Interested in getting the lowdown on the freshest new spots in San Antonio? From a sports bar to an eclectic Ukrainian and Mexican restaurant, read on to see the newest hot spots to arrive near you.
The Sandbox
7280 Utsa Blvd., Suite 110
The Sandbox is a new sports bar that features an outdoor patio, indoor seating with TVs tuned to sporting events and games like Skee-Ball, foosball and Jenga.
The bar offers 34 beers on tap, wine and signature cocktails. Cocktails include the Lone Star Mule (Tito's, lime juice, simple syrup, ginger beer and mint) and the Study Buddy (Devil's River bourbon, vanilla, hazelnut, lime juice and allspice dram). (See the drink menu here.)
The menu has dishes like the Cowboy Up burger (with romaine, tomato, cheddar, barbecue sauce and crispy onion strings) and the Al Capone pizza (spicy crumbled sausage, buffalo mozzarella, chopped basil and balsamic glaze). (See the full dinner menu here.)
With a four-star rating out of nine reviews on Yelp so far, The Sandbox is getting solid feedback from clientele.
Jessica P., who reviewed it on Oct. 8, said, "You have the option of sitting downstairs or upstairs. I would go with upstairs since they have an amazing rooftop bar! They have plenty of TVs everywhere, so you won't have to worry about missing any game or fight they may be showing."
Yelper Michelle S. added, "I love this place! Beautiful decor, great food and the musical entertainment they've brought in every time I've come has matched the ambiance."
Head on over to check it out: The Sandbox is open from 3 p.m.–2 a.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m.–2 a.m. on weekends.
Babil Cafe
8132 Fredericksburg Road
Babil Cafe is a new restaurant that features an extensive menu of Mediterranean dishes.
Options include the seasoned lamb shank on a bed of rice with two sides; the beef gyro with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers and tzatziki sauce on pita bread, served with fries; and the fattoush salad with diced bell peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, mint and parsley, topped with fried pita chips. (See the full menu here.)
The new arrival has gotten an enthusiastic response thus far, with a 4.5-star rating out of three reviews on Yelp.
Blair P., who reviewed the eatery on Oct. 3, wrote, "Great service and relaxed environment. The food was delicious and full of flavor. I ordered the chicken skewer pieces and my boyfriend ordered the beef kebab for dinner. You can't go wrong with either. I highly recommend ordering the baba ghanoush for a side. The texture and flavor is amazing."
Yelper Cynthia T. added, “The service was excellent, and the music was fun and matched the atmosphere."
Intrigued? Stop in to try it for yourself. Babil Cafe is open from 7 a.m.–10 p.m. on Monday-Saturday and 9 a.m.–10 p.m. on Sunday.
Oky Doky Restaurant & Bar
5616 Bandera Road
Then there's Oky Doky Restaurant & Bar, a new eatery that serves Ukrainian, Mexican and American fare.
The eclectic menu offers a range of cuisines, from Eastern European dishes to American staples. You'll see options like the Okroshka (Russian chilled summer soup made of kefir buttermilk and sour cream with boiled eggs, potatoes and fresh greens with optional ham or chicken), the Acres Verdes Enchiladas (two chicken enchiladas covered in green tomatillo sauce and topped with crema and queso cotija) and pork chops in a pan sauce made from crispy bacon, glazed apples, chicken stock and lemon juice.
With a four-star rating out of 11 reviews on Yelp so far, the fresh arrival is getting solid feedback from clientele.
Cynthia T., who was among the first Yelpers to review the new spot on Sept. 18, wrote, "The inside is beautifully decorated and their staff is just as colorful and lively as their decor. The owners are Sal and Inna Ramos of Mexican and Eastern European background, respectively. The menu is eclectic and there's a little something-something for everyone."
And Mitch E. wrote, "What a friendly restaurant! Upon arriving, everyone was so welcoming! We were quickly escorted to our seats. The menu is extensive, including items from the Ukraine, but it also has American and Mexican cuisine."
Interested? Stop by to welcome the new business to the neighborhood. Oky Doky Restaurant & Bar is open from 11 a.m.–9 p.m. on Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.–11 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m.–11 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m.–8 p.m. on Sunday.
