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SAN ANTONIO MAGAZINE

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BEST OF TH E CI T Y

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March 2022

HOPS & HOUNDS, NACO: JOMANDO CRUZ; MCNAY: COURTESY MUSEUM

BEST O F THE CI T Y

1 5 CU LTU RE Find the best unconventional ways to experience art, learn about the process behind the best new public art mural (“All Are Welcome, Love Conquers Hate”), get to know the best arts organization for youth (SAY Sí) and plan to visit the best artful escape (McNay Art Museum grounds).

2 1 PERSONALITIES The best community artist (Eva Marengo Sanchez) finds inspiration in South Texas food, the best team (UTSA Football) is just getting started and the readers’ winner for best politician (Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez) is making a name for himself on Instagram and in his council district. 2 9 EAT + D R IN K Update your foodie bucket list with plans to dine at the best brickand-mortar expansion (Naco Mexican Eatery), the best pop-up residency (GiGi’s Deli) and the best diner for breakfast or dinner (The Hayden).

41 S H O P P I N G + S E RV I C ES The best new concept for style (The SJ) delivers trends online and in store, the best place to find your next favorite read (Nowhere Bookshop) offers recommendations for every genre while the best place for unique snacks (Jefferson Bodega) has a treat to fill cravings you didn’t even know you had.

51 FUN Countdown to spring and the reopening of the best golf course (Cool Crest Miniature Golf), see what’s new in Cibolo (the best suburb to spend an afternoon in) and enjoy a break with your pup at the best place for dog-friendly fun (Hops & Hounds).

ON THE COVER Art director David G. Loyola created stickers to showcase several of this year's winners on the cover and throughout the issue.

VOLUME 17/ISSUE 5 MARCH 2022, SAN ANTONIO MAGAZINE (USPS 008-350) IS PUBLISHED 11 TIMES A YEAR: MONTHLY EXCEPT FOR A COMBINED ISSUE IN JANUARY/FEBRUARY FOR $14.95 PER YEAR BY OPEN SKY MEDIA, INC., 1712 RIO GRANDE STREET, SUITE 100, AUSTIN, TX 78701. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT SAN ANTONIO, TX AND ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES.

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SANANTONIOMAG.COM

2/11/22 10:51 AM

UP FRONT / EDITOR' S NOTEBOOK

ETC.

beat that had me covering 8 a.m. budget hearings at City Hall my first year out of college is to blame for my coffee addiction—or at least that’s what I tell myself. So, when I heard from staff and freelancers with their nominations for best coffee shop, I took seriously the task of figuring out which one is best right now. Voting for the readers’ pick had not yet closed, but I scheduled a meeting at the frontrunner and eventual winner, Summer Moon, and was quickly reminded why their moon milk lattes have gained a devoted following statewide. A few days later, I headed out during a lunch break to Curator Coffee. Owner Yuli Chang and I caught up last year shortly after she opened and I’ve stopped by since to take in the café, which doubles as an art gallery and also hosts community events throughout the month. The coffee is quite good (and served in a mug made by Chang), but I agreed with the person who nominated the shop for an award that its community-driven spirit is what sets it apart. My quest continued through what would become a very caffeinated few weeks. In the end, we decided to narrow it down by celebrating the city’s growing coffee scene with three picks for best new spots for a coffee break—one downtown (Café Azteca), one on the Northwest Side (Early Bird) and one on the Northeast Side (Curator Coffee). The same care and consideration went into each of the 80-plus editors’ picks recognized this month as the Best of the City alongside 71 readers’ winners. Food writer Edmund Tijerina carefully thought back on where some of his top meals have come from over the last year and revisited a few places before writing (find some of his picks starting on page 29). Freelance writer Travis E. Poling talked with UTSA football coach Jeff Traylor about the season that was a best for the program and for the city (read more on page 22) while writer Jacey Blue Renner made herself a regular at a shop that she (and others) pitched as a best, Belle & Union Co. (learn about its new location on page 42). On the readers’ side, nearly 80,000 votes were cast during the month of December before winners were crowned in categories that include everything from best margarita (a title now long held by La Gloria) to best politician (get to know the winner, Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez, on page 24) and best vintage shop (Rose Vintage SATX, whose owner describes how the online startup came to be on page 47). Certainly, everyone’s bests are subjective. A half-moon latte is about as sweet as I go, but I know others line up for and love the churro latte at Early Bird (where I was partial to a standard version). Still, in scouring San Antonio for its best right now, we hope to recognize those that have shone especially bright during the last year—a time we know was as equally, or in some cases more, difficult as 2020 thanks to the ongoing pandemic coupled with staffing challenges and supply chain issues. Because without those restaurant owners, cultural institutions, artists and others who continue to show up and persevere, San Antonio would be, well, not San Antonio.

Join us in celebrating this year’s awards at our annual Best of the City Party, March 24 at the San Antonio Zoo. We’ll have bites and drinks from some of the winners plus lots of other chances for fun. Reserve a ticket now at sanantoniomag.com/ bestofthecityparty.

¡ V I VA ! Visit sanantoniomag.com/ fiesta-2022 to get ready for Fiesta San Antonio (March 31 through April 10). You’ll find a full preview of upcoming events, plus a guide for how to navigate parades and signature festivals, like Night in Old San Antonio.

COMING UP NEXT MONTH Learn the winners of the Home & Design Awards and get a behind-the-scenes look at the Texas Cavaliers River Parade.

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JOSH HUSKIN

Kathleen Petty Editor in Chief kpetty@sanantoniomag.com @kpettysamag

BEST OF THE C I T Y PA R T Y

MARCH 2022

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MARCH 2022 / VOLUME 17 / ISSUE 5 IF YOU WERE GIVING A PERSONAL BEST OF THE CITY AWARD FOR THE LAST YEAR, WHO WOULD YOU HONOR AND WHY?

EDITORIAL EDITOR IN CHIEF

Kathleen Petty CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Jeremy Banas, Emily Guajardo, Bonny Osterhage, Vivian Phillips, Travis E. Poling, Jacey Blue Renner, Jill Robbins, Katherine Stinson, Edmund Tijerina COPY EDITOR

Patsy Pelton INTERN

Emily Schmalstieg “Merit Coffee on Broadway Street for Best Coffee Shop.”

A RT ART DIRECTOR

David G. Loyola

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

JoMando Cruz, Clint Datchuk, Josh Huskin, Klare Perez, Erika Ramirez ADV ERTIS ING PUBLISHER

Kathie Anderson

OPE N SKY ME DIA CEO

Todd P. Paul PRESIDENT

Stewart Ramser EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Rebecca Fontenot Cord DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Hollis Boice

“Erika Prosper for Best Influencer who Also Happens to be SA’s First Lady. She offers funny, behindthe-scenes content in her stories, she’s always championing local businesses and organizations, and she’s current with social trends.”

AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Kerri Nolan ACCO UN T IN G ACCOUNTS MANAGER

Sabina Jukovic DIG ITA L DIGITAL MANAGER

Abigail Stewart DIGITAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Rosie Ninesling CO NTACT US

Christina Olivarez

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“The healthcare workers, teachers, truck drivers and grocery store workers. They have all kept our city moving this past year.”

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© Copyright: San Antonio Magazine is published by Open Sky Media, Inc. The entire document of San Antonio Magazine is © 2022 by Open Sky Media, Inc. No portion may be reproduced in whole or in part by any means, including electronic retrieval systems, without the express written permission of the publisher. Opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of ownership or management. Editorial or advertising does not constitute advice but is considered informative. San Antonio Magazine is locally operated.

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I N S I D E / BEST A RTS O RG FO R YOUT H p .16 / BEST N EW PERSPECTIVE p. 18 / BEST UN CON VEN TION AL ART EX PER I EN C ES p . 1 9

Culture BY KATHLEEN PETTY, VIVIAN PHILLIPS AND JILL ROBBINS

Que Bonita Crafts hen Angel Contero was reprimanded at work for being too attentive to a patient, she knew it was time to walk away from nursing. She’d worked in the field for 10 years but says the bureaucracy became overwhelming and she wanted to pursue another passion. So she picked up her paint brush. Contero had long turned to art as a hobby and release from the stress of the day and hoped she could use her love of crafting to create affordable local art. She launched Que Bonita Crafts in 2019 with paintings on canvas, upcycled coat hangers and more. During the pandemic, Contero shifted her focus to digital art that she now shares through dozens of original sticker designs,

PHOTO BY KLARE PEREZ

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coasters, key chains and cards. Her work is often inspired by the South Side where she grew up (one references South Park Mall and another Fred’s Fish Fry) and she injects humor and sass when she can (one of her most popular designs, for example, includes an image of Jesus and the phrase “I saw that, cabrón”). Colorful conchas, Selena tributes and Spurs Fiesta color schemes also are common. Contero also co-founded the Dakota Artisans Market to provide a place for makers to share their work. Running her own business is a departure from the medical field for which she trained, but she’s never looked back. “Stay positive and follow your passion,” she says. “I put so much love into my work, not to mention blood, sweat and tears.”

MARCH 2022

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CULTURE BEST ARTS ORGANIZATION FOR YOUTH

Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center’s Latino Bookstore etween the lingering global pandemic and the ease of ordering titles on Amazon, Cristina Ballí and Tony Diaz know the idea of opening a bookstore now is, at best, counter cultural. Which is why the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center’s recently opened Latino Bookstore is as much a community center as it is a retail outlet. “We’re out to create lifelong readers,” says Diaz, an author, activist, professor and the literary curator for the store. “We’re all about community, so we’re not trying to compete.” Located in the former Progreso Pharmacy that was also once a visitor’s center, the shop is stocked with titles by Latino Texas authors plus books on Mexican American studies and culture that were all hand-picked by Diaz. Its main window provides a view of the GCAC’s theater across the street, and it sits next to a gallery and an open-air plaza where Diaz says they’ll host author events and more. “It may be the only spot in Texas where you can have this sort of think-tank,” Diaz says, explaining that there’s now a reason to visit the GCAC almost any day of the month. Ballí, who became executive director of

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MARCH 2022

the GCAC over five years ago, approached Diaz about the idea of a bookstore shortly after taking the helm and worked to bring the shop to fruition despite the pandemic, thanks in part to facilities funding from a 2012 city bond. (The nonprofit also received a surprise $1 million grant from MacKenzie Scott, the philanthropist and ex-wife of Amazon’s founder.) Diaz credits Ballí with the resolve to press on despite the circumstances. The GCAC is located in one of the poorest zip codes in the country and Ballí didn’t want it to exist in a “book desert” any longer. With the opening of the store, residents and neighboring schools now have access to literature that speaks to the culture of the area. “It was important that the Guadalupe pushed to the next level now,” Diaz says. “We want the community to feel at home and take for granted that they have one of the leading sources of Latino literature in the state.” Diaz says they want to be a destination for the neighborhood and for readers around the state, while encouraging people to build their own home libraries and helping to develop the next generation of Latino writers and readers.

Since 1994, SAY Sí has been a lifeline for youth who might not otherwise have had arts-focused education. Its fruits are evident in professionals and first-generation college grads in San Antonio and beyond who have built successful and impactful careers. But it’s just getting started. The nonprofit moved last year to a new headquarters on the West Side that will eventually allow it to more than double the number of students it serves. Like many, SAY Sí’s plans for the future were altered by the pandemic and the funding challenges that came along with it. But it has stayed the course and completed the first phase of construction on its new home in 2021 thanks to grants from the Charles Butt Foundation and Deborah and David Rogers. The opening of temporary studios meant vaccinated students were able to resume in-person programming while virtual options that first launched in 2020 remained available for others. Its initial dreams for the West Side space have changed a bit, but president and chief innovation officer Jon Hinojosa says they’re achieving their goals nonetheless with the help of federal grants and local funding. The next phases of construction will add a culinary arts kitchen, a new media lab focused on journalism and a digital music production program. Art has always been the emphasis at SAY Sí, but Hinojosa says they also are focused on equipping students, particularly those from economically disadvantaged areas, for college and beyond.

COURTESY SAY SI

SAY Sí

PHOTO BY CLINT DATCHUK

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BEST LUNCH BREAK DIVERSION

Ruby City

If art is food for the soul, then Ruby City’s gallery and grounds are the perfect complement to a weekday lunch break. With its breathtaking architecture and vast contemporary art collection, it is hard to believe that entry to the gallery and its grounds is free. Explore and relax outside (including at Chris Park across the street), or marvel at some of the newest additions to Ruby City’s collection inside, including works by Rick Lowe and Arturo Herrera.

BEST EVENT CALENDAR

San Antonio Museum of Art In an era when event planning is perhaps at its most challenging, SAMA has thrived by creating a balance of in-person and virtual offerings that are both fun and educational. Reserve a spot in its online Art to Lunch, Happy Hour or Virtual Playdates to get a dose of culture at home. Or make plans to visit the museum during an event, whether the Museum Market where you can browse artisan goods outdoors or Touch Free Family Days that give parents and kids activities to complete while exploring the galleries at a social distance.

BEST INITIATIVE BRINGING US HOPE

Corporate Partners for Racial Equity Business leaders from Spurs Sports & Entertainment, H-E-B, USAA, Valero, Rackspace and elsewhere announced last fall that they were partnering to combat racial and economic inequality in San Antonio. Its goals are lofty, but we’re hopeful the leaders are committed to doing the tough work of understanding the city’s long history of inequity while also stepping up to help address it in ways that will create long-term systemic change. The first indication they mean what they say? The businesses have collectively committed to invest $13.8 million over the next five years to support equity in education, justice and economic opportunity.

BEST NEW PARTNERSHIP

UTSA + Southwest School of Arts UTSA’s commitment to cyber security and data science is lauded for good reason but we also want to applaud its vision for promoting arts education and preserving San Antonio’s position as a cultural mecca. That will happen, in large part, through the commitment UTSA and Southwest School of Art made last fall to combine programs (including SSA’s bachelor of fine arts offering) under UTSA’s College of Liberal and Fine Arts.

BEST RETURN OF A FESTIVAL

Luminaria

After a hiatus in 2020 due to the pandemic, Luminaria returned in 2021 and reminded us why experiencing art in person (and with other people) is so important. The nighttime festival at Hemisfair—save the date for this year's on Nov. 19—features something for everyone with live performances, film, installations, poetry readings and more. MARCH 2022

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CULTURE BEST VENUE FOR INDOOR AND OUTDOOR EVENTS

Tobin Center for the Performing Arts

Although planning to attend a live event has been a roller coaster over the last few years, the Tobin Center has continued to provide regular programming while making safety a priority. Whether free movies and wellness events on the outdoor Will Naylor Smith River Walk Plaza, the return of Ballet San Antonio and Opera San Antonio or touring shows that have been booked or rescheduled, the Tobin Center’s management is making the best of a continually tough situation for venues. Tobin Entertainment recently took over booking for Real Life Amphitheater in Selma, and we can’t wait to see what’s to come there.

BEST NEW PERSPECTIVE

“All Are Welcome, Love Conquers Hate” mural at Travis Park Church n celebrating its 175th anniversary, Travis Park Church’s leaders wanted to involve the community as much as its members. They decided to commission a piece of art that would go on the outside of the church and its historic building near Travis Park. The Rev. Eric Vogt put out an open call for artists to participate and selected six locals—Albert Gonzales, Hailey Marmolejo, Rhys Munro, Raisa Melendez Tardi, Scotch Willington and Victor Zarazua—who each designed their own stained-glass-window-inspired piece that celebrates part of the church’s mission and ministries, which includes outreach to refugees, homeless individuals, the LGBTQ+ community and racial justice groups. Some of the murals are a nod to this era—Tardi’s painting includes a watch showing a time of 9:29 in reference to the nine minutes and 29 seconds that a police officer knelt on George Floyd’s neck—while others are more abstract and timeless, like Gonzales’ work, which incorporates lines that represent the South and West side streets where he grew up. Vogt says the church strives to be a place of refuge for anyone and hopes the murals spark the kinds of conversations they want to have. “We want to be connecting to the community,” he says.

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BEST ART GALLERY

Blue Star Contemporary BEST CULTURAL EVENT OR FESTIVAL

Fiesta

BEST MUSEUM

Witte Museum BEST MUSIC VENUE

Majestic Theatre

“The crème de le crème!” BEST PODCAST

RadioActive Podcast

“They cover all of the latest and greatest info on the market! Great show.” BEST PUBLIC ART PIECE

“Selena” by Alan Calvo

Gabriel Chavez Zeckua was researching the best uses for his new GoPro before his first-born son’s arrival in 2014 when he stumbled upon a YouTube drone video of whales that he says “changed his life.” Zeckua headed to eBay and made his first drone purchase. His free time has never been the same. The self-taught photographer and computer scientist behind Skyline Drone SATX started by attaching that GoPro to his drone and has since expanded his collection to include drones outfitted with advanced cameras. He captures breathtaking shots of downtown San Antonio that make us appreciate the beauty of our city in a whole new way. In 2021, Zeckua’s work was featured during an exhibition at UNAM San Antonio and it also is on display at the San Antonio International Airport. The Mexico City native who moved to San Antonio for a slower pace of life with his family still works full-time at a local bank but says his hobby continues to grow and now includes a production company and a podcast. “I’m not from San Antonio, so this is like being on vacation for me to be able to explore the city,” he says.

COURTESY TRAVIS PARK CHURCH

Skyline Drone

MARCH 2022

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BEST OUTLET FOR ONLINE LEARNING

San Antonio Public Library Zoom fatigue is real, but San Antonio Public Library’s staff have succeeded in providing fresh reasons to log on when you (or your kids) are looking to connect and learn without having to go out, whether you’re seeking an art club, story time, lecture, film club, book clubs or pop culture convo.

BEST COMMUNITY FINE ARTS PROGRAMMING

Ballet San Antonio

With the pandemic still limiting field trips in 2021, Ballet San Antonio recorded one of its performances of The Nutcracker so it could make the video available free of charge to all Texas schoolchildren. Their Learning That Moves You classes bring ballet to young kids at the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Antonio (and soon at Haven for Hope) and its School of Ballet San Antonio provides pre-professional training to San Antonio youth who have the goal of one day being on the big stage. The company’s fall Ballet in the Park performance makes art easily accessible to families and it even recognized frontline heroes in the role of Mother Ginger in The Nutcracker.

BEST ARTFUL ESCAPE

HOPSCOTCH, MCNAY: COURTESY MUSEUMS

McNay Art Museum Grounds

...ART EXPERIENCE

Hopscotch

This art gallery downtown is a living demonstration that proves art can be both serious and a ton of fun. Its creative and immersive exhibitions invite locals to explore and enjoy while stopping for the occasional selfie, its bar and pop-up events provide reasons to plan a return trip and its commitment to showcasing local artists alongside national and international names makes it feel like San Antonio through and through (even though its founders are, technically, from Austin).

...CONCERT VENUE

...CLASSIC MUSIC PERFORMANCE

Echo Bridge Appreciation Society

Agarita Humble Hall

Word is out about this hidden gem on the city’s South Side but that doesn’t make it any less worthy of the experience. Follow @echobridge appreciationsociety on Instagram for news about its latest show so you can reserve a spot under the Mrs. Frank W. Sorrell Bridge to hear the next featured artist (plus the literal echoes they’ll make). If the setup seems simple, that’s kind of the point. Relax and take it all in.

The nonprofit chamber ensemble launched Humble Hall—a concert hall in a mobile trailer—with the goal of bringing free classical music concerts to each of the city’s 10 council districts and it did just that in 2021. From a concert at Jefferson Bodega that had people stopping to listen after grabbing a bag of Cheetos and a Fanta to performances in city parks, the events made music more available to each corner of the community at a time when it was needed most.

Thanks to the removal of its iron gates and thick hedges, locals can now enjoy the beauty of the McNay Art Museum’s grounds without even pulling off the road. To truly appreciate the over $6 million in upgrades made to the property, however, it is best to park and explore. Competed last fall after nearly two years of construction, the grounds are intentionally more welcoming and also feature over 100 new trees plus thousands of freshly planted shrubs. Outdoor artwork that has long been a hallmark remains (including Alexander Liberman’s “Ascent,” pictured at right) and new sculptures, like “The Sole Sitter” by Willie Cole, have been added. MARCH 2022

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I NSI D E / B EST T E A M p. 22 / BEST P OLITIC IAN p. 24 / BEST STORE OW N ERS p. 27

Personalities BY KATHLEEN PETTY, TRAVIS E. POLING AND EDMUND TIJERINA

Eva Marengo Sanchez hether you’ve snapped a selfie in front of Eva Marengo Sanchez’s breakfast taco mural on the St. Mary’s Strip (aptly titled “The Morning After: Plan A”), or you’ve rushed past her concha painting covering two elevator doors in San Antonio International Airport’s long-term parking, you’ve likely seen her work. The Alamo City artist had been working as a personal assistant for musician Emily Strayer, of The Chicks, while advancing her art and made the leap in 2017 to creating full time following her first solo show. She painted the wellknown breakfast tacos in 2019 as part of a project with San Antonio Street Art Initiative and by 2021, it seemed like her

PHOTO BY ERIKA RAMIREZ

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South Texas food art was everywhere we looked. Sanchez’s work adorns the packaging of La Gloria meals for sale at H-E-B, she had a series of concha paintings on display at the McNay Art Museum (her documentation of the exhibit on Instagram attracted the attention of CBS Evening News) and she’s had pieces for sale at Felíz Modern as well as on display at galleries around town. Sanchez first fell in love with the idea of documenting the comfort food of her hometown while traveling and studying in Mexico. Along with making us hungry each time we encounter one, her works are a beautiful reminder that while art can be serious or abstract, it can also be relatable and fun.

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PERSONALITIES

Coach Jeff Traylor and UTSA Football t was a dream season for the UTSA football program. With just one loss at the end of the regular season, the team, Coach Jeff Traylor and their 11 uninterrupted wins generated a campus- and citywide excitement that is new for local college sports. After winning the Conference USA championship, the Roadrunners fell short in their bowl game, but we have a feeling this next season (or 10) will bring additional chances. From the outset, Traylor set out to capture not just a title, but the hearts of the city. “I think it starts with my very first introductory press conference, Dec. 9, 2019, when I made it very clear that our vision was to start recruiting locally and become the football team of the city of San Antonio,” Traylor says. That started with a philosophy that Traylor calls the “210 Triangle of Toughness,” which means being a team that is strong in each phase of the game as well as a team that has integrity, passion, mental and physical toughness, selflessness and makes a perfect effort. “I’ve never coached a perfect game. I’ve never had a kid play a perfect game. But we can always give perfect effort,” Traylor says. Traylor meant it when he said he wanted to make the team local. UTSA went from having 11 San Antonio–area students on its 2019 football roster to 40 this past season. “The more communities that we can get their players playing in the Alamodome, the more they’re going to relate and come to the games,” he says. The team brought as many as 41,000 fans to the Alamodome for a single game this past season as they fought to become ranked and then to win their first conference championship. When other teams took notice, UTSA stepped up to ensure Traylor would stay, signing him to a 10-year contract extension last year with an impressive price tag for him and his staff. Corporations throughout the city have asked Traylor to speak to groups about the season and how they got there. “And verbatim, (executives) said it’s the most excited they’ve been since the Spurs won championships,” Traylor says.

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The success didn’t end with the season. Several players are taking their shot at the NFL, including running back (and readers’ pick for best athlete) Sincere McCormick, who holds 20 UTSA records, was the first AP All-American player in UTSA football history and was the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year. Traylor says McCormick is part of the local magic that made the team work. “Let’s talk about the touchdown winning throw against the (University of Alabama at Birmingham) Blazers,” he says. “You had Frank Harris from Schertz Clemens High School throw the ball to Oscar Cardenas, who played at Brandeis. And you had Sincere McCormick, who we faked the ball to, in the backfield from Converse Judson. That’s pretty cool for that to happen in front of 41,000 people there to watch that championship.” Although Traylor had impressive college credentials before coming to UTSA, including being nationally recognized as a recruiter for the University of Texas at Austin, the philosophy and skills he brought to San Antonio came from 15 years of coaching high school football in his hometown of Gilmer in Northeast Texas. “He’s running his college program like he did his high school program,” says Ron Rittimann,

Alamo Heights ISD athletic director and head football coach, pointing to the way Traylor has made relationships with boosters, students and fans. “They’ve had a great two years, but once he has a chance to recruit his own kids and instill his values, I think they have a chance to get even better.” Traylor is known for showing up on campus each week during the season to talk up the upcoming game while handing out pizza, cookies and more. He wants to see the endzone full of students when they take the field each week. We all know that measuring the success of a football program comes down to wins. For Traylor, however, it’s about more than that. “How many of those players became men and how many of them were boys?” Traylor says. “A man gives to his church, a man gives to his family, a man gives to his city, a man gives to his school. A boy takes … They’re not giving anything back. My real record as a head coach is how many men out of how many boys? It’s pretty simple. And when you make them men, you’re going to win more ball games. And when they’re better students, you’re going to win more ball games. When they’re better humans, you’re going to win more ball games.” PHOTO BY JOSH HUSKIN

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BEST MUSICIAN PUSHING SA’S MUSIC SCENE FORWARD

Garrett T. Capps

His songs are an anthem to the town that he loves and an argument in themselves that San Antonio is Texas’ superior music city. Whether “Born in San Antone,” his most played song on Spotify, or his latest album, I Love San Antone, which features a song that takes a lighthearted jab at our neighbor to the north, “I like Austin (But I Love San Antone),” Capps is a proud ambassador of the Alamo City. His style is his own and his songs catchy even if you’re not a honky tonk fan (he sings about enchiladas after all). Aside from his own personal work, Capps supports the live music scene—especially the honky tonk and country tunes that have long been part of the city’s roots—at The Lonesome Rose, which he co-established in late 2018 and where he handles booking and promotes artists.

JOSH HUSKIN

Norma Martinez Texas Public Radio’s Norma Martinez says she likes to think “that we’re all learning about something together” on her weekly show, Fronteras, and that mantra is evident in her storytelling. Whether examining topics impacted by politics (see her broadcast on Congresswoman Veronica Escobar’s effort to reform the asylum process or her interview with labor activist Dolores Huerta), history (don’t miss her series on the 1921 San Antonio flood), the environment or culture (she relied on musicians to help tell the story of healing in her hometown of El Paso two years after a mass shooting there and also interviewed Yo-Yo Ma during his trip to Laredo and the border), Martinez employs a thoughtful line of well-researched questioning to bring her guests’ stories and expertise to life. Her even tone and genuine curiosity are refreshing in an ever-changing media landscape and keep us engaged regardless of topic. Can’t tune in when Fronteras airs on Fridays or Sundays? Play it later as a podcast. MARCH 2022

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PERSONALITIES What are some of your biggest priorities? Our infrastructure in District 2 is huge. We have some of the worst streets and the least number of streetlights in the city. I have kids who walked to school with no streetlights or sidewalks, and I met people while block walking who are in wheelchairs and they can’t go on their sidewalks because of large gaps. My goal in the next 10 years is that the condition of our roads become at least a “B.” Already, my district received more street and sidewalk funding than any other in the last budget and we’re creating a streetlight index, so we know where streetlights are needed. I also want to pursue a District 2 Senior Center, since the one we have is a leased facility. Our role is to keep our community safe and that means our infrastructure, access to housing and critical resources. My district has been underserved for so long, so we’re getting it more resources. How do you advocate for development while guarding against gentrification in your district? Development is going to happen. People want to build, and they want to profit off the land, especially near downtown. We don’t have to incentivize every development. We have an opportunity to be picking and choosing what we want to see, which I don’t think has always been the case. A lot of things that exist now weren’t necessarily built for the district. My focus is building community buy-in and looking at what doesn’t exist in the district and what we need. We have one movie theater but it’s in the northeast corner near District 10, so it’s simple things like that that could make the community more enjoyable.

Jalen McKee-Rodriguez t 26, Jalen McKee-Rodriguez says it already feels like he’s lived a few lifetimes when it comes to his career. The self-described Army brat and councilman for District 2 studied communication at UTSA with hopes of increasing minority representation in advertising. But after spending time serving with City Year San Antonio and Teach for America, he found his calling in education, where Black men represent just 2 percent of all teachers in America. He became certified as a math teacher and taught at Sam Houston High School, which sits in his council district, before transitioning to politics and running for office to help fix some of the issues he saw plaguing his students and their families, from housing and income inequality to poorly maintained streets. When elected, he became the first openly gay, Black man to serve on the City Council—and any public office in Texas—and he’s since gone viral after an endorsement from rapper Nicki Minaj. McKee-Rodriguez, though, says he’s just here to do the work.

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MARCH 2022

“MY DISTRICT HAS BEEN UNDERSERVED FOR SO LONG, SO WE’RE GETTING IT MORE RESOURCES.”

Your parents are both veterans. How does that impact you? One of the biggest takeaways I have from my experience as a military brat is a value for people and relationships—because you move from place to place, you have to make new friends and be really good at that. I’ve always valued relationships and just the role that other people can play in your life and the role that you can play. Service was obviously a huge takeaway, as well, but it was really the value of people. What do you do in your free time? Free time is not something I’ve understood in quite some time, but I love to draw and create and have done murals in my house. I like to make clothes, and my husband and I like to spend time with friends. PHOTO BY ERIKA RAMIREZ

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BEST ATHLETE

Sincere McCormick BEST ARTIST

Natalie Trinidad BEST BAND/MUSICIAN

Liz Garcia

“Independent singer songwriter, great music.” BEST CHEF

Sofia Sada BEST INFLUENCER

@norteno210

BEST LOCAL NEWS STATION

KSAT 12

“They just feel like they’re family to me.” BEST MASCOT

Spurs Coyote

“He has energy, funny antics and community connections.” BEST SOCIAL JUSTICE WARRIOR

Mara Posada, Planned Parenthood

BEST TV PERSONALITY

David Elder

BEST SOURCE OF INSPIRATION FOR OUR TIME

JOSH HUSKIN

The Rev. David H. Garcia

The Rev. David H. Garcia’s Pandemic Preaching: The Pulpit in a Year Like No Other book started as a series of emails that the retired Archdiocese of San Antonio priest honestly thought not many people would ever read. Thankfully, those early recipients were inspired to forward his words, and this year Garcia turned his messages that confront the challenges of the pandemic into a book. Read one a week or pick it up when you’re needing inspiration. Even if you’re not Catholic, the words are poignant, directive and helpful. MARCH 2022

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PERSONALITIES

Judge Nelson Wolff

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MARCH 2022

BEST POP CULTURE WRITER

BEST FUTURE HEAD COACH

The San Antonio journalist and author’s Hip-Hop (And Other Things), which was released in October, became a New York Times bestseller in November, making Serrano the first Mexican American writer to make the list four times. That in itself is worth a note in the history books, but locals know that’s only part of the legacy Serrano is building. On his Twitter feed, he routinely mobilizes his 400,000-plus followers to support worthy causes, from natural disaster relief to utility bill assistance. Next up: A streaming series that’s based on his own life. We imagine that’s just the beginning of what’s to come.

We know we’re not the only ones who hoped Becky Hammon’s first head coaching gig might be with the Spurs. Still, we’re excited about the future for the Spurs assistant coach, who, after eight seasons as a player on the WNBA San Antonio Stars and eight seasons coaching the Spurs (where she became the first full-time female coach in the NBA), is finishing her last season before taking on the top job with the WNBA Las Vegas Aces (the former Stars that relocated in 2018). Hammon is experienced, equipped and will undoubtedly dominate in her new role, yet we’re hopeful she’ll return one day to lead the Silver & Black.

Shea Serrano

Becky Hammon

SERRANO: JOSH HUSKIN; HAMMON: SPURS SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Nelson Wolff has served Bexar County in some capacity for over 50 years. He was first elected to the Texas House in 1971 and he’s since served San Antonio in the Texas Senate, on the City Council, as mayor and as county judge, a role he’s been re-elected to five times after being appointed in 2001. His list of accomplishments is long and varied, including working with the San Antonio River Authority to develop the Mission Reach; creating the nation’s first all-digital library (BiblioTech); helping the Bexar County Hospital District become the now-expansive University Health System by leading the effort to allow it to sell bonds; contributing to the development of Frost Tower, the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts and the ongoing San Pedro Creek construction; and improving flood control, among other projects. Since the first case of COVID-19 was detected in San Antonio, Wolff has worked tirelessly to update the public on its risk and to put in place measures that he believes will protect residents’ health while still allowing the economy to continue churning. He’s long been a leader who acts with confidence, but in the last few years he has stood up to state officials when he believes their policies harm Bexar County with a fresh kind of bravado. Kudos, Judge Wolff. Enjoy a well-deserved retirement.

PHOTO BY JOSH HUSKIN

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Gordon and Maggie Hartman Inspired by their daughter Morgan, the Hartmans opened Morgan’s Wonderland more than 10 years ago as the first (and only) theme park designed to serve those with special needs like Morgan has lived with since birth. The theme park continues to serve as a destination for families locally and around the world and it’s also acted as a catalyst for other major endeavors by the Hartmans and their foundation. Morgan’s Wonderland Camp opened last summer as a fully inclusive, 102-acre facility that brings the typical summer camp experience to youth with or without special needs. Morgan’s Wonderland Sports opened the year before that, making a variety of athletics accessible to all needs levels and providing a new home to Special Olympics Texas’ San Antonio games. This year, a Multi-Assistance Center is scheduled to open. Also inspired by their experience with Morgan, the MAC is meant to be a one-stop-shop for caregivers so they can address all of their child’s medical and non-medical needs in one location. The Hartmans envision a world where accessibility for all is automatic, and their commitment is nothing short of inspiring.

BEST STORE OWNERS

Ginger and Mario Diaz Running a small business is difficult in any year, but that’s perhaps never been truer than the last few years. The pandemic, however, has been no match for Ginger and Mario Diaz, who continue to thrive in running both the brick and mortar and online platforms of their shops, Felíz Modern, Felíz Modern Pop and Rancho Diaz, which opened in 2021. The couple consistently curates inventory that’s fun and unique and spotlights local makers and artists. They work tirelessly alongside their team, but you will always see high energy if you catch them in one of the locations.

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Vera Deckard Lift a pint or a few to Künstler Brewing for continuing to produce outstanding beers during a tough time, all while elevating the food into an attraction of its own. Vera Deckard, Künstler’s head brewer and co-owner, taps into a seemingly unlimited reservoir of inspiration to create an impressive array of styles and pulls them off well. When COVID restrictions shut down tap rooms, she and her husband/co-owner Brent were able to emphasize the food offerings to comply with state laws while giving beer lovers some excellent options. Now, the Deckards are preparing for their next venture, the Künstler Tap and Brat-Haus in the historic Pereida House at Hemisfair’s Yanaguana Garden, scheduled to open this summer. We can’t wait. MARCH 2022

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I N S I DE / B EST NEW CO F F E E B RE A K SPOTS p. 31 / BEST SECON D VERSE p. 36 / BEST DATE N IGH T SP LU RGE p . 38

Eat + Drink BY JEREMY BANAS, KATHLEEN PETTY, KATHERINE STINSON AND EDMUND TIJERINA

Naco Mexican Eatery wners Francisco Estrada and Lizzeth Martinez say they’ve been blessed by a city that embraced their family and its flavors, but we’re here to argue that San Antonians are the ones most blessed by the couple’s Naco Mexican Eatery. Launched first as a food truck in 2018, Naco expanded into a brick-and-mortar restaurant at Los Patios in late 2021, called Naco 210. Set alongside the Salado Creek and boasting a 3,000-square-foot patio surrounded by mature trees, the new restaurant offers food truck favorites (like stuffed-to-thebrim breakfast tacos and chilaquiles with Mexican brisket and red salsa) plus an expanded menu that features new

PHOTO BY JOMANDO CRUZ

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housemade sauces (don’t miss the almond mole), breakfast eggs Benedicts and Mexican-inspired croissants. A Mexico City native, Estrada says they pride themselves on crafting from-scratch recipes that are authentic to Mexico, so you won’t find any frozen spinach or canned salsas here. The all-day menu is expansive enough to warrant manya-return trip and the Mexican brunch offerings that are available until 1 p.m. provide plenty of reasons to venture out on a Saturday morning. The food truck and restaurant also both offer several keto-friendly and vegetarian options. Complete your order with the all-natural agua fresca of the day and find a spot outside to savor your meal.

MARCH 2022

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EAT + DRINK

BEST ASIAN

Best Quality Daughter

“Unique, well-made dishes with quality ingredients.” BEST BARBECUE

2M Smokehouse BEST BURGER

Chris Madrid’s BEST COOKIES

Lily’s Cookies

“Artistic, creative, joyful, warm, cozy, welcoming, delicious! Owner and staff are so loving and caring and are a bright spot in the community.” BEST DISTILLERY

Rebecca Creek Distillery BEST DONUTS

The Original Donut Shop

“OMG! Donuts and the best Mexican food, what could be better?” BEST FRENCH FRIES

Earth Burger

BEST GLOBAL EATS

India Oven & Clementine (tie) BEST GREEK/MEDITERRANEAN

Pasha Mediterranean Grill

“Nowhere compares. Every single dish is delicious.”

Roadmap Brewing Co. e all know the quality of beer is more important than the can in which it’s served, but we can’t help but have extra love for a beer with a good label. The team at Roadmap Brewing Co. delivers both with a focus on quality brews plus beer names and labels that reflect their playful side. After the brewery’s team comes up with its names and label concepts, they work with Tanner Freeman and Preston Brown, of local design firm Deux South, to carry out their vision. From the National Lampoon’s Vacation–inspired “Cousin Eddie’s Hot Coco” to their “Cat on a” series featuring their brewery cat Simcoe in different scenarios, Roadmap’s labels have run the gauntlet of fun and innovative. As an added bit of fun for beer drinkers in the know, Roadmap has an Easter egg included on each label that gives patrons a clue about their next beer release.

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MARCH 2022

BEST ITALIAN

Paesanos

“The best pasta.” BEST PIZZA

Dough Pizzeria Napoletana BEST SEAFOOD

Sea Island Shrimp House BEST STEAKHOUSE

Bohanan’s Prime Steaks and Seafood

PHOTO BY JOMANDO CRUZ

2/10/22 12:34 PM

Northeast: Curator Coffee

Northwest: Early Bird

Downtown: Cafe Azteca

Yuli Chang brought quality coffee plus a place for community when she opened her shop one year ago at the corner of Jones-Maltsberger and Thousand Oaks. Along with well-crafted lattes and pour-overs made with beans from local roasters, Curator acts as a gallery space for area ceramic artists and as a gathering place for art workshops, music nights and other events.

Owners Sydni and Jamal Abed hand deliver orders to the seating area in front of their Airstream at the Huebner Oaks Shopping Center and are always ready with recommendations based on your coffee preference. It’s that personalized service that is part of what makes them a fan favorite, but their coffee is also stellar, whether the popular horchata latte or a standard iced vanilla latte.

COVID-19 caused the closure of this shop’s original location and while its coffee was still available from a mobile cafe and Southside Craft Soda’s homebase, regulars did a happy dance when owner Tyler Ybarra moved last year into a new, larger location inside of the Burns Building. Get there early if you want to try a Mazapan latte—they’re known to sell out.

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BEST COFFEE SHOP

Summer Moon

Its original location may have been in Austin, but Summer Moon has garnered quite the local following since opening its first Alamo City cafe on South St. Mary’s Street in 2016. It’s expanded into Alamo Ranch and Leon Springs where regulars continue to return for its signature moon milk and wood-fired coffees. Local bakeries supply the treats and there’s plenty of space to stay and work.

MARCH 2022

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EAT + DRINK BEST COMMITMENT TO VISION

HASH Vegan Eats

Rogelio and Michael Sanchez’s HASH (Heal and Spread Healing) Vegan Eats celebrates the commitment they made nine years ago to sobriety plus the vegan lifestyle that grew from their decision to live healthier. Try a zero-proof cocktail (we recommend the No-Jito or spicy jalapeño zero-proof margarita) alongside vegan elote, mixed berry waffles and more, and don’t miss the ways in which the brothers are impacting the neighborhood around them while bringing flavorful vegan eats to the South Side. They stock a free vegan pantry by Harlandale Sunshine Pantry and provide hot food to those who are unhoused whenever they ask. “At HASH, we want to be a positive space that is not only in the community but a part of it,” Rogelio Sanchez says.

BEST BAKERY

La Panadería There’s no shortage of options for delicious pan dulce in San Antonio but the traditional and cross-cultural offerings from Mexico City natives and brothers José and David Cáceres deserve a place on every foodie bucket list. The tequila almond croissant that originated at their farmers market stand still sells out, but you should also try a traditional concha, a croncha (a cross between a concha and a croissant) and, when you want to indulge, a tres leches croissant.

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With a reputation for quality, straight-up beer styles and an intimate atmosphere, Second Pitch has become a local favorite in the short 15 months it’s been in existence. Christened ‘Brew Monkey Beer Co.’ when they opened in August of 2020, Second Pitch went through a name change in March 2021 after a legal challenge from another Texas brewery. Its core beers and service remained. Try the Summer Lightning, a honey blonde ale that won a bronze medal at the U.S. Open Beer Championships last fall; the Hometown Lager, a lager in the California Common style; Hot Wells, a German-style hefeweizen; Meet in The Middle, their West Coast–style IPA; or A Man and His Dog, an Irish stout. Located off Starcrest Drive on the North Side, the brewery often plays host to a local food truck and has regular events, like beer education courses, yoga and trivia.

COURTESY LA PANADERIA

Second Pitch Brewing Co.

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BEST POP-UP RESIDENCY

Outside Loop 410: Hoppy Monk The expansive craft beer list, pommes frites with aioli and burgers with toppings like sour ale onion jam, cider poached pears and bacon marmalade warrant a visit any weekend. The beer garden menu is made sweeter by the outdoor seating area with tables for large and small groups plus room for dogs to lounge near your feet.

Inside Loop 410: Maverick Texas Brasserie Reserve a space on the outside patio at this Southtown staple that has an inventive and always satisfying menu plus an extensive wine list and specialty cocktails worth splurging to try. Visit between 4 and 6 p.m. or 9 p.m. to close for happy hour pricing on drinks and light bites.

BEST FOOD TRUCK

El Remedio SA

BEST JUICE BAR/ACAI BOWLS

Southwest Elixirs

BEST OUTDOOR DINING

JOMANDO CRUZ

Down on Grayson

The expansive outdoor seating area near Pearl has a casual and welcoming vibe. Lights keep the atmosphere going into the evening while heaters and misters make it perfect for dining during (almost) any weather.

GiGi’s Deli at Little Death Put together outstanding Italian-ish sandwiches and terrific wines, and you have your next craving. It’s GiGi’s Deli, the newest long-term residency at wine bar/shop/hangout Little Death. GiGi’s chef/co-owner Matt Garcia and business partner Harrison Civick create changing menus that use East Coast Italian-American sandwiches as their canvas. Whether the GiGi’s crew is simply slingin’ sandos or riffing on a delightfully absurd theme event, there’s always a reason to come and enjoy some terrific bites and a glass—or bottle—of something equally delicious.

BEST COMEBACK

Singhs Vietnamese When a late-night driver plowed through the front window of Singhs Vietnamese in early July, co-owners Eric Treviño and Louis Singh barely paused their business. Within hours, the glass windows were boarded up, and their team cleaned up the interior so they could resume serving their Vietnamese soul food within a few days. Soon enough, a mural appeared on those boards with a cartoon sumo character and a couple of captions: “Still Open! Dine In or Carry Out” “No Drive Thru!” The boards now sit inside the restaurant.

BEST PATIO FOR BRUNCH

Pharm Table

Sipping on a mimosa or a sangre verde—a green version of a bloody mary—on this Southtown patio during a weekend brunch feels like a faraway escape. Check out the selection of flavorful zero-proof cocktails, too. Pair your sipper of choice with any of the healthful and flavorful dishes on this menu. Special props go out for the Peruvian-style ceviche, eggs with mole verde and the sweet potato waffles. MARCH 2022

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EAT + DRINK

BEST DINING EXPERIENCE BEST FRENCH

Brasserie Mon Chou Chou Easily the city’s best French restaurant, this Pearl hot spot has consistently delighted diners since opening at the end of 2020. Dishes from executive chef Laurent Réa and his team always thrill, while co-founder Philippe Placé sets a tone for the hospitality staff that offers a touch of French elegance with South Texas friendliness. With such a high level of execution all around, it’s easy to get lost in superlatives. Perhaps the best way to describe this gem is simply that it offers an all-around superb dining experience.

Project Pollo It’s been just a year-and-a-half since Lucas Bradbury debuted his vegan chicken concept in a food truck outside Roadmap Brewing Co., but it’s already grown to include locations around the state—and Bradbury is just getting started. He sees the future of fast food as plant-based, and he intends to lead the way with his hand-breaded chikn nuggets, original and spicy chikn sandwiches, wraps and more. Said one voter, “Their sandwiches are insanely delicious, even better than non-vegan chicken restaurants! The flavors are amazing and the shakes are out of this world! My favorite place to eat by far.”

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WRAP: COURTESY PROJECT POLLO; BRASSERIE MON CHOU CHOU: JOMANDO CRUZ

BEST AMERICAN BEST VEGETARIAN/VEGAN

MARCH 2022

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BEST UNEXPECTED TASTE OF SAN ANTONIO

BEST EMPANADAS

Beto’s Alt-Mex

Mi Roti

When out of town guests request something local, resist the urge to only feed them tacos and instead make space in your itinerary for this gem in the Pearl’s Bottling Dept. Food Hall. Lauded chef Nicola Blaque’s Caribbean street food may not be traditionally San Antonio, but her roti wraps and bowls filled with your choice of proteins, veggies, rice and housemade sauces are as local as it gets. Blaque is an Army veteran and a Culinary Institute of America – San Antonio graduate and her food has just the blend of rich flavor and spice that San Antonians crave.

BEST CLASSIC COCKTAILS

JOMANDO CRUZ

Bar Loretta

There are plenty of house specialties at this bar and restaurant that opened last year in the former Madhatters Tea House & Café, but don’t sleep on the classics, whether the perfectly crafted Manhattan or the Old Fashioned with Milam & Greene Texas Bourbon.

BEST BREWERY

Weathered Souls Brewing Co. One reader wrote, “Hands down the best beer in the city, the most community impact and the most recognition outside of the city.” Its national reputation is thanks, in large part, to its Black is Beautiful beer and initiative that raises funds for organizations supporting equality and justice. Still, Weathered Souls remains local through and through. Their beers speak for themselves—well-crafted, creative and consistent in all the best ways.

Guy Fieri sang the praises of the empanadas at Beto’s a decade ago and the restaurant still hasn’t lost its flair for local, delicious flavor. You can order an empanada on its own (Fieri liked the chicken poblano while we can’t pass up a simple bean and cheese), but the best way to get the full experience is to order Beto’s plate—your choice of one to three empanadas, tacos or quesadillas plus a side of Peruvian rice and charro beans— and a margarita.

BEST BAR WITH A VIEW

The Moon’s Daughters The hype is well-deserved at this luxurious rooftop bar on the 20th floor of The Thompson San Antonio Hotel. Take in sweeping views of the city alongside well-crafted (and Instagram-worthy) cocktails—just don’t forget to make a reservation, especially on weekends when the bar can fill up. Looking for an offpeak time? Consider high tea from 4 to 6 p.m. each weekday. MARCH 2022

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EAT + DRINK

reinvent themselves for entire second acts. These three are more like second verses—new twists on the same great tunes.

SOMETIMES RESTAURANTS

Alamo Heights: Pinch Boil on Broadway One slurp of the OG Garlic Butter sauce and everything feels right with the world. Restaurant owners Sean Wen and Andrew Ho began their journey in 2016 with pop-up crawfish boils, then moved into a downtown spot that quickly became a favorite. They recently converted what was going to serve as a second location into the permanent new spot. Wherever these guys are working their magic, it’s always worth a visit.

Michael Sohocki’s Five Points Food & Drink ith a James Beard nomination for his work at Restaurant Gwendolyn, and a loyal following for Kimura ramen and Il Forno pizza, Michael Sohocki has never been one to make small plans. His latest project is his biggest one yet. When the lease ran out on the space that housed Gwendolyn since 2010 and Kimura since 2013, he closed his beloved fine dining destination and moved the base of his operation to the former home of Five Points Local, just north of downtown. Gone also is the pre-Industrial Revolution culinary approach he employed at Gwendolyn, so now his team at the more casual Five Points Food & Drink happily embrace blenders, mixers and other labor-saving items that were previously forbidden in the Restaurant Gwendolyn kitchen. Kimura takes up the front half of the new space and feels like it picked right back up where it left off, while the new Dash bar combines “European classic cocktails with Japanese techniques.” It’s only fitting that the chef who uses every part of the whole animals he butchers, grows his own herbs and vegetables, and cooks pizza at Il Forno in an oven he built is making the most of his new space. He has repurposed some of the wood from the former restaurant to make a bar, and he even did his own welding for some of the interior touches. In other words, the location and the cooking approach may be new, but the intensity to create amazing flavors hasn’t changed a bit.

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MARCH 2022

Northeast: Dashi Sichuan Kitchen + Bar After six years honing Sichuan House into arguably the city’s best Chinese restaurant, owner Kristina Zhao and chef Jian Li expanded their reach and created a more refined experience in a setting that showcases Li’s talents and the breadth of their region’s cuisine.

Southtown: Mixtli Having more audacity than funding back in 2013 may have been exactly what Diego Galicia and Rico Torres needed. It forced them to get creative, so they could focus on serving one seating of 12 guests each night. Then when the buzz built and the clientele for their modernist Mexican dishes swelled, they were ready. Last year they moved into a stylish new spot in Southtown with an equally swanky bar. The crowds have noticed, so book early. PHOTOS BY JOMANDO CRUZ

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EAT + DRINK

BEST DINER FOR BREAKFAST, DINNER OR BOTH

The Hayden

BEST SPOT FOR A LUNCH MEETUP

Bakery Lorraine

BEST BAR FOR COCKTAILS

The Modernist

BEST BREAKFAST/BRUNCH

Comfort Cafe

BEST MILKSHAKE WITH A TWIST

BEST BREAKFAST TACO

The mostly evening hours at this Southtown creamery reflect the concept: dessert with a kick. Flavors rotate regularly but you can’t go wrong with a boozy milkshake topped with a generous helping of whipped cream. Past favorites have included Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Chocolate Aztec and Not Your Mama’s PB&J, all infused with alcohol. An extra shot can be added to your shake if you want to take it up a notch and kid-friendly (read non-alcoholic) options also are available.

BEST MARGARITA

Boozy’s: Creamery + Craft

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Gorgeous salads, smoked turkey on housemade rye or the always-popular quiche Lorraine with bacon and gruyère are just the beginning of reasons to schedule your next lunch meeting at one of the bakery’s three San Antonio locations. The cafes are calm enough that you can comfortably chat but not so quiet that you feel like you have to whisper, the service is stellar and the pastry case is full of excuses to bring a dessert home for later.

Eddie’s Taco House La Gloria

BEST MEXICAN/TEX-MEX

Paloma Blanca

“The menu has such a variety, and everything has amazing flavor. The pork braised in chili spiced sauce is to die for.”

Clementine Feed Me An evening at this Castle Hills standout is something special and experiencing the Feed Me option takes the party to another level. Turn your dining decisions over to chefs and co-owners John and Elise Russ and let them create your own personalized menu. Visit often so they can get to know your preferences and create something even more memorable.

JOMANDO CRUZ

Maybe we can live on tacos and huevos rancheros for breakfast, but sometimes a bagel with lox just hits the spot. Or maybe a stack of pancakes. Or chicken and … latkes? This nontraditional diner offers strong nods to owner Adam Lampinstein’s Jewish deli roots with an outstanding redfish dip and piping hot matzo ball soup, while an inspired barbacoa stroganoff on the dinner menu offers a San Antonio twist to a Russian classic. Don’t sweat it if you can’t decide whether to get the diner flavors for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Better yet, come on a Wednesday evening when you can order breakfast for dinner.

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I N S I D E / B EST PL ACE TO F IND YOUR NEXT FAVORITE READ p. 42 / BEST AN TIQUES p. 47 / BEST P OP-UP MA R K ET p . 4 8

Shopping + Services

BY JEREMY BANAS, BONNY OSTERHAGE, KATHLEEN PETTY, JACEY BLUE RENNER, JILL ROBBINS AND KATHERINE STINSON

The SJ ara Jessop didn’t intend to open The SJ as a boutique, at least not in the traditional sense. When the San Antonio native closed Aquarius, her former shop in Alamo Heights, after a decade in business, she wanted to shift from a fashion-centered inventory that locals mostly shopped for in-person to a broader selection of items that she could offer people online. She planned to still carry clothing items she loved, but she also wanted to stock her favorite glasses, candles and other home and beauty items. “Our agenda is to make it as carefully curated as possible with finds that make you say, ‘Oh, that’s unique. I haven’t seen that before,’ or ‘This brings me joy,’” Jessop says. “We all need more of that.”

PHOTO BY KLARE PEREZ

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The SJ first debuted in mid-2021 online, with Jessop and her team helping clients shop by chatting via their website, on Instagram and through the store cell phone. Instagram followers soon started asking Jessop where she was shooting the beautiful photos of the products being showcased in her feed. They wanted to stop by. At the time, Jessop was using her new Southtown space for inventory and shipping, but if demand for a store was there, she was willing to shift focus. The SJ’s storefront opened in the fall and Jessop now showcases her selection online and in the boutique. “People are really becoming considerate and intentional shoppers, versus just shopping for good old-fashioned retail therapy,” she says.

MARCH 2022

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SHOPPING + SERVICES

BEST PLACE TO FIND YOUR NEXT FAVORITE READ

Nowhere Bookshop

he vibrant yellow door that welcomes shoppers to Belle & Union Co., the stationery/gift store and workshop, exudes owner Meg Sutton’s main goal for the space: comfort and warmth. “It’s a home away from home,” she says. “We need safe spaces more than ever.” Even early in the pandemic when many shops were closed, Sutton continued to come in. “I wanted to be there for people any way that I could,” she says. She continued creating cards and other works on her antique printing presses located in the store and also curated online care packages for order, providing free shipping and, for locals, doorstep delivery. The experience reminded her of the importance of the handwritten note and of the goodness in people, which reinvigorated her professionally. Belle & Union was not immune to the challenges many small businesses have faced in the past two years, but Sutton was able to keep the business going and found great support in her community of fans. She closed the doors of her original shop at the Quarry Market in late July 2021 and turned to Kickstarter to help raise funds for a move to the shopping center at the corner of Sunset Road and Broadway, which has local management and what

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Sutton describes as more of a community feel. Supporters and regulars stepped up immediately, with 145 donors providing the shop $20,000—more than what Sutton initially hoped to raise. She reopened Belle & Union in its new space last fall. There, Sutton and her women-led creative team (which includes her mom), refocused on local goods, showcasing not only Sutton’s letterpress cards but also other area makers, including oil blends and teas by Relyt, ceramics by Elyse Cano Ceramics, earrings by Sun On the River and candles from Little Light Candle Co. “There can never be too many local makers. So many businesses blossom within our walls,” she says. The larger venue allowed for a dedicated space for in-person workshops. It also means more room for seasonal items plus an expanded apothecary section, more kitchen and bar goods and even more stationery and cards. Sutton and her staff curate gift baskets, provide wrapping and will even help locals shop and take care of any shipping needs. “We do what we like and what inspires us,” Sutton says. Belle & Union Co. cards and products also are offered online, but Sutton insists there’s still a real desire to shop and connect in-person. “I love getting to be here,” she says. “We get to live life with you all.”

BEST BOOKSTORE

The Twig Book Shop A San Antonio mainstay since 1972, The Twig is a must-visit for author events, children’s story time and shopping, whether looking for new releases, historical reads or Texana titles.

BELLE & UNION: COURTESY BELLE & UNION CO. ; NOWHERE BOOKSHOP: JOSH HUSKIN

Belle & Union Co.

Named for that feeling you get when you’re lost in a great read, Nowhere Bookshop is a haven for book lovers like its founder, author Jenny Lawson. Take your time wandering through the store on Broadway and keep an eye out for “Staff Favorite” cards sprinkled throughout the shelves. On each, employees detail why a title landed among their faves and provide an idea for what to read next if you (like them) already love the book in question. A bar with coffee, wine and beer is planned for the future, and the quirky decor throughout is just another reason to find your next book recommendation in person.

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SHOPPING + SERVICES

BEST BARBERSHOP

Traveler Barbershop BEST FITNESS/ACTIVEWEAR

Smart Barre + Pilates

BEST GYM OR FITNESS STUDIO

Camp Gladiator

“Awesome personal trainers who work together to provide tons of options to their clients/members every day of the week!” BEST SALON

Lucent Salon BEST SPA

Hiatus Spa + Retreat

Loma de Vida

As the name suggests, there’s plenty of energy to be found at San Antonio’s first rowing studio. Designed to offer “maximum results in minimal time,” classes focus on full body training with challenging cardio, strength, yoga and combination workouts. Featuring state-of-the-art water rowers, along with weights, TRX suspension trainers, kettlebells and more, members can expect a high-intensity, low-impact class that will leave them energized for the rest of the day.

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JoyRide Cycle + Fitness at Alon This studio has made a name for itself thanks to its high-energy, highintensity, low-impact indoor cycle classes— described by regulars as “a party on a bike.” The Alon studio takes the party up a notch with strength training, HIIT and hybrid-style classes that have members feeling the burn both on and off the bike during exercises with free weights, kettlebells, TRX suspension trainers, slam balls and more.

Smart Barre + Pilates It takes just one traditional barre class to know the burn caused by those small, targeted movements. The SmartFormer Pilates Reformer machine that is the centerpiece of its new Pilates courses (offered at the expanded Alon studio) allows for over 200 exercises that work specific parts of the body, enhancing flexibility while increasing strength. Want that cardio burn? Hit the mini trampoline during a Smart Bounce class.

BEST BARBERSHOP FOR THE ‘PURO’ EXPERIENCE

Puro Handsome Barbershop ‘Puro San Antonio’ is an often-heard phrase in the Alamo City, and no barbershop exudes it more than Puro Handsome. Helmed by Tommie Gonzalez and located next to the Majestic Theatre, Puro is part old-school barbershop, part self-styled business casula and part New York street punk—all with a touch of that San Antonio vibe. Gonzalez hails from Brownsville and is a former TV broadcast engineer and indie music label owner. After frustrations with the entertainment industry, he sought a “more caring” profession and now offers standard cuts, shaves, beard trims and more—often while the customer enjoys a beer or whiskey.

ATIPOILLUSTRATION.COM

EnergyX Fitness

Named for its stunning panoramic views of San Antonio, Loma de Vida (“hill of life”) offers a full spa menu plus indulgent amenities (like the Himalayan salt sauna, herbal steam room and infinity pool) that make it worth staying all day.

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SHOPPING + SERVICES

SUSTAINABLE FASHION

For Women: Socorro Society Lauren Gonzalez-Johnson started her business in San Antonio but thanks to social media it now serves customers from throughout the country. Her upcycled hair accessories and embroidered denim are all crafted with vintage and secondhand clothing and are available for custom order. The pieces are beautiful and bring new meaning to the idea of thrift fashion. Look this year for even more clothing offerings plus workshops and kits to help you upcycle your own items at home.

For Kids: Hand Me Up Help moms Nicole Boynton and Kara Livingston reduce textile waste while saving yourself a trip to the store this spring thanks to the business they launched in 2021, Hand Me Up. A $40 children’s capsule wardrobe includes three tops, three bottoms and one bonus item—all gently worn. Each order is delivered with a bag that parents can fill with the clothing their kids have already outgrown. If it’s in good condition, Boynton and Livingston will pass it along to another family. If it’s worn out, the fabric is upcycled into headbands, bibs, stuffed animals and more. The service is convenience at its best, but it’s also proof that moms are changing the world.

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MARCH 2022

PHOTO BY KLARE PEREZ

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BEST NEW DESIGNER

Nicola Bathie

BEST ANTIQUES

CHAIR: COURTESY ROSE VINTAGE SATX; PEARL: UNSPLASH.COM

Rose Vintage SATX Delisa Morales knew just the place in her new home where she would hang a Primrose mirror from Anthropologie. But she couldn’t justify spending over $500 on it. “We had just purchased a new home and we were on a budget,” she says. She and her husband, Joshua, went out the next weekend to browse local estate sales and found a vintage mirror that looked just like the one they’d seen in the chain store—for a fraction of the cost. “That’s when I was hooked,” Morales says. “I knew I could make my home look beautiful without spending my whole paycheck.” Still, the couple who have been in education for more than a decade—Delisa is an assistant principal and Joshua a physical education coach—never thought they’d become small business owners. But as their hobby for thrifting and estate sale shopping grew, they knew they needed to start sharing their finds. They set up an Instagram account, @rosevintage.satx, and began posting items for sale. San Antonians redecorating during the pandemic flocked to their weekend item drops, with mirrors and glass pieces often selling within minutes of being posted. The couple and their daughter have since made a hobby of thrifting, even planning road trips around their shopping. This year, they’re expanding their online shop to include home decor items, like candles, so they can be more of a “one-stop shop.” Morales says the hunt for those perfect items is still a thrill, but it’s the relationships that have made them continue their side hustle. “We’ve met so many amazing people and vintage sellers and it just feels like a little community,” she says.

BEST PLACE TO WORK FROM HOME—AWAY FROM HOME

Pearl

When the walls of the home office start closing in, Pearl is the place to recharge and refocus. Grab a cup of coffee from Local Coffee Founders plus breakfast from the Bottling Dept. (bonus: the lines are short on weekdays) and relax at a table outside or on a blanket on the faux lawn. When outside temps are too extreme, sip on coffee or Mexican hot chocolate from Larder at Hotel Emma and nestle into a chair in the hotel’s lobby. When you need a real break, there’s the Twig Book Shop, Rancho Diaz and others stores for browsing, and Hiatus Spa + Retreat offers an excuse for some self-care if you’re taking some extended me time.

BEST CONVENIENCE WE CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT

H-E-B Curbside

Someone else does the shopping and it’s free? H-E-B makes it tough to buy groceries anywhere else with its app that allows for easy ordering and (almost always) free curbside pickup.

BEST PLACE FOR UNIQUE SNACKS

Jefferson Bodega A snacker’s dream, Jefferson Bodega has toughto-find salty and sweet treats and drinks that you didn’t know you were missing from your life. Wendy’s Frosty–flavored cereal? Fried pickles with ranch Lays? Pumpkin spice ramen and sweet and sour plums beer? Don’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it.

Technically speaking, Nicola Bathie isn’t “new.” The San Antonio native has made a name for herself in the jewelry industry with her classic, feminine and slightly whimsical collections. What is new is her collaboration with Antonio Melani that has her branching out into fashion—and into Dillard’s department stores. The Nicola Bathie for Antonio Melani limited-edition capsule collection hit the retailer’s website and select stores in September 2021. A reflection of her own impeccable, personal style, the collection of apparel, shoes, jewelry and hair accessories is a study in romance, calling to mind something out of a Brontë novel. Characterized by rich fabrics, dazzling sequins, flirty feathers and Bathie’s signature sparkly stones and pearls, the feminine pieces are proof that timeless beauty never goes out of style. BEST ADVOCATES FOR PETS

SNIPSA

San Antonio has a vast array of dedicated, hard-working and impressive pet nonprofits but SNIPSA stands out from the crowd. It puts a high priority on rescuing animals at risk of euthanization in other shelters and relies on its well-curated social media feeds, volunteer network, partnerships and fun events to help find pets new homes. (For example, it held a Betty White–themed adoption event, “Betty’s Final Bow Wow,” earlier this year at Adelante Boutique, which donated a portion of its profits that day to SNIPSA). It also works to prevent overpopulation with free spay and neuter surgeries (it’s performed 16,500 since it was founded in 2006 by a group that included several veterinarians).

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SHOPPING + SERVICES BEST FARMERS MARKET FOR A QUIET SATURDAY MORNING

Huebner Oaks Farmers Market

When you’re looking for a destination market where you can spend a full morning or take out-of-town guests, Pearl is the go-to (as proven by it earning the most reader votes for Best Farmers Market). But when you’re in it simply for the shopping or only have 30 minutes to spare, Huebner Oaks Farmers Market provides the perfect escape. Not nearly as large as Pearl, the market managed by Four Seasons Market has plenty of local artisans, food vendors and produce, parking is plentiful and the crowd is friendly.

BEST NEW SHOP FOR HOME

Rancho Diaz

BEST STORE FOR CLASSIC MENSWEAR

Penner’s

With more than 100 years in business, Penner’s has garnered a loyal following for a reason. The downtown store stocks its racks with clothing appropriate for the South Texas heat (including made-to-measure custom shirts and authentic guayaberas crafted just for Penner’s customers in Mexico, Panama and Colombia). They have boys and “big and tall” sizes, so you’ll find something for everyone, and tailoring is offered on purchases at no additional charge.

BEST REASONS TO GET TO THE AIRPORT EARLY

Local Eats + Art

San Antonio International Airport has been intentional about stepping up its game when it comes to making sure travelers know they’re in the Alamo City. Andrew Weissman’s Sip Brew Bar & Eatery greets guests who need a cup of coffee before going through security while San Antonio staples like Merit Coffee, Smoke Shack, La Gloria, Rosario’s and Boss Bagels offer local bites, libations and caffeine in the terminals. Airport walls feature curated local art exhibits throughout the year so guests can view photos, paintings and more when trekking to baggage claim, the ticket counter or their gate. The best news? These additions are just the start.

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MARCH 2022

BEST BABY/KIDS

Crib & Kids

BEST FARMERS MARKET

Pearl Farmers Market BEST FLORIST

The Flower Guy BEST FURNITURE

Office Furniture Liquidations BEST GIFTS

Sunset & Co. BEST HOME DECOR

Belle & Union Co. BEST MEN’S

Bexar Goods BEST MUSEUM GIFT SHOP

Witte Museum

BEST PET STORE

SouthPaw Waggery BEST PET GROOMING/BOARDING

Lucy’s Doggy Daycare

BEST SECONDHAND CLOTHING

Grey Moon Vintage BEST WOMEN’S

La Casa Frida

BEST POP-UP MARKET FOR MEETING MAKERS

SA Local Market

Makers Cristina Martinez (of Very That) and Cat Contreras-Sanchez (of BarbacoApparel) hosted their first “Brickmas” market several years ago at Blue Star and have since grown to host pop-up shopping events at Pearl Stable, Main Plaza, Brick at Blue Star and elsewhere. They always curate a list of vendors that offer a variety of goods rooted in South Texas, prioritizing Latinx and female-owned businesses. It’s tough to browse a market and not walk away with at least a few purchases, so go when you’re looking for that perfect gift— or just a reason to treat yourself.

MAKER: ATIPOILLUSTRATION.COM

Fans of the gift shops Felíz Modern and Felíz Modern Pop were thrilled with the opening of this boutique at Pearl. Filled with vintage and modern pieces from Texas, Mexico and around the world, the shop reflects the style of owners Ginger and Mario Diaz and is a look at what they would use if stocking their own dream home. Search for handmade pottery, kitchen gifts, textiles and more.

PHOTO BY ERIKA RAMIREZ

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FUN

I N SI D E / B EST PL ACE FO R A SE ASON PASS p. 53 / BEST SUBURB FOR FUN p. 56 / BEST P LAC E FOR K I DS p . 57

BY VIVIAN GARCIA, EMILY GUAJARDO, KATHLEEN PETTY AND JILL ROBBINS

Hotel Emma hen a hotel has its own scent, you know they’ve thought of everything. A La Babia Margarita at check-in sets the tone for a getaway that’s nothing short of divine. With San Antonio-made guayabera robes, luxurious Frette linens and a locally stocked ice box in the beautifully designed rooms, there’s little reason to venture out. But resist the urge to stay put. The picturesque rooftop pool beckons in warmer months while inside, browse the guests-only library that San Antonio author and urban planner Sherry Kafka Wagner personally

COURTESY HOTEL EMMA

stocked with 3,700 volumes from her own collection. Down the hall, grab a signature burnt marshmallow and toffee rice crispy treat from Larder and savor it from a cozy chair near the lobby fireplace. Come happy hour, settle in with a cocktail in a brew tank-turned-seating area at Sternewirth. In-room dining that elevates the idea of room service is available, but make reservations for at least one meal at Supper, where outdoor tables overlook Pearl and the nearby San Antonio River. If you feel like you need to book a second night to enjoy it all, we won’t blame you.

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FUN

an Antonio Zoo leaders are focused on one goal: Becoming the best zoo in the country. It’s a lofty aim, admits CEO Tim Morrow, but there’s no reason they can’t achieve it. Despite the strains of the pandemic, the San Antonio Zoo has seen more growth and support in funding over the last few years than it had since the 1940s. That was a time when residents were getting back to normal following a war and the zoo was looking for ways to innovate to keep visitors excited. Nearly 80 years later, part of that history is repeating itself as the zoo looks to offer fresh reasons to visit while locals find their new normal, this time amid a global pandemic. In 2021, the San Antonio Zoo debuted its newest exhibit, Neotropica, which works to create the feeling of being in a remote South American village (akin to where the zoo’s team conducts conservation and research). Along with Amazonian birds, reptiles, fish and mammals that roam (or swim), guests will see the new Pantera Walk, a sky bridge that allows the zoo’s jaguars to wander from their main enclosure over the heads of guests and into the other side of Neotropica. That’s just the start of physical improvements. The zoo is developing an expanded entrance that will be more accessible to wheelchairs, strollers and those living with disabilities. It will not only mean safer entrance into the zoo, but also new architectural elements that enhance the

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look and experience for guests when they first arrive. Inside the zoo, Kronkosky’s Tiny Tot Nature Spot is being reimagined. Once completed later this year, the area will boast an indoor play place for crawlers, wobblers and young walkers as well as exhibits that allow little ones to encounter South Texas bugs and animals in what will be called the PLAYce. A 1,680-square-foot butterfly house with a chrysalis room that will give guests of all ages the chance to witness the transformation from chrysalis to butterfly also is being added. Morrow emphasizes that growth also is important outside the zoo’s gates. The zoo is expanding its conservation efforts and partnerships, which now reach nearly every continent. Efforts like the Texas Horned Lizard Reintroduction Project already have allowed for researchers and conservationists to conduct work that has restored the native lizard back into the ecosystem. For Morrow, a modern zoo must cater to both the education of guests and the long-term conservation of animals in the wild. He says the San Antonio Zoo is eager to show up, show off and show the country what a zoo can do for the future.

COURTESY SAN ANTONIO ZOO

San Antonio Zoo

MARCH 2022

2/10/22 12:37 PM

Phil Hardberger Park The 150-foot land bridge is a destination in itself but it’s only one of the reasons to visit Phil Hardberger Park. The two dedicated dog parks offer plenty of off-the-leash fun thanks to obstacles and areas designated for big and little dogs. There are trails aplenty for canines and their owners plus two access points to the Salado Creek Greenway. Free Wi-Fi from the beautifully designed Urban Ecology Center helps when you need to work while your dog plays.

BEST HIKE WORTH DRIVING TO TACKLE

Garner State Park

Its popularity means you’ll likely need to reserve a day (or camping) pass, but the advanced planning is well worth the trouble. Select a trail on which to start your day, whether the steep climb up Old Baldy or the longer and more moderate Frio Canyon Trail. After a morning of exertion, reward yourself with a float in the Frio River. The state park in Concan is just far enough away to feel like a getaway but close enough that you don’t have to stay the night in a tent or cabin—unless you want to, of course.

KOOLAIDPAPI/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

BEST WINERY FOR A DAY TRIP

BEST PLACE FOR A SEASON PASS

San Antonio Botanical Garden Its 38 acres that include a culinary garden, conservatory and Family Adventure Garden are reason enough to return regularly. Thanks to special exhibitions like 2021’s Frida Kahlo Oasis and the holiday Lightscape plus a full calendar with events for every age and interest, the only way to take advantage of everything the San Antonio Botanical Garden has to offer is with a membership that allows you to visit frequently.

Grape Creek Vineyards + Heath Sparkling Wines

BEST BIKING TRAIL

If narrowing down the list of Fredericksburg wineries to visit is too much of a challenge, consider this two-in-one destination just outside of town. Located on 25 acres off Highway (or Wine Road) 290, Grape Creek Vineyards and its sister Heath Sparkling Wines offer two distinct experiences in one stop. At Heath, make reservations for a tasting on the ultra-modern patio that includes seasonal small bites paired with sparkling wines from Texas’ first winery dedicated to “fine sparkling wines.” Break for lunch at Stout’s Signature and then head to the neighboring tasting room at Grape Creek Vineyards for a classic Hill Country experience.

BEST FAMILY-FRIENDLY FUN

Mission Reach

San Antonio Botanical Garden BEST FIESTA EVENT

A Night in Old San Antonio BEST FREE ACTIVITY BEST TOURIST ATTRACTION

Pearl

BEST HIKING TRAIL BEST PARK

Phil Hardberger Park

North: Salado Creek Greenway

South: The Greenline at Brooks

Hop on at the Tobin Trailhead or McAllister Park and ride northwest until you’ve traveled under Loop 1604. Ambitious cyclists can continue to Eisenhower Park where there’s now a connection to Leon Creek Greenway and The Rim. Our favorite place to begin? Park at the 1604 Trailhead and head toward Hardberger Park. Turn around there and go back past the parking lot until you see climbers at Medicine Wall.

The 1.5-mile trail at The Greenline at Brooks already was a favorite thanks to its lighted pathways and easy access to park amenities. Now that it’s connected to the San Antonio River via a new quarter-mile trail extension at the edge of Brooks, cyclists can easily access the Mission Reach trail that extends from Mission Park north to Brackenridge Park. From Brooks, we enjoy the trip north to Hot Wells.

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FUN

BEST HAPPY HOUR WITH DOGS

BEST HAPPY HOUR WITH THE WHOLE FAMILY

One reader described it as the “best place to take the dogs.” That’s true, but it’s a fun venue for humans, too. Two dog parks stocked with obstacles give big and small pups the chance to play with peers. There’s cornhole and table tennis for kids and adults plus colorful tables and lights to set the tone for a laid-back experience. Wings, burgers and comfort food sides (try the loaded tots) are on the menu plus margaritas in a variety of flavors.

The idea of including a playground seems simple enough but not everyone has mastered the art of merging kid- and adult-friendly fun like the Newmans have at their beer garden in Southtown. There are 76 taps, plenty of bottled beers, wine, spirits and alcohol-free options. If the Spurs are playing, the game is on and dogs are always welcome, too.

Hops & Hounds

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The Friendly Spot

MARCH 2022

BEST HAPPY HOUR WITH FRIENDS

Elsewhere Garden Bar + Kitchen Between the neon signs and the florals and foliage hanging overhead, it’s obvious why this hot spot on the Museum Reach is a star on Instagram. Don’t think it’s just a place for selfies, though. With views of the river, creative seating alcoves (including swings) and over a dozen beers on tap plus seltzers and margaritas, it’s ideal for date nights and happy hours with friends.

BEST DATE NIGHT BEST SELFIE SPOT

Elsewhere Garden Bar + Kitchen BEST DOG-FRIENDLY FUN

Hops & Hounds

BEST HAPPY HOUR

The Good Kind “Chill vibes for after work.”

PHOTO BY JOMANDO CRUZ

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FUN

Cibolo here’s a surge in things to do in Cibolo because there’s been a surge in population. “Cibolo has had explosive growth over the years,” says Mayor Stosh Boyle, explaining that the estimated population grew from around 3,000 in 2003 to 33,000 in 2020. Whether you’re a resident of the suburb northeast of San Antonio or you’re simply looking for a new destination for dining and fun, Cibolo’s historic downtown delivers. Find a space in the public parking lot off Main Street and pick a place or two from this list of suggestions to start exploring (head to sanantoniomag.com for even more ideas).

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This watering hole that opened nearly a year ago is more than simply a fun place to grab a drink or catch live music—it’s a little slice of Cibolo’s history. Once a feed store, Ernie’s is an eclectic blend of nostalgia (historic photos of early 20th century Cibolo line the interior walls while the remnant of the Purina price board sits outside) and modern industrial (flat screen TVs and high-tech reverse fill beer taps).

Kindling Texas Kitchen Named for the open wood fire on display in the dining room, this eatery offers a thoughtful and varied menu (there’s a bacon cheeseburger, risotto and braised lamb shank) of locally sourced food in an elegant, rustic setting.

Grange Farmers & Artisans Market Shop for fresh produce, baked goods, artisan crafts and more from 3 to 7 p.m. on Thursdays and on first and third Saturdays (open mid-February through late December).

1908 House of Wine & Ale Once a private home and boarding house, this trendy watering hole offers a robust selection of wine and craft ales on tap as well as bottled wine and beer, spirits and light bites in a setting that blends funky vintage and modern.

Emily’s Place Coffee Shoppe Located in a converted bakery, you’ll find a variety of specialty coffees, smoothies and baked goods here.

The Rooted Fork Feeling adventurous when it comes to breakfast and lunch? Request the “Chef’s Way.”

The Mill Boutique/The Scoop at the Mill Browse a delightful array of artisan, handmade and made-in-Texas gifts, apparel and home decor items. The on-site ice cream parlor, The Scoop at the Mill, serves hand-dipped ice cream made in small batches by Clear River Ice Cream in Fredericksburg.

Harmon’s BBQ Harmon’s started as a roadside food truck selling authentic pit smoked Texas BBQ to anyone passing by. Today, visitors enjoy delicious brisket, pork ribs, sides (we love the cream corn), and more at the Main Street location.

COURTESY CITY OF CIBOLO/RSV STUDIOS

Ernie’s Patio Bar

MARCH 2022

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BEST GOLF COURSE

Cool Crest Miniature Golf BEST PARK FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

Hemisfair

Yanaguana Garden has been a kids’ paradise since opening in 2015 thanks to its large climbing structure, swings, a sand pit and a fun splash pad. Story times, live music and other events activate the space throughout each month while ping-pong, foosball and chess boards provide ways for older kids to stay engaged. Thanks to restaurants like Dough Pizzeria Napoletana and the recently opened Box Street Social, adults can relax during a meal or happy hour. The best news? This is only the beginning. Hemisfair broke ground earlier this year on the first phase of Civic Park, which will include a large lawn near the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, water features and more.

One voter summed it up well: It’s an institution. That’s often the reason people return—they remember playing there as a kid and want their own children to share in the experience, or they want to relive a first date they had at the course decades ago. If nostalgia is what draws people to Cool Crest Miniature Golf, though, it’s the atmosphere that makes them stay. The course first opened in 1929, and Maria and Harold Metzger took over the property in 1937, adding the tropical landscaping touches and Art Deco vibe it still carries today. They added a second 18-hole course in 1959 and kept the family-friendly attraction humming for years. The gates closed in 2008 after Harold passed away and Maria’s health faltered, but it wasn’t dormant long. The Andry brothers purchased the historical site in 2013 and revived it back into the place they once visited as kids. In 2020, they added the Metzger Biergarten, named in tribute to the previous owners, so guests could stick around after they play for a beer, a glass of wine and, on select nights, live music and food truck fare. It’s old-fashioned, dependable fun, which is just what we need right now.

BEST WORKOUT FOR EXPLORING THE CITY

Mobile Om

COURTESY HEMISFAIR

The DoSeum Now in its seventh year at its state-of-the-art facility on Broadway, The DoSeum continues to innovate and prove to locals and visitors alike that it takes seriously its mission of helping kids learn by doing. Its permanent exhibits provide endless hours of interactive fun and stimulation while its outdoor diversions have been a welcome reprieve during pandemic times. It’s the museum’s special exhibitions, however, that have surprised and wowed us most in the last year. Whether its holiday The DoSeum Express that invited families into a whimsical world of trains and local art, its Voyage to the Deep that let kids wander through a life-size submarine or its most recent Uniquely Us: Understanding Race & Building Unity exhibit that was created in-house to tackle the ever important but sometimes difficult to discuss issues of racism, identity and culture, the exhibitions are original, engaging and fun for every age.

You don’t have to master your utkatasana to enjoy a yoga class with Mobile Om. The studio pops up at breweries, parks and other venues with all-level courses meant to give locals an approachable way to practice yoga while enjoying their city. Follow them on social media for updates about free classes at places like Mission San José or Legacy Park.

BEST FREE FUN

Slab Cinema

The inflatable big screens Slab Cinema brings to Travis Park, Peacock Alley, Mission Marquee Plaza and elsewhere always spell fun. Pack blankets, chairs and your favorite snacks and settle in for a San Antonio movie night. Not free but worth the price of admission, Slab Cinema also opened Art House at Blue Star in 2021 where it screens indie and older films. Seats are typically just $10.

MARCH 2022

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BEST WAY TO MAKE FRIENDS WHILE WORKING OUT

SATX Social Ride

SATX Social Ride has made a community out of what’s often a solo sport. Tuesday night rides are relaxed and an easy way to see parts of downtown or Southtown, whether you want to join in for a few miles or stay the whole evening. With over 13,000 members in the Facebook group, there’s usually a crowd and a new friend to meet while you’re there.

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2/11/22 9:19 AM

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