San Antonio’s restaurant scene has always seen its fair share of churn, with shiny new spots opening as beloved mainstays close. Over the past nine years, I’ve logged plenty of it up close as a food writer covering the city’s hospitality industry.
Usually, I’m writing about a place I’ve only visited once or twice and haven’t formed a personal connection with. But every now and then, I get punched in the gut. Hard. That happened June 24 when The Dakota East Side Ice House owner Kent Oliver announced plans to close.
“After a great deal of reflection, our final day of operations will be Sunday, August 9, 2026,” Oliver said in a news release. “Until then, we plan to stay fully open, celebrate this place properly, and welcome everyone back through the doors at least a few more times.”…