485 Red
Culture | Art | Restaurants | Shops 514 W. COMMERCE ST. Please see website for hours
marketsquaresa.com
@marketsquaresa
Stop the spread.
300 Blue C
100% Black
418 VILLITA ST. Thursday - Saturday 10am - 6pm Sundays 11am - 4pm Restaurant Hours Vary
lavillitasanantonio.com @LaVillitaHistoricArtsVillage
Follow CDC COVID-19 guidelines.
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Open Enrollment for the 2021–22 school year is October 29– Grades K–12
December 15, 2020. sacurrent.com | September 23 – October 6, 2020 | CURRENT
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• Free day of daycare or; • 50% off a full service bath, or; • 20% off a full service groom One offer per family. Temperament test and vaccinations required for daycare. Please bring in this coupon for redemption.
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Call 311 for support and resources related to COVID-1 covid19.sanantonio.gov #DoItForSA
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CURRENT | September 23 – October 6, 2020 | sacurrent.com
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The Spirit of Southown
Explore Our Garden!
Physically distant. Socially Connected. The Good Kind.
Join us for one of our outdoor events! Happy Hour
brunch
Outdoor Movies
dog friendly
Yoga in the garden
curbside pickup
Tuesday game night
Sunday Funday
1127 S. St. Mary’s St., San Antonio, TX 78210
www.eatgoodkind.com sacurrent.com | September 23 – October 6, 2020 | CURRENT
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in this issue Issue 20-20 /// September 23 – October 6, 2020
13 Best of SA Intro
San Antonio Current Publisher: Michael Wagner Editor-in-Chief: Sanford Nowlin
Editorial
Digital Content Editor: Kelly Merka Nelson Contributing Arts Editor: Bryan Rindfuss Food and Nightlife Writer: Nina Rangel Contributors: Ron Bechtol, Chris Conde, Daniel Conrad, Jade Esteban Estrada, Dan R. Goddard, Lance Higdon, Steven G. Kellman, Hannah Lorence, Kiko Martinez, M. Solis, Gary Sweeney, Leah Thompson Editorial Interns: Brianna Espinoza, Trevor Flynn, Steve Hargis Katie Hennessey, Darian Mendez, Laura Morales, Dana Nichols Kayla Padilla, Deanna Wilson
Advertising
Advertising Director: Michael Wagner
Marketing and Events
Marketing and Events Director: Cassandra Yardeni Events Manager: Chelsea Bourque Account Executive: Sky Hawkes Marketing Interns: Julia Bentley
17 Best of SA Food & Drink
Creative Services
Graphic Designer: Samantha Serna Production Interns: Pedro Macias
Circulation
Circulation Manager: Justin Giles
55 Best of SA
Euclid Media Group
Chief Executive Officer: Andrew Zelman Chief Operating Officers: Chris Keating, Michael Wagner VP of Digital Services: Stacy Volhein Digital Operations Coordinator: Jaime Monzon Senior Marketing and Events Director: Cassandra Yardeni www.euclidmediagroup.com
Shopping
41 Best of SA People
National Advertising: Voice Media Group (888) 278-9866, vmgadvertising.com San Antonio Current 915 Dallas San Antonio, Texas 78215 sacurrent.com Editorial: (210) 227-0044 / Fax - (210) 227-7755 Display Advertising: (210) 227-0044 Fax: (210) 227-7733 Classified: (210) 227-CLAS / Fax - (210) 227-7733 The San Antonio Current is published by Euclid Media Group
69 Best of SA
Verified Audit Member San Antonio Distribution – The Current is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader.
Around Town
Get listed 1. Visit sacurrent.com 2. Click “Calendar” and then “Submit an Event” 3. Follow the steps to submit your event details Please allow 48 hours for review and approval. Event submissions are not accepted by phone.
87 Best of SA Nightlife
Photo-illustrations by Tom Carlson. Source imagery: Arpad Benedek, diane555, FangXiaNuo, Jewelsy, Kirkikis, ngel_nt, ortonia, PeopleImages, ryasick, shaunl, Studio-Annika, subjug, tirc83, and YKvision via iStockPhoto, and Boston Public Library/Creative Commons via Flickr.
M
Copyright: The entire contents of the San Antonio Current are copyright 2019 by Euclid Media Group LLC. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. Publisher does not assume any liability for unsolicited manuscripts, materials, or other content. Any submission must include a stamped, self-addressed envelope. All editorial, advertising, and business correspondence should be mailed to the address listed above. Subscriptions: Additional copies or back issues may be purchased at the Current offices for $1. Six-month domestic subscriptions may be purchased for $75; one-year subscriptions for $125.
sacurrent.com |
| CURRENT
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CURRENT | September 23 – October 6, 2020 | sacurrent.com
ntonio
n San A i n e m a R t s Voted Be
2019 + 2020
a y i h s u S & n Nama Rame inter 2020! New location comingNamwa ram Nama_ramen en
6526 Babcock Rd | Be social with us
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CURRENT | September 23 – October 6, 2020 | sacurrent.com
W
e can all agree 2020 has been a year like no other. It’s been confusing, confounding, stressful, depressing and, frankly, not much fun. Which is why it makes sense for us to retreat to our comfortable places whenever we can. To the familiar. To our favorites. And that’s precisely why — in the middle of a generational health crisis, a floundering economy, a tumultuous election season and a time of necessary social upheaval — we forged ahead with our Best of San Antonio issue. Right now, we need to take refuge in the stuff that makes us feel better — whether that’s a to-go order from our favorite neighborhood taqueria, a walk around our favorite park or an online tour of a new art show. And it doesn’t hurt when we can come together as a city, recognize exactly where our favorites overlap and know that there’s more that brings us together than keeps us apart.
That’s why we asked you, dear readers, to tell us what’s best about San Antonio. You’re the ones living through this wacky, confusing, stress-inducing year, so who would know better what brings you pleasure about our city? Of course, we couldn’t resist throwing a few editor’s picks into the mix, because we’re human, and have our own opinions. Please don’t take them as a claim that we know better than you or don’t take your choices seriously. Consider them, if you will, alternate choices that drive a little debate, controversy and maybe even a little exploration off the beaten path. No need to hold you up further. Pages and pages of polling await. You may agree with some of your fellow San Antonians’ choices; others may leave you scratching your heads or unleashing a volley of not-safefor-work words. Hopefully, more than a few will inspire you to step outside your comfort zone and see what your neighbors are raving about. Thanks, as always, for playing along. We’ll get through this year together.
sacurrent.com | September 23 – October 6, 2020 | CURRENT
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CURRENT | September 23 – October 6, 2020 | sacurrent.com
Order Online at CaposPizzaSA.com
3 Locations to Serve You!
4263 NW Loop 410 @ Babcock Rd 78229 • 8522 Broadway Ste 105 78217 • 16350 Blanco Rd Ste 103 78232 sacurrent.com | September 23 – October 6, 2020 | CURRENT
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EARLABELSSA.COM
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ORDER ONLINE • CATERING 1639 BROADWAY, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78215 | EARLABELSSA.COM 16
CURRENT | September 23 – October 6, 2020 | sacurrent.com
sacurrent.com | September 23 – October 6, 2020 | CURRENT
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CURRENT | September 23 – October 6, 2020 | sacurrent.com
Best of SA | Food & Drink facebook.com/Tellez-Tamales-Barbacoa-115721145123658
F
ew food combinations say “San Antonio” better than an order of barbacoa and a Big Red. And it’s clear an overwhelming number of Current readers turn to Tellez Tamales & Barbacoa for the meaty side of that combo. Operating a duo of cafeteria-style restaurants, Tellez excels at serving up tender, slow-roasted barbacoa served with handmade corn and flour tortillas — and the obligatory Big Red as well. But the barbacoa isn’t all readers rave about. This year’s polling shows that Tellez’s homemade menudo has won plenty of converts as have its tender and spicy tamales stuffed with chicken, pork and other fillings. Tellez and its substantial menu are no secret to San Antonio diners, so call ahead. BARBACOA
2. Rios Barbacoa rios-barbacoa.business.site Multiple locations
Esquire Tavern BEST BAKERY/CONCHAS
Winner: La Panaderia Multiple locations lapanaderia.com
T
here’s no shortage of great pan dulce in San Antonio, but when it comes to classic and reimagined Mexican dessert specialties, readers clearly love La Panaderia. Inspired by their family’s legacy of bringing freshly baked breads and pastries to the streets of Mexico City, brothers José and David Cáceres opened the bakery’s flagship Alamo Heights location in 2014. San Antonians look to La Panaderia for tradi-
tional Mexican specialties including sweet conchas, fruit-filled empanadas, hearty tortas and the bakery’s signature “croncha” — a decadent cross between a doughnut and croissant that’s sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. BAKERY
2. Bakery Lorraine Multiple locations bakerylorraine.com 3. Miss Chickpea’s Bakeshop 8065 Callaghan Road (210) 993-0748 misschickpeas.com CONCHAS
2. Mi Tierra 218 Produce Row (210) 225-1262 mitierracafe.com 3. Miss Chickpeas Bakeshop 8065 Callaghan Road (210) 993-0748 misschickpeas.com BEST BAR FOOD
La Panaderia Jessica Elizarraras
Winner: Esquire Tavern 155 E. Commerce St. (210) 222-2521 esquiretavern-sa.com
T
Facebook / Equire Tavern
he Esquire Tavern temporarily closed its doors in May due to COVID-19 but don’t worry — the downtown craft cocktail destination is expected to reopen soon, serving up not just expertly crafted drinks but its impressive lineup of bar food. We’re guessing plenty of readers miss the bar’s generous fried pickles, creative sandwiches and crisp fish and chips. The tavern’s chili-salt fries also make a flavorful duo with the house cheeseburger — a sesame bun stacked with fresh ingredients including a Texas beef patty topped with smoked gouda.
3. Pepe’s Barbacoa Multiple locations facebook.com/Pepes-Barbacoa-230495087601188 MENUDO
2. Mi Tierra Cafe y Panaderia 218 Produce Row (210) 225-1262 mitierracafe.com 3. Tommy’s Restaurant Multiple locations mytommys.com
2. Lucy Cooper’s Texas Ice House 16080 San Pedro Ave. (210) 462-1894 lucycoopers.com 3. Francis Bogside 803 S. St. Mary’s St. (210) 369-9192 francisbogside.com BEST BARBACOA /MENUDO/ TAMALES
Winner: Tellez Tamales & Barbacoa Multiple locations (210) 433-1367
Tellez Tamales & Barbacoa Facebook / Tellez Tamales and Barbacoa
sacurrent.com | September 23 – October 6, 2020 | CURRENT
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DINE-IN TAKEOUT DELIVERY CALL
JO I N U S FO R
8 PUFFY TACO TRIO Your Choice Beef or Chicken $
(210) 737-8646! ALSO AVAILABLE ON
DINE-IN | TAKE-OUT
2422 S Hackberry, San Antonio, TX 78210 (210) 534-3395 • Mon-Sat 8AM - 2PM
MON- SAT 5:30AM-3PM | SUN 7AM-3PM
521 E Woodlawn Ave. | elmilagritocafe.com |
3 3 07 F R E D E R I C K S B U R G R D • 2 1 0 -7 34-5661
THANK YOU SAN ANTONIO FOR VOTING US BEST BREAKFAST TACO! ORDER ONLINE: ORIGINALDONUT.SHOP
3307 FREDERICKSBURG RD, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78201 | (210) 734-5661 20
CURRENT | September 23 – October 6, 2020 | sacurrent.com
Best of SA | Food & Drink BEST BLACK-OWNED RESTAURANT
(210) 734-5661 facebook.com/theoriginaldonutshop
Winner: Wayne’s Wings 4453 Walzem Road (210) 300-3891 wayneswingssa.com
S
ince owner Wayne Price celebrated his namesake’s grand opening in 2010, the restaurant has found a loyal statewide fanbase and national recognition for its delectable wings and fried chicken. The eatery’s menu is full of original flavors and dry-rub choices including sweet-and-savory Texas honey, garlic-parmesan and spicy ghost pepper “creeper” wings. Clearly, supporting Black-owned businesses never tasted so good. Why do people flock to fast-casual franchises when a homegrown option can be so much more fulfilling on multiple levels?
I
t seems improbable that the city’s best donuts and breakfast tacos would harmoniously exist under one roof, but The Original Donut Shop is all about defying expectations. A first-meal destination for locals since 1954, the Original serves up San Antonio-style breakfast tacos on hot corn and flour tortillas, with a variety of well-seasoned fillings and a delectable house salsa. For those more into sweet indulgence, the shop bakes up an array of unique donut flavors including cinnamon pretzel and maple bacon plus an assortment of cream-filled options, all prepared fresh daily.
2. Smashin Crab Multiple locations smashincrab.com 3. The Jerk Shack 117 Matyear St. (210) 776-7780 facebook.com/thejerkshacksatx
Wayne’s Wings
BEST BREAKFAST/BRUNCH
Facebook / Waynes Wings
TAMALES
2. Delia’s Tamales 13527 Hausman Pass (210) 864-1111 deliastamales.com 3. Delicious Tamales Multiple locations delicioustamales.com BEST BARBECUE
Winner: Smoke Shack 3714 Broadway St. (210) 957-1430 smokeshacksa.com
for the perfect amount of smoke and pull to the tender meat. Chopped brisket even shows up in the mac and cheese, a grilled cheese sandwich and a Frito Pie. 2. 2M Smokehouse 2731 S. WW White Road (210) 885-9352 2smokehouse.com 3. Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q Multiple locations rudysbbq.com
I
t all started as a shack on the back of a trailer, but it wasn’t long before all that smokey goodness blew up into a restaurant in the heart of the Broadway corridor. Pork, chicken, sausage and ribs are all worth writing home about, but you’d be hardpressed not to realize that brisket is the star of just about everything else on the menu except the sweet tea. As a standalone, patrons love the sliced brisket
Winner: Magnolia Pancake Haus 606 Embassy Oaks (210) 496-0828 magnoliapancakehaus.com BREAKFAST
2. Snooze, an A.M. Eatery Multiple locations snoozeeatery.com/locations/277/texas 3. Max and Louie’s New York Diner 226 W. Bitters Road (210) 483-7600 maxandlouiesdiner.com 2. La Panadería Multiple locations lapanaderia.com
BEST BREAKFAST TACOS/DONUTS Instagram / Joshiethefoodie
Alexis Barnhart
BREAKFAST TACOS
2. Tommy’s Restaurant Multiple locations mytommys.com 3. Chela’s Tacos Multiple locations chelas-tacos.com
BRUNCH
DONUT SHOP
3. The Rustic 17619 La Cantera Parkway (210) 245-7500 therustic.com/san-antonio
Smoke Shack
The Original Donut Shop
2. Duck Donuts 11703 Huebner Road (210) 476-5500 duckdonuts.com
Winner: The Original Donut Shop 3307 Fredericksburg Road
3. Shipley Do-Nuts Multiple locations shipleydonuts.com
sacurrent.com | September 23 – October 6, 2020 | CURRENT
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THANK YOU SAN ANTONIO FOR NOMINATING US FOR BEST SUSHI
AGA IN!
OPEN FOR PICKUP, TO-GO & CURBSIDE! MON- SAT 12PM - 8:30PM
SUNDAY
RESERVED FOR SPECIAL PLATTERS OR PARTY PACKAGES
11203 WEST AVE. SA, TX 78213 • (210) 348-6781 • GODAISUSHI.COM
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CURRENT | September 23 – October 6, 2020 | sacurrent.com
FOR NOMINATING US, BEST COFFEE SHOP!
ALAMO RANCH 11831 CULEBRA RD MON - FRI: 6 AM- 8 PM SAT - SUN: 7 AM - 8 PM
SAN ANTONIO 3233 N ST MARY’S ST MON - FRI: 6 AM - 8 PM SAT - SUN: 7 AM - 6 PM
LEON SPRINGS 25035 I-10 W DAILY 6 AM - 6 PM
SUMMERMOONCOFFEE.COM •
Best of SA | Food & Drink BEST BREWERY
Winner: Freetail Brewing Co. 4035 N. Loop 1604 E. (210) 625-6000 freetailbrewing.com
W
hen Freetail Brewing opened the doors of its Loop 1604 brewpub on Black Friday in 2008, San Antonio had been a one-brewery town for years. Hop heads welcomed the new addition with open arms for its variety of beers, some of which revived old styles or reinvented them altogether, and pizzas from a brick oven on full display. In late 2014, the Freetail opened a production brewery to make larger batches for statewide distribution. That location outside downtown on Presa Street, invited another group of people, who otherwise wouldn’t make the trek to Loopland, to delights such as various flavors of the tart Berlinerweiss, hearty and spicy Belgian IPA Buffalo Hump and the signature fall release of numerous variants of the La Muerta Russian Imperial Stout. While Freetail caters to San Antonio’s thirst for thirst-quenching lagers and ales, the brewery made a mark nationally with bold brews La Muerta and a Baltic-style porter for its two Great American Beer Festival gold medals.
it would gain around the globe. Since June, the Weathered Souls team has championed the Black Lives Matter movement in a unique, industry-specific way, bringing worldwide attention to the empathetic nature of the craft brewing community. It’s recruited dozens of breweries to produce their own twist on its recipe, thereby raising money for groups fighting for racial equality. Of course, it also doesn’t hurt that Weathered Souls brews one hell of a product, expanding San Antonio’s stout game with every new release. 2. Künstler Brewing 302 E. Lachapelle (210) 688-4519 kuenstlerbrewing.com
Freetail Brewing Co. Instagram / Freetail Brewing Co
Editor’s Pick: Weathered Souls Brewing Co. 606 Embassy Oaks #500 (210) 274-6824 weatheredsouls.beer
W
hen this Northside brewery launched Black is Beautiful, a social justice initiative in the form of a shareable Imperial Stout recipe, it was hard to predict the momentum
Winner: The Jerk Shack 117 Matyear St. (210) 776-7780 facebook.com/thejerkshacksatx 2. La Marginal 2447 Nacogdoches Road (210) 804-2242 lamarginalrestaurant.com 3. Jamaica Jamaica Cuisine 2026 Austin Highway (210) 590-0515 jamaicajamaicacuisine.com BEST CHARCUTERIE
De Wese’s Top Top Cafe
Winner: Cured 306 Pearl Parkway, Suite 101 (210) 314-3929 curedatpearl.com
3. Weathered Souls BEST BURGER
W
Winner: Chris Madrid’s 1900 Blanco Road (210) 735-3552 chrismadrids.com
Chris Madrid’s
D
2. The Board Couple 2218 N. Zarzamora St. (210) 573-2100 theboardcouple.com
BEST CARIBBEAN RESTAURANT
Lea Thompson
espite the seemingly infinite number of burger joints opening in San Antonio, it’s clear locals will always find a place in their hearts for Chris Madrid’s. This Alamo City institution has spent more than 40 years serving both traditional and creative versions of the American fast-food staple — best enjoyed with a side of the restaurant’s fresh and savory salsa and pico de gallo. After lengthy renovations following a fire, the iconic restaurant is again serving up popular eats such as its gooey Cheddar Cheezy burger, bacon-friendly Porky’s Delight and Tostada Burger, stacked high with refried beans, onions, cheese and tortilla chips.
Facebook / De Weses Tip Top Cafe
hen Chef Steve McHugh opened Cured at the Pearl in 2013, he introduced locals to a whole new world of charcuterie. Diners will find the restaurant’s farm-to-table approach extends to every aspect of Cured’s menu, including its signature boards. The orders come with a generous selection of flavorful meats including chicken liver mousse, country-style pork pate and smoked duck ham, all cured in house, and an impressive spread of freshly made pickles, regionally sourced cheese and crackers.
3. The Good Kind 1127 S. St. Mary’s St. (210) 801-5892 eatgoodkind.com BEST CHICKEN FRIED STEAK
Winner: De Wese’s Tip Top Cafe 2814 Fredericksburg Road (210) 732-0191 facebook.com/tiptopcafesanantonio
L
et’s face it, eating a breaded, deep-fried beef cutlet drowned in cream gravy is all about excess, which is precisely why we’re not looking for a tiny portion when we decide to indulge.
Cured
2. Burger Boy Multiple locations burgerboysa.com 3. Longhorn Cafe Multiple locations thelonghorncafe.com
Facebook / Cured at Pearl
sacurrent.com | September 23 – October 6, 2020 | CURRENT
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IN SAN ANTONIO! full service bar
HOURS: Mon-Sat 11a-10p | Sun 12p-9p
DINE-IN • ORDER ONLINE FOR PICK-UP or DELIVERY 5 San Antonio thelacrawfish.com Locations: 24
CURRENT | September 23 – October 6, 2020 | sacurrent.com
Our NEWEST Location at City Base is Now Open! AlamoRanch 10919 Culebra Rd #150 • Loop 410 25 NE Loop 410 #124 AlamoHeights 1518 Austin Hwy #18 • CityBase 2410 SE Military Thousand Oaks 2895 Thousand Oaks
Best of SA | Food & Drink without losing any love. In addition to the chain’s signature macarons, locals rave about its rustic breads, savory sandwiches and French classic French favorites including chocolate eclairs, flaky croissants and opera cake.
BEST DATE NIGHT RESTAURANT
Winner: Down on Grayson 303 E. Grayson St. (210) 248-9244 downongrayson.com
W 2. Summer Moon Multiple locations summermooncoffee.com
hether it’s for a first romantic meeting or the first time you and your honey have left the house in months, readers clearly seek out Down on Grayson when it comes to dinner dates. Part of the appeal, no doubt, is the restaurant’s ample and breezy patio space, although its generous selection of cocktails, beer and wine probably play a part as well. Not to mention, appetizers such as its parmesan fries and crispy Brussels sprouts make great plates for sharing. The stylish eatery has a mix of familiar American and Tex-Mex favorites, including fresh sandwiches, seasonal salads, fire-roasted chicken and fish tacos, ensuring you’ll have a great meal, whether or not date the turned out to be a hot one.
3. Folklores Coffee House 1526 E. Grayson St. (210) 364-9396 folklorescoffeehouse.com
2. Bliss 926 S. Presa St. (210) 225-2547 foodisbliss.com
BEST COMFORT FOOD
3. Battalion 604 S. Alamo St. (210) 816-0088 battalionsa.com
Down on Grayson Instagram / Down on Grayson
De Wese’s Tip Top understands this and serves up chicken fried steaks that literally hang off the edge of the dinner plate. Of course, size alone doesn’t make an exceptional CFS. Folks have flocked to the Tip Top for more than seven decades because this time capsule of an eatery is deft at frying up a steak with just the right amount of breading to make for crisp exterior then smother it in luxuriant cream gravy with just the requisite peppery bite. 2. Good Time Charlie’s 2922 Broadway (210) 828-5392 gtcsatx.com
BEST COFFEE SHOP
Winner: Local Coffee Multiple locations meritcoffee.com
TIE:
Winner: Good Time Charlie’s 2922 Broadway (210) 828-5392 gtcsatx.com
3. Earl Abel’s 1639 Broadway (210) 444-9424 earlabelssa.com
2. Earl Abel’s 1639 Broadway (210) 444-9424 earlabelssa.com
3. M.K. Davis Restaurant 1302 N. Flores St. (210) 223-1208 facebook.com/mkdavisrestaurant
3. Binge Kitchen 449 McCarty Road (210) 442-8126 eatbingekitchen.com
BEST CHINESE FOOD
BEST CRAWFISH
2. Sichuan House 3505 Wurzbach Road (210) 509-9999 www.facebook.com/SichuanEats
2. LA Crawfish Multiple locations thelacrawfish.com
Winner: Golden Wok Multiple locations goldenwoksa.com
3. Ding How 4531 NW Loop 410 (210) 340-7944 dinghowsa.com
Winner: Smashin Crab Multiple locations smashincrab.com
2. Cereal Killer Sweets 1031 Patricia Drive, Suite 104 (210) 753-2032 cerealkillersweets.com 3. Miss Chickpea’s Bakeshop 8065 Callaghan Road (210) 993-0748 misschickpeas.com BEST DISTILLERY
Winner: Rebecca Creek 26605 Bulverde Road (830) 714-4581 rebeccacreekdistillery.com
Rebecca Creek
H
BEST DESSERT
Winner: Bakery Lorraine Multiple locations bakerylorraine.com
R
eaders are clearly sweet on the combination of professional pastry chefs Anne Ng and Jeremy Mandrell and local entrepreneur Charlie Biedenharn, the trio who opened the original Bakery Lorraine in 2011. They’ve since expanded the brand to five locations between San Antonio and Austin
Instagram / Rebecca Creek Whiskey
ome to Rebecca Creek and Texas Ranger whiskeys, as well as Enchanted Rock Vodka, this San Antonio craft distillery has been winning over drinkers to locally produced artisan spirits since 2009. Rebecca Creek’s libations have amassed fans who drink them straight or as an addition to favorite cocktails. The distillery is still working through plans to reopen its grounds to the public in coming weeks, but in the meantime, folks can stop on select days for a sample or a bottle of their favorite whiskey or vodka. Just call ahead of time to confirm the distillery is ready to welcome you. 2. Dorćol Distilling + Brewing Co. 1902 S. Flores St. (210) 229-0607 dorcolspirits.com
Bakery Lorraine
3. Pinch Boil House 124 N. Main Ave. (210) 971-7774 pinchboilhouse.com Instagram / Bakery Lorraine
3. Ranger Creek Brewing & Distilling 4834 Whirlwind Drive (210) 339-2282 drinkrangercreek.com
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LOCALLY SOURCED × CRAFTED WITH LOVE
Bulgogi bulgogi marinated shaved pork belly with crisp cabbage, scallions, pickled carrots and cucum Pork Belly jang bers with gochu aioli AND sesam Jerk-Lemon
JOIN US FOR
e
Gulf Shrimp Tacos WITH cabbage slaw, smoked pineapple and Aji amarillo aioli
Wash it all down w/ an ice cold
$10 SPECIAL: 5 MINI STREET TACOS & CORONA EXTRA (Asada, Carnitas, Pastor, Chicken Cilantro, Barbacoa)
5115 Fredericksburg Rd. | 210-265-3763 | SangriaOnTheBurg.com |
3420 N. St. Mary’s Suite 105. San Antonio TX, 78212 | Chelas-Tacos.com | TUES 7AM - 3PM |WED-SAT 7AM - 8PM | SUN 8AM - 3PM
@nacomexican
proudly serving
San Antonio
truly Mexican chilaquiles, tor
tas &tacos
v o t ed b es t
FOOD TRUCK
always made from scratch with the freshest ingredients!
410 and Nacogdoches | Monday-Friday 6:30am - 2pm | Saturday 8am - 12pm 26
CURRENT | September 23 – October 6, 2020 | sacurrent.com
Best of SA | Food & Drink
Facebook / Naco Mexican Eatery
Winner: Blanco Café Multiple locations theoriginalblancocafe.com 2. Rosario’s Mexican Cafe y Cantina Multiple locations rosariossa.com 3. Los Barrios 4223 Blanco Road (210) 732-6017 losbarriosrestaurant.com BEST FOOD TRUCK
Winner: Naco Mexican Eatery 2347 Nacogdoches Road (210) 996-1033 facebook.com/nacomexican
F
rancisco Estrada and Lizzeth Martinez had big dreams of opening a food truck in Mexico City, but life brought them to San Antonio, where they carried through on those plans, opening Naco Mexican Eatery in 2018. The food truck has since grown to include authentic Mexican plates, catering services and their craveable chilaquiles made with roasted salsa, Mexican cheese and fresh produce and eggs sourced from local farmers. Readers have fallen in love with both Naco’s healthy and veggie-forward dishes and more indulgent offerings, including loaded tortas, generous breakfast tacos and decadent desserts.
BEST ICE CREAM
T
2. Kuma 6565 Babcock Road (220) 641-2888 facebook.com/kuma.satx
Winner: Las Nieves Fruit Cups & More Multiple locations lasnieves.net he neighborhood fruteria holds a special place in San Antonio culture — it’s a place to gather with friends and family, feast on Mexican-inspired treats and escape the nearly year-round Texas heat. And Las Nieves, a family-owned fruteria that has blessed locals with fruit cups, Frito pies and mangonadas for more than 20 years, checks all the boxes. With three locations, it’s become a local go-to when it comes to cups brimming with fresh and flavorful cut fruit sprinkled with savory toppings including Lucas, chili powder and chamoy.
Naco Mexican BEST ENCHILADAS
BEST FRUTERIA
2. Smack’s Chicken Shack 2222 N. St. Mary’s St. (210) 596-4292 facebook.com/smackerelsa 3. Sari-Sari 5700 Wurzbach Road (210) 647-7274 sari-sari-satx.com
2. Chatman’s Chicken 1747 S. WW White Road (210) 359-0245 facebook.com/Chatmans-Chicken-120490024632905 3. Cullum’s Attagirl 726 E. Mistletoe Ave. (210) 437- 4263 cullumsattagirl.com
Winner: India Palace 8474 Fredericksburg Road (210) 692-5262 indiapalacesanantonio.com
3. Fruteria la Mission 553 E. White, San Antonio (210) 922-2997 facebook.com/Fruteria-La-Mission-1525906317731754
3. Simi’s India Cuisine 4535 Fredericksburg Road #109 (210) 737-3166 facebook.com/Simis-India-Cuisine-104962319547629
Las Nieves
BEST ITALIAN FOOD
Winner: Little Italy Restaurant & Pizzeria 824 Afterglow St. (210) 349-2060 littleitalysatx.com 2. Sorrento Pizza & Restaurant 5146 Broadway (210) 824-0055 sorrentopizzeria.com
2. Burger Boy Multiple locations burgerboysa.com
Winner: Earl Abel’s 1639 Broadway (210) 444-9424 earlabelssa.com
BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT
2. India Oven 1031 Patricia #106 (210) 366-1030 indiaovensa.com
Winner: Whataburger Multiple locations whataburger.com
BEST FRIED CHICKEN
3. Amy’s Ice Cream 255 E. Basse Road (210) 832-8886 amysicecreams.com/location/san-antonio
2. La Fruteria 1401 S. Flores St., Suite 102 (210) 251-3104 chefjohnnyhernandez.com
BEST FRENCH FRIES
3. Hopdoddy Multiple locations hopdoddy.com
Winner: Lick Honest Ice Cream Multiple locations ilikelick.com/san-antonio
Facebook / Las Nieves Fruit Cups and More
BEST HOT DOG
Winner: Dogfather 6211 San Pedro Ave. (210) 481-4272 facebook.com/thedogfathersa 2. Wrigleyville Grill 602 NW Loop 410 (210) 369-9833 wrigleyvillegrill.com 3. The Hotdogologist 114 N. Ellison Drive (210) 608-0785 the-hotdogologist.business.site
3. Battalion 604 S. Alamo St. (210) 816-0088 battalionsa.com BEST JUICE SHOP
Winner: Revolución Coffee + Juice Multiple locations revolucionsa.com
Revolucion Coffee + Juice Facebook / Revolución Coffee + Juice
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Casual Dining • Cozy Atmosphere • Great European Food & Beverage Options + More
BEST NEW RESTAURANT!
8811 Fredericksburg Rd. | 210.558.3323 | EUROPARESTAURANTANDBAR.COM MON-THU 4-10PM | FRI 4PM-12AM | SAT 12PM-12AM | SUN 12PM-9AM | Bar Open: FRI + SAT till 2AM
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Best of SA | Food & Drink
E
at more plants” is the fitting motto at Revolución Coffee + Juice, a homegrown biz with an almost cult-like following. Crafted in-house with cold-press extraction technology that preserves nutritional benefits, fan-favorite Revolución juices like the Cure (a detoxifying blend of beet, carrot, apple, lemon and ginger) and Mean Green (an easy-drinking melange of kale, celery, cucumber, apple, lemon and ginger) pack in a whopping three to five pounds of fruits and veggies. Beyond the 15-plus juice varieties — which can be combined into detox programs ranging from one to five days — the bright and airy Alamo Heights flagship serves up classic and creative espresso drinks (including a slightly spicy Mayan Mocha and a latte sweetened with lavender-infused honey), breakfast tacos, hearty vegan offerings, grab-and-go fare and Instagram-ready açaí bowls and avocado toast. There’s a small satellite downtown and a third location set to open at the Rim in the coming months.
the San Antonio dining scene, but the votes make it clear that readers have no problem with the combo. Since owner Lisa Asvestas opened the eatery in 2001, locals and Flavortown Mayor Guy Fieri have returned for its welcoming vibes, live music, abundant craft beer options and fresh, sustainable eats that can be customized to fit any diet. Though the restaurant’s popular kid’s play space is temporarily closed due to the pandemic, there’s still plenty of outdoor patio space to sample cold beer, grab a snack or chill with your favorite furry friend. KID-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT
2. Big’z Burger Joint 2303 N. Loop 1604 W. (210) 408-2029 bigz-burgerjoint.com 3. The Pigpen 106 Pershing Ave. (210) 267-9136 thepigpensa.com
RESTAURANT FOR SPECIAL DIETS
2. Southtown Juice 1502 S. Flores St.
2. Green Vegetarian Cuisine Multiple locations eatatgreen.com
3. Squeezers 732 S. Alamo St. (210) 943-0054 facebook.com/squeezersco
3. The Good Kind 1127 S. St. Mary’s St. (210) 801-5892 eatgoodkind.com
BEST KID-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT/RESTAURANT FOR SPECIAL DIETS
BEST KOREAN RESTAURANT
W
2. Seoul Garden 2456 Harry Wurzbach Road (210) 476-5135 seoulfoodsa.com
Winner: The Cove 606 W. Cypress St. (210) 227-2683 thecove.us
ith its attached car wash and a laundromat, The Cove may appear to be an odd addition to
Winner: Hon Machi Japanese & Korean BBQ 19186 Blanco Road #103 (210) 670-7128 koreanbbqsa.com
3. Bull Gogi Boys 14530 Roadrunner Way (210) 816-1455 facebook.com/bullgogiboys BEST LATE-NIGHT EATS
Winner: Mama Margie’s Multiple locations mamamargies.com
The Cove
Francis Bogside
Editor’s Pick: Francis Bogside 803 S. St. Mary’s St. (210) 369-9192 francisbogside.com
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Instagram / Francis Bogside
hen it comes to latenight bites, it’s hard to beat the menu and atmosphere of Francis Bogside. Boasting an ever-evolving menu of savory, hearty pub grub and thoughtful cocktails, this Southtown spot is the epitome of easygoing latenight dining. Comfy seating areas, friendly bartenders and generous portions make for a perfect nightcap and snack. Pair an order of the honey sambal wings and the bar’s iconic Irish Old Fashioned for a meal that’s just intense enough to wake you up for the Lyft home. 2. Mi Tierra Cafe y Panaderia 218 Produce Row (210) 225-1262 mitierracafe.com 3. Jim’s Restaurants Multiple locations jimsrestaurants.com BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT/ SALSA
SALSA
2. Chuy’s Multiple Locations chuys.com 3. Naco Mexican Eatery 2347 Nacogdoches Road (210) 996-1033 facebook.com/nacomexican BEST NEW RESTAURANT
Winner: Europa Restaurant & Bar 8811 Fredericksburg Road (210) 558-3323 europarestaurantandbar.com
T
his new Fredericksburg Road spot takes an ambitious stab at pulling together items from a dozen or so European countries, from the Greek isles to the Balkan Peninsula. While a few of the menu choices are a little predictable, they’re nonetheless executed well, and before Europa’s arrival, how many of
Europa
Winner: Rosario’s Mexican Cafe y Cantina Multiple locations rosariossa.com MEXICAN RESTAURANT
2. Mi Tierra Cafe y Panaderia 218 Produce Row (210) 225-1262 mitierracafe.com 3. El Chaparral Mexican Restaurant Multiple locations elchaparral.com
Instagram / Europasatx
us in San Antonio had the chance to sample Bulgarian cuisine? There’s also plenty to like about the restaurant’s stylish interior and attention to service.
Sanford Nowlin
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We follow all federal, state and local health guidelines.
Thank you
SAN ANTONIO! We couldn’t do this without you! F A M I LY- O W N E D 3 7 Y E A R S I N B U S I N E S S
F U L L- S E RV I C E M E N U | D I N E - I N , PAT I O, TA K E O U T &
C U R B S I D E | D E L I V E RY W I T H PA RT N E R S
M E AT B A L L M O N D AY | T W O F O R $ 2 0 T U E S D AY ( P I Z Z A S )
W I N E D O W N W E D N E S D AY | T H U R S D AY M E A L D E A L 824 Afterglow St 78216 30
CURRENT | September 23 – October 6, 2020 | sacurrent.com
(210) 349-2060 | Mon-Thur 11a-9p | Fri 11a-10p | Sat 12p-10p | Follow us on: ______
Best of SA | Food & Drink 2. Binge Kitchen 449 McCarty Road (210) 442-8126 eatbingekitchen.com
3. Frida Mexican Restaurant & Bar 18740 Stone Oak Parkway (210) 463-9173 fridarestaurantsa.com BEST PIZZA
Winner: Dough Pizzeria Napoletana Multiple locations doughpizzeria.com 2. South Flo Pizza Multiple locations heb.com/static-page/south-flo-pizza 3. Il Forno 122 Nogalitos St. (210) 616-2198 ilfornosa.com
2. Ray’s Drive Inn 822 Southwest 19th St. (210) 432-7171 raysdriveinn.net 3. Teka Molino Multiple locations tekamolino.com BEST RAMEN
BEST POKE RESTAURANT
Winner: Hula Poke Multiple locations facebook.com/HulaPokeBandera 2. Sushi Zushi Multiple locations sushizushi.com
Winner: Nama Ramen 6565 Babcock Road, Suite 19 (210) 641-2888 namaramen.com 2. Kimura 152 E. Pecan St. #102 (210) 444-0702 kimurasa.com 3. Tenko Ramen 312 Pearl Parkway, Building 6, #6112 (210) 267-2996 tenkoramen.com
3. Poke Central 1130 Loop 1604 #101 (210) 479-7653 pokecentral.com
BEST RESTAURANT
Winner: Clementine 2195 NW Military Highway (210) 503-5121 clementine-sa.com
T Henry’s Puffy Tacos Instagram / henryspuffytacos
BEST PUFFY TACOS
Winner: Henry’s Puffy Tacos Multiple locations henryspuffytacos.com
W
hen you put your restaurant’s signature dish in the name, you’d damned well better be able to deliver on it. And Henry’s Puffy
2. Rico’s Nacho Cheese 830 S. Presa St. (210) 222-1415 ricos.com
Tacos definitely delivers. San Antonians have been turning to the family-owned establishment since 1978 for their fix of tacos wrapped in crisp-yet-pillowy deep fried masa. In addition to its Bandera Road flagship restaurant, the Tex-Mex institution also operates a satellite Henry’s Puffy Tacos Express on Woodlawn Avenue and serves up roughly 1,000 of its signature tacos a daily between the two. We’ll have ours with guacamole, please.
hanks to Castle Hills restaurant Clementine’s pandemic pivot, SA diners needn’t leave the house to have a superb restaurant experience. Amid the crisis, chefs John and Elise Russ launched weekly “Feed Me” to-go specials that feature an ever-changing five course menu highlighting seasonal ingredients and global flavors. It’s a fair guess that readers have appreciated the innovative move — and also Clementine favorites such as its white mushroom salad, house hushpuppies and locally sourced Wagyu strip steak served with frites and a truffle jus. 2. Cured 306 Pearl Parkway, Suite 101 (210) 314-3929 curedatpearl.com
3. Humble House Foods (210) 706-0067 humblehousefoods.com BEST SANDWICHES
Clementine Instagram / clementine.sanantonio
Winner: Gino’s Deli 13210 Huebner Road (210) 764-0602 myginosdeli.com
3. Battalion 604 S. Alamo St. (210) 816-0088 battalionsa.com
2. Bird Bakery 5912 Broadway (210) 804-2473 birdbakery.com
BEST RESTAURANT TO TAKE TOURISTS
3. Zito’s Deli Multiple locations zitosdeli.net
Winner: Mi Tierra Cafe y Panaderia 218 Produce Row (210) 225-1262 mitierracafe.com
BEST SEAFOOD
Winner: El Bucanero Multiple locations el-bucanero.com
2. La Gloria Multiple locations chefjohnnyhernandez.com 3. Rosario’s Mexican Cafe y Cantina Multiple locations rosariossa.com BEST SAN ANTONIO-MADE FOOD FIND
Winner: Alamo Candy Co. 2738 Blanco Road (210) 734-8672 alamocandy.com
I
t’s usually a bad sign when a restaurant’s menu is more the size of a training manual. Quite often, it means the kitchen will be rusty at preparing at least a few of the items and some ingredients may not be so fresh. Not so at El Bucanero, which dependably executes on its voluminous menu of seafood inspired by Mexico’s Pacific coast. Whether it’s the minichain’s multiple varieties of ceviche, full-to-the-brim shrimp cocktails, towering tostadas or exemplary camarones al mojo de ajo, diners can expect fresh
El Bucanero
Instagram / elbucanerosanantoniotx
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SAN ANTONIO’S FIRST VEGAN AND GLUTEN FREE RESTAURANT 1422 Nogalitos St San Antonio, TX 78204 (210) 465-9233 • MyVegeria.com • Follow us on
.
O R D ER O N L I NE O R I N - STO RE CUSTOM COOKIE ORDERS CURBSIDE • TO-GO • DELIVERY
2 1 0. 83 2 .0 886 LILYSCOOKIES.COM
$8 SPECIAL
MUSHROOMS CHICHARRON STREET TACOS
Three street tacos filled with grilled onions and carefully battered mushrooms, fried till crisp. Paired with fresh lime, cilantro, carrot and cabbage.
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Best of SA | Food & Drink stripped down, offering around a half dozen selections of meat, from brisket and al pastor to lengua and tripas served up on corn tortillas. It’s up to the diner to customize them with addictive house-made salsas along with cilantro and onions, both raw and grilled. Don’t expect any sides, they’d just get in the way. Although it’s worth noting that TWA’s satellite location on Nacogdoches Road includes a panaderia with conchas, empanadas and more. As the lines at Taquitos West Avenue and the votes in our poll suggest, plenty of San Antonians appreciate a restaurant that sticks to one thing and dependably gets it right. 2. Taqueria Datapoint 1702 W. Gramercy Place facebook.com/Taqueria-Datapoint-374205566057960 3. The Original Donut Shop 3307 Fredericksburg Road (210) 734-5661 facebook.com/theoriginaldonutshop
Singhs Vietnamese Instagram / singhs_sa
ingredients, bold flavors and skillful preparation. A variety of samplers and party plates also make for a great way to dig deeper into that massive menu. 2. Sea Island Multiple locations shrimphouse.com 3. Smashin Crab Multiple locations smashincrab.com BEST SOUL FOOD
Winner: Tony G’s Soul Food 915 S. Hackberry St. (210) 451-1234 facebook.com/TonyGsSoulFood 2. Ma Harper’s Creole Kitchen 1816 N. New Braunfels Ave. (210) 226-2200 facebook.com/maharperscreolekitchen 3. Chatman’s Chicken Restaurant 1747 S. WW White Road (210) 359-0245 facebook.com/Chatmans-Chicken-120490024632905 BEST STEAKHOUSE
Winner: Chama Gaúcha Brazilian Steakhouse 18318 Sonterra Place (210) 564-9400 chamagaucha.com
2. Bohanan’s Prime Steaks and Seafood 219 E. Houston St. #275 (210) 472-2600 bohanans.com 3. Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille 15900 La Cantera Parkway #22200 (210) 558-6161 perryssteakhouse.com BEST SUSHI
Winner: Sushi Zushi Multiple locations sushizushi.com
BEST THAI
Winner: Thai Topaz 2177 NW Highway (210) 290-9833 thaitopaz-sat.com 2. Thai Dee Restaurant 5307 Blanco Rd (210) 342-3622 thaideesa.com 3. Tong’s Thai Restaurant 1146 Austin Highway (210) 829-7345 tongsthai.com
BEST VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT
Winner: Green Vegetarian Cuisine Multiple locations eatatgreen.com 2. 5 Points Local 1017 N. Flores St. (210) 267-2652 5pointslocal.com 3. La Botanica 2911 N. St. Mary’s St. (210) 716-0702 vivalabotanica.com BEST VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT
Winner: Singhs Vietnamese 2803 N. St. Mary’s St. (210) 320-0171 singhsvietnamese.square.site
F
rom its humble beginnings as a local food truck to its evolution into a St. Mary’s Strip dining mainstay, Singh’s has consistently delivered fresh, colorful dishes that celebrate the intersection of Vietnamese cuisine and Texas culture. It’s hard to resist Singh’s tender, juicy brisket banh mi loaded with pickled carrots, jalapeno, cucumbers and aioli and served on a toasted bolillo roll. But that’s not that’s not the only attraction on its streamlined menu. The tangy and spicy tiger wings, delectable shrimp goi and veggie-packed bun bowls are all crowd pleasers.
2. Godai Sushi Bar & Japanese Restaurant 11203 West Ave. (210) 348-6781 godaisushisa.com 3. Yellowfish Sushi Multiple locations yellowfishsushi.com BEST TACOS
Winner: Taquitos West Avenue Multiple locations facebook.com/TaquitosWestAvenue1
B
oth locations of this orderat-the-counter eatery draw raves for their Jalisco-style street tacos. The menu is
Taquitos West Avenue Facebook / Taquitos West Ave
sacurrent.com | September 23 – October 6, 2020 | CURRENT
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4223 Blanco Rd, SA, TX 78212
(210)732-6017
THE QUESATACO
10* SPECIAL FOR 1 WEEK ONLY!
$
With Your Choice of Chicken Or Beef on a Fresh Homemade Corn Tortilla with a Available during Taco Week! *Tax Not Included
THE QUESATACO IS AVAILABLE AT ALL LOCATIONS DURING SAN ANTONIO TACO WEEK 9660 Westover Hills Blvd, SA, TX 78251 (210)684-9660
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25615 Boerne Stage Rd. SA, TX 78255 (210)687-1818
18747 Redland Rd, SA, TX 78259 (210)497-8000
Best of SA | Food & Drink BETO’S SA TACO COMBO CHOOSE BETWEEN: FISH TACO- GRILLED FISH, ROASTED CORN SALSA, POBLANO PEPPERS, LETTUCE ALL TOPPED WITH CILANTRO AND CHIPOTLE RANCH OR TACO AL PASTOR- SLOW ROASTED PORK MARINATED IN AN ANCHO ADOBADO SAUCE SAUTEED WITH A PINEAPPLE PICO. BOTH COME WITH A
8142 BROADWAY ST, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78209 • BETOSALTMEX.COM • The Good Kind Facebook / The Good Kind
2. Pho Kim Long 4230 McCullough Ave. #2 (210) 829-8021 facebook.com/phokimlongsa 3. Taste of Asia 300 W. Bitters Road #120 (210) 496-6266 facebook.com/Taste-ofAsia-111640045538890 BEST WINE LIST
Winner: Copa Wine Bar 19141 Stone Oak Parkway (210) 495-2672 thecopawinebar.com 2. High Street Wine Co. 302 Pearl Parkway, Suite 104 (210) 908-9144 highstreetwine.com 3. Bohanan’s Prime Steaks and Seafood 219 E. Houston St. (210) 472-2600 bohanans.com BEST WINGS
Winner: Pluckers Multiple locations pluckers.com 2. Wayne’s Wings 4453 Walzem Road (210) 300-3891 wayneswingssa.com 3. Wing Stop Multiple locations wingstop.com BEST WOMAN-OWNED RESTAURANT
Winner: The Good Kind 1127 S. St. Mary’s St.
(210) 801-5892 eatgoodkind.com
S
ituated in a lushly landscaped urban oasis with garden party vibes, The Good Kind is the brainchild of chef and entrepreneur Tim McDiarmid, a Canadian transplant with an extensive background in farm-to-table dining. First launched as a veggie-friendly grab-and-go concept in the Bottling Department at the Pearl, TGK has evolved considerably in its expansive new Southtown digs. While the focus remains fresh and local, the offerings skew toward updated comfort food and bar bites — from sandwiches and salads to Asian sticky wings and a tasty cauliflower variety. The menu items are paired with a great selection beer, wine and botanical cocktails (the pineapple, turmeric, ginger, vodka and Topo Chico concoction is a fan favorite). As much a gathering place as a restaurant, TGK regularly hosts COVID-friendly events including outdoor film screenings, yoga in the garden and drag queen game nights (hosted by fellow Best of San Antonio winner Kristi Waters). An expert multitasker, McDiarmid recently established The Good Kind Hospitality Group as an umbrella over TGK and her other endeavors, Tim the Girl Catering and the stylish event venue Ivy Hall. 2. Mina & Dimi’s Greek House 7159 U.S. Highway 90 (210) 674-3464 agreekhouse.com 3. Sari-Sari 5700 Wurzbach Road (210) 647-7274 sari-sari-satx.com
AUTHENTIC MEXICAN VEGAN FOOD Join us for $8 Asada Tacos Special featuring Vegan scratch made Asada, de la olla beans and one of our 3 homemade, mexican salsas. 623 Urban Loop, SATX 78204 | TapatioVeganTacos.com
TRY OUR NASHVILLE HOT PORK BELLY TACO DURING
Hot seasoned pork belly with cilantro-jalapeno salsa, cabbage slaw and queso fresco in a warm flour tortilla. 9630 Huebner Rd. | 210-265-5585 | AlamoBiscuitCo.com |
Mon-Fri: 7am-3pm, Sat -Sun: 7am-4pm
Hungry For More?
V I S I T S AC U R R E N T. CO M sacurrent.com | September 23 – October 6, 2020 | CURRENT
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Perfect Pear 1½ oz Tito’s Handmade Vodka ½ oz elderflower liqueur 3 oz sparkling water 1 oz pear juice ¼ oz lemon juice
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TR-3742_Seasonal-Cocktail_Full-ad_SA-Current.indd CURRENT | September 23 – October 6, 2020 |1 sacurrent.com
Add Tito’s Handmade Vodka, elderflower liqueur, and juices to a shaker with ice. Shake and strain over ice in a glass. Top with sparkling water and garnish with a lemon slice.
9/16/20 9:59 AM
Best of SA Finalists | Food & Drink BEST BAKERY La Panaderia Bakery Lorraine Miss Chickpea’s Bakeshop Bedoy’s Bakery Four Kings Bakery
BEST CHINESE FOOD Golden Wok Sichuan House Ding How Formosa Garden Mencius Gourmet
BEST FRIED CHICKEN Earl Abel’s Chatman’s Chicken Cullum’s Attagirl Southerleigh Chi Chi Birds Hot Chicken
BEST BAR FOOD The Esquire Tavern Lucy Cooper’s Ice House Francis Bogside Oak Hills Tavern
BEST COFFEE SHOP Local Coffee Summer Moon Folklores Coffee House Theory Coffee Estate Coffee Co.
BEST FRUTERIA Las Nievas The Fruteria Fruteria La Mission Fruteria Los Trejos Sandia
BEST COMFORT FOOD Good Time Charlie’s Earl Abel’s Binge Kitchen Sweet Yams Benjie’s Munch
BEST HOT DOG The Dogfather Wrigleyville Grill The Hotdogologist Burgerteca Just Dogs 34
BEST CONCHA La Panaderia Mi Tierra Miss Chickpea’s Bakeshop Panif ico Bedoy’s
BEST ICE CREAM Lick Honest Ice Cream Kuma Amy’s Ice Cream South Alamode Holy Pops
BEST CRAWFISH Smashin Crab La Crawf ish Pinch Boil House Dry Dock Oyster Bar Cravorites Food Truck
BEST INDIAN India Palace India Oven Simi’s Tandoor Palace Tarka
BEST DATE NIGHT RESTAURANT Down On Grayson Bliss Battalion Clementine Bistr09
BEST ITALIAN FOOD Little Italy Sorrento Italian Restaurant B attalion Tiu Steppi’s La Sorrentina
BEST BARBACOA Tellez Tamales Ríos Barbacoa Pepe’s Sarah’s Barbacoa La Casa De Barbacoa BEST BARBECUE Smoke Shack 2M Smokehouse Rudy’s Two Bros. BBQ Market The Big Bib Barbecue BEST BLACK-OWNED RESTAURANT Wayne’s Wings Smashin Crab The Jerk Shack Binge Kitchen Sweet Yams BEST BREAKFAST Magnolia Pancake Haus Snooze Max And Louie’s New York Diner Sabor Cocinabar Comfort Cafe BEST BREAKFAST TACOS The Original Donut Shop Tommy’s Restaurant Chela’s Tacos Naco Mexican Eatery Ruthie’s Restaurant BEST BRUNCH Magnolia Pancake Haus La Panaderia The Rustic Sabor Cocinabar Bistr09 BEST BURGER Chris Madrid’s Burger Boy Longhorn Cafe Bigz Burgers Benjies Munch BEST CARIBBEAN RESTAURANT The Jerk Shack La Marginal Jamaica Jamaica Cuisine Luna Rosa El Pilon Sabor Boricua
BEST DESSERT Bakery Lorraine Cereal Killer Sweets Miss Chickpea’s Bakeshop Kuma Holy Pops BEST DISTILLERY Rebecca Creek Dorcol Ranger Creek Distilling Co. Maverick Whiskey Garrison Brothers Distillery BEST DONUT SHOP Original Donut Shop Duck Donuts Shipley’s The Art of Donut Miss Chickpea’s Bakeshop BEST ENCHILADAS Blanco Cafe Rosarios Los Barrios El Mirasol Lada Ladies
BEST CHARCUTERIE BOARD Cured The Board Couple The Good Kind Europa Charcuterie2GoGo
BEST FOOD TRUCK Naco Mexican Eatery Smack’s Chicken Shack Sari Sari Benjie’s Munch Abu Omar Halal
BEST CHICKEN FRIED STEAK Tip Top Cafe Good Time Charlie’s Earl Abel’s M.K. Davis Lulu’s
BEST FRENCH FRIES Whataburger Burger Boy Hopdoddy Mr. Juicy Europa Restaurant And Bar
BEST JUICE SHOP Revolucion Southtown Juice Squeezers Jugo Juicery Sunrayz BEST KID-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT The Cove Bigz Burger Joint The Pig Pen MAAR’s Pizza & More Cerroni’s Purple Garlic BEST KOREAN RESTAURANT Hon Machi Korean BBQ Seoul Garden Bull Gogi Boys Chas Market The Magpie BEST LATE NIGHT PLACE TO EAT Mama Margie’s Mi Tierra Jim’s Chacho’s Liberty Bar BEST LOCAL BREWERY Freetail Brewing Co. Kuenstler Brewing Weathered Souls Brewing Co. HighWheel Brewery at Dorcol Maverick Whiskey BEST MENUDO Tellez Tamales Mi Tierra Tommy’s Lindo Jalisco Sarah’s Barbacoa
BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT Rosario’s Mi Tierra El Chaparral La Gloria Sabor Cocinabar BEST NEW RESTAURANT Europa Restaurant & Bar Binge Kitchen Frida Mexican Restaurant & Bar Jacked Potato Elsewhere BEST PIZZA Dough South Flo Pizza Il Forno Deco Pizzeria Capos Pizzeria BEST POKE RESTAURANT Hula Poke Sushi Zushi Poke Central Ginza Ramen And Poke San Poke BEST PUFFY TACOS Henry’s Puffy Tacos Ray’s Drive Inn Teka Molino La Fonda Alamo Heights Lala’s Gorditas BEST RAMEN Nama Ramen Kimura Tenko Ramen Suck It: The Restaurant Cherrity Bar BEST RESTAURANT Clementine Cured Battalion Tre Trattoria Nonna Osteria BEST RESTAURANT FOR SPECIAL DIETS The Cove Green The Good Kind 5 Points Local Sweet Yams BEST RESTAURANT TO TAKE TOURISTS Mi Tierra La Gloria Rosario’s Boudro’s The Chart House BEST SA MADE FOOD FIND Alamo Candy Co Rico’s Nacho Cheese Humble House Foods Twang Beer Salt Popcorn Picadilly BEST SALSA Rosario’s Chuy’s Naco Mexican Eatery Tiago’s Cabo Grille Guajillo’s BEST SANDWICHES Gino’s Deli Bird Bakery Zito’s The Station Cafe Benjie’s Munch
BEST SEAFOOD El Bucanero Sea Island Smashin Crab Pinch Boil House LA Crawf ish BEST SOUL FOOD Tony G’s Ma Harper’s Chatman’s Chicken Sweet Yams Mrs. Kitchen BEST STEAKHOUSE Chama Gaucha Bohanan’s Perry’s Myron’s Prime Steakhouse J Prime Steakhouse BEST SUSHI Sushi Zushi Godai Yellowf ish Nama Ramen Goro’s Sushi BEST TACOS Taquitos West Avenue Taqueria Datapoint The Original Donut Shop Chela’s Tacos Catch The Wave BEST TAMALES Tellez Tamales Delia’s Delicious Tamales Adelita Tamales Tamale Boy BEST THAI Thai Topaz Thai Dee Tong’s Thai Thai Vegan Thai Chili BEST VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT Green Vegetarian Cuisine 5 Points Local La Botanica Binge Kitchen Sweet Yams BEST VIETNAMESE Singhs Pho Kim Long Taste of Asia A Dong Berni Vietnamese BEST WINE LIST Copa Wine Bar High Street Wine Co. Bohanan’s Prime Steaks Little Death Clementine BEST WINGS Pluckers Wayne’s Wings Wing Stop Cullum’s Attagirl Capos Pizzeria BEST WOMAN-OWNED RESTAURANT The Good Kind Mina & Dimi’s Greek House Sari Sari Lucy Cooper’s Kuenstler Brewing
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Best of SA | People BEST ACTOR
Winner: Jesse Borrego
O
ver his nearly 35-year film and TV career, actor Jesse Borrego has done everything from performing a steamy dance with Christina Applegate on an episode of Married … with Children to being engulfed in flames by John Malkovich in the action flick Con Air. Earlier this year, the San Antonio native showed up on the third and final season of the critically acclaimed Starz drama Vida, where he played the estranged father of the show’s main characters. Throughout his career, Borrego has taken pride in staying authentic as an actor, which includes turning down his share of stereotypical roles. “I wasn’t going to be a drug dealer or a rapist or the idiot,” Borrego told the Current in 2018. “I’ve said no to a lot of projects that would’ve set me better financially. It’s been an illustrious career, but I should be richer than I am.” 2. Tommy Lee Jones 3. Lilly Grace Wilmoth
BEST ATTORNEY
Winner: Thomas J. Henry 2. Ashley Morgan 3. Joseph (Joe) Hoelscher BEST AUTHOR: NOT SELF PUBLISHED
Winner: Max Lucado 2. Anel I. Flores 3. Faith Harper
BEST BURLESQUE TROUPE
Winner: Stars and Garters Burlesque starsandgartersburlesque.com
A
s much as the lovely ladies of Stars and Garters Burlesque must enjoy using the word “sextuple” to describe their Best of San Antonio assets, they’ll need to update it to the slightly less sexy “septuple” now that they boast seven wins in our readers’ poll. And should we expect anything less? Billed as San Antonio’s longest-running burlesque troupe, S&G has essentially been a shoo-in for this category save for that one year the Pastie Pops shimmied
Stars And Garters Burlesque Esther James
into the top spot (2017). Although S&G’s 11th season got truncated by the pandemic, we have no doubt that “Transoceanic Tropical Tease” Black Orchid, ’60s-inspired bombshell Suki Jones, tattooed tassel-twirler Pystol Whips, leggy stunner Giselle J’Adore and “artificially sweet Southern girl” Miss Sugar Free will be back to put “the bare in Bexar County” just as soon as safety allows. 2. Pastie Pops pastiepops.com 3. La Santa Luna facebook.com/lasantalunatx BEST CHEF
Winner: Sofia Sada Cervantes Savor and Culinary Institute of America
W
hile Sofia Sada Cervantes hasn’t exactly reached the status of celebrity chef à la Johnny Hernandez, she’s amassed plenty of fans via her post at Savor, the Culinary Institute of America’s student-staffed restaurant, which launched last year at the Pearl. Under her leadership, the eatery has won over locals and tourists alike for its global-yet-approachable flavors, beautiful presentation and build-your-own three- and four-course meals. During the pandemic, it’s transitioned to offering curbside cuisine, including family-ready meals and cook-at-home options. Upping Sada Cervantes’ intrigue, she was also a member of the Mexican National Women’s Soccer Team from 2001 to 2004.
2. Ceasar Zepeda Sangria on the Burg
3. Leighton Whittington Leighton W. leightonw.com
3. Damien Watel Bistr09
BEST COMMUNITY ACTIVIST
BEST CLOTHING DESIGNER
Winner: Emelie Herrera
Winner: Nilgun Derman Niche nicheclothingco.com
2. Robert Salcido
esigner Nilgun Derman’s Niche brand has secured a high profile thanks to its more than two decades in operation, a flagship store in the Pearl development and a presence in highend boutiques across the United States and Canada. Although the homegrown company touts its “rich textures and textiles” in its promo materials, fans also find Derman’s clothes comfortable and stylish without being showy. As a sign of Niche’s adaptability, the designer earlier this year began producing fashionable pandemic-ready masks in a variety of patterns.
BEST DRAG PERFORMER
3. Kimiya Factory
D
Winner: Kristi Waters kristiwaters.com
Kristi Waters Facebook / Kristi Waters
I
Nilgun Derman Instagram / Niche Clothing
2. Angelina Mata Instagram @mataatelier
n what one might describe as an upset, multitasking seductress Kristi Waters has successfully snatched the crown from snaggletoothed camp queen and Best of San Antonio mainstay Tencha la Jefa. A former Corpus Christi schoolteacher who got bitten by the drag bug after nabbing a role in The Rocky Horror Show, Waters is easily one of the hard-
sacurrent.com | September 23 – October 6, 2020 | CURRENT
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CURRENT | September 23 – October 6, 2020 | sacurrent.com
SAN ANTONIO'S TOP CRIMINAL DEFENSE AND FAMILY LAW ATTORNEYS
Best of SA | People est-working queens on our local scene. With 15 years of drag under her tightly cinched belt, she’s won over clubbers with Lady Gaga impersonations, entertained day drinkers at Paramour’s drag brunches, portrayed sex-positive Southern belle Blanche Devereaux in Golden Girls parodies and even sold out her one-woman comedy show I Promise I’m Funny. Not even a pesky pandemic can slow Waters down. That much is evidenced by regular performances on Facebook Live, socially distanced gigs at Luther’s and a rare appearance at PicaPica Plaza to sell her 2020 Fiesta medal commemorating “the greatest party that never happened.” 2. Pinche Villa facebook.com/pinchevillaking 3. Alayna Marquez BEST FILMMAKER
Winner: Than Niles facebook.com/thanniles
3. Powdered Wig Machine facebook.com/powderedwigmachine
@s.a.foodie
BEST INSTAGRAM INFLUENCER
Winner: @s.a.foodie
S
an Antonio native Amanda Spencer is building on her social media reputation one tasty photograph at a time. Currently, the local foodie boasts 146,000 followers on her Instagram account, where she posts photos and videos of all kinds of foods from restaurants across the Alamo City. Recently, Spencer posted a clip of employees deep frying churros at Honchos Churros and photos of seafood, desserts and cocktails from the Fairmount Rooftop Oyster Bar. “Thank you for what you do,” wrote Brett Fuller, one of Spencer’s Instagram followers. “Just need you to know my tummy is happier knowing you are finding all these delicious places to eat for us all!” 2. @sanantoniomunchies
Than Miles
3. @sanantoniostephanie BEST JEWELER
Winner: James Avery Artisan Jewelry jamesavery.com
A
Facebook / Than Niles
graduate of the University of the Incarnate Word, filmmaker Than Niles polished his skills as a director when he studied narrative and documentary filmmaking at the University of the Arts in London. Over the years, Niles has worked on the commercial side of the industry with companies including Discovery Channel, NCAA and the U.S. Air Force. In 2008, he started his own company, Big Balloon Productions. This week, Niles is screening his latest project, a short film called Luminous, at the Brooklyn SciFi Film Festival. The 11-minute short follows Lou (Jesse Borrego, Best San Antonio Actor winner 2020), a security guard who is forced to decide between his job at a technology research facility and the future of mankind. 2. Kenneth Dill facebook.com/kenneth.dill.14
O
K, maybe it’s not a person, it’s a jewelry institution named for a person. And James Avery Artisan Jewelry has clenched this title for the second year in a row. The self-taught Avery started his artisan jewelry business from inside his mother-in-law’s garage in Kerrville in 1954. Today, the company he founded boasts roughly 80 retail stores across the U.S. — 14 of them in the San Antonio area. As a jeweler, Avery was best known for his faith-based designs such as crosses and angel wings. He was a military vet who few bombers in WWII and died in 2018 at the age of 96. While his namesake company still sells plenty of crosses, it’s also widened
Instagram / s.a.foodie
its repertoire over the years. Customer favorites include its mother’s love ring, tiny hearts band and even an enamel Whataburger cup charm. 2. Gold Tender goldtenderjewelry.com 3. C. Aaron Peñaloza penaloza.com BEST LOCAL CELEBRITY
Winner: David Elder 2. Patty Mills
have certainly come around to face coverings, both as a safety precaution and as a fashion accessory, as evidenced by the number of local boutiques and makers selling custom designs. Readers clearly found Karolina’s Antiques a favorite place to shop for stylish new face wardrobe as we enter the fall season. The family-owned store offers curbside service for its colorful collection of masks that shoppers can peruse online. Its creative designs include masks with designs of loteria cards, calaveras, cacti, Frida Kahlo and lucha libre.
3. The Coyote BEST MASK MAKER
Winner: Karolina’s Antiques 1705 Blanco Road (210) 731-9787 karolinasantiques.com
James Avery Instagram / James Avery
T
here’s no denying the science when it comes to masks making us safer during the pandemic. San Antonians
Karolina’s Antiques
Instagram / Karolina’s Antiques
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Best of SA | People confidence to call themselves photographers, there’s an increased appreciation for folks creating photographs the old-fashioned way. Although local lensman Erik Gustafson has done plenty of editorial photography over the years, he’s particularly impressed us this year with personal reportage work shot on the streets of San Antonio. Armed with an array of vintage film cameras — including a Japanese Yashica-Mat and an unwieldy 4x5 — he combs the city for unusual scenes and frequently shares his findings on social media. From poignant portraits of homeless individuals and a West Side resident in his yard behind a sign that reads “Mi Barrio No Se Vende” to a glowing low rider in front of Frost Tower and a holein-the-wall Mexican restaurant advertising barbacoa (caption: “Sunday in San Antonio”), Gustafson has expertly captured a portrait of the Alamo City amid trying times. BEST POET
Winner: Anel I. Flores anelflores.com
/ Whipping high tide / Pushing hills / Hips on both sides of plump ass / Splitting apart / Handfuls of salt / Seduction …” In addition to taking top honors as this year’s Best Local Poet, Flores deserves special recognition for her role as co-founder of LezRide SA, an initiative that “uses cycling and exercise to promote, inspire and support LGBTQ inclusion, diversity, wellness and community building through healthy adventures.” 2. Sharon Ruth Hensley facebook.com/sharonhensley76 3. Jenny Browne jennybrowne.com BEST POLITICIAN
Winner: Ron Nirenberg
S
an Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg may have squeaked by in his 51-to-49 percent reelection to a second term, but that ap-
F Erik Gustafson Facebook / Erik Gustafson
2. Que Bonita Crafts quebonitacrafts.com 3. Wildhoneypot Instagram @wildhoneypot
2. Tiffany Edwards 3. Jill DiGiampaolo BEST PHOTOGRAPHER
BEST METEOROLOGIST
Winner: Alex Mendez Snap Magic
2. Adam Caskey
2. Margizasa Photography margizasa.com
Winner: Bill Taylor
3. Jeanette Calle BEST NEWS ANCHOR
Winner: Randy Beamer 2. Steve Spriester 3. Kimberly Crawford BEST PERSONAL TRAINER
Winner: @70lbsoflife
rom a literary perspective, self-described “lesbiana, queer author and artivist” Anel I. Flores is arguably best recognized for Empanada, which began as a play and developed into a published collection of coming-of-age vignettes following a passionate young lesbian named Paloma. Whether writing, drawing or painting, Flores imbues her work with themes of sexuality, gender, race and identity. During National Poetry Month, she rose to the occasion of San Antonio Poet Laureate Andrea “Vocab” Sanderson’s #MyTongueIsChallenge with a poem conjuring sultry seaside moments: “My tongue is ocean wave
3. Julian Ledezma Instagram @jplproductions Editor’s Pick: Erik Gustafson facebook.com/erik.gustafsonphotography
W
hile smartphones have made photography a much more approachable medium and — for better or for worse — given novices the
Ron Nirenberg Jade Esteban Estrada
parently didn’t bother Current readers. Maybe in these Trumpian times there’s something to be said for the former councilman’s wonkish, understated style and his focus on policy over bombast. It’s also likely that Gov. Greg Abbott’s herky-jerky response to the coronavirus pandemic has highlighted Nirenberg’s steady local leadership during the crisis — a trait on display nightly during televised coronavirus briefings. While Nirenberg may not have turned out to be as progressive a mayor as some hoped, he’s still guided council on a path to addressing complex issues such as generational poverty, affordable housing and transportation that have been swept under the rug for too long. 2. Julián Castro
Anel I. Flores
3. Diego Bernal
Anel Flores
sacurrent.com | September 23 – October 6, 2020 | CURRENT
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We are
S A N
A N T O N I O S T R O N G ! 2020 Has Been A Challenge For Us All,
Thank You
for your continued support each year in the Best of San Antonio!
Let’s Celebrate The Wins!
BEST REALTOR 2018 Maggie Wilmoth 2020 Finalist |
@Maggieismyagent
BEST LOCAL ACTOR 2018
Lilly Grace Christian 2020 Finalist | @The_official_lilly_grace S5 Of 'Fear The Walking Dead'
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Best of SA | People Tim Duncan
2. Larry Garza 3. Clifton Simmons BEST VISUAL ARTIST
Winner: Gio DiZurita dizurita.com
2. Mauro de la Tierra Instagram @maurodelatierra 3. Ray Tattooedboy Instagram @tattooedboy123 Editor’s Pick: Diana Kersey dianakersey.com
Diana Kersey
Instagram / San Antonio Spurs
BEST REALTOR
Winner: Rueben HernandezValdez 2. Maggie Wilmoth 3. Sandra Uribe - Keller Williams BEST SPORTS PERSONALITY
we’re hoping Duncan’s former teammate Manu Ginobili continues to do what he did a couple of weeks ago and post more photos on social media of him and the Big Fundamental going on bike rides together. 2. Sean Elliott
Winner: Tim Duncan
3. Joe Reinagel
t’s been four years since five-time NBA champion Tim Duncan has worn a silver and black Spurs jersey on the court, but his name will always be synonymous with Spurs culture and sportsmanship. Earlier this year, Duncan, who spent the last season on the Spurs bench as an assistant coach, was named one of nine individuals who will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as the Class of 2020. The enshrinement ceremony, which was initially set for late last month, was rescheduled for May 2021. Until then,
BEST SPURS PLAYER
I
P
Winner: Patty Mills oint guard Patty Mills has been with the Spurs for the past nine years, including when the team won its last
Patty Mills
NBA championship title in 2014. This year, Mills averaged a career high 11.6 points per game, which was third highest on the team after DeMar DeRozen (22.1 PPG) and LaMarcus Aldridge (18.9 PPG). More importantly, he continued to serve as a role model coming off the bench for young talent such as guards Dejounte Murray and Derrick White. In July, Mills donated his remaining salary — totaling more than $1 million — to Black Lives Matter organizations in his home country of Australia. “He’s the spiritual leader of the team,” Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich told KSAT this summer. “He’s doing things to try and make the world a better place.” 2. Lonnie Walker IV 3. Lamarcus Aldridge BEST STAND-UP COMIC
Winner: Cleto Rodriguez Instagram / San Antonio Spurs
M
Alicia Wiesse
any exceptionally talented artists call San Antonio home, and their presence and work here sets us apart from other Texas cities. While exhibiting in galleries and museums is a prized goal for many, there’s something especially powerful about public art — not only is it permanent, it can be experienced by everyone. Although she’s masterful with small-scale works both functional and decorative, local ceramicist Diana Kersey thrives within the realm of large outdoor installations. Frequently inspired by Texas ecology and the cycles of nature, her richly colored ceramic panels bring life to the bridges of Brackenridge Park and San Pedro Creek, and her curious, totem-like towers stand guard over a bustling bus stop in Five Points. Boasting an undeniable wow factor, Kersey’s latest mark on the city is The Riparian Edge North — a pair of massive ceramic murals that grace the facade of the new Oxbow building at the Pearl. Ringing in at 150 and 500 square feet, the pieces celebrate flora and fauna native to the San Antonio River Basin, including hawks, herons, bats, turtles and water lilies.
sacurrent.com | September 23 – October 6, 2020 | CURRENT
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Best of SA Finalists | People BEST ATTORNEY Thomas J. Henry Ashley Morgan Joseph (Joe) Hoelscher Marco Cepeda Mark Medley
BEST LOCAL POET Anel Flores Sharon Ruth Hensley Jenny Browne Anthony Flores Red Horn Woman
BEST AUTHOR (NOT SELF PUBLISHED) Max Lucado Anel Flores Faith Harper Scott McDowell
BEST MASK MAKER Karolinas Antiques Que Bonita Wildhoneypot Life’s Sweet Co. (The NOMAD Shop) Sew Chic
BEST BURLESQUE TROUPE Stars & Garters Pastie Pops La Santa Luna The House of Lepore Lestrange Sideshow
BEST METEOROLOGIST Bill Taylor Adam Caskey Jeanette Calle Mike Osterhage Alex Garcia
BEST CHEF Sof ia Sada, CIA Ceasar Zepeda, Sangria on the Burg Damien Watel, Bistr09 Tim the Girl, Good Kind Tatu Herrerra, Folklores
BEST NEWS ANCHOR Randy Beamer Steve Spriester Kimberly Crawford Camilla Rambaldi Breanna Barrs
BEST COMMUNITY ACTIVIST Emelie Herrera Robert Salcido Kimiya Factory Makayla Montoya Frazier Jennifer K. Falcon
BEST PERSONAL TRAINER @70lbsoflife Tiffany Edwards Jill DiGiampaolo Gregg Bell April Leal f rom Your Destination Fit
BEST DRAG PERFORMER Kristi Waters Pinche Villa Alayna Marquez KenDoll Aysia Rawzé
BEST PHOTOGRAPHER Alex Mendez, Snap Magic Margizasa Photography Julian Ledezma Kody Melton Jay Visuals
BEST INSTAGRAM INFLUENCER @s.a.foodie @sanantoniomunchies @sanantoniostephanie @belindarosee @getf itwithashley_
BEST POLITICIAN Ron Nirenberg Julián Castro Diego Bernal Lloyd Doggett Patrick Von Dolen
BEST JEWELER James Avery Gold Tender Aaron Penaloza Brandy Garcia Raquelita’s Collection
BEST REALTOR Rueben Hernandez-Valdez Maggie Wilmoth Sandra Uribe - Keller Williams Patrick Hammonds Rosemary Pagan
BEST LOCAL ACTOR/ACTRESS (FILM/STAGE) Jesse Borrego Tommy Lee Jones Lilly Grace Wilmoth Melissa Gonzales Josey Porras
BEST SPORTS PERSONALITY Tim Duncan Sea Elliot Joe Reinagel Jason Minnix
BEST LOCAL CELEBRITY David Elder Patty Mills The Coyote The Batman of San Antonio Kimberly Crawford BEST LOCAL CLOTHING DESIGNER Niche Angelina Mata Leighton Whittington Antony Ryan Alaverb BEST LOCAL FILMMAKER Than Niles Kenneth Dill Powdered Wig Machine Bryan Ortiz Daniel Galvan
BEST SPURS PLAYER Patty Mills Lonnie Walker Lamarcus Aldridge Dejounte Murray BEST STAND-UP COMIC Cleto Rodriguez Larry Garza Clifton Simmons Tori Pool Mike Suarez BEST VISUAL ARTIST Gio DiZurita Mauro de la Tierra Ray Tattooedboy Sara Barcus
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More than 15% of people in San Antonio live below the poverty line, the highest rate of any of the nation’s top 25 metropolitan areas.
435,000 of our neighbors will face hunger this year. Act to Feed Your Community safoodbank.org
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Best of SA | Shopping Eye Candy Boutique
(210) 476-5191 facebook.com/AmericanShamanDeZavala BEST CHILDREN’S STORE
Winner: Sweet Pea’s Baby Emporium 14353 Blanco Road #102 (210) 254-9109 sweetpeasbabyemporium.com
2. Dragon’s Lair 7959 Fredericksburg Road #129 (210) 615-1229 dlair.net
3. Feliz Modern 110 W. Olmos Dr. (210) 622-8364 felizmodern.com
3. Heroes & Fantasies Multiple locations heroesandfantasies.com
BEST ADULT STORE
BEST BOOK STORE
BEST CLOTHING BOUTIQUE
2. Adult Megaplex Multiple locations megaplexsa.com
2. Twig 306 Pearl Parkway, Unit 106 (210) 826-6411 thetwig.com
3. Sexology Institute 707 S. St. Mary’s St. (210) 487-0371 sexologyinstitute.com
3. Nine Lives Books 7959 Fredericksburg Road, Suite 119 (210) 647-5656 ninelivesbooks.com
A
BEST ANTIQUE STORE
BEST CAR DEALERSHIP
Winner: Love Shack Boutique 1580 Babcock Road (210) 767-9411 theloveshackboutique.com
Winner: Karolina’s Antiques 1705 Blanco Road (210) 731-9787 karolinasantiques.com 2. Period Modern 4347 McCullough Ave. (210) 902-1217 periodmodern.com 3. Alamo Antique Mall 125 Broadway (210) 224-4354 alamoantiquemall.com
Winner: Half Price Books Multiple locations hpb.com
Winner: North Park Toyota 10703 SW Loop 410 (210) 600- 5677 northparktoyota.com 2. Ancira Enterprises Multiple locations ancira.com 3. Cavender Toyota 5730 NW Loop 410 (210) 681-6601 cavendertoyota.com BEST CBD SHOP
Winner: Bike World Multiple locations bikeworld.com
Winner: Alamo Botanicals 19141 Stone Oak Parkway #301 (210) 444-9026 alamobotanicals.com
2. Crossroad Bikes 14510 NW Military Highway (210) 492-7677 crossroadbikes.com
2. Bee’s Wellness Cafe 3030 Thousand Oaks Dr., Suite 102 (210) 836-8141 beeswellnesscafe.com
3. Bicycle Heaven Multiple locations bicycle-heaven.com
3. CBD American Shaman DeZavala 6390 De Zavala Road, Suite 102
BEST BICYCLE SHOP
BEST COMIC BOOK AND GAME SHOP
Winner: Knight Watch Games 16350 Blanco Road #116 (210) 888-1051 knightwatchgames.com
2.Crib & Kids 1309 N. Loop 1604 W. #106 (210) 764-2742 cribsandkids.com
Instagram / Eye Candy Boutique
3. True North SA 332 W. Sunset Road #7 (210) 444-9946 facebook.com/trunorthsa
Winner: Eye Candy Boutique 2003 S. Zarzamora St., Suite 1101 heyeyecandy.com
s an undergrad studying fashion merchandising at Texas State University, Elsa Fernandez dreamed of one day opening a plus-size clothing store. From her own experiences, she knew there was a void in the market when it came to shopping for trendy, flattering plus-size fashions. In 2015, she scored a temporary home for Eye Candy as part of the Center City Development and Operations Department’s OPEN Downtown Pop-Up Shops and, after a successful run, signed a lease for the tiny space on the corner of Houston and Navarro streets. There, she won over a loyal following with an affordable, fashion-forward mix of merchandise encompassing casual, dressy and street-smart looks along with denim, tees and unique accessories. Just before the pandemic, Fernandez opted to relocate Eye Candy to a live-work space on the South Side where she welcomes customers by appointment. She’s also made online shopping a breeze with clever “lifestyle/vibe” categories like Amiga Adventures, Wear to Work, Date Night and Keepin’ It Cozy. Newbies should tune into the two-time Best of San Antonio winner’s buzzy Instagram page (@heyeyecandy), where she serves up styling tips for “capturing eyes at any size.” 2. Bless Your Heart Gift Shop 18771 FM 2252 (210) 651-1000 shoppingismycardio.com
BEST FARMERS MARKET
Winner: The Pearl Farmers Market 312 Pearl Parkway (210) 212-7260 atpearl.com/farmers-market 2. Huebner Oaks Farmers Market 11745 Interstate 10 (972) 884-0680 fourseasonsmarkets.com 3. SoFlo Market 127 E. Peden Alley (210) 379-4638 facebook.com/SoFloMarket BEST FLEA MARKET
Winner: Traders Village 9333 SW Loop 410 (210) 623-8383 tradersvillage.com/san-antonio Editor’s Pick: Mission Open Air Market 207 W. Chavaneaux Road (210) 923-8131 dev.missionopenairmarket.com
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f you’re one of those folks who lament that too many flea markets have become places where vendors hawk new goods or stuff
Misson Open Air Market
Instagram / southsidesatx
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T H A N K YO U F O R VOT I N G U S
Best Local Nursery
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Best of SA | Shopping BEST FURNITURE STORE
(210) 691-1111 alibabasanantonio.com
Winner: Period Modern 4347 McCullough Ave. (210) 259-3234 periodmodern.com
BEST LIQUOR STORE
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irst off, we can’t think of any other furniture store in town that occasionally moonlights as a live music venue, but that’s just one of Period Modern’s many hip qualities. The Olmos Park retailer boasts a sprawling collection of high-quality vintage furniture and home goods from the ’50s through the ’70s plus a friendly staff. While those sleek and stylish options are likely to set you back more than a do-it-yourself kit from IKEA, they’re already assembled — and curated by a staff with a good eye for style. 2. Office Furniture Liquidations 6838 Bandera Road (210) 823-3744 officefurnituresa.com
Instagram / Period Modern
3. No. 9 Floral 1701 Blanco Road (210) 232-4471 no9floralandgifts.com
3. Don’s and Ben’s Multiple locations donsandbens.com BEST LOCALLY MADE PRODUCT
Winner: In the Weeds Natural Skin Care (210) 960-3376 shopintheweeds.com In The Weeds Natural Skin Care
BEST INTERNATIONAL MARKET
Winner: Tim’s Oriental & Seafood Market 7015 Bandera Road #8 (210) 523-1688 facebook.com/timsorientalmkt
3. Mission Open Air Market BEST FLOWER SHOP
Winner: Oak Hills Florist 1729 Babcock Road (210) 349-6549 oakhillsflorist.com
Tim’s Oriental & Seafood Market Facebook / TIm’s Oriental & Seafood Market
Instagram / In the Weeds Natural Skincare
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2. Culebra Super Meat Markets Multiple locations culebrameatmarkets.com
2. Twang (210) 226-7008 twang.com
3. Ali Baba International Food Market 9307 Wurzbach Road
3. Southside Craft Soda (210) 585-8491 southsidecraftsoda.com
pen since the mid 1980s, Tim’s can either be an adventure for culinary explorers or a trip back to the homeland — or in some cases, both. While it’s not as voluminous as a supermarket, it’s hard to imagine how the shop could be any more densely stocked with Asian ingredients and cooking implements. From fresh vegetables and seafood to a dizzying array of spices, sauces and condiments, this is the place to either broaden your cooking horizons or find the ingredients to replicate grandma’s beef and rice noodle soup with lemongrass.
2. Bussey’s Flea Market 18738 N. I-35 Frontage Road, Schertz (210) 651-6830 busseysfm.com
2. Shades of Green 334 W. Sunset Road (210) 824-3772 shadesofgreensa.com
2. Pig Liquors 519 S. Presa St. (210) 226-6465 pigliquors.wordpress.com
3. The Rustic Modern Boutique 555 W. Bitters Road (210) 310-9398 therusticmodernboutique.com
Period Modern
that really should be on the shelves of a dollar store, Mission is the shopping spot for you. From vintage furniture and plastic toys — sometimes spread out on blankets rather than fancy tables — to houseplants and outgrown clothes, this is flea market culture in its purest form. Sundays are the busiest shopping days, and get there early, because people start packing up by the early afternoon. Save room for the snack bar fare.
Winner: Spec’s Multiple locations specsonline.com
learly, many of our readers have become converts to this homegrown business’ all-natural approach to skin care. From lip and beard balms to soaps and scrubs, In the Weeds has crafted a line of products using wholesome, natural and organically certified ingredients that are rich in nutrients and antioxidants. The company doesn’t test on animals, and it also eschews artificial fragrances and dyes and non-natural preservatives. Completing its earthand body-friendly approach, it even packages in eco-friendly and recyclable or recycled materials.
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Thank you for voting us Best of SA! Piñatas Papel Picado Cascarones Paper Flowers Wreaths Halos
227 Fredericksburg Rd San Antonio, TX 7 8201
210-227-1457
IG: @amolsfiesta FB: @amolsfiesta
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IN STORE + CURBSIDE + ONLINE AVAILABLE!
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Plus MEDICINAL MUSHROOMS, LOCAL HONEY & HANDMADE ALL-NATURAL SOAPS!
COME SEE WHAT THE BUZZ IS ALL ABOUT! 3030 THOUSAND OAKS SAN ANTONIO, TX 78247 | BEESWELLNESSCAFE.COM | FIND US ON 60
CURRENT | September 23 – October 6, 2020 | sacurrent.com
Best of SA | Shopping BEST MOTORCYCLE SHOP
Winner: Cowboys Harley Davidson 11005 I-35 Frontage Road (210) 646-0499 cowboysalamocityharley.com
Amols
2. The Motorcycle Shop 2423 Austin Highway (210) 654-0211 themotorcycleshopsa.com 3. Cycle Gear 9975 Interstate 10 (210) 558-8700 cyclegear.com BEST MUSIC INSTRUMENT STORE
Winner: Alamo Music Multiple locations alamomusic.com
Editor’s Pick: SpaceTone Music 416 Austin Highway (210) 930-3662 spacetonemusic.com
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here’s always a place for music stores that can sell the family a piano or outfit the kids with the flutes and clarinets they need to march in the school band. That’s not SpaceTone Music. And that’s alright by us. This Terrill Hills-area shop is all about vintage guitars, basses and amps, and it’s hard to think of a spot in South Texas with a deeper or more impressive inventory. Its jam-
Instagram / Amol’s Fiesta and Party Supply
packed showroom offers something for everyone — hobbyists scouting for deals, gigging musicians seeking road-tested companions and collectors willing to drop serious coin on decades-old rarities. The glass cases in the front also house a jaw-dropping array of effects pedals — more than a few of which make sounds that match the store’s moniker. 2. High School Music Service Multiple locations hsmusicservice.com 3. Guitar Tex 4330 McCullough Ave. (210) 822-1595 guitartex.com BEST PET BOUTIQUE
Winner: SouthPaw Waggery 317 Lexington Ave. (210) 444-9140 southpawwaggery.com
2. Pawsitively Sweet Bakery 5501 Blanco Road (210) 446-7466 pawsweetbakery.com
3. Feliz Modern 110 W. Olmos Dr. (210) 622-8364 felizmodern.com
3. Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming Multiple locations woofgangbakery.com
BEST PLANT NURSERY
BEST PLACE TO GET A PIÑATA
P
Winner: Amol’s Party and Fiesta Supplies 227 Fredericksburg Road (210) 227-1457 amols.com
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his 72-year-old establishment is no stranger to our list of reader favorites. Low prices, exemplary customer service in person and online plus a broad selection of traditional Mexican style piñatas are routine comments when it comes to Amol’s. The smashable candy dispensers range from less than $4 for a bull that fits in the palm of your hand to a monster, 45-inch “Jumbo Burro” at $31.50 that can only be picked up instore. While many retailers have a wide array of characters for blindfolded stick whacking, Amol’s focuses on traditional south-of-the-border themes. And that includes a line in the likeness of bottles of popular Mexican beer. 2. Fiesta on Main 2025 N. Main Ave. (210) 591-8144 alamofiesta.com
Winner: Rainbow Gardens Multiple Locations rainbowgardens.biz
lant nurseries’ mostly outdoor setups make for low-worry shopping during the pandemic, and Rainbow Gardens is no exception. The nursery’s two locations at Bandera and Thousand Oaks carry plants that cater to the needs of every type of green thumb — from vegetable gardeners and ambitious outdoor landscapers to houseplant lovers and bonsai aficiona-
Rainbow Garden Bryan Rindfuss
dos. Though both locations are open for in-person shopping, those looking to mitigate risk during the COVID crisis can place orders for curbside
SpaceTone Music Instagram / Spacetone Music
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BEST BIKE SHOP thank you!
Alamo Heights 5911 Broadway (210) 828-5558 281 15675 San Pedro Ave (210) 892-0123
PERIOD MODERN ARTIFACTS OF MODERN DESIGN
Historic Pearl 300 E Grayson (210) 222-1969 Southside 835 SE Military Dr (210) 451-8525
VISIT ANY LOCATION FOR DETAILS
bikeworld.com
/ bikeworldSATX
4347 MCCULLOUGH AVE | 210-902-1217 | TUES-SAT 10AM-5PM PERIODMODERN.COM
THANK YOU FOR VOTING US #1
Thousands of Wines • Hard-to-Find Spirits • Hundreds of Craft Beers Texas Family-Owned Since 1962 • Lower Prices • Bigger Selection
®
W I N ES · S P I R I TS · F I N E R FO O DS
TEXAS SUPERSTORE : 5219 DE ZAVALA • (210) 561-0900 SPECSONLINE.COM SM
Store selections vary.
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Cheers to Savings!
®
Best of SA | Shopping states — maybe Texas will get there one day — to the widespread availability of CBD. Since 1990, Planet K has been San Antonio’s one-stop shop for those in that particular set. In addition to adult gifts, gags and comics, the stores offer a serious selection of pipes, bongs and other gear that the clerks and signs on the counter will remind you are only for the partaking of tobacco and other legal herbs. Wink wink.
Hogwild Records Instagram / brookeadickes
pickup over the phone. For anyone who can’t avoid dropping in but wants to minimize time browsing the aisles, the nursery updates its Instagram page @rainbowgardenssatx with its latest available stock on a regular basis.
— or recommend something you’re unfamiliar with but would probably love. Serious record collectors also know to peep the ever-revolving selection of used vinyl to pick up bargains for their collections.
2. Shades of Green 334 W. Sunset Road (210) 824-3772 shadesofgreensa.com
2. Southtown Vinyl 1010 S. Flores St. #120 (210) 231-0512 southtown-vinyl.myshopify.com
3. Milberger’s Landscaping and Nursery 3920 N. Loop 1604 E. (210) 497-3760 milbergernursery.com
3. Flip Side Record Parlor 840 SW Military Dr. (210) 923-7811 facebook.com/flipsiderecordparlor
BEST RECORD STORE
Winner: Fleet Feet Multiple locations fleetfeet.com/s/sanantonio
Hogwild Records 1824 N. Main Ave. (210) 733-5354 facebook.com/hogwildrecords
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ounder and owner Dave Risher started Hogwild Records in a flea market stall before moving into its longtime brickand-mortar location across from San Antonio College. A longtime staple for SA music aficionados, the shop offers a wide range of vinyl, CDs, cassettes, magazines, T-shirts and music memorabilia. Looking for an obscure Norwegian black metal record? They probably have it. Or maybe the new LP from your favorite underground rapper? Chances are, they have that too. Friendly and knowledgeable staff will help you find the music you’re looking for
BEST RUNNING STORE
2. iRun Texas Multiple locations iruntexas.net
3. Thrift Town 2864 Thousand Oaks Drive (210) 656-8696 thrifttownstores.com BEST VAPE SHOP
Winner: Cloud Craft 15139 Bulverde Road (210) 951-8273 facebook.com/cloudcraftsa
2. Smokers Galaxy Multiple locations smokersgalaxy.com
2. Mellow Monkey 2286 Bandera Road (210) 432-9333 mellowmonkey.net
3. Smokerz Paradize Multiple locations smokerzparadize.com
3. Smokerz Paradize Multiple locations Smokerzparadize.com
BEST THRIFT STORE
BEST VINTAGE SHOP
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Winner: Texas Thrift Multiple locations buythrift.com
Winner: Grey Moon Vintage 2202 Broadway greymoon.online
here are two types of people in the world: those who thrift and those who just don’t get it. If you’re in the former club and didn’t just arrive in Taco Town yesterday, chances are you’re well acquainted with Texas Thrift. Its multiple stores around the city are usually full to bursting with clothes, electronics, bedding, furniture and pretty much anything else folks tire of and want to unload. Proving that one person’s trash is in fact another’s treasure, our recent visits have uncovered everything from a cute pair of Winnie The Pooh overalls and an old quinceañera dress to vintage glassware and VHS tapes of ’80s horror flicks. Y’know, the kind of treasures thrifters just can’t live without. 2. Boysville Auxiliary Thrift Store 307 W. Olmos Drive (210) 826-2195 boysvillethriftstore.com
rey Moon Vintage seems to check all the boxes when it comes to delivering the retro-funky retail experience folks expect from a vintage shop. For one, wife-and-husband team Natalie Medina and Colin Bass run the operation from a ’69 Avion Travelcade trailer lovingly restored with repurposed materials. While the trailer isn’t open during the pandemic, Grey Moon continues to sell throwback threads online. 2. Hello Tallulah 1912 Fredericksburg Road (210) 286-8146 hellotallulah.com 3. Montage 423 W. Grayson St. (210) 324-0157 montagestyle.com
3. True North SA 332 W. Sunset Road (210) 444-9946 facebook.com/trunorthsa BEST SMOKE SHOP
Winner: Planet K Multiple locations planetktexas.com
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he last couple years have been pretty rad for stoner culture: from the legalization of recreational marijuana in a lot of
Grey Moon Vintage Instagram / Grey Moon Vintage
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1580 BABCOCK RD
210.767.9411
LINGERIE CORSETS LOTIONS ROMANTIC GIFTS
BOOKS CORSE T S +•MORE! LOTIONS GIFTS BOOKS & MORE!
WINNER OF
OF
WINNER
SHOP ONLINE THELOVESHACKBOUTIQUE.COM
COCK RD | 210.767.9411
LOVESHACKBOUTIQUE.COM
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Best of SA Finalists | Shopping BEST CBD SHOP Bee’s Wellness Cafe CBD American Shaman DeZavala Mellow Monkey Cloud Craft BEST CHILDREN’S STORE Sweet Pea’s Baby Emporium Crib & Kids Feliz Modern Bambinos Boutique Fin and Pickles BEST CLOTHING BOUTIQUE Eye Candy Boutique Bless Your Heart True North SA Life’s Sweet Co. (The NOMAD Shop) MOSS Designer Consignment BEST COMIC BOOK/GAME SHOP Knight Watch Games Dragon’s Lair Heroes & Fantasies Authority Comics Pure Joy Toys BEST FARMERS MARKET The Pearl Farmers Market Huebner Oaks Farmers Market SoFlo Market Farm to Familia at Traders Village Alamo Heights Farmers Market BEST FLEA MARKET Traders Village Bussey’s Mission Open Air Market Brickadelic Vintage Market Eisenhauer Marketplace BEST FLOWER SHOP Oak Hills Florist Shades of Green No. 9 Floral The Floral Basket BEST FURNITURE STORE Period Modern Off ice Furniture Liquidations The Rustic Modern Boutique San Antonio Furniture Finders Bel Furniture
BEST MOTORCYCLE SHOP Cowboys Harley Davidson The Motorcycle Shop San Antonio Cycle Gear Schoffer Brothers Motorcycle Quick Performance BEST MUSIC INSTRUMENT STORE Alamo Music High School Music Service Guitar Tex Dellview Music Terra Nova BEST PET BOUTIQUE SouthPaw Waggery Pawsitively Sweet Bakery Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming Mike’s Dog Store Paw Basics
SoilNature Organics “PRODUCTS WITH PURPOSE”
We guarantee quality, all-natural ingredients in our plant-based, herbal products that are handmade in small batches to ensure the highest quality for our customers.
No chemicals, No dyes, No fillers, No b.s.
BEST PLACE TO GET A PIÑATA Amols’ Party and Fiesta Supplies Fiesta on Main Feliz Modern SA Pinata Casa Dulce BEST PLANT NURSERY Rainbow Gardens Shades of Green Milberger’s Fanick’s Garden Center Tillage BEST RECORD STORE Hogwild Records Southtown Vinyl Flip Side Record Parlor Friends of Sound Imagine Books and Records BEST RUNNING STORE Fleet Feet iRun Texas True North SA San Antonio Shoes Good Sports Outdoor Outf itters BEST SMOKE SHOP Planet K Smokers Galaxy Smokerz Paradize
BEST INTERNATIONAL MARKET Tim’s Oriental Market Culebra Super Meat Market Ali Baba International Food Market Minnano Japanese Grocery Sasha’s European Market
BEST THRIFT STORE Texas Thrift Boysville Auxiliary Thrift Store Thrift Town Edith’s Shop Revolution Thrift Store
BEST LIQUOR STORE Spec’s Pig Liquors Don’s & Ben’s Alamo City Liquor Skip’s Beer Wine and Liquor
BEST VAPE SHOP Cloud Craft Mellow Monkey Smokerz Paradize Hazel Sky Smoke & Vape SA Vapors
BEST LOCALLY MADE PRODUCT In The Weeds Natural Skin Care Twang Southside Craft Soda Soilnature Organically Bath and Beauty
BEST VINTAGE SHOP Grey Moon Vintage Hello Tallulah Montage Canela Vintage MOSS Designer Consignment
FOLLOW OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES... @SOILNATURE_ORGANICS FACEBOOK.COM/SOILNATUREPRODUCTS
VISIT OUR STORE AT 5009 S. FLORES SAN ANTONIO, TX sacurrent.com | September 23 – October 6, 2020 | CURRENT
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Thank you San Antonio!! BEST Mexican Restaurant BEST Salsa More than 15% of people in San Antonio live below the poverty line, the highest rate of any of the nation’s top 25 metropolitan areas.
435,000 of our neighbors will face hunger this year. rosariossa.com 210.223.1806 Follow us @rosariossa for all things Rosario’s!
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Act to Feed Your Community safoodbank.org
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Best of SA | Around Town BEST APARTMENT COMMUNITY
Winner: 1221 Broadway 1221 Broadway (210) 899-4910 1221broadway.com 2. Arrive Eilan 17803 La Cantera Terrace (866) 574-5766 arriveeilan.com 3. Lenox Overlook 17715 Overlook Loop (210) 320-0930 lenoxoverlook.com BEST ART GALLERY
Winner: Blue Star Contemporary 116 Blue Star (210) 227-6960 bluestarcontemporary.org
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t’s hard to imagine what San Antonio’s distinct art scene would look like without Blue Star Contemporary. Founded in 1986 as a platform for local artists, the nonprofit institution paved the way for some of the city’s first artist-run spaces, many of which cropped up in the surrounding Blue Star Arts Complex. Over the past three decades, the cavernous space has hosted hundreds of exhibitions showcasing local, national and international artists; cultivated countless young artists through its Mosaic outreach program; and sent dozens of talented San Antonians to live and work in Germany as part of its Blue Star Berlin Residency. As we were assembling this issue, BSC was in the midst of mounting the 30th anniversary edition of Red Dot — a fundraising exhibition featuring more than 100 local artists that will be
enhanced this year with a free Blue Star app promising an “augmented reality experience.”
Brackenridge Park
2. Southtown Art Gallery 1913 S. Flores St., Studio 9 (210) 441-0075 facebook.com/southtownartgallery 3. Presa House Gallery 725 S. Presa St. presahouse.com Editor’s Pick: FL!GHT Gallery 112R Blue Star facebook.com/flightSA
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ong a top destination for First Friday crowds at Blue Star Arts Complex, FL!GHT Gallery is an icon of the SA art scene. The gallery locked down the with the rest of the city this spring, and it looks like it won’t be hosting swarms of onlookers for big art openings anytime soon, but that doesn’t mean that it’s down for the count. Au contraire: FL!GHT resumed its exhibition schedule in May with an online-only showcase of Greg Mannino’s glitter paintings, followed by a solo show of illustrations by Charles Benjamin Russell, for which viewings were scheduled on an appointment-only basis. In October, look for Angelica Raquel Martinez’s eerie fiber works in “Tell Me It Haunts You Too,” available to view by appointment.
BEST BARBERSHOP
Winner: Mane Man Men’s Grooming 2230 Southeast Military Dr. (210) 437-0039 manemanmensgrooming.com
Courtesy Photo / City of San Antonio
2. Razors & Rims Barber Shop 8803 TX-151, Suite 105 (210) 332-5661 razorsandrims.com
3. Astro SuperBowl 3203 Harry Wurzbach Road (210) 824-6348 astrosuperbowl.com
3. Tie: Heavyweightz Parlor 3230 Hillcrest Dr. (386) 965-3733 heavyweightzparlor.com
BEST CITY PARK
The Good Barber 20079 Stone Oak Parkway, Suite 2104 (210) 497-0092 thegoodbarber.net BEST BED AND BREAKFAST
Winner: King William Manor 1037 S. Alamo St. (210) 222-0144 kingwilliammanor.com
2. Brackenridge House Bed and Breakfast 230 Madison (210) 271-3442 brackenridgehouse.com 3. Arbor House 109 Arciniega St. (210) 472-2005 arborhouse.com BEST BOWLING ALLEY
Winner: University Bowl 12332 West I-10 #10 (210) 699-6235 ubbowl.com Blue Star Contemporary Facebook / Blue Star Contemporary
Winner: Brackenridge Park 3700 N. St. Mary’s St. (210) 207-7275 sanantonio.gov/parksandrec
2. Main Event Multiple locations mainevent.com
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his year, the city’s outdoor spaces became more important than ever, and it’s no surprise that the centrally located, 343-acre Brackenridge Park was voted top dog. Visitors can meander the paved walkways or eat lunch at a picnic table along the picturesque 2.2 mile stretch of the San Antonio River that flows through the park, bike through its trails or get their play on at one of its sports fields. The park is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, particularly in the spring, when the trees fill with egrets and yellow-crowned night herons for their annual nesting season. For a change of scenery, the nearby Japanese Tea Garden mesmerizes with landscaped tiers and koi ponds built out of the former Alamo Cement quarry. Those looking for more family-friendly fun need not go far. The San Antonio Zoo, recently relocated Kiddie Park, Zoo Train and Witte Museum are a mere hop, skip and a jump away, and all are currently open for business with COVID-19 safety protocols in place. 2. Phil Hardberger Park 13203 Blanco Road (210) 492-7472 sanantonio.gov/parksandrec
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Fi n d Yo u r Mission!
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LUXURIOUS CLUBHOUSE W I T H F U L LY E Q U I P P E D DEMO KITCHEN
THANK YOU FOR VOTING US BEST RESTAURANT, SA! www.clementine-sa.com
Veteran Owned / Family Operated Ask about Combo Specials and Discounts for First Responders Teachers and Military!
thehotdogologist.com WE CATER! HIRE US FOR YOUR NEXT EVENT!
ON-SITE DOGGY DAY CARE AND TWO EXPANSIVE DOG PARKS
KEYLESS MOBILE ENTRY FOR CONVENIENCE AND PEACE OF MIND
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1507 MISSION ROAD, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78210 ( 2 1 0 ) 5 4 4 - 574 9 | I N FO @ M E L A LUXU RYA PTS .CO M
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210-608-0785 Walk-in • Text-in • Curbside Service
Open Tues-Fri 11:30am-7:00pm | Sat 11:30am-3:00pm • 114 N Ellison Dr. Unit #106, SA, Tx 78251 72
CURRENT | September 23 – October 6, 2020 | sacurrent.com
Best of SA | Around Town 3. Hemisfair 434 S. Alamo St. (210) 709-4750 hemisfair.org BEST COMEDY CLUB
Winner: LOL Comedy Club 618 NW Loop 410 (866) 468-3399 improvtx.com/sanantonio
W
hen it comes to hosting touring stand-up comedians, there’s no question which local venue comes out on top. Part of the storied Improv string of comedy venues, LOL regularly books bigs names such as SNL alum Rob Schneider and YouTube sensation JP Sears alongside local and regional comics. Even during the pandemic, the club has remained active, putting new safety measures in place and pulling together a lineup of touring shows through the remainder of the year. Throw in comedy defensive driving classes and the ability to host parties and groups and it’s easy to get why LOL came out on top. 2. Blind Tiger Comedy Club 902 NE Loop 410 (210) 828-1470 blindtigercomedyclub.com
LOL Comedy
3. The Public Theater of San Antonio 800 W. Ashby Place (210) 733-7258 thepublicsa.org BEST CRYOTHERAPY
Winner: CryoFit Alamo Heights 6486 N. New Braunfels Ave. (210) 375-9087 mycryofit.com 2. Total Regen Whole Body Cryo 22103 Bulverde Road, Suite 105 (210) 701-8822 totalregencryo.com 3. Stratton Sport and Spine 818 Knights Cross Dr. #5107 (210) 837-8244 strattonspine.com BEST DOG PARK
Winner: Phil Hardberger Park 13203 Blanco Road (210) 207-3284 philhardbergerpark.org
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here’s a reason Phil Hardberger Park keeps winning this category. The north San Antonio public space features not one but two expansive dog parks that combine for a total of 3.3 acres where canines can roam off-leash in the shade provided by live oak trees. Each dog park features areas designated for large and small pups, water fountains to keep them hydrated and seating for owners to take a load off while their dogs let off steam. Other amenities included agility equipment at the westside dog park and a two-story doghouse in the small dog area of the east park. What can we say? Sometimes, bigger really is better.
Facebook / LOL Comedy Club LOL Comedy Club
3. Overtime Theater (210) 557-7562 theovertimetheatre.org Currenly without a venue location
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2. McAllister Park 13102 Jones Maltsberger Road (210) 207-7275 sanantonio.gov 3. Tom Slick Park 7400 Texas 151 Access Road (210) 207-7275 sanantonio.gov BEST DRYCLEANER
Winner: Five Star Cleaners Multiple locations myfivestarcleaners.com 2. Comet Cleaners Multiple locations cometsatx.com 3. Culpepper Cleaners Multiple locations culpeppercleaners.com
BEST COMMUNITY THEATER
Winner: Woodlawn Theatre 1920 Fredericksburg Road (210) 267-8388 woodlawntheatre.org 2. The Magik Theatre 420 S. Alamo St. (210) 227-2751 magiktheatre.org
The Majestic Theatre
BEST EVENT VENUE
Phil Hardberger Park Flickr Creative Commons / FoxEye Photos
Winner: The Majestic Theatre 224 E. Houston St. (210) 226-5700 majesticempire.com
Facebook / The Majestic Theatre
irst opened in 1929 as a movie theater, the Majestic is one of those rare San Antonio destinations where people (generally) try to get dressed up and behave like adults. It is, after all, a National Historic Landmark. Pair that air of sophistication with top-notch touring talent, incredible acoustics and ornate, Mediterranean-inspired decor — complete with fountains, balconies, a bell tower, cherubs, a white peacock and a ceiling filled with twinkling stars and drifting clouds — and you’ve got the makings for a truly memorable night out. In addition to hosting acts as high caliber as Tony Bennett, Diana Ross and Lyle Lovett, the venue is the longtime home of the Broadway in San Antonio series, which is set to welcome national tours of The Lion King, Tootsie, Jesus Christ Superstar, My Fair Lady, To Kill a Mockingbird and Mean Girls in 2021 — fingers crossed. 2. San Antonio Botanical Garden 555 Funston Place (210) 536-1400 sabot.org
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Best of SA | Around Town San Antonio Zoo
Courtesy of San Antonio Zoo
3. The Aztec Theatre 104 N. St. Mary’s St. (210) 812-4355 theaztectheatre.com BEST FAMILY ATTRACTION
Winner: San Antonio Zoo 3903 N. St. Mary’s St. (210) 734-7184 sazoo.org
L
ike much of the city, the San Antonio Zoo and newly adjoining Kiddie Park closed for an extended period of time this spring while the city hunkered down due to COVID-19. For the safety of patrons, the attraction innovated, launching the Drive-Thru Zoo experience, through which families can enjoy the animals from the safety of their vehicles. Both the zoo and Kiddie Park reopened with new pandemic safety protocols in place this summer, but those unwilling to visit in person can still take advantage of the drive-thru version, which takes places on select dates, as well as virtual tours that can be enjoyed from home. The best part? Visits to the zoo help fund the non-profit organization’s conservation programs, which work to help preserve endangered species both native to Texas and from around the world. 2. The Pearl 303 Pearl Parkway (210) 212-7260 atpearl.com 3. The DoSeum 2800 Broadway (210) 212-4453 thedoseum.org
BEST FITNESS STUDIO
Winner: Prime Performance Training 8812 Tradeway St. (210) 254-5617 facebook.com/Primeperformance210 2. JoyRide Cycling Studio 1915 Broadway, Unit 108 (210) 228-0797 joyridestudio.com 3. JK Fitness 15683 San Pedro Ave. (210) 388-0989 jk-fit.com BEST HAIR SALON
Winner: Salon Seventwenty 4831 Fredericksburg Road (210) 348-9864 salonseventwenty.com 2. Mane Beauty Society 8318 Jones Maltsberger Road (210) 623-0042 facebook.com/ManeBeautySociety
3. Body Concepts Health Spa 11503 NW Military Highway (210) 239-5878 bodyconceptshealthspa.com
2. MoveIt SA 215 N. Loop 1604 East (210) 739-0600 moveitsa.com
BEST MED SPA
3. Swift Movers 1316 Austin St., Building A (210) 371-5766 swiftmoverz.com
Winner: The Injection Room 1010 S. Flores St. Suite 117 (210) 610-9756 theinjectionroom.com 2. Magnolia Medical & Aesthetics 19141 Stone Oak Parkway #504 (210) 600-3335 magnoliamedskin.com 3. Nova Aesthetics 6483 Blanco Road (210) 348-9164 novaaesthetics.com BEST MOVERS
Winner: All My Sons Multiple locations (866) 726-1579 allmysons.com
BEST MOVIE THEATER
Winner: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Multiple locations drafthouse.com/san-antonio
S
ure, other San Antonio theaters offer food and drinks, but the Drafthouse experience is unlike that of any other local moviehouse. From the chain’s carefully curated and fun pre-show sizzle reels to its wealth of screenings of obscurities and classics, the Drafthouse takes a love of film to the next level. You’ve also got to love the strictly enforced
3. Hair by a Blonde 11503 NW Military Highway #106 (210) 810-6800 facebook.com/hairbyablondee BEST IV THERAPY
Winner: Drip IV Lounge 1020 Navarro St. (210) 998-2348 dripivtx.com 2. CryoFit Alamo Heights 6486 N. New Braunfels Ave. (210) 375-9087 mycryofit.com
Alamo Drafthouse Instagram / thehoneytrapperwebseries
sacurrent.com | September 23 – October 6, 2020 | CURRENT
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CURRENT | September 23 – October 6, 2020 | sacurrent.com
Best of SA | Around Town Selena By Alan Calvo
unyielding leadership, urging volunteers to step up and those who can to open their hearts and wallets. 2. God’s Dogs Rescue godsdogsrescue.org 3. San Antonio Pets Alive (210) 370-7612 sanantoniopetsalive.org BEST PATIO
Winner: The Cove 606 W. Cypress St. (210) 227-2683 thecove.us 2. Down on Grayson 303 E. Grayson St. (210) 248-9244 downongrayson.com Courtesy Photo / Alan Calvo
no-talking, no-phones policy that puts patrons on their best behavior. 2. Santikos Entertainment Palladium 17703 W. Interstate 10 Frontage Road (210) 789-9949 santikos.com 3. Santikos Entertainment Embassy 13707 Embassy Road (210) 496-4957 santikos.com BEST MURAL
Winner: Selena by Alan Calvo Alamo Candy Building 1149 W. Hildebrand Ave.
S
an Antonio will never stop loving Selena, and the mural local artist Alan Calvo spent two weeks completing in spring of 2019 captures everything we embrace about the icon. She’s in an emotive mid-belt pose and wearing her famous purple outfit. She’s also depicted against a colorful Aztec background, which Calvo said is meant to showcase two important eras of Mexican culture. “I dedicate this mural to San Antonio,” Calvo told the Current last year. “[So that] no matter how much construction and building development or art on buildings gets torn down, we continue to remember where we come from.” 2. The Morning After: Plan A by Eva Marengo Sanchez North St. Mary’s Strip
3. Essex Modern City by various artists Essex Modern City 51 Essex St.
2. McNay Art Museum 6000 N. New Braunfels Ave. (210) 824-5368 mcnayart.org
BEST MUSEUM
3. San Antonio Museum of Art 200 W. Jones Ave. (210) 978-8100 samuseum.org
Winner: Witte Museum 3801 Broadway (210) 357-1900 wittemuseum.org
W
hat’s not to love about San Antonio’s ever-expanding Witte Museum? Almost a century old, the Witte has educated and entertained generations of schoolkids. As result, it’s become part of our city’s cultural DNA. But we’re gathering it’s not just the nostalgia factor that made so many readers vote for the Witte. In recent years, the museum has been through a string of major upgrades, the latest of which was unveiled last month. Thanks to a $250,000 grant, its paleontology and geology program remodeled to accommodate a growing collection of 320,000 ancient specimens and artifacts.
Witte Museum
Twitter / Witte Museum
BEST NAIL SALON
Winner: Glaze Nail Lounge 8318 Jones Maltsberger Road (210) 549-6113 facebook.com/glazenaillounge
3. The Good Kind Southtown 1127 S. St. Mary’s St. (210) 801-5892 eatgoodkind.com BEST PET ADOPTION
Winner: God’s Dogs Rescue godsdogsrescue.org 2. San Antonio Pets Alive Multiple locations (210) 370-7612 sanantoniopetsalive.org 3. San Antonio Humane Society 4804 Fredericksburg Road (210) 226-7461 sahumane.org
2. DM Nail Studio (210) 907-1198 Instagram @dm.nailstudio
BEST PET BOARDING
Winner: Lucy’s Doggy Daycare and Spa Multiple locations lucysdoggydaycare.com
3. Asiana Nails Lounge 726 NW Loop 410, Suite 104 (210) 384-8884 asiananailslounge.com BEST NONPROFIT
Winner: San Antonio Food Bank 5200 Enrique M. Barrera Parkway (210) 337-3663 safoodbank.org
2. Pup Pup & Away 5722 Kenwick St. (210) 899-1688 puppupandawaysa.com
A
fter witnessing the San Antonio Food Bank’s heroic efforts to help San Antonians during the pandemic’s economic havoc, it’s little surprise to see readers praise its vital work. Food insecurity has always existed in our city, but our current bout of devastating unemployment has brought it front and center. Throughout the crisis, Food Bank CEO Eric Cooper has shown
San Antonio Food Bank Instagram / SAFoodBank
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Best of SA | Around Town
The Pearl Sanford Nowlin
3. Lucky Dog Pet Retreat and Spa 2267 NW Military Highway (210) 592-7648 myluckydogspa.com BEST PLACE TO PEOPLE WATCH
Winner: The Pearl 303 Pearl Parkway (210) 212-7260 atpearl.com
T
he mix of befuddled tourists, hungry foodies, well-heeled shoppers and outsidethe-Loop curiosity seekers dependably turns the near-downtown Pearl development into a fascinating petri dish of humanity. That’s especially true on weekends, when a farmer’s market, live music and cooking demos become a magnet for folks from all over the city. Love the Pearl or hate it, the complex certainly serves up ample opportunity to watch and study — and, sure, occasionally judge and smirk at — a wide sampling of folk.
2. The Good Kind Southtown 1127 S. St. Mary’s St. (210) 801-5892 eatgoodkind.com
SOCIALLY DISTANCED
Winner: Home Multiple locations 2. The Pearl 303 Pearl Parkway (210) 212-7260 atpearl.com
3. San Antonio Botanical Garden 555 Funston Place (210) 536-1400 sabot.org BEST PLACE TO WATCH A MOVIE OUTSIDE
Winner: Stars and Stripes Drive-in Theatre 1178 Kroesche Lane, New Braunfels, (830) 620-7469 driveinusa.com
BEST PLACE TO STAY
Rainbow Gardens Samantha Serna
2. Shades of Green 334 W. Sunset Road (210) 824-3772 shadesofgreensa.com
BEST PLACE TO WORK
Winner: Home Multiple locations
3. USAA usaa.com
3. Milberger’s Landscaping and Nursery 3920 N. Loop 1604 E. (210) 497-3760 milbergernursery.com
BEST PLANT NURSERY
BEST PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL
2. H-E-B Grocery Co. heb.com
Winner: Rainbow Gardens Multiple locations rainbowgardens.biz
P
2. The River Walk thesanantonioriverwalk.com 3. Market Square 514 W. Commerce St. (210) 207-8600 marketsquaresa.com
3. The Friendly Spot 943 S. Alamo St. (210) 224-2337 thefriendlyspot.com
looking to mitigate risk during the pandemic can place orders for curbside pickup over the phone. For anyone who can’t avoid dropping in but wants to minimize time browsing the aisles, the nursery updates its Instagram page @rainbowgardenssatx with its latest available stock on a regular basis.
lant nurseries’ mostly outdoor setups make for worry-free pandemic-era shopping, and Rainbow Gardens is no exception. Its two locations at Bandera and Thousand Oaks carry plants that cater to the needs of every type of green thumb — from vegetable gardeners and ambitious outdoor landscapers to houseplant lovers and bonsai aficionados. Though both locations are open for in-person shopping, those
Winner: San Pedro Springs Park 2200 N. Flores St. (210) 732-5992 sanantonio.gov/parksandrec 2. The Pool in Alamo Heights 250 Viesca St. (210) 824-2595 heightspool.com 3. Roosevelt Park Pool 331 Roosevelt Ave. (210) 207-7275 sanantonio.gov/parksandrec
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Best of SA | Around Town Element Tattoo
Ghost Tracks
Instagram / Element Tattoo
BEST SPA
Winner: Hiatus Spa + Retreat 312 Pearl Parkway, Building 4, Suite 4112 (210) 202-3355 hiatusspa.com 2. The Day Spa @ Folawns 17851 Rogers Ranch (210) 408-0101 folawns.com 3. Nova Aesthetics 6483 Blanco Road (210) 348-9164 novaaesthetics.com BEST TATTOO SHOP
Winner: Element Tattoo 4741 Fredericksburg Road (210) 979-9877 elementtattoo.com
S
tylistic diversity is the name of the game at Element Tattoo, which may explain why it’s been a multi-time winner in this category. Part of the 14-year-old shop’s enduring appeal is that its 10 tattooists have the breadth of knowledge to cover a lot of ground — from traditional American to Japanese styles, from striking bold lines to a fluid, watercolor-like approach. Want a full back piece? Somebody’s got you covered. Thinking of a few words of script
on your wrist? Nobody’s going to look down their nose at you for that choice either. Hell, they even cover all the bases by offering cosmetic tattooing and tattoo removal — because who hasn’t picked up a little ink they later regret? 2. Mr. Lucky’s Tattoo 2856 Thousand Oaks Drive (210) 736-6900 mrluckystattoo.com 3. Golden Rose Tattoo 10540 Culebra Road (210) 455-9355 facebook.com/goldenrosetattoo.satx BEST TOURIST ATTRACTION
Winner: The River Walk thesanantonioriverwalk.com 2. The Pearl 303 Pearl Parkway (210) 212-7260 atpearl.com
3. San Antonio Missions National Historical Park 6701 San Jose Dr. (210) 534-8875 nps.gov/saan BEST VIEW
Winner: Tower of the Americas 739 E. César E. Chávez Blvd.
Courtesy Photo SA Flavor
wreck never happened — in 2003, archivist Matt De Waelsche tracked down the real source of the tale, which was a 1938 crash way out in Salt Lake City, Utah. Locals still love the debunked tale, but anyone who hadn’t already tried their luck at the tracks won’t be able to anymore. Union Pacific levelled the elevation of the intersection when it added a second track in the location in 2018.
(210) 223-3101 toweroftheamericas.com 2. Japanese Tea Garden 3853 N. St Mary’s St. (210) 599-3148 sanantonio.gov/parksandrec 3. Hays Street Bridge 803 N. Cherry St. (210) 207-0970 BEST URBAN LEGEND
2. La Llorona South Side San Antonio
E
3. Donkey Lady Bridge Applewhite Road over the Medina River
Winner: Ghost Tracks 2902 Shane Road
ven though the ghost tracks’ eerie story has long been debunked — and is now long gone — San Antonio just can’t stop loving this urban legend. As the tale goes, some ill-fated children met their end in the early 1900s when an oncoming train smashed their school bus at this intersection. From then on, the kids’ spirits would supposedly push any stalled vehicle off the tracks, leading many to test the theory by coating their trunks in baby powder to reveal the handprints of the helpful ghosts. The truth is much more boring: there was a downward slant on the track that would cause vehicles placed in neutral to slowly slip forward, seemingly as if pushed. What’s more, the fabled bus
BEST YOGA STUDIO
Winner: Black Swan Yoga 914 E. Elmira St. #201 (210) 888-9641 blackswanyoga.com 2. The Synergy Studio 701 N. Alamo St. #2 (210) 824-4225 thesynergystudio.com 3. Mobile Om 125 Lamar, Suite 105 (210) 816-0936 mobileomtx.com
sacurrent.com | September 23 – October 6, 2020 | CURRENT
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303 N Frio St. San Antonio, TX 78207 | AARCSA.com 82
CURRENT | September 23 – October 6, 2020 | sacurrent.com
Best of SA Finalists | Around Town BEST APARTMENT COMMUNITY 1221 Broadway Arrive Eilan Lenox Overlook Legacy Heights Luxury Mela Luxury Apartments BEST ART GALLERY Blue Star Contemporary Southtown Art Gallery Presa House Gallery AnArte Gallery Wallflower Experience BEST BARBER SHOP Mane Man Mens Grooming Razors And Rims Barber Shop Heavyweightz Parlor The Good Barber Victory Salon BEST BED & BREAKFAST King William Manor Breckenridge House Arbor House Oge House Noble Inns BEST BOWLING ALLEY University Bowl Main Event Astro Bowl Oak Hills Lanes Bandera Bowl BEST CITY PARK Brackenridge Park Phil Hardberger Park Hemisfair McAllister Park The Greenline BEST COMEDY CLUB LOL Comedy Club Blind Tiger Comedy Club The Overtime Theater Jokesters 22 ComedySportz
BEST FITNESS STUDIO Prime Performance Training JoyRide Cycling Studio J K Fitness Jones N4 CrossFit MBS Fitness
BEST PET BOARDING Lucy’s Doggy Daycare and Spa Pup Pup & Away Lucky Dog Pet Retreat and Spa Tail Waggerz Camp Bow Wow
BEST HAIR SALON Salon SevenTwenty Mane Beauty Society Hair By a Blonde Bloom Salon + Studio Prismatic Hair Studio
BEST PLACE TO PEOPLE WATCH The Pearl The Riverwalk Market Square Hemisfair Traders Village
BEST IV THERAPY Drip IV Lounge CryoFit Alamo Heights Body Concepts Health Spa Sweat Equity Infrared Saunas Thrive Hydration BEST MED SPA The Injection Room
Magnolia Medical & Aesthetics
Nova Aesthetics The Skin Elite MC Aesthetics Beautique BEST MOVERS All My Sons MoveIt SA Swift Movers Einstein Moving Co. On The Mark BEST MOVIE THEATER Alamo Drafthouse Santikos Palladium Santikos Embassy Casa Blanca EVO Entertainment BEST MURAL “Selena,” Alan Calvo “Breakfast Taco,” Eva Marengo Sanchez Essex Modern City “Cardi B,” Colton Valentine “SA Current,” Los Otros
BEST COMMUNITY THEATER Woodlawn Theatre The Magik Theatre The Public Theater San Antonio Overtime Theater
BEST MUSEUM The Witte Museum McNay Art Museum San Antonio Museum of Art The DoSeum Briscoe Western Art Museum
BEST CRYO THERAPY CryoFit Alamo Heights Total Regen Whole Body Stratton Sport and Spine Drip IV Lounge Sweat Equity Infrared Saunas
BEST NAIL SALON Glaze Nail Lounge DM Nail Studio Asiana Nails Holly’s Nails North x Northwest
BEST DOG PARK Phil Hardberger Park McAllister Dog Park Tom Slick Park BEST DRY CLEANER Five Star Cleaners Comet Cleaners Culpepper Cleaners Clothesline Cleaners Slater White Cleaners BEST EVENT VENUE Majestic Theatre San Antonio Botanical Garden Aztec Theater Ivy Hall Events Brick at Blue Star BEST FAMILY ATTRACTION San Antonio Zoo The Pearl DoSeum Morgan’s Wonderland San Antonio Botanical Garden
BEST NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION San Antonio Food Bank God’s Dogs Rescue San Antonio Pets Alive Artpace Alamo Area Resource Center BEST PATIO The Cove Down on Grayson The Good Kind La Gloria La Fonda on Main BEST PET ADOPTION God’s Dogs Rescue San Antonio Pets Alive San Antonio Humane Society Animal Defense League of Texas Texas Chihuahua Rescue
BEST PLACE TO STAY SOCIALLY DISTANCED Home The Pearl San Antonio Botanical Garden The Friendly Spot BEST PLACE TO WATCH A MOVIE OUTSIDE Stars and Stripes Drive-in Theatre The Good Kind The Friendly Spot Tobin Center San Antonio Museum of Art BEST PLAYGROUND Hemisfair Phil Hardberger Park McAllister Park Pearsall Park Woodlawn Lake BEST PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL San Pedro Springs Park Alamo Heights Pool Roosevelt Park Lady Bird Johnson Live Oak Swimming Pool BEST SPA Hiatus The Day Spa @ Folawns Nova Aesthetics Loma De Vida Neva Face and Body BEST TATTOO SHOP Element Tattoo Mr. Lucky’s Golden Rose Tattoo Iron Eagle Tattoos Buddha Box BEST TOURIST ATTRACTION The Riverwalk The Pearl The Missions The Alamo San Antonio Botanical Garden BEST URBAN LEGEND Train Tracks La Llorona Donkey Lady Chupacabra Midget Mansion BEST VIEW Tower of Americas Japanese Tea Garden Hays Street Bridge La Cantera Resort Paramour BEST YOGA STUDIO Black Swan Yoga The Synergy Studio Mobile Om The Union MBS Yoga
6483 Blanco Rd
San Antonio, TX 78216
210-348-9164
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MODELO MADE IN MEXICO
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CURRENT | September 23 – October 6, 2020 | sacurrent.com
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317 Lexington Ave. Ste 4, San Antonio, Tx 78215 | woof@southpawwaggery.com | 210.444.9140 | Open Wed-Sun 12-5pm sacurrent.com | September 23 – October 6, 2020 | CURRENT
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NEW LOCATION COMING SOON 5819 NW LOOP 410 SA, TX 78238
1733 SW MILITARY DR. @ IH35
12710 W INTERSTATE 10 @ DE ZAVALA
2808 THOUSAND OAKS @ JONES MALTSBERGER
8141 PAT BOOKER RD @LIVE OAK
6620 FM 78 @ FOSTER RD
18360 BLANCO RD @ 1604 STONE OAK
5010 RITTIMAN RD
8213 BROADWAY ST
Thank you for voting us
Best Smoke Shop in SA THE BEST SELECTION E-CIGS, VAPORIZERS, TOBACCO PRODUCTS & ACCESSORIES! 1-888-403-7638 | SMOKERZPARADISE@GMAIL.COM | SMOKERZPARADIZE.COM 86
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Stars And Garters Burlesque
SCAN TO P E E P OUR MENU! 834 NORTHWEST LO OP 410 STE. 106, SAN ANTONI O, TX 78216
O P E N DA I LY | 11 A M - M I D N I G H T | 2 10.34 2.2473 | F O L LO W U S @ G O L D F E AT H E R B B
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SOMETHING
FOR
E V E RYO N E
Best of SA | Nightlife BEST BAR GAMES
Winner: Little Woodrow’s Multiple locations littlewoodrows.com 2. Bonham Exchange 411 Bonham (210) 224-9219 bonhamexchange.com 3. Slackers Sports Bar Multiple locations facebook.com/slackers.b.sa BEST BLOODY MARY
Winner: Liberty Bar 1111 S. Alamo St. (210) 227-1187 liberty-bar.com
2. The Pigpen Neighborhood Bar 106 Pershing Ave. (210) 267-9136 thepigpensa.com 3. Southtown 101 101 Pereida St. (210) 263-9880 southtown101.net
with arty folks from the neighborhood and tourists drawn by its national rep.
Bar 1919
Editor’s Pick: The Modernist 516 E. Grayson St. (210) 901-8646 facebook.com/themodernistsa
W
ith its keen attention to detail and focus on high-quality ingredients, The Modernist is San Antonio’s most low-key place to get seriously highfalutin’ cocktails. While the atmosphere is chill, the bartenders are insightful, practiced and approachable, which practically makes them hospitality-industry unicorns. Throughout the pandemic, the crew at The Modernist has offered an impressive to-go menu of mixed cocktails, organized by spirit preference, including a note on which tipples are “stupidly strong.” In part, this Editor’s Pick earned its accolade for taking at-home craft cocktail enjoyment to a whole new level. 2. The Modernist
BEST COCKTAIL BAR
Winner: Bar 1919 1420 S. Alamo St. (210) 227-1420 bar1919.com
3. Blue Box 312 Pearl Parkway (210) 227-2583 blueboxbar.com BEST COUNTRY BAR
I
t’s hard not to be impressed with Bar 1919, the speakeasy-style cocktail haven tucked into a basement slot at Blue Star. The dark interior brims with atmosphere, and the bar staff is both knowledgeable and blazingly efficient. What’s more, Bar 1919 has won praise from the New York Times and USA Today for an extensive and expertly curated whiskey collection unmatched in the area. The nightspot’s Southtown location also makes for eclectic people watching as downtown business execs and techies mingle The Modernist
Winner: Thirsty Horse Dance Hall 2335 NW Military Highway (210) 348-1513 thirstyhorse.net 2. The Lonesome Rose 2114 N. St. Mary’s St. (210) 455-0233 thelonesomerose.com 3. Cooter Brown’s Saloon 11881 Bandera Road, Helotes (210) 263-1852 facebook.com/CooterBrownsSaloon BEST CRAFT BEER SELECTION/ ICEHOUSE/MICHELADAS
Winner: The Friendly Spot Ice House 943 S. Alamo St. (210) 224-2337 thefriendlyspot.com
A Instagram / The Modernist
good michelada starts with fine Mexican beer, so it makes sense that Friendly Spot scored big with readers for both its expansive brew selection and the quality of its micheladas. Beyond that, a good michelada requires
Facebook / Bar 1919
a recipe that honors its key ingredients — frosty lager plus tomato juice and spice. This one gets the blend right, delivering the right amounts of tomatoey umami and lingering heat. The Southtown favorite’s win for best ice house no doubt comes down to its on-site playground, community atmosphere and a giant screen to watch the Spurs. CRAFT BEER SELECTION
2. Flying Saucer Draught Emporium 11255 Huebner Road #212 (210) 696-5080 beerknurd.com/locations/san-antonio-flying-saucer
latunasa.com MICHELADAS
2. Bar America 723 S. Alamo St. (210) 223-1285 baramericasatx.com 3. Social Spot 930 Broadway (210) 263-9009 facebook.com/socialspotSATX
The Friendly Spot
3. Big Hops Multiple locations bighops.com ICE HOUSE
2. Wurzbach Ice House 10141 Wurzbach Road (210) 877-2100 wurzbachicehouse.com 3. La Tuna Icehouse 100 Probandt St. (210) 212-5727
Facebook / Friendly Spot
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KNIGHTWATCHGAMES.COM
SAN ANTONIO'S PREMIER GAMING DESTINATION
Come Find Your Tribe.
16350 BLANCO RD, SAN ANTONIO TX, 78232 | 210-888-1051 | OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK FROM NOON TO MIDNIGHT 90
CURRENT | September 23 – October 6, 2020 | sacurrent.com
Best of SA | Nightlife Bonham Exchange
BEST DANCE CLUB
Winner: Bonham Exchange 411 Bonham (210) 224-9219 bonhamexchange.com 2. Brass Monkey 2702 N. St. Mary’s St. (210) 480-4722 facebook.com/BrassMonkeyTX 3. Heat Nightclub 1500 N. Main Ave. (210) 227-2600 facebook.com/HEATNightclub BEST DIVE BAR
Winner: The Mix 2423 N. St Mary’s St. (210) 735-1313 themixsa.com
I
s the Mix really a dive? Many readers made that call, so we won’t quibble, even if we can think of plenty of bars that are smaller, seedier and more spartan. Since opening in October 1997, the Mix has remained a constant on the oft-changing North St. Mary’s Strip, especially when it comes to presenting live music
in an unpretentious setting. Although the venue has changed ownership and management in the last decade, it continues to host a variety of local and touring performers from punk and metal to goth and even a traveling circus act. Throw in affordable drink prices and a chill atmosphere, and it’s no wonder the Mix remains a local fave — whether or not it truly qualifies as a dive. 2. Oak Hills Tavern 7920 Fredericksburg Road (210) 614-8855 oak-hills-tavern.business.site 3. Faust Tavern 517 E. Woodlawn Ave. (210) 257-0628 facebook.com/TheFaustTavern BEST DRINK SPECIALS/CHEAP DRINKS
Winner: Bar America 723 S. Alamo St. (210) 223-1285 baramericasatx.com
2. Brass Monkey 2702 N. St. Mary’s St. (210) 480-4722 facebook.com/BrassMonkeyTX
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Jaime Monzon
he word “institution” gets thrown around a little too easily these days, but it’s no exaggeration at all to call the Bonham a San Antonio LGBTQ+ institution. Arthur “Hap” Veltman transformed this century-plus-old German social club into a gay bar in 1980, and it’s continued to pack in crowds with a mix of high-energy dance music and low-priced cocktails. Despite the iconic club’s clear orientation, its open-door policy has made it Party Central for a wide variety of folks, from college students and post-Battle of Flowers revelers to certain TV news anchors and occasional out-of-town celebs. 2. Heat Nightclub 1500 N. Main Ave. (210) 227-2600 3. La Botanica 2911 N. St. Mary’s St. (210) 716-0702 vivalabotanica.com
2. Sultan Café & Grill 5625 Babcock Road (210) 614-5544 facebook.com/SultanCafe.SA 3. Hookah Café 2250 Thousand Oaks Drive, Suite 218 (210) 886-8945 hookahcafe-sa.com BEST HOTEL BAR
J
Sternewirth Tavern
BEST GAY BAR
Winner: Bonham Exchange 411 Bonham (210) 224-9219 bonhamexchange.com Facebook / Blaine Matera
Winner: Shisha Café 5500 Babcock Road #101 (210) 694-4800 shishacafesa.com
Winner: Sternewirth Tavern (Hotel Emma) 136 E. Grayson St. (210) 223-7375 thehotelemma.com/culinary/sternewirth
3. Bonham Exchange 411 Bonham (210) 224-9219 bonhamexchange.com
The Mix
BEST HOOKAH BAR
Instagram / Deeelizious
ust off the impressive lobby of the Hotel Emma in the old Pearl Brewery is a bar that celebrates its industrial past while at the same time creating comfort and elegance. Sternewirth — named for the 19th century Sternewirth Privilege of brewery workers being allowed to hit up the taproom during the workday — is a perk for hotel guests, but the atmosphere, well-made cocktails, local beer, wine and small plates have also made it a regular hangout for locals. Among the favorites are the Three Emmas cocktail, named for the early brewery owner’s wife and two mistresses of the same name; lamb meatballs with a five-spice barbecue sauce and the San Antonio Brewing Association Copper Alt beer made just down the hall at Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery.
sacurrent.com | September 23 – October 6, 2020 | CURRENT
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GET YOUR HAPPY HOUR DELIVERED! Order online or download our mobile app for quick and easy delivery or in-store pick up.
twinliquors.com
90+ locations throughout Texas, each with a friendly neighborhood vibe that can only come from a 4th generation, family-owned Texas company. 92
CURRENT | September 23 – October 6, 2020 | sacurrent.com
You must be 21+ to shop and order online, receive delivery, or pick up in store. All deliveries require in-person veriďŹ cation of a legal photo ID at point of delivery. Orders will NOT be left unattended. Limited delivery area and pick up only available at select locations. All in-store promotions and pricing do not apply to online order. Exclusions apply. Please drink responsibly.
Best of SA | Nightlife 2. Ocho (Hotel Havana) 1015 Navarro St. (210) 222-2008 havanasanantonio.com/restaurant-andbar/ocho 3. Menger Bar (Menger Hotel) 204 Alamo Plaza (210) 223-4361 mengerhotel.com/san-antonio-restaurants/menger-bar BEST KARAOKE BAR
Winner: Dad’s Karaoke 2615 Mossrock Drive (210) 267-5703 facebook.com/dadskaraoke 2. Oak Hills Tavern 7920 Fredericksburg Road (210) 614-8855 oak-hills-tavern.business.site 3. Hidden Tavern 11407 West Ave. (210) 541-0001 hiddentavern.com
Your favorite neighborhood bar for music, drinks & good company
2. Sparky’s Pub 1416 N. Main Ave. (210) 320-5111 sparkyspub.com 3. Babio’s Eat Drink & Dance 527 W. Hildebrand Ave. (210) 409-7245 facebook.com/babiosedd
we miss you san antonio!
BEST LOCAL MUSIC VENUE
Winner: Paper Tiger 2410 N. St. Mary’s St. papertigersatx.com
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aper Tiger’s 2015 opening catapulted it to the forefront of San Antonio’s live music venues. It wasn’t just a facelift and new sound system the club brought
Paper Tiger
BEST LESBIAN BAR
Winner: La Botanica 2911 N. St. Mary’s St. (210) 716-0702 vivalabotanica.com
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a Botanica has rightfully emerged as a crown jewel of the rejuvenate North St. Mary’s Strip thanks to its welcoming atmosphere, fun patio space and inventive bar and vegan eats. After all, the venue bills itself as Texas’ first vegan restaurant with a full bar and community space. Beyond that, La Botanica continues to be a center of the LGBTQ+ community thanks to its focus on community. In pre-pandemic times, it played host to events ranging from live music and dance parties to film fests and makers’ markets. Part of La Botanica’s wide-ranging appeal is that it’s not easy to categorize.
Yelp / Lisa J
to the former White Rabbit space that got SA music fans buzzing. Many were immediately won over by the club’s smart and eclectic booking choices. On any given weekend, patrons take in then-R&B-up-and-comer Lizzo, hyper-technical metal act Dillinger Escape Plan or post-rock godfathers Explosions in the Sky, all while enjoying local acts in support slots. Sure, some old timers fondly remember the White Rabbit and the metal and post-hardcore shows it booked with the help of Twin Productions, but it’s never felt like Paper Tiger was trying to erase that history. Instead, the five-year-old venue is building on a legacy while offering a greater array of stylistic choices. 2. The Rustic 17619 La Cantera Parkway, Suite 204 (210) 245-7500 therustic.com/san-Antonio
La Botanica Facebook / La Botanica
3. Luna Music Bar & Lounge 6740 San Pedro Ave. (210) 804-2433 lunalive.com
2423 N St Mary’s St. San Antonio, TX 78212 | TheMixSA.com sacurrent.com | September 23 – October 6, 2020 | CURRENT
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Tim Duncan
Thank you San Antonio
for voting us BEST NEW BAR!!!!
CRAFT BEER, FINE WINE & GREAT FOOD Adopt a position of Divine Nonchalance
103 E JONES AVE, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78215 | ELSEWHEREGARDEN.COM | TUE-THUR 4P-12A, FRI 2P-12A, SAT 2P-1A, SUN 2P-10P 94
CURRENT | September 23 – October 6, 2020 | sacurrent.com
Best of SA | Nightlife BEST MARGARITAS
Winner: La Gloria Multiple locations chefjohnnyhernandez.com
The Good Kind
Editor’s Choice: The Good Kind Southtown 1127 S. St. Mary’s St. (210) 801-5892 eatgoodkind.com
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alf the charm of a good margarita is the ingredients, and the other half is the atmosphere. When it comes to the The Good Kind’s margaritas, especially its hibiscus-lime variety, the Southtown favorite has got both locked in. Fresh ingredients, high quality booze and a gorgeous setting make this a go-to in a city where margs are in abundance and the bar is set high. Friday night fish tacos and a couple of these sweet and sour concoctions make a reliable end-of-the-week routine — especially when happy hour turns into, you know, a whole evening. 2. Sanchos Cantina & Cocina 628 Jackson St. (210) 320-1840 sanchosmx.com
Facebook / The Good Kind Southtown
BEST NEW BAR
Winner: Elsewhere Garden Bar & Kitchen 103 E. Jones Ave. (210) 446-9303 elsewheregarden.com
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lsewhere came onto the scene earlier this year when it took over the old Luxury space perched above the Museum Reach of the San Antonio River. The oasis of shade trees, gardens and arbors makes for an inviting place to gather with friends or enjoy the porch swings that peer out over the river. The beer tap list is heavy on local and Texas
breweries, while the bottle and can choices consist mostly of big national and import brands with a few regional refreshers thrown in. The menu of burgers, sandwiches, salads, tacos and sides made from locally sourced produce and meats isn’t huge, but there’s something for everyone to bring on a serious craving. 2. Hops & Hounds 13838 Jones Maltsberger Road (210) 592-9400 facebook.com/HopsHounds-113122597047363
Joey’s
Facebook / Joey’s
3. 2015 Place 2015 San Pedro Ave. (210) 733-3365 facebook.com/2015place
3. The Lighthouse Lounge 1016 Cincinnati Ave. facebook.com/The-LighthouseLounge-100242124663964
BEST SPORTS BAR
Winner: Slackers Sports Bar Multiple locations facebook.com/slackers.b.sa
BEST POOL HALL
Winner: Joey’s 2417 N. St. Mary’s St. (210) 733-9573 facebook.com/joeyssanantonio 2. Fast Eddie’s Sports Tavern & Social Club Multiple locations fasteddiesbilliards.com
2. Wurzbach Ice House 10141 Wurzbach Road (210) 877-2100 wurzbachicehouse.com 3. Ricky Bobby’s Sports Bar 2335 NW Military Highway (210) 463-9038 rickybobbysbar.com
Elsewhere Garden Bar & Kitchen
Facebook / Elsewhere Garden Bar & Kitchen
sacurrent.com | September 23 – October 6, 2020 | CURRENT
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EVERY DAY with valid I.D.
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OPEN DAILY: 7AM - 2AM | 9405 IH-35 @ THOUSAND OAKS | 210-595-6781 | 11827 HWY 281 N @ NAKOMA | 210-404-0011 96
CURRENT | September 23 – October 6, 2020 | sacurrent.com
Best of SA Finalists | Nightlife BEST BAR GAMES Little Woodrow’s Bonham Exchange Slackers Sports Bar The Lion & Rose Lucy Cooper’s Icehouse
BEST HOTEL BAR Sternewirth at Hotel Emma Ocho at Hotel Havana The Menger at Menger Hotel Haunt at The St. Anthony Bar 414 at Gunter Hotel
BEST BLOODY MARY Liberty Bar Pig Pen Southtown 101 Lucy Cooper’s SA Country Saloon
BEST ICE HOUSE The Friendly Spot Icehouse Wurzbach Icehouse La Tuna Dakota Eastside Ice House Lucy Cooper’s Icehouse
BEST COCKTAIL BAR Bar 1919 The Modernist Blue Box SA Country Saloon Artisan Distillery
BEST KARAOKE BAR Dad’s Karaoke Oak Hills Tavern Hidden Tavern Lion & Rose SA Country Saloon
BEST COUNTRY BAR Thirsty Horse The Lonesome Rose Cooter Brown’s SA Country Saloon 151 Saloon
BEST LESBIAN BAR La Botanica Sparky’s Pub Babio’s 2015 Place
BEST CRAFT BEER SELECTION The Friendly Spot Flying Saucer Big Hops Elsewhere Copa Wine Bar BEST DANCE CLUB Bonham Exchange Brass Monkey The Heat SA Country Saloon El O jo BEST DIVE BAR The Mix Oak Hills Tavern Faust Charlie Brown’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill Lighthouse Lounge BEST DRINK SPECIALS/CHEAP DRINKS Bar America Brass Monkey Bonham Exchange Faust SA Country Saloon BEST GAY BAR Bonham Exchange Heat Nightclub La Botanica Pegasus SA Country Saloon BEST HOOKAH BAR Shisha Cafe Sultan Cafe Hookah Cafe Naara Cafe Hookah Harem
BEST LOCAL MUSIC VENUE Paper Tiger The Rustic Luna Limelight Spechts Texas
E M P LOY M E N T Project Engineer, Parra & Co, San Antonio, TX. Prepare, schedule, coordinate, & monitor engineering projects in San Antonio, TX. Monitor compliance to applicable codes, practices, QA/QC policies, performance standards & specifications. Document all construction activities & evaluate progress of all projects. Ensure compliance to all company safety requirements and monitor all projects from conceptualization to implementation & prepare reports. 40% percent or less domestic & international travel. Send resumes to: emparra@parracompany.com San Antonio, TX –Pulm.& Critic. Care Phys. needed to provide pt. care in San Antonio, TX. Reqs.: Deg. in Med., Med. Residency, pulm./critic. care fellowship, TX Med. Lic., bd. eligible/certified. Send C.V. to: Pulmonary Consultants of San Antonio, P.A., Attn: Arturo Homma, 10007 Huebner Rd., Ste. 402, San Antonio, TX 78240
International Franchise Business Consultant for Dough Nation Headquarters, LLC: Help International. franchise owners to increase sales/decrease costs. Jobsite: 10 Dominion Dr. Bldg 2, Suite 2101, San Antonio, TX 78257. Reqs: BS/BA in Bus. Admin and 2+ yrs in a leadership role within the fast-food franchised restaurant industry. 2+ yrs of International business and travel exp. Domestic and International Travel up to 50% of the time. Send resume to Tatiana Aldeeb 10 Dominion Dr. Bldg 2, Suite 2101, San Antonio, TX 78257.
BUY, SELL, TRADE, SEARCH, FIND, POST DO IT ALL @www.sacurrent.com
BEST MARGARITAS La Gloria Sanchos BEST MICHELADAS The Friendly Spot Bar America Social Spot SA Country Saloon Anchor Bar BEST NEW BAR
Elsewhere Garden Bar & Kitchen
Hops & Hounds The Lighthouse Lounge The Study Space Espuelas BEST POOL HALL Joey’s Fast Eddie’s 2015 Place Stacy’s Sports Bar Boozehounds BEST SPORTS BAR Slackers Sports Bar Wurzbach Ice House Ricky Bobby’s Lion & The Rose Roxy’s Sports Bar
sacurrent.com | September 23 – October 6, 2020 | CURRENT
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Benefits
+ 20 IPATING PARTIC RANTS RESTAU
5- 10 Combo Packs
$
$
Specialty Taco
Alamo Biscuit & Panaderia | Beto's Alt-Mex | Big Poppas Tacos | Chela's Tacos Mexican Restaurant G o l d F e at h e r B i r d s a n d B e e r | L a H a c i e n d a d e l o s B a r r i o s | L a H a c i e n d a S c e n i c L o o p Los Barrios Mexican Restaurant | Mi Tierra Cafe y Panaderia | Mi Familia de Mi Tierra | Patty's Taco House Sangria on the Burg | Tapatio Vegan Tacos | Tiago's Cabo Grille | Viva Vegeria | Viola's Ventanas
Offer valid for dine-in or to-go at participating restaurants. Stay tuned for more info and a full list of restaurants at: SanAntonioTacoWeek.com 98
CURRENT | September 23 – October 6, 2020 | sacurrent.com
WHEN IT RAINS, OUR BOURBON POURS. GOURMET-GRADE GRAINS. HILL COUNTRY RAINWATER. CUSTOM-BUILT BARRELS. SCORCHING TEXAS HEAT. Some hide from the rain. We welcome it with open arms. Because when Mother Nature decides it’s time, we do our best to harvest every drop of rain possible using our distillery barn rooftops. The water is filtered by ultra-violet rays and immediately put to work, proofing our award-winning, amber-crimson Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
DRINK LIKE AN ADULT ™
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