Midyear check-in: New San Antonio restaurants you may have missed
Why it matters: San Antonio is evolving beyond being a Tex-Mex stronghold — yes, we'll always love a good enchilada plate — and the food world is paying attention to our changing landscape.
The latest: Food & Wine on Monday named San Antonio one of America's next great food cities, spotlighting its fusion innovation.
🧊 Otto's Ice House
This Pearl newcomer channels classic Texas ice house culture with tallboys, frozen margaritas and South Texas-inspired eats. Its riverside, dog-friendly patio is already a favorite for live music and lounging.
🥟 Luscious Dumplings
Born in California, this spot near UTSA serves steamed, pan-fried and soup dumplings alongside noodles. A second location is planned in Westover Hills.
🧜♀️ The Mermaid Cafe
Opened by Leah Meyer, who has Down syndrome, and her family, this North Side cafe offers sweets, quiche, coffee, matcha and a welcoming space for people of all abilities.
🍝 Primo's
The cozy-yet-sophisticated spot serves Italian comfort food classics like arancini, ravioli, pizza and cocktails near the St. Mary's Strip.
🌵
This West Texas-inspired coffee-cocktail bar inside the St. Anthony Hotel features entrees like Big Red and barbacoa tacos by James Beard-nominated chef Leo Davila.
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Indianapolis Star
2 hours ago
- Indianapolis Star
We tried 12 wild Indiana State Fair dishes and ranked them from worst to best
Every year, our IndyStar tasting team is more than happy to provide the important reader service of testing a variety of Indiana State Fair foods and telling you exactly what we think of them with no holds barred. This year, we sweat our way from one end of the fair to the other, sampling a bunch of new dishes and a few that we thought were just downright wild. Find our takes below, ranked from worst (one star) to best (five stars). We hope these insights help you make the best possible investment with your fair dollars. Freund Family Foods Gourmet Funnel Cakes. Across from Corteva Coliseum. $18. IndyStar taster rating:⭐ (1 star) Given my Italian heritage, I really wanted to enjoy this sampling of three famous flavors: Italian wedding cake, tiramisu and cannoli. But unfortunately, neither the cannoli nor tiramisu sections contained any oomph on the front end, and aftertastes were lacking as well. — Domenica Bongiovanni Indiana ribeye truck near the fair Midway. $12. IndyStar taster rating: ⭐⭐ (2 stars) This is not a drink. This is a tug-of-war battle between you and your little sibling. One sip in, you know it's too much sugar, you hand it over to them, but also, you're like, 'Wait, come back, I want it.' It's juicy, it's poppy (but only from the boba), and the flavor screams summer. That said, if you don't shake it around hard, you're just slurping syrup at the bottom like a hummingbird on a Red Bull bender. Sip with caution. And share with a sugar goblin you trust. — Sam Habashy Sun King Brewing in the Taproom across from the Indiana Farmers Coliseum. $12 for 16 ounces. IndyStar taster rating: ⭐⭐ (2 stars) Sun King's cotton candy ale didn't quite do for me what last year's pickle beer did, but that probably says more about me than the drink itself. This take on the classic state fair confection is surprisingly refreshing, with an ambiguously fruity taste that isn't as cloyingly sweet as the beer's frightening shade of teal might suggest. Alas, the opposing flavors just don't mesh as well as you'd hope, which may simply be the result of infusing a drink only consumed legally by people over 21 years old with a food eaten almost exclusively by people under the age of 10. — Bradley Hohulin Jamaican Breeze. Next to the Department of Natural Resources building near the main entrance. $12. IndyStar taster rating: ⭐⭐ ½ (2.5 stars) I was hoping for a trip to flavor town with this one, but sadly, it didn't deliver. The best way to describe the dish? Tame. The jerk sauce had a faint sweetness but lacked the bold, spice-rich taste you'd expect. The cheese was barely noticeable, leaving the fries feeling more like a missed opportunity than a standout snack. At $12, it's hard to justify the price for something so underwhelming. If you're craving bold Caribbean flavors, you might want to keep looking. — Ethan Hylton Dairy Bar. Across from Corteva Coliseum. $5. IndyStar taster rating: ⭐⭐⭐½ (3.5 stars) The barbecue sauce reminds me somewhat of Sweet Baby Ray's, which is a little too sweet for my Kansas City-groomed tastebuds. But the salty, creamy gouda and the slices of perfectly buttered and toasted bread make up for the slight sugar overreach. — Domenica Bongiovanni Black Leaf Vegan Food Truck. Across from Pioneer Village. $17. IndyStar taster rating: ⭐⭐⭐½ (3.5 stars) The plant-based "meat" is coated in a vegan "cheez" sauce that has a fruitiness reminiscent of the sticky-sweet coating on your favorite childhood mall Chinese chicken. The protein and peppers were cradled in a hoagie with enough fluff and chewiness to meet all of my expectations. Overall, this sandwich is a pleasant diversion from the deep-fried cheesy flavors that populate so much of the fair. — Domenica Bongiovanni Urick Concessions. Inside the Agriculture and Horticulture building. $20. IndyStar taster rating: ⭐⭐⭐½ (3.5 stars) If you're looking to escape the summer heat with a refreshing adult beverage, the brunch mimosa might be for you. Light, crisp and not overly sweet, the mimosa was a pleasant surprise, especially with white wine replacing the usual champagne. That twist added a subtle depth that worked well. However, at $20, I expected more from the accompanying fruits, waffles and donuts. They looked promising but didn't quite deliver on flavor. Overall, it's a fun treat if you're in the mood for something light and boozy, but the price-to-quality ratio holds it back. — Ethan Hylton Pickle barrel concession right when you enter by the Hoosier Free Stage lottery. $12. IndyStar taster rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 stars) This is what happens when your taste buds and your inner feral child make a pact. It's giving "a dare gone too far but also… kinda genius?" It tastes like a sleepover where no one's mom is supervising and someone goes, 'Let's mix everything in the pantry!' I felt nine years old and unhinged in the best way while eating this salty, sweet and weirdly nostalgic confection. I double-dog dare you to eat the whole thing without questioning your life choices — unlike my co-workers, who did not appreciate the admittedly odd flavor palate. — Sam Habashy Hook's Drugstore Museum by the Indiana Arts Building near Gate 1. $9. IndyStar taster rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 stars) A crisp cup of vanilla cold brew receives vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, Biscoff cookie butter and Biscoff crumbles, all topped with a maraschino cherry. The concoction looks untenably sweet, but it's a far cry from the massive syrup-spiked drive-thru iced coffees that makes you feel like you're having a panic attack after three sips. Aside from some slight whipped cream separation, everything comes together very nicely in a lovely mocha-colored swirl. Just know your limits — full-fat dairy and extra-strength coffee make this sweet treat quietly one of the more intestinally challenging offerings at the State Fair, which is saying a lot. — Bradley Hohulin Red Frazier Bison. Across from Pioneer Village. $20. IndyStar taster rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 Stars) Mind you, this was my first time trying bison, so I was a bit apprehensive going into this, but boy am I glad I tried it. The bison patty was cooked well and surprisingly juicy. What really stood out, though, was the Texas toast: crunchy, flavorful, and perfect for soaking up all those savory juices. I did discover that pimento cheese isn't my thing, but don't let that stop you — it's a solid burger overall. If you're feeling hangry and want a hearty, satisfying option, this is a safe bet. The $20 price tag is a little steep, but the quality makes it worth considering. — Ethan Hylton J&J A Taste of Home along the northwest side of the West Pavilion. $17 for two rolls. IndyStar taster rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5 stars) Following up last year's confoundingly delicious spaghetti and meat sauce egg rolls, J&J presents my favorite bite of the fair with a 4-inch payload of chopped chicken and cheese that is wrapped and fried, doused in a fire-orange blend of hot honey, lemon pepper and buffalo sauce and drizzled with ranch dressing. Combining the trademark flavors of Philadelphia, Atlanta, upstate New York and the Midwest feels almost heretical yet totally works here. While I admittedly miss the crispness of a traditional egg roll, the tang and heat of the sauces is a worthy trade-off, and I suppose it wouldn't be in the spirit of a Philly cheesesteak if the dish were even remotely tidy. — Bradley Hohulin Wilson concessions truck. By the agriculture building. $12. IndyStar taster rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5 stars) Bites? They meant it. These are the perfect portion sizes that fit in your mouth with no hassle. It's coated in just enough cinnamon sugar, but it's not overpowering. And the cereal is quite the throwback as I hadn't had it in years. The cookie butter drizzle is the main character. It adds a subtle softness to contrast the crunch. The bites were gone in minutes, and I was left wanting just one more. — Sam Habashy More: Taste of the Fair: Indiana State Fair announces new foods for 2025 Contact dining reporter Bradley Hohulin at bhohulin@ You can follow him on Twitter/X @BradleyHohulin and stay up to date with Indy dining news by signing up for the Indylicious newsletter.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Country Music Icon Dies After Long Illness
Country Music Icon Dies After Long Illness originally appeared on Parade. Flaco Jiménez, a renowned conjunto musician, has died at the age of 86, reports the San Antonio Express-News. Jiménez died on July 31 at his son's home after a long illness. Jiménez was an acclaimed accordion player who started playing at an early age with his father and grandfather. They were pioneers of conjunto music, which was a Tex-Mex translation of the polkas and waltzes brought to Texas by Europeans. Jiménez's first single was "Hasta La Vista," a local hit released in 1955 when he was just a teenager, according to the Express-News. In a 1973 interview, he told the paper, "I loved it, you know, and I still do. Naturally, now you can't stick just with polka and redova and schottisches. You have to play what's going on in the world. Starting with polka, and a little rock-and-roll, or a little cumbia, cha-cha-cha.'Jiménez would go on to win five Grammy Awards for his work, both as a solo artist and with the band Texas Tornados. He also collaborated with such stars as Bob Dylan, , , Dwight Yoakam, Los Lobos and the Rolling Stones. Later in life, Jiménez was awarded a National Heritage Fellowship, a National Medal of Arts, and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. The Hohner accordion Jimenez recorded and performed with is currently on display at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville. It is part of the museum's exhibition "Sing Me Back Home: Folk Roots to the Present." "Flaco Jiménez was a paragon of Tejano conjunto music — exemplifying not only its sound, but its culture-blending spirit with his richly melodic accordion playing," said Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, in a statement. "Whether he was recording with Bob Dylan, Linda Ronstadt or the Rolling Stones, or working with his own supergroup, the Texas Tornados, Flaco drew millions of listeners into a rich musical world they might not have discovered on their own," Young continued. "'Streets of Bakersfield' by Dwight and Buck wouldn't have been the same without his sparkling touches. Neither will a music community that cherished his towering talent and open heart." 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 Country Music Icon Dies After Long Illness first appeared on Parade on Aug 1, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 1, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Paula Deen abruptly closes restaurant that launched her to celebrity chef status
In the late 1990s, Paula Deen was an independent restaurateur whose family-operated restaurant had just received a glowing review from USA Today. Her life and career were permanently changed. Now, over 25 years later, the Georgia native has announced the closing of the Lady and Sons — the iconic restaurant that made her a star of Southern cuisine and a household name in the cooking world. Opened in downtown Savannah, Ga., in 1996, the Lady and Sons boasted a menu of local classics like fried green tomatoes, banana pudding and hoecakes. The signature dish, Southern fried chicken, was enough to draw lines wrapping around the block — and the restaurant came to be viewed as an embodiment of the indulgent and buttery flavors that characterize Southern cooking. 'There in Savannah, Paula Deen's homestyle Southern menu at the Lady and Sons turned me into a ravenous beast, unmindful of manners, cholesterol, North-South diplomacy and the dropped jaws of my companions,' USA Today, then the nation's most-read daily newspaper, wrote on Dec. 17, 1999. Read more: Paula Deen on 'Today': 'I is what I is, and I'm not changing' Earlier that year, the popularity of the Lady and Sons caught the attention of Food Network journalist Gordon Elliott. Deen appeared on Elliott's short-lived show "Door Knock Dinners" that led to her own Daytime Emmy-winning Food Network program, 'Paula's Home Cooking.' On her website and social media accounts, Deen bid farewell to the Lady and Sons and its longtime fans. Also closing is her newer restaurant, the Chicken Box, which opened in 2023. 'Hey, y'all, my sons and I made the heartfelt decision that Thursday, July 31st, was the last day of service for The Lady & Sons and The Chicken Box,' Deen said in the statement. 'We will now focus our attention on the four Paula Deen's Family Kitchen locations across the country." The announcement came without warning, especially as the restaurant continued to draw tours and lines of customers. Three weeks prior to the announcement, the Lady and Sons posted on Instagram that it was hiring for all positions. Read more: Paula Deen isn't the first food celebrity to be hit by scandal Over the years, some of Deen's other restaurants have also closed suddenly. In 2014, employees at Uncle Bubba's Seafood and Oyster House — a Savannah eatery she co-owned with her brother, Earl W. "Bubba" Hiers Jr. — reportedly arrived to work to find the doors locked and the appliances removed. A sign on the door said, 'Thank you for 10 great years. Uncle Bubba's is now closed.' The Panama City, Fla., location of Paula Deen's Family Kitchen also closed abruptly in 2019, laying off 30 employees without advance notice. Several former employees told local news channel WJHG that they were left without their main source of income following the closure. Uncle Bubba's closure came a year after controversy began to surround Deen after a former manager at the restaurant sued Hiers, alleging sexual and racial discrimination. Food Network canceled 'Paula's Home Cooking' after Deen admitted to using a racial slur during a deposition for the 2013 lawsuit. Lawyers asked Deen if she had ever used the N-word, to which Deen replied, "Yes, of course," later adding, "It's been a very long time." Read more: Paula Deen settlement: Did money exchange hands? Since then, the 78-year-old has focused on her restaurants. The Lady and Sons, as her core establishment, was the result of a litany of personal struggles and ambition. Both of her parents passed away when she was in her early 20s and Deen, then a young mother, struggled with depression and agoraphobia, or fear of going outside. With only $200 left, Deen founded a catering company out of her kitchen called the Bag Lady. Her handmade bag lunches were delivered by her sons Jamie and Bobby and earned Deen a local reputation for her homestyle cooking. After one attempt at a restaurant, the Lady in 1991, the follow-up, the Lady and Sons, co-owned with Jamie and Bobby, would be her success. Get notified when the biggest stories in Hollywood, culture and entertainment go live. Sign up for L.A. Times entertainment alerts. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Solve the daily Crossword
