San Antonio’s 2025 James Beard Award Semi-finalists Announced

By Sara Branstetter | January 23, 2025

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The 2025 list of James Beard Award semi-finalists is out and once again, San Antonio has put forth a tremendous showing. Both perennial favorites (looking at you, Mixtli!) and newbie nominees are among the 7 nominations for the city and its sensational culinary scene. Looking to level up your foodie prowess? Begin with the best of the best (according to the Academy Awards of food). Below is the complete list of San Antonio’s 2025 James Beard Award semi-finalists.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sara Branstetter has called San Antonio, TX home for the last 20 years. She’s a wife of a veteran, mom of four, and a cuddler of the world's best dog. The army brought her family to San Antonio years ago, and the city, its culture, and its food have kept her here.

San Antonio's 2025 James Beard Award Semi-finalists

Mixtli

This “always the bridesmaid and never the bride” tale took a turn last year when it was given San Antonio’s sole Michelin star. With more nominations for a James Beard Award than we can count, 2025 may be the year Mixtli converts that annual nomination into a full blown win.

Mixtli is a phenomenal Mexican restaurant offering a 10 course tasting menu highlighting the abundant flavors of our neighbor to the south. It is one of the most unique dining experiences in San Antonio and a must-try for those with a deep appreciation for brilliant food (as well as deep pockets).

Mixtli was nominated in the category of outstanding hospitality.

WEBSITE | 812 S. Alamo St., Ste. 103, San Antonio, TX 78210

Stixs and Stone

Photo Credit: Yelp Carly K.

The unassuming, strip mall storefront of this restaurant belies the humble magic that is happening inside its doors. Chef Leo Davila is working wonders in this family-owned Asian/Mexican fusion eatery.

Davila’s food is as good as it is creative and absolutely smacks of his deep roots in San Antonio (Big Red and Barbacoa Taco Flight, anyone?). This may be his first James Beard Award nomination, but it’s not likely to be his last.

Stixs and Stone was nominated for best chef.

WEBSITE | 5718 B Wurzbach Rd., San Antonio, TX 78238

Best Quality Daughter

Where To Eat at the Pearl Brewery Historic District

Another familiar face on San Antonio’s 2025 James Beard Award semi-finalists list is that of Jennifer Dobbertin. Known first for Hot Joy, then Tenko Ramen, and now Best Quality Daughter, Dobbertin has long been a force on the Asian-American cuisine scene.

BQD is an adorable restaurant with brightly colored wallpaper and bold flavors. It is one of the best restaurants at the Pearl Brewery and one of the best Asian eateries in San Antonio.

Best Quality Daughter was nominated for best chef.

WEBSITE | 602 Avenue A, San Antonio, TX 78215

Shiro Japanese Bistro

My name isn’t James Beard, but I know good food when I taste it. And Shiro doesn’t just have good food, it has the BEST food.

Chef Grey Hwang has done a bang up job creating a menu of solid Japanese fare in a town not at all known for this. His sushi is fresh and delicious, his small plates toe the line of comfort food and haute cuisine, and entrees are hearty and original.

Frankly, I’m surprised that the James Beard Foundation took this long to figure out what we loyal San Antonio locals already knew.

Shiro Japanese Bistro was nominated for best chef.

WEBSITE | 107 W. Jones Ave., San Antonio, TX 78215

Leche de Tigre

This is another one I’m excited about. With only two years under its belt, Leche de Tigre has quickly risen to the ranks of one of San Antonio’s best restaurants.

Chef Emil Oliva delivers on the absolute best that his family’s home country of Peru (a culinary heavy hitter in its own right) has to offer to the world at large. Ceviche, yes. Chaufa, yes. Pisco, double yes. All found at Leche de Tigre and all done wonderfully.

Leche de Tigre was nominated for best chef.

WEBSITE | 318 E. Cevallos St., San Antonio, TX 78204

Chika

Photo Credit: Yelp Trisha A.

This is perhaps the one surprise on San Antonio’s 2025 James Beard Award semi-finalists list. Not because it isn’t good, but because it only opened in April 2024 and has barely found the time to find its footing.

However, with brilliant chef Jonathan Reyes and an equally brilliant omakase menu that blows the mind, footing is seemingly a total non-issue. Chika’s “San Antonio style” sushi requires a little daring and a lot of patron trust, but Reyes has proven up to the task.

Chika was nominated for best chef.

WEBSITE | 875 E. Ashby Place, Ste. 1030, San Antonio, TX 78212

El Pastor Es Mi Señor

The nomination of El Pastor Es Mi Señor for a 2025 James Beard Award is just about the best proof anyone could have that outstanding food doesn’t have to be stuffy, overpriced, or the product of decades of classical French training. All that is needed is hard work and great tacos.

At El Pastor Es Mi Señor, brother and sister dynamic duo, Alex and Brenda Sarmiento, have crafted a taco-centric menu that has been featured on the likes of Texas Monthly magazine and Netflix’s Taco Chronicles. Al Pastor Tacos are clearly chief here, and at 5 for $11.00, are not just a flaming bargain, but have been called the best in the state.

El Pastor Es Mi Señor was nominated for best chef.

WEBSITE | 8727 Wurzbach Rd., Ste. 102, San Antonio, TX 78240