San Antonio

San Antonio Alerts

Alert

blue

Axios San Antonio Partners

Axios San Antonio Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Get smarter, faster on what matters in San Antonio with Megan Stringer and Madalyn Mendoza.

Axios San Antonio

Standard

San Antonio Members

Membership

How a San Antonio restaurant is leaning into AI

The eatery is leaning on AI amid labor shortages, bucking a broader industry trend of slow adoption.

Food and Drink

San Antonio <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="restaurants" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/01/07/san-antonio-restaurants-2026-food-trends" data-vars-content-id="9fb83d9f-977a-47ab-9a1f-cdb1aa9816d3" data-vars-headline="How a San Antonio restaurant is leaning into AI" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/01/07/san-antonio-restaurants-2026-food-trends" target="_self">restaurants</a> are starting to embrace artificial intelligence.Why it matters: The restaurant industry is one of the nation&#x27;s largest employers, yet one of the slowest sectors to adopt AI tools, Ben Knorr, Texas Restaurant Association&#x27;s (TRA) vice president of strategic initiatives, tells Axios.

Why plant-based dining is struggling in San Antonio

Consumers are focusing on protein and comfort food.

News

San Antonio&#x27;s vegan and vegetarian dining scene is faltering in a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tough economy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/20/gas-prices-us-iran-war-4-dollars-50-states" data-vars-content-id="5cf9d5a1-21f7-4d36-be9a-4fc9faed069a" data-vars-headline="Why plant-based dining is struggling in San Antonio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/20/gas-prices-us-iran-war-4-dollars-50-states" target="_self">tough economy</a> and as consumers <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="focus on protein" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/24/chicken-protein-deals" data-vars-content-id="5cf9d5a1-21f7-4d36-be9a-4fc9faed069a" data-vars-headline="Why plant-based dining is struggling in San Antonio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/24/chicken-protein-deals" target="_self">focus on protein</a>, but experts say <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="plant-forward dining" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2024/10/16/san-antonio-restaurants-vegan-food-plant-based" data-vars-content-id="5cf9d5a1-21f7-4d36-be9a-4fc9faed069a" data-vars-headline="Why plant-based dining is struggling in San Antonio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2024/10/16/san-antonio-restaurants-vegan-food-plant-based" target="_self">plant-forward dining</a> isn&#x27;t going anywhere in the long term.Why it matters: Research <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="consistently" data-vars-click-url="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6855976/" data-vars-content-id="5cf9d5a1-21f7-4d36-be9a-4fc9faed069a" data-vars-headline="Why plant-based dining is struggling in San Antonio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6855976/" target="_blank">consistently</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shows" data-vars-click-url="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7184671/" data-vars-content-id="5cf9d5a1-21f7-4d36-be9a-4fc9faed069a" data-vars-headline="Why plant-based dining is struggling in San Antonio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7184671/" target="_blank">shows</a> that eating less meat is one of the most impactful personal ways to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="combat climate change" data-vars-click-url="https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/climate-issues/food" data-vars-content-id="5cf9d5a1-21f7-4d36-be9a-4fc9faed069a" data-vars-headline="Why plant-based dining is struggling in San Antonio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/climate-issues/food" target="_blank">combat climate change</a> and improve health.

Why so many San Antonio businesses are selling shirts

The pandemic forced small businesses to get more creative.

Business

San Antonio <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="restaurants" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/05/18/san-antonio-best-new-taquerias-tacos-2026" data-vars-content-id="83d1f935-4dd8-40bc-8769-4c99d407b3b9" data-vars-headline="Why so many San Antonio businesses are selling shirts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/05/18/san-antonio-best-new-taquerias-tacos-2026" target="_self">restaurants</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="coffee shops" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/05/13/san-antonio-coffee-truck-serves-spurs-specials" data-vars-content-id="83d1f935-4dd8-40bc-8769-4c99d407b3b9" data-vars-headline="Why so many San Antonio businesses are selling shirts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/05/13/san-antonio-coffee-truck-serves-spurs-specials" target="_self">coffee shops</a> aren&#x27;t just selling food and beverages anymore — they&#x27;re building a fanbase.Why it matters: The pandemic forced small businesses to get more creative online about reaching customers. The loyalty forged during that period has stuck around and evolved.

Spurs explain why ticket sales are limited to local fans

The policy aims to prioritize local fans and deter outside brokers.

Sports

As the Western Conference finals head to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="San Antonio" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/05/13/san-antonio-spurs-honking-playoffs-tradition" data-vars-content-id="bd8cec22-4a55-41b2-9458-95b470575374" data-vars-headline="Spurs explain why ticket sales are limited to local fans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/05/13/san-antonio-spurs-honking-playoffs-tradition" target="_self">San Antonio</a> for Game 3 on Friday, you won&#x27;t see too many Thunder fans who made the trip down I-35 — at least not if the Spurs can help it.Why it matters: For playoff games, the Spurs block ticket purchases from more than 150 miles outside the Frost Bank Center — meant to prioritize local fans, Spurs Sports &amp; Entertainment spokesperson Lucy Kaneb tells Axios.

Read like Wemby: San Antonio library spotlights Spurs star's favorites

San Antonio Public Library is helping fans read alongside Wemby.

San Antonio Public Library (SAPL) is celebrating avid reader and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Spurs star Victor Wembanyama" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/05/13/san-antonio-spurs-honking-playoffs-tradition" data-vars-content-id="5ca294e1-ce5e-437e-8fa2-4150393a2f9d" data-vars-headline="Read like Wemby: San Antonio library spotlights Spurs star&#x27;s favorites" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/05/13/san-antonio-spurs-honking-playoffs-tradition" target="_self">Spurs star Victor Wembanyama</a> with a curated collection inspired by his favorite science fiction books.The latest: The Central Library now has a &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Read Like Wemby" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/mysapl/posts/pfbid04Gox5swt8YLnwxDvPPbY46FNXQMVjNRdzTEX4DLCxVbAQCFhNqc3TWroLUd5G7gRl" data-vars-content-id="5ca294e1-ce5e-437e-8fa2-4150393a2f9d" data-vars-headline="Read like Wemby: San Antonio library spotlights Spurs star&#x27;s favorites" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/mysapl/posts/pfbid04Gox5swt8YLnwxDvPPbY46FNXQMVjNRdzTEX4DLCxVbAQCFhNqc3TWroLUd5G7gRl" target="_blank">Read Like Wemby</a>&quot; display, which is basically a real-life version of the Spurs phenom&#x27;s Goodreads shelf, featuring titles like &quot;Warrior of the Altaii&quot; by Robert Jordan, &quot;The World We Make&quot; by N.K. Jemisin and &quot;The Mime Order&quot; by Samantha Shannon.

Spurs unveil firms for downtown arena project

San Antonio's future arena district is taking shape.

Spurs Sports &amp; Entertainment (SS&amp;E) said Wednesday it has hired nine firms to design, plan and build the team&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="downtown arena" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/11/05/san-antonio-election-results-downtown-spurs-arena" data-vars-content-id="552fb63c-ae5c-48d7-bada-79332afdf031" data-vars-headline="Spurs unveil firms for downtown arena project" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/11/05/san-antonio-election-results-downtown-spurs-arena" target="_self">downtown arena</a> and surrounding entertainment district.Why it matters: The announcement marks a key step forward for the long-discussed arena project.

The joy — and debate — of Spurs honking

Here's how the honking tradition began and how it's changed.

<figure><img alt="Spurs fans celebrating from the cars on a busy road. " height="450" id="6b634225-9a07-46b6-b24d-a7593b899746" src="https://images.axios.com/fcK1vLveRBc4tC-SYQzEy5o0tvE=/2026/05/13/1778692469421.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>The honking tradition on Commerce Street after Game 3 on Friday. Gif: Madalyn Mendoza/Axios</figcaption></figure>In San Antonio, celebratory traffic jams and blaring horns are a universal sign of a Spurs playoff win — but also part of a growing debate about what the tradition has become.Why it matters: As the Spurs make another postseason push, the honking has taken on a new — and often rowdier — life, fueled by pent-up excitement and a new generation of fans.

Wembanyama avoids suspension after elbow-throwing uproar

The Spurs star is clear to play in Game 5 in San Antonio.

Spurs star <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Victor Wembanyama" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/05/08/spurs-shirts-boutiques-san-antonio" data-vars-content-id="1fa91528-c5be-418e-b6e3-ab7f13ca04dd" data-vars-headline="Wembanyama avoids suspension after elbow-throwing uproar" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/05/08/spurs-shirts-boutiques-san-antonio" target="_self">Victor Wembanyama</a> will play in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals Tuesday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to a published report.Why it matters: A flurry of speculation surrounded Wembanyama&#x27;s availability after his Game 4 ejection Sunday for a Flagrant 2 foul when he elbowed Timberwolves center-forward Naz Reid in the neck early in the second quarter.

Spurs-inspired fashion is booming in San Antonio

Local boutiques say demand for women's Spurs fashion is surging.

Women are driving a new era of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Spurs fashion in San Antonio" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/03/20/san-antonio-spurs-clinch-playoffs-2019-2026" data-vars-content-id="07e41295-f6c1-4a48-afc8-7be0f9d1d91b" data-vars-headline="Spurs-inspired fashion is booming in San Antonio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/03/20/san-antonio-spurs-clinch-playoffs-2019-2026" target="_self">Spurs fashion in San Antonio</a>, trading jerseys for one-of-a-kind game-day looks from local boutiques.Why it matters: Local shops are thriving as fans seek pieces that feel more personal than mass-produced merch.

What to expect from the Spurs-Wolves matchup

The Spurs are catching the Timberwolves at a tough time.

The Spurs host the Minnesota Timberwolves Monday night in the Western Conference semifinals — the first time the Spurs have made it past the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first round of the playoffs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/03/20/san-antonio-spurs-clinch-playoffs-2019-2026" data-vars-content-id="8a4530df-326c-4a28-87f5-9a332a731b08" data-vars-headline="What to expect from the Spurs-Wolves matchup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/03/20/san-antonio-spurs-clinch-playoffs-2019-2026" target="_self">first round of the playoffs</a> since 2017.The latest: Minnesota is coming off a 4-2 upset of Denver but is banged up — star Anthony Edwards is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="out to start the series" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/GetUpESPN/status/2050209320701137279?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2050209320701137279%7Ctwgr%5E793f14b518c4009abdfe5a04e9d7b47dffb31627%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Flindyssports.com%2Fnba%2Fanthony-edwards-injury-update-puts-timberwolves-in-tough-spot-ahead-of-spurs-series" data-vars-content-id="8a4530df-326c-4a28-87f5-9a332a731b08" data-vars-headline="What to expect from the Spurs-Wolves matchup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/GetUpESPN/status/2050209320701137279?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2050209320701137279%7Ctwgr%5E793f14b518c4009abdfe5a04e9d7b47dffb31627%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Flindyssports.com%2Fnba%2Fanthony-edwards-injury-update-puts-timberwolves-in-tough-spot-ahead-of-spurs-series" target="_blank">out to start the series</a> with a knee injury, and Donte DiVincenzo is done for the season with a torn Achilles.

Spurs fans blocked from Commerce Street after win

Commerce Street honking was disrupted Sunday, but fans found workarounds.

Culture

Spurs fans hoping to flood Commerce Street on Sunday to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="celebrate the team&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/03/20/san-antonio-spurs-clinch-playoffs-2019-2026" data-vars-content-id="429ad725-ae04-456f-a63a-d47718c3af54" data-vars-headline="Spurs fans blocked from Commerce Street after win" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/03/20/san-antonio-spurs-clinch-playoffs-2019-2026" target="_self">celebrate the team&#x27;s</a> Game 4 win over the Portland Trail Blazers were diverted away because of Fiesta celebrations, authorities say. Why it matters: The post-game honking tradition is a uniquely San Antonio expression of pride that dates back to the team&#x27;s 1999 championship.

Spurs vs. Blazers: What to know about the playoffs

The Spurs' breakout season meets its test.

The Spurs are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="back in the playoffs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/03/20/san-antonio-spurs-clinch-playoffs-2019-2026" data-vars-content-id="ad6cfec2-ee8f-4eed-b0b3-ac4f300955aa" data-vars-headline="Spurs vs. Blazers: What to know about the playoffs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/03/20/san-antonio-spurs-clinch-playoffs-2019-2026" target="_self">back in the playoffs</a>, opening their first-round series Sunday against the No. 7 seed Portland Trail Blazers at Frost Bank Center. Why it matters: It&#x27;s San Antonio&#x27;s first postseason appearance since 2019.

Program brings $5 golf rounds to San Antonio kids

Kids can play rounds for $5 or less at participating San Antonio courses.

Things to Do

Bank of America is offering San Antonio kids cheap access to golf. Why it matters: The initiative aims to make a sport that&#x27;s often cost-prohibitive more accessible.

Sports 🏅

Spurs explain why ticket sales are limited to local fans

Read like Wemby: San Antonio library spotlights Spurs star's favorites

Spurs unveil firms for downtown arena project

The joy — and debate — of Spurs honking

The Rock brings World Cup parties to San Antonio