William and Addie Garner were the powerhouse couple behind Mr. & Mrs. G’s Home Cooking and Pastry, a soul food staple that fed San Antonio’s Eastside for 32 years. From humble beginnings to a neighborhood mainstay, Mr. & Mrs. G’s found a way into the hearts of locals during its lengthy run, which came to an abrupt end in 2022.
In recent years, a new business has moved into the former home of Mr. & Mrs. G’s, but the Southern-style eatery will continue to live on in the memories of every customer who spent time at the long-lost restaurant.
Mr. & Mrs. G’s was a dream come true for Addie Garner
The Garners opened Mr. & Mrs. G’s on July 16, 1990, fulfilling Addie’s dream of opening a restaurant after years of working in sales. William Garner told the San Antonio Express-News in 2017 that Addie was the heart of the business and that the duo worked in tandem to serve up “good home cooking.”
“It all started because of her,” Garner said at the time. “We got well-known from word of mouth. We didn’t have any money for advertising.”
Mr. & Mrs. G’s became known for its range of soul food dishes, including its famous crispy fried chicken, smothered steaks, okra gumbo and fried pork chops. Addie Garner’s specialties were of the sweet variety, with offerings like sweet potato pies, banana pudding and peach cobbler.
The Garners put their hearts into feeding hungry customers
William and Addie Garner remained steadily active in the kitchen and operational sides of Mr. & Mrs. G’s well into their golden years. Together, they made a huge impact on the lives of their customers and the surrounding community. Unfortunately, in her final years, Addie had to take a step back as her health declined, but her focus on family and food never wavered…