Body Cryo 17910 Bulverde Road, Suite 103 (210) 701-8822 totalregencryo.com
2. Bioworx Alamo Heights 6486 N. New Braunfels Ave. (210) 375-9087 mybioworx.com/san-antonio-tx-alamo-heights
3. Oasis Cryo & Health Spa 13133 N.W. Military Highway, Suite 400 (726) 582-8910 oasiscryo.com
BEST CUSTOM SIGNS AND BANNERS
Winner: Alamo Prints 4 Dominion Drive, Building 4, Suite 100 (210) 233-6395 alamoprints.com
(210) 226-1463 goldsteinhilley.com
3. Austin Hagee Law Firm
120 Austin Highway, Suite 103 (210) 500-3700 austinhageelaw.com
BEST EYE DOCTOR/EYEGLASS BOUTIQUE
Winner: Medina Eye Care 2903 N. St. Mary’s St. (210) 225-4141 medinaeyecare.net
Dr. Arthur A. Medina Jr. is a local, having graduated from Central Catholic High School. He opened Medina Eye Care 45 years ago and built one of the largest refractive surgery practices in the country. Medina Eye Care was once the official eye care provider of the San Antonio Spurs, but one needn’t be a sports star to get great treatment. Patients can visit Medina in San Antonio or Castroville for vision evaluation, corrective lenses, eye disease diagnosis, Lasik consultation or cataract surgery consultation.
2. Kara Tapangan, Sonterra Dental
255 E. Sonterra Blvd., Suite 150 (210) 741-8708 sonterradentalcare.com
3. Olmos Park Dentistry 4340 McCullough Ave. (210) 767-3525 olmosparkdental.com
BEST DERMATOLOGIST
Winner: LIV Dermatology & Aesthetics
3603 Paesanos Parkway, Suite 100 (210) 504-9668 livdermatology.com
2. Dermatology Associates of San Antonio Multiple locations dermsa.com
3. Alamo Heights Dermatology Multiple locations alamoheightsderm.com
BEST DUI ATTORNEY OR FIRM
Winner: Ramos & Del Cueto PLLC 823 Hoefgen Ave. (210) 761-6004 ramosdelcueto.com
2. Goldstein & Orr 315 E. Commerce St., Suite 301
2. San Antonio Eye Center Multiple locations saeye.com
3. San Antonio Eyeworks
4553 N. Loop 1604 West, Suite 1225 (210) 251-2372 saeyeworks.com
BEST EYELASH OR BROW SALON
Winner: The Lash Doctor 1019 Camden St. (210) 778-4504 thelashdoctorsa.com
2. Beauty Haus
119 Heiman St., Suite 300 (210) 600-3373 instagram.com/beautyhaus.sa
3. Vanity XXI — The Lash Experts 742 Northwest Loop 410, Suite 113 vanityxxi.com
BEST FAMILY LAW ATTORNEY OR FIRM
Winner: The Law Office of Rebecca J. Carrillo
12915 Jones Maltsberger Road, Suite 524 (210) 405-6623 rjc-lawfirm.com
When irreconcilable differences surface, it’s nice to know that someone has your back. Since 2009, the Law Office of Rebecca J. Carrillo has helped locals navigate the bumpy terrain of family law matters including divorce, child support review and hearings, custody and adoption. Carrillo has appeared on best-of lists for more than 15 years due to her expertise both in and out of the courtroom along with a perfect 10.0 rating on the avvo.com online directory of attorneys.
2. Barton & Associates Attorneys at Law, PLLC 115 Camaron St. (210) 864-1299 bartonlawoffice.com
3. The Cook Law Firm & Associates, PLLC
8000 I-10 Frontage Road, Suite 1504 (210) 791-8941 oureasydivorce.com
BEST CREDIT UNION
Winner: Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union
Multiple locations rbfcu.org
2. Security Service Federal Credit Union
Multiple locations ssfcu.org
3. Credit Human Multiple locations credithuman.com
BEST FINANCIAL PLANNER OR FIRM
Winner: Stone Oak Wealth Management 19026 Ridgewood Parkway, Suite 134 (210) 339-2707 stoneoakwealth.com
The people you trust to manage your wealth should only have your best interests at heart. The team at Stone Oak Wealth Management prides itself on having such motivations. As fiduciaries, they’re legally and ethically obligated to act in the client’s best interest. The team doesn’t sell branded financial products like a commercial brokerage. Stone Oak is also a faith-based wealth management firm, incorporating Christian principles into its investment portfolio.
2. Pax Financial Group 270 N. Loop 1604 East, Suite 200
(210) 881-5700 paxfinancialgroup.com
3. Teamwork Financial Group
8 Dominion Drive, Building 100, Suite 103 (210) 687-1333 teamworkfinancial.com
BEST GENERAL PHYSICIAN (PRIMARY CARE)
Winner: Dr. Jessica Kitchen, UT Health Westover Hills — Family Medicine 11212 Highway 151, Suite 100 (210) 450-9900 uthscsa.edu/physicians/location/ Westover-Hills
Finding a primary care physician who’s a good fit for you and your family seems to get harder as single-doctor practices give way to large medical groups looking to speed up visits so they can make up for flat or declining reimbursements. However, judging from online reviews patients leave for Dr. Jessica Kitchen, she bucks that trend by finding time to hear out her patients. Words that repeatedly come up include “thorough,” “caring”
and “respectful.” Several remarked that they don’t feel rushed during appointments. “Dr. Kitchen is great at listening to my concerns and questions,” another said. If Current readers have similar experiences, it’s easy to see why the good doctor ended up a winner in her category.
2. Tina H. Boylston, Southwest Children’s Center 5282 Medical Drive, Suite 310 (210) 614-8687 southwestchildrenscenter.com
3. Brandon L. Bolfing, UT Health Shavano 14530 NW Military Highway (210) 450-6620 uthscsa.edu/physicians/location/ UT-Health-Shavano
BEST HAIR SALON
Winner: Nickie’s Hair Studio 8088 Old Austin Road, Suite 1A, Selma (210) 929-2206 nickies-hair-studio.square.site
2. Ysassi & Co. 6405 Blanco Road (210) 849-8141 ysassiandcosalon.com
3. Bixa Hair Studio 3617 Broadway, Suite 203 (210) 995-2447 bixahairstudio.com
BEST HVAC/AC
Winner: Air & Plumbing Today 3615 Tavern Oaks St. (210) 519-5959 airandplumbingtoday.com
2. Cool Arrows Cooling & Heating coolarrowhvac.com
3. Beyer Air Conditioning & Heating 17153 Beyer John Drive, Selma (210) 503-7161 beyerairconditioningheating.com
BEST IV HYDRATION
Winner: Sweat Equity 809 S. St. Mary’s St. (210) 375-5319 sweatequitysa.com
2. The One Beauty Bar 3503 Paesanos Parkway, Suite 203 (210) 745-1120 theonebeautybar.com
3. HydraHive
1802 N. St. Mary’s St. (210) 255-1593 hydrahivesa.com
BEST LASIK PROVIDER
Winner: San Antonio Eye Specialists
2810 N. Loop 1604 West, Suite 200 (210) 822-9800 mysaeyes.com
2. Parkhurst NuVision LASIK Eye Surgery
9725 Datapoint Drive, Suite 106 (210) 585-2020 sanantonio-lasik.com
3. Manrique Custom Vision
15900 La Cantera Parkway, Suite 20215 (210) 354-2020 sa.manriqueeye.com
BEST LAW FIRM OVERALL/ BEST PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY OR FIRM
Winner: Thomas J. Henry Law
5711 University Heights Blvd., Suite 101 (210) 874-2615 thomasjhenrylaw.com
LAW FIRM OVERALL:
2. Carabin Shaw
875 E. Ashby Place, Suite 1100 (210) 222-2288 carabinshaw.com
3. Gamez Law Firm
2943 Mossrock Drive (210) 361-9645 joegamezlaw.com
PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY OR FIRM:
2. Carabin Shaw
875 E. Ashby Place, Suite 1100 (210) 222-2288 carabinshaw.com
3. Gamez Law Firm
2943 Mossrock Drive (210) 361-2691 joegamezlaw.com
BEST MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDER
Winner: Laurel Ridge Treatment Center
17720 Corporate Woods Drive (210) 491-9400 laurelridgetc.com
Laurel Ridge Treatment Center has provided behavioral health care and addiction treatment services since 1987. The 29-acre campus in north-central San Antonio offers a range of recreational activities for inpatient guests while also providing outpatient services. It has programs for adults, adolescents, families, active-duty and veteran military members. There is a satellite facility for the military on Babcock and one in Killeen. The website provides a comprehensive list of treatments and services available.
2. Alamo Area Counseling
4242 E. Piedras Drive, Suite 114 (210) 310-3212 alamoareacounseling.com
3. Cedar Hills Behavioral 1975 Babcock Road (210) 876-5001 cedarhillsbehavioral.com
BEST MOVERS
Winner: Einstein Moving Company
3400 Nacogdoches Road, Suite 6 (210) 794-6753 einsteinmoving.com
2. 3 Men Movers 3407 Steen St. (210) 337-6683 3menmovers.com
3. All My Sons Multiple locations
allmysons.com/sanantonio
BEST NAIL SALON
Winner: Quarry Nails
255 E. Basse Road, Suite 1080 (210) 930-9330 quarrynails.com
2. Bellagio Nail Studio 10003 NW Military Highway, Suite 3107 (210) 408-1512 bellagionailsa.com
3. Holly’s Nail & Bar 4002 Broadway (210) 821-7070 hollynailbarsatx.com
BEST OB/GYN
Winner: Women’s Health Institute
222 W. Cypress St., Suite 200 (210) 226-9705 whisanantonio.com
Women’s Health Institute prides itself in taking the guesswork out of prenatal care. The practice’s information-forward, high-quality services begin with prenatal visits and in-house services by accredited ultrasonographers, laboratory testing and fetal monitoring. Women’s Health Institute also offers classes to help families prepare for new additions and its staffers encourage expectant mothers to develop their own birth plans, assisted or natural. From family planning and pregnancy care to
peri- and menopause management and gynecologic surgeries, this practice has clearly earned the support and trust of Current readers.
Tie: Lone Star OB/GYN Associates 7950 Floyd Curl Drive, Suites 300 and 400 (210) 615-6505 lonestarobgyn.com
Seven Oaks Women’s Center Multiple locations sevenoakswomens.com
3. Cornforth Gynecology and Medspa 430 W. Sunset Road, Suite 301 (210) 538-8660 cornforthgyn.com
BEST ORTHODONTIST
Winner: Texas Family Orthodontics
Multiple locations texasfamilyorthodontics.com
2. Hulme Orthodontics Multiple locations hulmeortho.com
3. Stone Oak Orthodontics Multiple locations stoneoakorthodontics.com
BEST PERSONAL TRAINING STUDIO
Winner: Alio Fitness Club 15909 San Pedro Ave., Suite 116 (210) 490-2546 aliofitnessclub.com
2. Soul Fitness San Antonio 14886 Tradesman Drive (210) 391-9795 soulfitsa.com
3. River City Strength 2211 NW Military Highway, Suite 128 (210) 934-7590 rivercity-strength.com
BEST PEST CONTROL
Winner: ABC Pest Control 10644 I-35 Frontage Road (210) 599-9500 abchomeandcommercial.com/sanantonio
With a track record dating back to 1949 and locations spread across the state, it’s easy to see why so many readers turn to ABC Pest Control to run off unwanted critters. The Austin-based
company offers a variety of services suited to the area’s warm climate and abundant water, both of which provide ample breeding ground for pests. Among its many services, the company offers roach extermination, bedbug treatment and termite control. Further, ABC is proud to give back to the communities it serves by contributing to and volunteering with organizations including the American Heart Association and Communities in Schools of Central Texas.
2. Beeline Pest Control 4704 Broom St. (210) 739-1320 texasbeeline.com/locations/san-antonio-texas
3. Pro Defense Pest Control 12951 Huebner Road, Suite 780371 (210) 901-9150 prodefensepestcontrol.com/san-antonio
BEST PHYSICAL THERAPY CLINIC
Winner: Airrosti Multiple locations airrosti.com/sanantonio
2. TSAOG Orthopaedics & Spine
Multiple locations tsaog.com
3. San Antonio Center for Physical Therapy
18518 Hardy Oak Blvd., Suite 210 (210) 545-5222 sacpt.com
BEST PLUMBING COMPANY
Winner: Air & Plumbing Today 3615 Tavern Oaks St.
Rangel Real Estate Group has the talent and tools to help clients buy, sell or rent the home that’s right for them. The firm’s website is packed with available listings and helpful articles to help homebuyers and sellers.
2. Keller Williams Heritage 1717 N. Loop 1604 East (210) 493-3030 kwsanantonio.com
3. Phyllis Browning Multiple locations phyllisbrowning.com
BEST ROOFING COMPANY
with emergency surgery after another vet recommended euthanasia. One lauded Kirby for working “all day every day,” and another commended him for taking emergency calls in the middle of the night. While the clinic is small, it’s easy to see why so many readers voted it tops in this category.
2. The Ark Pet Hospital 21518 Blanco Road, Suite 103 (210) 495-8387 thearksa.com
3. Stone Oak Veterinary Clinic
(210) 519-5959 airandplumbingtoday.com
2. Big City Plumbing 4274 Gatecrest (210) 499-1010 bigcityplumbingsa.com
3. Beyer Plumbing Company Multiple locations (210) 809-4111 beyerplumbing.com
BEST REAL ESTATE ATTORNEY OR FIRM
Winner: R.L. Wilson Law Firm 16607 Blanco Road, Suite 501 (210) 223-4100 sa-law.com
2. Nathan Cace, Cace Law 6609 Blanco Road, Suite 235 (210) 874-2223 cacelaw.com
3. Langley & Banack Inc. 745 E. Mulberry Ave., Suite 700 (210) 736-6600 langleybanack.com
BEST REAL ESTATE FIRM/ AGENCY
Winner: Rangel Real Estate Group 4204 Gardendale Road, Suite 308 (210) 334-7717 rangelrealestategroup.com
Rangel Real Estate Group chief
Sandra Rangel says her West Side upbringing drives her to help clients realize their homeownership dreams. Having a passionate advocate is essential given the economic climate. The team at the boutique
Winner: Apex Roofing & General Contractors 8131 W. Hausman Road, Suite 103 (726) 727-7663 apexroofing.biz
2. Roof Chiefs 18911 Hardy Oak Blvd. (210) 942-8162 roofchieftx.com
3. Rhino Roofers 4949 N. Loop 1604 West, Suite 250 (210) 756-2834 rhinoroofers.com
BEST SOLAR COMPANY
Winner: Roof Chiefs 18911 Hardy Oak Blvd. (210) 942-8162 roofchieftx.com
2. Solar Edge Pros 318 W Nakoma St. (210) 401-9030 solaredgepros.com
3. LoneStar Solar Cleaning & Pressure Washing (210) 642-2484 facebook.com/lonestarsolarcleaningtx
BEST VETERINARIAN OR VETERINARY CLINIC
Winner: Alamo Heights Pet Clinic 6488 N. New Braunfels Ave. (210) 821-5544 alamoheightspetclinic.com
Operated by experienced San Antonio veterinarian Dr. Dan Kirby, Alamo Heights Pet Clinic prides itself on helping families keep their pets healthy year-round through exercise and optimum nutrition. In online reviews, fans of the clinic praise Kirby’s compassion and care, with one commending him for saving a dog
18854 Stone Oak Parkway (360) 492-4934 yourstoneoakvet.com
BEST WAXING SALON
Winner: The Wax Bar Multiple locations bodywaxbar.com
2. Texas Wax Haus
13482 San Pedro Ave., Suite 138 (830) 391-6848 texaswaxhaus.com
3. Relax & Wax
101 W. Olmos Drive (210) 320-0611 relaxandwax.com
BEST WEDDING VENUE
Winner: The Witte Museum 3801 Broadway (210) 357-1900 wittemuseum.org
Located between the San Antonio River and Broadway, the Witte Museum is a place where science and culture converge. With vista views and five spaces to choose from — or the entire museum if price is no limit — this 10-acre campus has apparently become the prime wedding venue in town. The Witte’s archeology, history, geology and paleontology collections converge through the lens of what the museum calls “Texas Deep Time and the themes of Land, Sky and Water,” making it a truly Texan locale to hold nuptials.
2. La Cantera Resort & Spa 16641 La Cantera Parkway (210) 874-4073 lacanteraresort.com
3. Hotel Valencia Riverwalk
150 E. Houston St. (210) 227-9700 hotelvalencia-riverwalk.com
BEST APARTMENT BUILDING OR COMMUNITY
Winner: Tin Top Flats at the Creamery
847 E Ashby Place (210) 985-0940 tintopsa.com
2. Park at Stone Oak 20727 Stone Oak Parkway (210) 934-6812 parkatstoneoak.com
3. Artessa at Quarry Village
300 E. Basse Road (210) 871-8981 artessaatquarryvillage.com
BEST ART GALLERY
Winner: Hopscotch San Antonio 711 Navarro St. Suite 100 (833) 477-9229 letshopscotch.com
Amusingly, not one of this year’s contenders for Best Art Gallery quite identifies as a gallery. While Hopscotch aptly bills itself as a commercial “brand” with locations in San Antonio and Portland, Oregon, both Contemporary at Blue Star and Ruby City consider themselves contemporary art spaces that contain multiple galleries. (Forgive the technical digression as we tip our hats to the many deserving artist-run galleries that help make San Antonio’s art scene tick.) Situated in an office building off Travis Park, Hopscotch beckons with neon energy, a trendy gift shop and a full bar to boot. While falling in line with other so-called “Instagram museums” such as Meow Wolf and Otherworld, Hopscotch actually does a commendable job of including local talent in its eye-catching exhibits and has collaborated with the likes of Ansen Seale, Gary Sweeney, Ana Hernández Burwell, Justin Parr, Amada Claire Miller, Los Otros and Essentials Creative. Known for experiential, kid-friendly displays involving dazzling lighting effects, cinematic sounds and interactive elements, Hopscotch begs to be captured (charge that cellphone). And at $24 a pop, it’s also the priciest “gallery” in town.
2. Contemporary at Blue Star
116 Blue Star (210) 227-6960 contemporarysa.org
3. Ruby City 150 Camp St. (210) 227-8400 rubycity.org
BEST BOWLING ALLEY
Winner: Pinstack Multiple locations pinstackbowl.com
2. Astro Super Bowl 3203 Harry Wurzbach Road (210) 824-6348 astrosuperbowl.com
3. Bandera Bowling Center 6700 Huebner Road (210) 523-1716 banderabowlingcenter.com
BEST BURLESQUE TROUPE
Winner: The DollHaus instagram.com/thedollhaussatx
The DollHaus celebrates creativity through their burlesque and dance performances, as well as their exclusive classes. Many of their past performances have been held at the swanky Havana Hotel bar, while the venue’s terrace is reserved for teaching the public how to feign school glamour and the b ump-andgrind at $15 dollars a pop. Keeping a rather low online profile, their shows take on the mystique of backroom speakeasys—epic engagements on the
downlow held just before the magic hour.
2. Haus of Erotique instagram.com/hausoferotique.tx
3. Pastie Pops instagram.com/pastiepops
BEST CITY PARK
Winner: Brackenridge Park 3700 N. St. Mary’s St. (210) 207-7275 brackenridgepark.org
2. Phil Hardberger Park 8400 NW Military Highway (210) 492-7472 philhardbergerpark.org
3. Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair 434 S Alamo St. (210) 709-4750 hemisfair.org
BEST COMEDY CLUB
Winner: Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club
618 Northwest Loop 410 #312 (210) 541-8805 improvtx.com/sanantonio
The LOL Comedy Club has topped the Best Of list for more than a decade, so it’s safe to say it’s a dominant force in SA’s comedy scene, especially since it’s one of the few clubs here that’s consistently booking big names in the industry. Earlier this month, LOL welcomed Kevin Nealon (Saturday Night Live). This week, Mike Epps (The Hangover) is taking the spotlight. Other headliners coming to LOL this year include Jay Pharoah, D.L. Hughley, Marlon Wayans and Steve Hofstetter.
2. Woodlawn Comedy 1920 Fredericksburg Road (210) 255-1336 woodlawncomedy.com
3. Little Improv Theater — ComedySportz 11950 Starcrest Drive #210 (210) 338-0279 cszsa.com
BEST COMMUNITY THEATER
Winner: San Pedro Playhouse 800 W. Ashby Place (210) 733-7258 www.sanpedroplayhouse.org
The history of the San Pedro Playhouse is fascinating – formed as the San Antonio Little Theatre in 1927, housed in a faithful replica of the long-demolished Old Market House in 1930, and now one of the leading artistic hubs in the city. The Playhouse “fosters a thriving arts community, contributing to the region’s vibrancy and creativity.” Currently, the Playhouse is performing the feel-good musical Hairspray through Aug. 17. The 2025 season will continue with the shows Real Women Have Curves, Disney’s Frozen and The
Frosty Follies: A Holiday Cabaret. In 2026, mark your calendar for shows including Dreamgirls, Twelfth Night, Steel Magnolias and Evita.
2. San Antonio Broadway Theatre 2241 NW Military Highway, Suite 201A (210) 601-0450 sabroadwaytheatre.com
3. Second Act Productions 20318 Huebner Road, Suite 125 (330) 354-1587 secondactsa.com
BEST DAY SPA/BEST MED SPA
Winner: Magnolia Medical & Aesthetics
19141 Stone Oak Parkway #504 (210) 600-3335 magnoliamedskin.com
Skincare is vital, given it’s your largest organ. And why not make it look good while you’re at it?
Numerous spas offer Botox, microblading, dermal abrasion, skin tag and spider vein removal services. Magnolia offers a range of medical skincare services in addition to its aesthetic services. Medical dermatological services include treatment for moles, warts, acne, dermatitis and more. A team of licensed and certified medical professionals and estheticians is eager to help you achieve your wellness goals — and have a relaxing, pampering experience along the way.
2. La Cantera Resort & Spa 16641 La Cantera Parkway (210) 874-4073 lacanteraresort.com
3. Massage Therapy by Krissy
10615 Perrin Beitel Road, Suite 301 (210) 391-7588 massagetherapybykrissy.com
MED SPA
2. L Med Spa at Advanced Aesthetics Multiple locations lopezplasticsurgery.com
3. My Best Face Forward Aesthetics 946 N. Loop 1604 West #100 (210) 504-7266 mybffmedspa.com
BEST DOG PARK
Winner: Phil Hardberger Park — Northwest Military Highway and Blanco Road Dog Parks 8400 NW Military Highway and 13203 Blanco Road (210) 207-8590 philhardbergerpark.org
Nestled underneath a breathtaking canopy of live oaks, Phil Hardberger Park’s two dog parks — one on each side of the public space’s land bridge — provide a perfect setting for your pooch to get some outside time. Four-legged friends are free to roam the fenced-in parks and play on dog-friendly structures. Both also feature separate areas for small dogs. The parks also feature plenty of drinking stations for dogs of all shapes and sizes. Just be sure to clean up after your four-legged friends, which is made easy with the numerous doggie bags and waste disposal stations.
2. Hops & Hounds 1123 Avenue B (210) 259-8221 hopsandhoundsllc.com
3. Maverick Dog Park
310 E. Jones Ave. (210) 207-6000 sa.gov
BEST DOGGIE DAYCARE
Winner: Lucy’s Doggy Daycare and Spa Multiple locations lucysdoggydaycare.com
2. Dog Days San Antonio 1031 Patricia Drive, Suite 114 (210) 236-7111 dogdayssa.com
3. Pup Pup & Away 3701 San Pedro Ave.
In our classes and live productions, students of all ages and skill levels can explore their creative side, expand their presentation techniques, and grow in confidence.
(210) 899-1688 puppupandawaysa.com
BEST DRAG SHOW
Winner: Bonham Babes
411 Bonham St. (210) 224-9219 bonhamexchange.com
Didn’t you know? Sundays belong to the babes. The Bonham Exchange — which also won Best Dance Club and Best Gay Bar — has another feather in its cap this Best of San Antonio cycle: Best Drag Show. The Bonham Babes is a weekly series that takes place every Sunday at 11 p.m. and features an all-star cast including local performers Marz Paris, Aysia Rawze, Paige Taylor, Natasha Capri, Kimberly Capri and Valenteno Capri. The 18-and-up show would be a searing hot ticket any night of the week.
2. Kristi Waters Drag Brunch, Paramour at the Phipps
102 9th St., Floor 4 (210) 417-6559 paramourbar.com
3. Maria G Entertainment instagram.com/respar5
BEST EVENT VENUE
Winner: Boeing Center at Tech Port
3331 General Hudnell Drive (210) 600-3699 boeingcentertechport.com
Although San Antonio has a wealth of concert and event venues, Boeing Center at Tech Port clearly stands apart to Current readers — and with good reason. The $70 million state-of-the-art venue has a 3,200-seat capacity, but those seats can also be folded up to host non-concert events, including conventions and even toy and food drives. It’s also equipped with the latest technological bells and whistles, making it capable of hosting both esports competitions and interactive business events. A food court focused around local dining concepts sweetens the deal.
2. San Antonio Botanical Garden 555 Funston Place (210) 536-1400 sabot.org
3. Stable Hall 307 Pearl Parkway
(210) 212-7260 stablehall.com
BEST FAMILY ATTRACTION
Winner: San Antonio Zoo 3903 N. St. Mary’s St. (210) 734-7184 sazoo.org
2. Morgan’s Wonderland 5223 David Edwards Drive (210) 495-5888 morganswonderland.org
3. Legoland Discovery Center San Antonio
849 E. Commerce St., Suite 910 (210) 610-1150 legolanddiscoverycenter.com/san-antonio
BEST LOCAL GYM/ FITNESS CENTER
Winner: Gold’s Gym Multiple locations goldsgym.com
2. The Union Fitness & Fun Multiple locations theunionsa.com
3. JK Fitness 17006 San Pedro Ave.
(210) 888-2092 jk-fit.com
BEST HOSPITAL
Winner: Methodist Hospital 7700 Floyd Curl Drive (210) 575-4000 sahealth.com
2. University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive (210) 358-4000 universityhealth.com
3. Methodist Stone Oak Hospital 1139 E. Sonterra Blvd. (210) 638-2000 sahealth.com
BEST MINI GOLF
Winner: Cool Crest Miniature Golf Course 1402 Fredericksburg Road (210) 732-0222 coolcrestgolf.com
2. Cosmic Mayhem 903 E. Bitters Road, Suite 310 (210) 437-1072 cosmicmayhem.com
BEST MOVIE THEATER
Winner: Santikos Entertainment Various locations www.santikos.com
Locally founded and locally owned, the Santikos Entertainment theater chain has everything a movie-loving San Antonian could ask for. The regional chain puts an exceptional amount of care into its facilities, where you’ll find amenities such as full bars and 18-and-up luxury theaters. Further, Santikos’ eight local theaters are strategically spread across the city — from the Palladium at I-10 North outside Loop 1604 to the Mayan on Southwest Military Drive — and, unforeseen construction issues aside, they’re easy to reach. The company even operates cinemas in Cibolo and New Braunfels.
2. Alamo Drafthouse Multiple locations drafthouse.com
3. Flix Brewhouse 845 Loop 1604 (726) 800-7500
flixbrewhouse.com
BEST MUSEUM
Winner: Witte Museum
3801 Broadway (210) 357-1900 wittemuseum.org
Founded in 1926, the Witte has played an important role in the cultural education of many San Antonians, and it continues to spark the imaginations of locals, young and old. Situated on a 10-acre campus adjacent Brackenridge Park on the San Antonio River, the stately museum champions the trinity of nature, science and culture to great effect, displaying anything from towering dinosaur fossils and natural history dioramas to archeological artifacts and prime examples of early Texas art. An annual favorite that speaks to the hyper-local culture of San Antonio, the Witte’s annual Fiesta exhibition functions as a revolving archive of the intricate beaded gowns donned by Fiesta “royalty” during the Coronation of the Queen of the Order of the Alamo. Beyond its rotating exhibits and permanent gallery displays, the museum maintains an active calendar of special events that run the gamut from summer camps for kiddos to adults-only Cocktails & Culture evenings — not to mention guided field trips to experience the indigenous White Shaman Mural in the Lower Pecos Canyonlands.
2. McNay Art Museum
6000 N. New Braunfels Ave. (210) 824-5368 mcnayart.org
3. San Antonio Museum of Art 200 W. Jones Ave. (210) 978-8100 samuseum.org
BEST NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION
Winner: San Antonio Food Bank 5200 Historic Old Highway 90 West (210) 431-8326 safoodbank.org
2. San Antonio Pets Alive! Multiple locations sanantoniopetsalive.org
3. Rise Recovery 2803 Mossrock Drive (210) 227-2634 riserecovery.org
BEST PATIO
Winner: Elsewhere Garden Bar & Kitchen
103 E. Jones Ave. (210) 201-5595 elsewheretexas.com
2. The Cove 606 W. Cypress St. (210) 227-2683 thecove.us
3. La Gloria at The Pearl 100 E Grayson St. (210) 267-9040 chefjohnnyhernandez.com
BEST PET ADOPTION
Winner: Animal Defense League of Texas Multiple locations adltexas.org
Lost your pet? Found a stray animal? Looking to adopt a new family companion? The Animal Defense League of Texas takes in rescued fur babies and provides them with medical treatment and shelter. This safe, reliable no-kill shelter also offers low-cost spay and neuter services, free pet vaccination and microchip events along with education, training, grooming, emotional support and foster services. Please inquire how to become a foster if you can — a very urgent need this time of year, when strays are coming of age, and people are surrendering their animals in record numbers.
2. San Antonio Pets Alive! Multiple locations sanantoniopetsalive.org
3. San Antonio Humane Society 4804 Fredericksburg Road (210) 226-7461 sahumane.org
BEST PIERCING STUDIO/BEST TATTOO STUDIO
Winner: Twisted Tattoo 1031 Patricia Drive, Suite 100 (210) 923-8618 twistedtattootx.com
PIERCING STUDIO:
2. Buddha Box Studios 5337 Glen Ridge Drive (210) 647-2929 buddha-box.com
3. Platinum Tattoos & Piercings 5545 Northwest Loop 410, 103 B (210) 682-5239 platinumtattoos.com
TATTOO STUDIO:
2. Platinum Tattoos & Piercings 5545 Northwest Loop 410, 103 B (210) 682-5239 platinumtattoos.com
TIE:
3. Nostalgic Ink Tattoo Studio 3030 Thousand Oaks Drive, Suite 103 (210) 404-9988 nostalgicink.com
3. Final Touch Tattoo and Piercing Multiple locations finaltouchtattoo.com
BEST PILATES STUDIO
Winner: Pilates Studio 210 21134 US Highway 281, Suite 102 (210) 419-3864 pilatesstudio210.com
2. Reform You Pilates
20079 Stone Oak Parkway, Suite 1225 (210) 874-4298 reformyoupilates.com
3. Corefit Pilates & Barre Multiple locations corefittx.com
BEST PLACE TO HAVE A KIDS BIRTHDAY PARTY
Winner: Emmazing Play
5630 Northwest Loop 410 #103 (210) 870-0246 www.emmazingplay.com
Emmazing Play, a family-owned indoor play and party center, is to designed to “provide a safe, clean, spacious, colorful and fun place for family entertainment” with a focus on children from ages 3 months to 8 years. To keep youngsters entertained, the venue features a two-level playground filled with soft-play elements, climbers, slides, tunnels, ride-on cars and coasters — all tailor-made for a birthday celebration focused on getting active and being a kid. There’s even a special area exclusively for infants. Upcoming events include a Halloween celebration with Disney’s Mickey and Minnie Mouse on Oct. 26.
2. Kiddie Park
3903 N. St Mary’s St. (210) 734-7184 kiddiepark.com
3. Pinstack
Multiple locations pinstackbowl.com
BEST PLACE TO WORK
Winner: H-E-B
Multiple locations heb.com
For the second consecutive year, Current readers have named San Antonio-based H-E-B as the city’s best employer. Indeed, to locals the chain is more than “just a grocery store.” Rather, it’s a way of life and an important community partner. Whether it’s Hurricane Harvey or the 2025 Texas floods, H-E-B is on the ground to help folks out, often being the first on scene with its Disaster Relief Units and Mobile Kitchens. Its employees, which are referred to as “partners,” like working there too. Indeed, there’s a whole H-E-B podcast about just that. How many other grocers can claim that?
2. USAA
Multiple locations usaa.com
3. The Bread Box
555 W. Bitters Road #115 (210) 227-8612 thebreadboxsa.com
BEST PLAYGROUND
Winner: Morgan’s Wonderland 5223 David Edwards Drive (210) 495-5888 morganswonderland.org
2. Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair 434 S. Alamo St. (210) 709-4750 hemisfair.org
3. Legoland Discovery Center San Antonio
849 E. Commerce St., Suite 910 (210) 610-1150 legolanddiscoverycenter.com/san-antonio
BEST PRESCHOOL/DAYCARE
Winner: The Pineapple School Multiple locations thepineappleschool.com
The Pineapple School was founded in 2010 to immerse infants, toddlers, preschoolers and pre-kindergarteners in the Spanish language and culture of Latin America. The curriculum is built around the idea that a child who grows up learning another language and is exposed to diverse cultures typically turns out to be a more well-rounded adult. Pineapple School’s concept has been so successful that it now has three campuses — one each in North Central San Antonio, Stone Oak and Camp Bullis. The school accepts children as young as 6 weeks.
2. Imagination Child Development Center Multiple locations imaginationcdc.com
3. Pre-K 4 SA Multiple locations prek4sa.com
BEST SALSA DANCE STUDIO
Winner: Esta Dance Studio 7007 Bandera Road, Suite 10 (210) 984-3976 estanochestudio.com
2. Framboyan Dance Studio
6504 Bandera Road #2 (210) 330-2627 instagram.com/framboyandancecompany
3. La Rumba Dance Studio 15701 San Pedro Ave. (404) 394-3175 instagram.com/larumbadancestudio
BEST TANNING SALON
Winner: Tonic Tan 6391 De Zavala Road, Suite 1203 (210) 802-1964 tonictan.com
2. Golden Hour Tan 18771 FM-2252, Building 17 (210) 454-8414 goldenhourtantx.com
3. Confidence by Mariah Ashlen 946 N. Loop 1604 West, Suite 114 (443) 351-4995 confidencebyma.com
BEST TOURIST ATTRACTION
Winner: The Pearl
303 Pearl Parkway (210) 212-7260 www.atpearl.com
Founded in 1883 as a brewery, the historic Pearl boasts a storied legacy that lives on through its redevelopment as a shopping and dining destination that’s been pivotal in the revitalization of midtown and the northern stretch of downtown San Antonio. Today, the Pearl is home to some of the best restaurants the city has to offer, including Brasserie Mon Chou Chou, Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery and Cured, which regularly draw visitors from outside of the city. A roster of amazing retailers including Adelante Boutique and Dos Carolinas are also a draw for out-of-towners. Those lucky enough to spend an evening at the luxurious Hotel Emma, find out why it was recognized by the 2024 Michelin Guide as one of the world’s outstanding hospitality properties.
2. The Riverwalk sanantonioriverwalk.com
3. San Antonio Museum of Art 200 W. Jones Ave. (210) 978-8100 samuseum.org
BEST URGENT CARE CENTER
Winner: Texas Med Clinic Multiple locations texasmedclinic.com
2. Next Level Urgent Care Multiple locations nextlevelurgentcare.com
3. Alamo Urgent Care Multiple locations alamocityuc.com
BEST YOGA STUDIO
Winner: Method Wellness and Physical Therapy 4726 Shavano Oak Suite 101 (210) 526-2428 methodwellnesspt.com
2. Black Swan Yoga Multiple locations blackswanyoga.com
3. The Union Fitness & Fun Multiple locations theunionsa.com
Thank you, San Antonio! We are honored to be named Best Preschool/Daycare in the 2025 YourSA Readers’ Choice Awards. Your support means the world to us and fuels our mission to provide exceptional early learning experiences for every child who walks through our doors.
At Imagination Child Development Center, we believe that education creates inspiration through an enriching and engaging environment that cultivates creativity, confidence, and curiosity. From infants as young as 6 weeks old to our Kindergarten classroom, and even children up to 13 years old in our afterschool program, we are proud to support families every step of the way.
Our team of dedicated educators creates developmentally appropriate, play-based learning experiences that prepare children for lifelong success—academically, socially, and emotionally. From a baby’s first smile to a kindergartener’s proud reading moment, every milestone is celebrated here.
ank You San Antonio for Voting us Best City Park!
Brackenridge Park Conservancy is working hard to build an interactive, nature-based, and inclusive playscape for all of San Antonio to enjoy.
Opening October 2026
Vist us at brackenridgepark.org
BEST BAR/BEST NEW BAR
Winner: River North Icehouse
317 W. Jones Ave. (210) 277-0088
rivernorthicehouse.com
River North’s laid-back party spot, which opened in 2024, feels like an adult playground — think boozy barrels of Broadway lemonade made with vodka, peach and lemon; retro arcade games; a dance floor; and a karaoke-ready stage that’s seen everything from DJ sets to impromptu matchmaking. With classic and frozen drinks flowing, River North has become a go-to for parties, networking or just kicking back like it’s your favorite Texas icehouse — only louder. Adding to the appeal, there’s a food truck typically parked out back in the grassy lawn, not to mention restaurants within walking distance.
BEST BAR:
2. Elsewhere Garden Bar & Kitchen
103 E. Jones Ave. (210) 201-5595 elsewheretexas.com
3. Slackers Bar
Multiple locations slackersbars.com
BEST NEW BAR:
2. Southtown House of Spirits 727 S. Alamo St., Suite 200 (512) 387-0107 instagram.com/southtownspirits
3. Wetmore Beach House 12329 Wetmore Road (210) 475-3339 wetmorebeachhouse.com
BEST BAR FOOD
Winner: Evil Olive
2950 Thousand Oaks Drive, Suite 5 (210) 495-0970 evilolivesa.com
When it comes to hearty bar food and bites, Evil Olive takes the burger … oops, we mean “cake.” There’s the So-Tex burger with a hearty helping of barbecue sauce and bacon, and also a classic half-pound cheeseburger on a toasted sourdough bun with all the fixings. Meanwhile, the Trash Tacos filled with chicken strips, bacon, fries and queso are just as trashy — and tasty — as they sound. Add Steak
Night Mondays and a formidable brunch, and it’s easy to see why readers are impressed. Evil Olive’s been a quiet staple since 2010 for a reason.
2. Cherrity Bar
302 Montana St. (210) 598-0496 cherritybar.com
3. Wetmore Beach House 12329 Wetmore Road (210) 475-3339 wetmorebeachhouse.com
BEST BAR GAMES
Winner: Slackers Bar Multiple locations slackersbars.com
2. Be Kind & Rewind 115 Alamo Plaza (210) 951-1980 bekindandrewindsa.com
3. Little Woodrow’s Multiple locations littlewoodrows.com
BEST BARTENDER
Winner: Derek Anderson, Evil Olive Elixir Lounge
2950 Thousand Oaks Drive, Suite 5 (210) 495-0970 evilolivesa.com
2. Fernanda Sabag, The Bonham Exchange 411 Bonham St. (210) 224-9219 bonhamexchange.com
3. Mary, Kung Fu Saloon
5531 N. Loop 1604 West (210) 756-1719 kungfusaloon.com
BEST BLOODY MARY
Winner: Liberty Bar
1111 S. Alamo St. (210) 227-1187 liberty-bar.com
2. Down on Grayson
303 E. Grayson St. (210) 248-9244 downongrayson.com
3. The Esquire Tavern
155 E. Commerce St. (210) 222-2521 esquiretavern-sa.com
BEST COCKTAIL BAR
Winner: The Modernist
516 E. Grayson St. facebook.com/themodernistsa
Located in the East Grayson microdistrict, The Modernist is not only the Best Cocktail Bar, according to our readers, it’s one of San Antonio’s best kept secrets. Without calling itself a speakeasy — an overused term that doesn’t really mean anything anymore — The Modernist effortlessly retains an if-you-know-you-know quality. Outside, it’s an unassuming bungalow. Inside, it’s a sexy cocktail lounge for only the most discerning palates. It’s the kind of place where lovers speak in hushed tones, turning conversation into elevated foreplay over an aromatic, artisanal drink. The bar doesn’t have a menu. Rather, its master mixologists ask you questions about the kind of drink you like, then build something intuitively to suit your tastes.
2. Bar 1919
1420 S. Alamo St. (210) 227-1420 bar1919.com
3. Pink Shark
203 N. Presa St. (210) 834-3372 pinksharkbar.com
BEST COUNTRY BAR
Winner: The Lonesome Rose
2114 N. St. Mary’s St. (210) 455-0233 thelonesomerose.com
Deep within our hearts lies a melody, and it seems a lot of readers are humming that same tune. It’s a fair guess the Lonesome Rose ended up as Best Country Bar precisely because it’s so much more. Some of the best country acts of the day have played its stage, but it has the rare quality of being a magnet for all types, from bubbas and punks to bikers and drunks. Honky tonk angels and freaks alike mingle under the glow of its neon beer signs. And though it has its regulars, its crowd largely depends on who’s playing that night. Often it’s a country band, but it could also be indie, conjunto, noise rock or something else entirely. Raise a glass to the oldest honky tonk on
frequently rotating selection also can join the UFO Club and have a custom plate bearing their name hung on the wall. The location also offers trivia on Tuesday, but get there early since it usually fills up.
2. Hoppy Monk 1010 N. Loop 1604 East (210) 545-3330 thehoppymonk.com
3. Burleson Yard Beer Garden 430 Austin St. (210) 354-3001 burlesonyardbeergarden.com
BEST DANCE CLUB/ BEST GAY BAR
Winner: The Bonham Exchange
411 Bonham St. (210) 224-9219 bonhamexchange.com
Sthe St. Mary’s Strip.
2. Cowboys Dance Hall 3030 NE Loop 410 (210) 646-9378 cowboysdancehall.com
3. The SA Country Saloon 1134 W. Hildebrand Ave. (210) 525-0915 instagram.com/sacountrysaloon
BEST CRAFT BEER SELECTION
Winner: Flying Saucer – San Antonio
11255 Huebner Road #212 (210) 696-5080 beerknurd.com/san-antonio-flying-saucer
Despite being a Texas-based chain, the atmosphere and service of Flying Saucer’s Northwest San Antonio location make it feel like a long-established neighborhood hangout. This spot offers more than 100 craft beers along with a menu of bar bites, including fish and chips, buffalo wings and classic burgers. Regulars who drink 200 different beers from the
he’s an icon, she’s a legend and she is the moment. The Bonham Exchange is a San Antonio nightlife institution, and not just because she’s been thrilling crowds for 40 years. The 25,000-square-foot club “where everyone is welcome” has three separate levels with 10 bar stations and multiple DJs playing house, EDM, top 40, hip-hop, Latin and more. The party is always popping, earning this regal lady the dual distinction of being named Best Dance Club and Best Gay Bar. But the accolades don’t end here. The Bonham also cleaned up for Best Drag Show and placed second for Best Bartender.
DANCE CLUB: 2. Be Kind & Rewind 115 Alamo Plaza (210) 951-1980 bekindandrewindsa.com
3. Brass Monkey 2702 N. St Mary’s St. (210) 480-4722 brassmonkeytx.com
GAY BAR: 2. Heat 1500 N. Main Ave. (210) 227-2600 heatsa.com
3. Pegasus 1402 N. Main Ave. (210) 299-4222 pegasussanantonio.com
TIE: BEST DIVE BAR/DRINK SPECIALS AND CHEAP DRINKS
Winner: The Mix
2423 N. St. Mary’s St. (210) 735-1313 themixsa.com
Just about anyone can walk into this longtime favorite on the St. Mary’s Strip and feel accepted. You’ll find strip regulars and musicians shooting the shit on the patio, pool and darts enthusiasts doing their thing and plenty of 20-somethings stopping by on their bar crawls. Live music, including from touring acts, is also part of the draw, as are sweet drink specials, including $3 wells and $4 shots.
DIVE BAR:
2. Finnegan’s Sports & Spirits 16260 San Pedro Ave. (210) 495-4717 finneganssatx.com
3. Charlie Brown’s Neighborhood Bar and Grill 11888 Starcrest Drive, Suite 101 (210) 496-7092 charlie-browns.com
DRINK SPECIALS AND CHEAP DRINKS
2. Finnegan’s Sports & Spirits 16260 San Pedro Ave. (210) 495-4717 finneganssatx.com
3. Social Spot 930 Broadway (210) 263-9009 facebook.com/socialspotsatx
BEST HAPPY HOUR
Winner: Slackers Bar, North Star location 126 W. Rector Drive (210) 530-4168 slackersbars.com
2. Be Kind & Rewind 115 Alamo Plaza (210) 951-1980 bekindandrewindsa.com
TIE:
3. Hanzo 7701 Broadway, Suite 124 (210) 826-1488 hanzobar.com
3. BB’s Tex Orleans 5423 W. Loop 1604 North (726) 600-2022 bbstexorleans.com
BEST HOOKAH BAR
Winner: Hookah Harem 6862 Ingram Road (210) 455-9499 hookahharem.com
2. Naara Cafe and Hookah 9329 Wurzbach Road, Suite 101 (210) 558-9800 naaracafe.com
3. Cloud 9 Hookah Lounge 4419 De Zavala Road (210) 236-5609 cloud9-satx.com
BEST HOTEL BAR
Winner: Sternewirth, Hotel Emma 136 E. Grayson St. (844) 845-7384 thehotelemma.com
With soaring 25-foot ceilings and impeccable design, Hotel Emma’s Sternewirth provides a breathtaking setting to tip back a classic cocktail done right. The bar, situated in the former Pearl Brewery’s brewhouse, is named after the obscure tradition known as the Sternewirth Privilege, the perk of unlimited free beer extended on the job to 19th century brewery employees. Continuing the cheeky homage to its roots, old fermentation tanks have been converted into intimate booths at the sumptuously decorated tavern. The bar itself is also a work of art, with mixologists in aprons conveying the seriousness of their craft in front of its colorful, backlit bottles.
2. The Moon’s Daughters, Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk by Hyatt
here to drink, sing and cheer on their friends from the shadows. The simple nature of Dad’s is why it’s been voted San Antonio’s best karaoke bar for eight consecutive years.
2. The Bang Bang Bar 119 El Mio Drive (210) 320-1187 thebangbangbartx.com
3. Hi-Tones 621 E. Dewey Place instagram.com/hitones_sa
BEST LOCAL BREWERY
Winner: Breakaway Brewing Co. 1518 E Grayson St. (210) 255-1149 breakawaybrewing.us
115 Lexington Ave. (210) 942-6032 themoonsdaughters.com
3. Ocho Lounge, Hotel Havana (Closed June 29) 1015 Navarro St. (210) 222-2008 bunkhousehotels.com
BEST ICEHOUSE
Winner: The Friendly Spot 943 S. Alamo St. (210) 224-2337 thefriendlyspot.com
2. Lucy Cooper’s Texas Ice House 16080 San Pedro Ave. (210) 462-1894 lucycoopers.com
3. La Tuna Icehouse 100 Probandt St. (210) 224-8862 latunasa.com
BEST KARAOKE BAR
Winner: Dad’s Karaoke 2615 Mossrock (210) 267-5703 facebook.com/dadskaraoke
The sign above the bar at Dad’s Karaoke reads, “Shut up and Sing.” That’s what patrons do. They either belt out or butcher songs from the bottomless catalog from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily, and that’s the point of Dad’s. It is fearless karaoke sung with plenty of inspiration and sometimes even on-key — all with the help of liquid courage. The audience doesn’t care how bad you are. No one is becoming TikTok-famous. They’re
2. Longtab Brewing Co. 4700 Timco W. Suite 105 (210) 947-4766 longtabbrewing.com
3. Künstler Brewing 302 E. Lachapelle St. (210) 688-4519 kuenstlerbrewing.com
BEST MARGARITAS Winner: La Fogata Mexican Cuisine Multiple locations lafogata.com
2. Sanchos Cantina & Cocina 628 Jackson St. (210) 320-1840 sanchosmx.com
3. La Fonda on Main 2415 N. Main Ave. (210) 733-0621 lafondaonmain.com
BEST MICHELADAS Winner: El Bucanero, Blanco Road 16505 Blanco Road (210) 408-9297 el-bucanero.com
2. Sanchos Cantina & Cocina 628 Jackson St. (210) 320-1840 sanchosmx.com
3. La Laguna Mariscos & Sushi 23535 I-10 West, Suite 3001 (726) 444-0750 mariscoslalagunagroup.com
BEST MUSIC VENUE
Winner: Aztec Theatre
104 S. St. Mary’s St. (210) 812-4355
theaztectheatre.com
Originally opened in 1926 as a silent movie theater, the Aztec now operates as one of the city’s premier music venues as the building approaches the century mark. Throughout its decades entertaining San Antonio, it’s had many ups, downs and reinventions. It was reimagined as a live music venue in 2013, and the developers wisely left its garish Aztec statuary intact. Live Nation took over in 2015, and since then, it’s hosted some of the biggest names that have come through San Antonio, including Parliament Funkadelic, Melvins, Molchat Doma, Leon Russell, Marilyn Manson, Psychedelic Furs, Garbage, En Vogue and more.
2. Boeing Center at Tech Port 3331 General Hudnell Drive (210) 600-3699 boeingcentertechport.com
TIE:
3. The Rock Box 1223 E. Houston St. (210) 677-9453 therockboxsa.com
3. Paper Tiger 2410 N. St. Mary’s St. papertigersatx.com
BEST ROOFTOP BAR
Winner: The Moon’s Daughters, Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk by Hyatt 115 Lexington Ave. (210) 942-6032 themoonsdaughters.com
The Moon’s Daughters made its debut in 2021, offering classy cocktails, Mediterranean cuisine and unparalleled views from the 20th floor of downtown’s Thompson San Antonio hotel. The spacious ind00r-outdoor lounge includes both dining tables and comfy lounge spots, offering 360-degree views of the city that live up to its mythologically inspired name. While the skyline is the star here, the cocktail program is no slouch — the Fade to Cab’s blend of bourbon, date honey, lemon and cabernet is a complex winner — and the Mediterranean bites are flavorful yet approachable.
2. 1Watson, AC Hotel San Antonio Riverwalk 111 Soledad St. (210) 222-8300 1watsonrooftop.com
3. Paramour at the Phipps 102 9th St. Floor 4 (210) 417-6559 paramourbar.com
BEST SPORTS BAR
Winner: McIntyre’s Southtown 1035 S. Presa St. (210) 957-1385 mcintyresusa.com
2. Slackers Bar, North Star location
126 W. Rector Drive (210) 530-4168 slackersbars.com
3. Bar 321 Sports Bar 321 N. Main Ave. (210) 257-8064 bar321sa.com
BEST SUNDAY FUNDAY
Winner: Elsewhere Garden Bar & Kitchen
103 E. Jones Ave. (210) 201-5595 elsewheretexas.com
2. The Friendly Spot 943 S. Alamo St. (210) 224-2337 thefriendlyspot.com
3. The Lucky Duck 810 N. Alamo St. (210) 504-9425 satx.luckyducktx.com
BEST WINE BAR
Winner: Copa Wine Bar & Tasting Room
19141 Stone Oak Parkway, Suite 704 (210) 495-2672 thecopawinebar.com
2. Little Death
2327 N. St. Mary’s St. (210) 264-6472 littledeathwine.com
3. Vino Grotta 19338 Babcock Road, Suite 209 (210) 512-8466 vinogrotta.com
COMBINE OUR 7.5% LOCAL FILM INCENTIVE WITH THE STATE OF TEXAS PROGRAM FOR UP TO 38.5%
THU | 07.24
SPECIAL EVENT
Unlock the power of memories in this free Gemini Ink workshop taught by award-winning memoirist and poet Michelle Otero. Open to writers 18 and up of all skill levels, the session will explore how childhood meals can reveal deeper personal narratives and shape storytelling. Otero is a highly respected author and Albuquerque, New Mexico’s poet laureate. She’s authored and co-edited books including Vessels: A Memoir of Borders, Bosque: Poems and the essay collection Malinche’s Daughter. Her work 22 Poems and a Prayer for El Paso, a tribute to the victims of the 2019 El Paso mass shooting, earned a New Mexico-Arizona book award. Participants will leave the session with an understanding of the role of food in creative nonfiction along with a personal draft of their own writing. Free, 10 a.m.-noon, Gemini Ink, 1111 Navarro St., (210)-734-9673, ext. 1000, geminiink.com. — Kat Stinson
THU | 07.24
SPECIAL EVENT
“Macondo,” the mythical village in Gabriel García Márquez’ One Hundred Years of Solitude, and San Antonio author Sandra Cisneros’ legendary Macondo writing workshops shape this panel discussion, hosted by Texas Public Radio. Moderated by Xelena González, the conversation brings together Cisneros, John Phillip Santos, Rigoberto González and Sharon Bridgforth for a thoughtful rumination on the broad idea of community, diversity and equity on the 30th anniversary of Cisneros initiating her writer’s circle. Hear these distinguished scribes describe how they honed their craft, supported each other and championed under-represented cultures in the publishing industry.
Free, 7 p.m., TPR’s Irma & Emilio Nicolas Media Center, 321 W Commerce St., (210) 614-8977, tpr.org.
— Rae Drady
Zocca Cuisine on the Riverwalk is turning up the heat with a bold wine tasting dinner showcasing award-winning pours from Orin Swift Wines, expertly paired with four stellar bites by in-house executive chef Ron Mays: Compressed Watermelon Marcona Almond Togarashi Crunch with Tarragon Emulsion paired with Orin Swift “Blank Stare” Sauvignon Blanc; Lobster Tartare Citrus Confit with Lemon Verbena Snow paired with “Mannequin” Chardonnay; Frozen Black Grape Sumac Sugar with Pink Peppercorn and Goat Cheese Fondue Paired with “8 Years in the Desert” Zinfandel and Blackberry-Cardamom Pâte de Fruit Crackling Candy Paired with “Advice from John” Merlot. Fancy. $65, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Zocca Cuisine D’Italia, 420 W. Market St., (210) 224-6500, zoccariverwalk.com. — KS
FRI | 08.01 -
| 08.02
We don’t always dance just to have a good time. Dance plays a significant role in representation and expression of tradition and culture. For 68 years, Fiesta Noche del Rio has celebrated San Antonio’s unique cultural blend with song, dance and musical ensembles rooted in the rich history of Mexico which, of course, includes Texas. On the stage of the River Walk’s Arneson River Theatre, performers will put their hearts and souls into each graceful step. This year, the dance presentation includes Alegría, Paso Doble, Bachata and Salsa accompanied by the musical talents of Alejandro Antonio and Mariachi Gallos de Oro. Proceeds benefit the Alamo Kiwanis Club Charities. $20 for adults, $15 of seniors and military, $8 children over 6 and free for those under, 8:30-10:30 p.m. Arneson River Theatre, 418 Villita St., alamo-kiwanis. org. — Becky Hardin
The monthly Black History Film Series, presented by the San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum (SAAACAM) at the Little Carver Civic Center, continues August with a celebration of a towering queer Black civil-rights icon. Supported in part by Humanities Texas, August’s entry highlights writer and activist James Baldwin, whose decades of work exposed the fundamental darkness from which racism pours into America’s psyche. One year removed from the centenary of the author's birthday, the PBS documentary James Baldwin: The Price of the Ticket blends archival footage, public speeches and up-close-and-personal interviews with his friends, critics and the man himself. The doc’s title is taken from Baldwin’s landmark essay collection that includes unsparing works such as “Stranger in the Village.” A panel discussion will follow the film. Free, registration required, 5:30-9 p.m., The Little Carver Civic Center, 226 N. Hackberry St., (210) 724-3350, saaacam.org. — Dean Zach
For centuries, artists have stilled themselves in cool and quiet rooms, taken out sketchbooks and put marking tools to paper just as those before them did. If this sounds like your ideal midday hour-long break, then look no further than the McNay’s new monthly program, which invites teens and adults of all experience levels to sketch a single, preselected masterwork. Each session kicks off with a brief talk before participants move into quick-draw gesture sketches, then longer observational drawings. The sessions allow artists to sit with, say, an Edward Hopper and melt into the work, letting it command one’s full attention — a rare opportunity in today’s distracted, fast-paced world. No need to bring a No. 2 pencil, although feel free to bring a plus-one. Basic sketching materials will be provided. $20 for adult nonmembers, $10 for teens 13-19, free for members, noon-1 p.m., McNay Art Museum, 6000 N. New Braunfels Ave., (210) 824-5368, mcnayart.org. — DZ
Thursday, July 24
King Pelican, The Gloopnicks
King Pelican is one of San Antonio’s foremost purveyors of surf-rock, and its approach to the form goes beyond slavishly rehashing the Ventures. Consider the group devoted adherents to the form — but with a willingness to stretch its boundaries. You’ll feel like you’re walking slow-motion through a scene in Pulp Fiction. $10, 9 p.m., Lonesome Rose, 2114 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 455-0233, thelonesomerosesa.com. — BB
Friday, July 25
Michael Seyer, Jacob Lui
Michael Seyer creates catchy synth-heavy indie-pop songs with some elements of dream-pop and new wave. Yes, all the adjectives get confusing, but know this: his output harkens back a decade or more to the general aesthetic of vaporwave. If that’s your thing, you may well dig Seyer. His specialty is damned catchy American pop filtered through just the right amount of grit. $18, 8 p.m., Paper Tiger, 2410 N. St. Mary’s St., papertigersatx.com. — BB
Coco Maria, Sue Problema, Gata
This will be a banger of a night for DJ culture and lovers of groove. DJ Coco Maria, born in Northern Mexico, specializes in Latin American imbued with a modern, fun and almost psychedelic edge. Coco Maria even started her own record label in coordination with Switzerland’s Bongo Joe Records. (Wow, is that a shoutout to a San Antonio music legend?) Sue Problema, who’s based in the Alamo City, also DJs with impeccable taste, and Gata rounds out the lineup. $7, 9 p.m., The Lighthouse, 1016 Cincinnati Ave., instagram.com/thelighthouselounge. – BB
Saturday, July 26
maye, Fernando Osorio
Venezuelan-born, American-raised singer songwriter maye has risen to consciousness with her fusion of dream pop weaving in bossa nova and other Latin influences. She may be best known for her sultry and unforced 2019 single “Tú,” which landed on one of President Barack Obama’s legendary summer playlists. Even though this show is sold out, it may be worth scouting for scalped tickets. Sold out, 8 p.m., Paper Tiger, 2410 N. St. Mary’s St., papertigersatx. com. — Danny Cervantes
Sunday, July 27
God Bullies, Suckling, Boxcar Satan, Burn Out
Anybody looking for a pummeling noise rock bill should scour no further. Michigan’s God Bullies are purveyors of a dark, dramatic and unhinged sound that’s kind of metallic, kind of psychedelic and all menacing. Meanwhile, Austin’s Suckling is among the finest purveyors of noise rock in the classic ’80s vein. Indeed, the band’s lineup features dudes who helped create said genre during their stints with Scratch Acid, the Butthole Surfers, Rapeman and the Big Boys. Joining the out-oftown acts are SA’s newly reformed Boxcar Satan, who play a demented Texas-style deconstruction of Captain Beefheart’s more no-wave moments. Full disclosure: Boxcar Satan is fronted by Sanford Nowlin, who happens to be the Current’s edi -
tor-in-chief. $15, 6 p.m., Lonesome Rose, 2114 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 455-0233, thelonesomerosesa. com. — BB
Sunday, July 27
Air Supply
Fifty-plus years after meeting in the chorus of the Australian touring company of Jesus Christ Superstar, Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock still deliver soft-rock staples as Air Supply. A linchpin of the ’80s FM airwaves, Air Supply apexed with a run of five consecutive No. 1 singles, starting with “Lost In Love” and ending with “Here I Am.” $84.79-$274.50, 7:30 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 224 E. Houston St., (210) 226-5700, majesticempire.com. — DC
Friday, Aug. 1
Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass Sure, unless you’re over a certain age, you probably know this band less for their music than for a certain album cover. You know the one. Whipped Cream and other Delights, which features a naked woman clad only whipped cream. That said, Alpert and his crew are accomplished musicians, who deliver brass-fueled tunes with an irresistible swinging ’60s vibe. Later, they even cranked out a few disco-ish tunes too. Expect dancing in the aisles and lots of smiling Baby Boomers. Especially if Herb and the gang play the iconic track “Rise,” sampled by countless hip-hop artists but most famously by Notorious B.I.G. $63, 7 p.m., Tobin Center, 100 Auditorium Circle, tobincenter. org. — BB
Friday, Aug. 1
Johnny P. & The Wiseguys
As any good child born into a New York Italian family, Johnny Panzarella was raised on the popular
standards of the Rat Pack era. Now as leader of The Wiseguys and rechristened Johnny P., he croons and brings his trumpet to bear with a mix of original songs and a litany of classics such as “The Lady is a Tramp.” Grab your favorite dance partner, have your drink poured neat and get ready to enjoy either of his two performances. $28.49, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., JazzTX, 312 Pearl Parkway, (210) 3329386, jazztx.com. — DC
Saturday, Aug. 2
Counting Crows, Gaslight Anthem
It’s hard to believe how much time has passed since “Mr. Jones” catapulted Counting Crows into fame as a counterweight to the grunge rock that dominated rock airwaves in 1993. Frontman Adam Duritz has had an on-again, off-again relationship with fame over the years, and the band has done the same, famously shuffling setlists and ignoring the conventions of “playing the hits.”. $72.59-$294.50, 7:30 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 224 E. Houston St., (210) 226-5700, majesticempire.com. — DC
Sunday, Aug. 3
Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening Even if tribute nights aren’t your thing, it may be worth making an exception here. Jason Bonham is the son of legendarily hard-hitting Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, and he’s definitely paid his dues as a musician. San Antonio is a hard-rock town, and nobody did it better than Zep. By all accounts, Bonham puts on a wonderful show and a worthy tribute to his father. So much so that when the band’s surviving members played their final gig in London, he was the guy they called to handle the sticks. $50-$240, 8 p.m., Aztec Theatre, 104 N. St. Mary’s St., theaztectheatre.com. — BB
1. Design a flash art tattoo using the voodoo ranger icon
2. Follow @voodooranger and @newbelgium_texas
3. Post your design on your instagram feed and tag #inkmethis
4. Design submissions will end on august 31, 2025 (stories don’t count, only feed posts and reels)
5. Winners will be announced on september 13, 2025, through @newbelgium_texas instagram handle
Assistant News Director, F/T, Univision Stations Group, L.P. in San Antonio, TX, responsible for originating, creating & producing news content for special series, regional news specials & investigative stories that are aligned w/ the station’s values & enhance its brand. Create & implmt strategic plans for audience growth & newsroom operations. Leverage news content from the web, OTT, & all social platforms to make sure that local audiences receive & share the stories generated by our newsroom. Analyze & respond to trends affecting the industry & DMA. Dvlp & plan yearly coverage priorities for all media platforms. Accountable for building capability w/in the newsroom to think & act digitally in order to generate engaging, compelling & timely content that will result in an increase of our digital footprint & audience growth. Provide editorial direction, leadership, motivation, support & encouragement to staff in the generation of story ideas & production of a compelling news product. Coach reporters & on-air talent & review & critique newscast production values to improve news delivery. Mentor & dvlp our talented group of journalists into strong storytellers. Supv & provide regular feedback & yearly performance appraisals for direct reports w/ ultimate responsibility for all newsroom personnel. Set the dept’s philosophy & policies in conjunction w/ the VP of News. Work closely w/ other Univision entities to create cross-platform opportunities for a trusted & award-winning news brand. Effectively plan a news strategy while coord’g breaking news, weather & large event coverage. Provide services as a news anchor/presenter from time to time, investigating, collecting, analyzing, producing, editing, writing & presenting accurate, balanced news stories. When serving as anchor, will write & proofread copy for accuracy prior to going on air & will line produce from the anchor seat as needed. Will also provide similar services to our sister companies as needed. Must be fluent in written & spoken Spanish. Must have exp presenting news in television studio. Must have field reporting exp. Must have live news coverage exp. Must be well versed w/ video editing & production technologies. Apply on-line at TelevisaUnivision’s career page: https://corporate.televisaunivision.com/careers/ .
La Regia Tortilla Factory, LLC seeks Director of Technical Operations in San Antonio, TX. Duties include overseeing production, equipment, maintenance, scheduling, and sanitation in tortilla and chip manufacturing. Responsible for plant operations, equipment troubleshooting, and regulatory compliance in safety and quality. Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Electromechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering and 10 years of experience in tortilla or tortilla chip manufacturing. To apply, send resume to: Jose Luis Heredia, jose@laregiatortillafactory.com
Prime Controls, L.P. seeks Sr. Automation Specialist in Schertz, TX to be involved in all elements of project design and implementation including PLCs, HMIs, instrumentation, electrical, networking, computers, and panel equipment. Apply @ www.jobpostingtoday. com/ Ref #13755.
C. H. Guenther & Son, LLC (San Antonio, TX) seeks a Senior Supply Chain Analyst to support the corporate supply chain team & est. a supply chain perf. mgmt. sys. Bachelor’s in Supply Chain Mgmt., Logistics, Bus. Mgmt., Ops. Mgmt., or rltd. field or foreign equiv. + 1 yr relevant work exp. Telecommuting permitted. 20% domestic travel & 5% international travel req. To apply email resume ref. job title to HRCorpApplicants@chg. com.
All positions Available, Accounting, Bookkeeper, Account Coordinator, Finance, Payroll Officer, Sales Representatives, Customer Service, Business, Admin Representative.
As part of B. Braun expansion program, our company is looking for part-time employees. Work from home, it pays $1,800 monthly plus benefits and takes only a little of your time. Please contact us for more details. Requirements - Should be computer-literate. 2-3 hours of access to the internet weekly. Must be Efficient and Dedicated. If you are interested and need more information contact: jason.bbraun@usa.com for more details.
NEW CAP+POLO SHIRTS
LIQUIDATION SALE
SCHOOL UNIFORMS 210-341-6700
10646 GULFDALE#3 AROUND THE BACK
9-12AM FIRST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH
“Lead with the Lead”--oh, those two letters. by Matt Jones © 2025 Matt Jones
Across
1. Summer getaway
5. Soft-serve option
10. Ultra-fast flyers
14. Bread spread
15. Promising words
16. Maui party
17. 1998 Barbara Kingsolver novel, with “The”
20. 1983 Barbra Streisand musical
21. Word symbolized above 7 on a keyboard
22. Plant deeply
23. Big head
25. Mecca pilgrim
26. Principals in a company
34. “Horrors!”
35. They may get bounced around
36. “Oracular Spectacular” band
37. Dice dot
38. Tennis return, sometimes
39. Pot-au-___ (French stew)
40. Australian postgrad schools
42. Trees with cones
44. Duck hangout
45. Pool, in other words
48. “Here’s the surprise!”
49. Home of the U.S. version of “Have I Got News For You”
50. “A Town Like Alice” novelist Nevil
52. Hardwood tree
55. Rightmost column in the periodic table
59. Temporary place to live before moving out, maybe 62. Finito
63. Justice Kagan
64. “M*A*S*H” actor Alan
65. Julia, in “Ocean’s Eleven”
66. Alaskan carving
67. Slovenly sort
Down
1. Plagiarize
2. Tissue additive
3. Chicken chow ___
4. “Fifth wave” genre that sounds more like indie rock
5. “Carry On Wayward ___” (song that actually doesn’t have “My” in the title)
6. East Coast convenience store chain
7. “Put ___ my tab”
8. Welsh comedian ___ Gilbert, former presenter of “Never Mind the Buzzcocks”
9. “The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test” subject
10. Snack once pitched by Randy “Macho Man” Savage
11. Temporarily replacing 12. Scheherazade’s specialty
13. Took to court
18. Sister in Chekhov’s “Three Sisters”
19. With “The,” Jeremy Allen White show
24. ___-wan Kenobi
25. “___ the Greatest Dancer” (1979 Sister Sledge song)
26. Descriptor of some kids’ books
27. Charging animal
28. How a week’s news might be presented
29. Wing it
30. “Madam Secretary” actress TÈa
31. Wine bottle feature
32. Fix, as text
33. Basic earrings
41. Thrasher magazine subscribers
42. Org. that might hold a bake sale
43. 2002 Winter Games host, initially
44. Straw hats
46. Idyllic place
47. “Bus Stop” dramatist William
50. Pick out in a crowd
51. Eat
52. Harald V’s country
53. Support unlawfully
54. Rapper Big Daddy ___
56. Successfully persuade
57. “The Samurai” novelist Shusaku
58. Attempt
60. Palindromic Vietnamese holiday
61. Dropout owner Reich
Answers on page 119.
