San Antonio saw quite a few restaurant openings this year and there is still another on the way with a California hot chicken chain set to open next month. But 2022 also saw a lot of restaurants closing their doors this year. The summer saw a lot of restaurants close, whether they announced their last days or just shuttered abruptly.
You could order these tangy and spicy Thai and Kimchi Bloody Mary’s at Hello Paradise.
Camille Sauers/MySAHello Paradise
The Pearl-area outdoor lounge concept from local restaurant and cocktail guru Jeret Peña just celebrated one year of being in business. Then in February, Peña said Hello Paradise would close its doors.
You can’t grab these pork ribs and turkey from Bandit BBQ anymore.
Mike Sutter /Staff file photoBBQ bandits
Chef and pitmaster Brandon Peterson and business partner Mark Garcia announced in May that it would close San Antonio barbecue favorite Bandit BBQ after only two years. However, Peterson and Garcia said they would team up to open Bad Animal at the former Hello Paradise spot.
Alamo BBQ would serve a meat tray of lean brisket, marbled brisket, peach-glazed baby back ribs, smoked sausage, chopped beef, smoked pulled pork, smoked turkey, and stuffed jalepeños.
Josie Norris /Staff file photoAlamo BBQ
Lauded San Antonio chef Jason Dady said in May that he was bringing an end to the Pearl-area barbecue joint Alamo BBQ after four years.
A trio of pizzas from Playland are no more.
Mike Sutter/StaffPlayland
This one kind of came out of nowhere, but Chef Stefan Bowers took to Instagram in June to say that he would close the downtown San Antonio pizzeria Playland with plans to open a new concept elsewhere. Now the old building will be home to Voodoo Donuts.
The Pizza Gorgonzola was one of the popular choices at Cerroni’s Purple Garlic.
Mike Sutter/StaffCerroni’s Purple Garlic
In keeping with the pizza theme, a longtime Italian eatery called Cerroni’s Purple Garlic on Austin Highway announced in July it was going to close the beloved spot after over 20 years.
Cerveceria Chapultepec, a Mexico-based chain of one-price restaurants, has closed both of those locations.
Mike Sutter/StaffCerveceria Chapultepec
This closure took people by surprise only because the Mexican chain Cerveceria Chapultepec shuttered both of its San Antonio locations in late June without any word after just a year.
William and Addie Garner, owners of Mr. and Mrs. G’s Home Cooking and Pastry on WW White Road, closed the restaurant this year.
JOHN DAVENPORT, Staff Photographer / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWSMr. & Mrs. G’s
This San Antonio soul food staple on the Eastside announced via social media in July that the restaurant would close after serving the community for 32 years.
The Gwendolyn Burger with a half-pound beef patty and a house-baked bun was one of the items you could get at 5 Points.
Mike Sutter/Staff5 Points
This European concept at 1017 N Flores said that it would close its doors in July because it had trouble finding staff after the COVID-19 pandemic.
You could find the Big Over Easy Pizza with eggs at Broken Stone when it was open.
Chuck Blount/StaffBroken Stone Pizza Co.
This Boerne pizzeria that opened its doors 10 years ago said in a Facebook post in July that it would have to close at the end of the month, saying that it was the only option they had.
Rawley and Christine Weber were the owners of Flagstop Cafe. Now the building no longer exists.
Photo courtesy of Rawley WeberFlagstop Cafe
Another Boerne restaurant that fed the community for 36 years closed its doors in August. Any chance at a return to the same location was dashed as the building was later demolished.
Sol Y Luna made a variety of giant cookies.
Yelp / Tara T.Sol y Luna Baking Company
A popular bakery on the Northside known as Sol y Luna Baking Company closed in August after 14 years because the family decided to “hang up our rolling pins” and retire.
Hometown Burger closed all of its chains abruptly.
Google MapsHometown Burgers
This local burger chain abruptly closed all eight of its locations in September with very little explanation in a Facebook post that said: “It is with a heavy heart that we are announcing the permanent closing of all of our Hometown Burger locations. We thank you for your business over the years. We’ll see you on the flip side.”
This meatball pizza was one of the pies you could order at Truth Pizzeria.
Mike Sutter /Staff file photoTruth Pizzeria
Truth Pizzeria, a pizza joint on the Eastside that received praise, announced “with a heavy heart” that it would close its doors in October.