San Marcos sees new restaurants arrive, favorites close in 2019

San Marcos saw a slew of new restaurants arrive in 2019 but it also had a few of its favorites close. 

Burgers, Burgers, Burgers

The city had two well-known burger restaurants open in 2019. 

P. Terry’s Burger Stand — an Austin original — opened its first burger spot outside of the capital city this year. Cars wrapped around the parking lot located at 515 Springtown Way during P. Terry’s opening day on May 14.

“We’re very excited to bring P. Terry’s to the good people of San Marcos,” CEO Todd Coerver said in a statement. “We look forward to being a valued member of the community there for years to come.”

Hopdoddy Burger Bar, another Austin favorite, opened its doors at the Springtown Shopping Center — 200 Springtown Way — on Oct. 23. 

“This is a market we have been excited about for a while,” Hopdoddy CEO Jeff Chandler said in a statement. “This (is) the 33rd Hopdoddy location, and we feel fortunate to be joining the Springtown Shopping Center.”

New BBQ 

San Marcos also had a handful of new barbecue spots open this year. 

Green Mesquite BBQ at the Springtown Shopping Center opened in the fall. 

Bill Miller Bar-B-Q opened during the summer at 3928 South Interstate Highway 35, near Centerpoint Road and is the first in San Marcos and the 74th overall. 

“The people of San Marcos have been asking us for a location for a long time,” Bill Miller CEO and President Jim Guy Egbert said in a statement. “They want their breakfast tacos, fried chicken, barbecue, fresh pies and, of course sweet tea!” 

North Street brings Indian-influenced cuisine 

The Katz brothers, owners of local favorites Zelicks, Dos Gatos and Pie Society have opened their newest venture: North Street. Daily Record photos by Rachel Willis

North Street, located at 216 North St., opened in late May and dishes up a menu with Indian-inspired food as well as 28 draft beer taps, wine, coffee and espresso. 

The restaurant, which is a new venture by the Katz brothers — Seth and Chase Katz — who own local favorites Zelicks, Dos Gatos and Pie Society. 

“We’re basically bringing some Indian flavors to San Marcos, it’s not 100 percent traditional, but there are some traditional flavors in what we do,” Katz told the Daily Record. “The chicken curry is a traditional-style chicken curry and we have a plate with it, but we also have it in a taco.”

“The other thing that I think is pretty cool that we are doing is we’re selling beers by the half pint and whole pint,” Katz added. “So instead of getting a flight with just a 5-ounce drink of beer — I mean, yes, you got to taste it, but did you actually enjoy it because it was so small? You can try any of our beers in a half pint or a whole pint. People have been calling them ‘lunch beers.’”

New restaurants aplenty 

San Marcos had plenty of other restaurants open in 2019. 

Casa Choi describes its food as “inspired by Korean BBQ with a hint of Mexican flavors!” The restaurant located at 700 N. LBJ Dr. opened in January. 

Tipsy Cow Ice Cream — located at 235 N. LBJ Drive — serves up one-of-kind alcohol-infused ice cream flavors as well as kid-friendly selections.

Tipsy Cow, which began in New Braunfels, opened its San Marcos location in October. 

“I never even thought about making my own ice cream, I didn’t know you could,” owner Mike Chase told the Daily Record. “Then I discovered that I could make ice cream, and I could add alcohol to it. I was like, well, there’s nothing like that in New Braunfels. I thought ‘that would be such a fun business to do.’ And it has been.”

Texas Bean & Brew House — 1328 N. Interstate 35; DoubleDave’s — 748 N. LBJ Dr.; Twin Peaks — 1207 S. I-35; and OMG Seafood — 205 Moore St. — are among other restaurants to open this year. 

San Marcos favorites close 

Luby’s, which was just off the interstate at 200 I-35 Frontage Rd., closed unexpectedly in March. The building has since been demolished. 

Centerpoint Station Restaurant & Boutique announced its closing in November. Daily Record photo by Lance Winter

Centerpoint Station Restaurant & Boutique, a stalwart in San Marcos for the past 25 years, announced its closing in November. The restaurant closed on Dec. 15, while the bakery closed on Monday. The boutique closes on Dec. 31. 

“The Warrens feel it is time to explore other opportunities,” Centerpoint Station Restaurant & Boutique wrote on a Facebook post. “They are sad to close their doors but appreciate the past 25 years and their wonderful customers! Thanks to all!”

The Buzz Mill — 194 S. Guadalupe St.; Johnny Carinos —  1207 S. I-35; and Elevate Bar + Table — 407 S. Stagecoach Trail — also closed this year.