HTeaO brewing in Medical Center

San Antonio got its first taste of HTeaO, a wonderland of 26 flavors of ice tea, when the Stone Oak location opened last year.

Now an upcoming installment will introduce the experience to a different part of the city.

HTeaO Medical Center is expected to open at 8703 Huebner Road early this month. Kayla Echols co-owns the new HTeaO franchise with her husband, CT Echols IV.

Kayla Echols said that like the 2,143-square-foot Stone Oak location, the Huebner HTeaO will feature more than two dozen flavors with 500 possible combinations. A fruit bar will let customers top off their the teas.

The location will be the first in the nation to feature a double drive-thru. The new HTeaO also will offer special deals, such as a 2 to 4 p.m. happy hour and free drinks for all uniformed first responders.

Kayla Echols noted that an Alamo Ranch location is also coming. That HTeaO is owned by a different franchisee, and it’s unclear when it will open. Tea fans can stay updated on the opening date and deals via the HTeaO Facebook page, @HTeaOSAMedDistrict.

Jerk Shack coming to Hemisfair in ’22

Jerk Shack, the local and national favorite, is expanding in San Antonio with a third location,

this one opening at Hemisfair next summer.

Owner and chef Nicola Blaque is months away from opening her Northwest Side location, the second brick-and-mortar for the brand, and is now also preparing for the summer 2022 launch of the newest downtown restaurant.

According to the May 25 announcement, the third installment of the Caribbean-inspired eatery will be an “elevated” take with a full bar, something not offered at the other restaurants.

While the menu will feature Jerk Shack classics that earned nods from GQ and Eater, the new restaurant will also offer steakhouse fare.

The 1,740-square-foot restaurant will be in the Schultze House on the Hemisfair property.

Blaque also owns Mi Roti, a Caribbean street food restaurant, at the Pearl’s Bottling Department.

The original Jerk Shack is at 117 Matyear. The second location at 10234 Texas 151 is expected to

open this summer.

Coffee shop inspired by Latin America

After working as a travel nurse for years, Rene Burnias incorporated cultures from Honduras, El Salvador and more into his dream coffee shop.

Chico’s Coffee Shack, named after Burnias’ pug, is scheduled to open with a Latin American menu July 1 at 119 S. Flores St. downtown.

The Rio Grande Valley native plans to roast in-house the raw coffee beans he will get from small farms in Latin America, including Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica and Mexico. He said it was important to import from small farms rather than larger ones, as he wants to help smaller communities.

Burnias also looks forward to creating a menu of Latin American bites such as Guatemalan banana bread, pan de coco from El Salvador and an Honduran quesadilla.

The menu and coffee list are works in progress, but Burnias said the community can expect at least three styles of coffee and pastries. After opening day, Burnias said, he will expand the drink list.