Casual and hardcore coffee fans in North San Antonio have an increasing number of coffee shops from which to choose. This is especially true of the Blanco Road corridor, which has seen the arrival of four locally owned or boutique chain coffee ventures since summer 2021. This guide looks at these coffee businesses located along or near Blanco Road between Loop 410 and Loop 1604. This list is not comprehensive.
Black Rock Coffee
The Portland, Oregon-based boutique coffee chain has been expanding across Texas, opening its first San Antonio location last August south of Churchill High School.
What to try: CEO Josh Pike said the Caramel Blondie and any Fuel energy drink are among Black Rock’s most popular beverages.
Recent updates: Pike said the company plans to keep growing locally and statewide.
11701 Blanco Road, San Antonio
210-880-2604
www.br.coffee
Hours: 5 a.m.-8 p.m. daily
Clear Light Coffee
Clear Light opened in July 2021 across from Walker Ranch Park, offering more than one dozen coffee and tea drinks with multiple milk and flavor options.
What to try: Co-owner Angelique Britt said the “Oat-chata” latte with oat milk and cinnamon, dirty chai latte, and breakfast tacos and sandwiches are Clear Light’s most popular items.
Recent updates: Britt said there are plans to expand wine as well as seasonal lunch and dinner offerings.
12656 West Ave., San Antonio
210-272-0039
www.clearlight.coffee
Hours: Fri.-Sun. 6 a.m.-6 p.m., Mon.-Thu. closed (through holidays); Tue.-Sun. 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. (Jan. 15 and onward)
Coffee and Culture Bakery
Moises Hernandez Trujillo, owner of Tio Steppi’s Osteria and two north side cafes—I Love Churros and Coffee Crush—turned a former Mexican restaurant near the Churchill Estates neighborhood into a cafe focused on handcrafted coffee and Mexican pastries.
What to try: Trujillo recommends a Shakerato, a signature espresso drink; round croissants; and quesitos, cream cheese-filled puff pastry dough.
Recent updates: The bakery in November began serving traditional breakfast items and looks to open the patio to musical acts as well as small-business pop-ups and mini-markets.
13489 Blanco Road, San Antonio
210-721-7750
www.facebook.com/sabordelpueblo.sa; Instagram: coffeeandculture_bakery
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Dutch Bros. Coffee
The Oregon-based drive-thru coffee chain continued its San Antonio-area expansion by opening a store near Phil Hardberger Park last October. Dutch Bros. is known for a full range of coffee and noncoffee beverages and pastries.
What to try: Company Public Relations Specialist Madison Fahey suggests the iced Golden Eagle Breve, a blended double Rainbro Rebel energy drink and a Palm Beach lemonade.
Recent updates: Fahey said Dutch Bros. is continuing its San Antonio-area expansion with five other storefronts being developed around town.
13019 Blanco Road, San Antonio
541-955-4700
www.dutchbros.com
Hours: Sun.-Thu. 5 a.m.-10 p.m., •Fri.-Sat. 5 a.m.-11 p.m.
Medina River Coffee Roasters
Having launched near Walker Ranch Park in February 2018, Medina River roasts beans daily and offers a gamut of coffee drinks, teas and fresh pastries. The veteran-owned artisanal cafe also has Medina River merchandise and coffee flights allowing customers to enjoy four different flavors.
What to try: Baristas suggest pairing their vanilla cream latte with a blueberry muffin.
Recent updates: Holiday seasonal drinks include the bunuelo latte made with cinnamon, vanilla and honey; the Cheermeister peppermint mocha; and spiced rum eggnog—a blend of eggnog and butter rum flavoring.
11825 West Ave., Ste. 101, San Antonio
210-802-6155
www.medinarivercoffee.com
Hours: Mon.-Wed. 7 a.m.-2 p.m., Thu.-Fri. 7 a.m.-9 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun. 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Mildfire Coffee Roasters
A Churchill Estates neighborhood fixture for more than 17 years, Mildfire offers more than 15 traditional and signature coffee drinks, and roasts about 200 pounds of coffee beans a week.
What to try: Co-owner Mark Sobhani said the hot-buttered latte and the Aztec mocha are among Mildfire’s biggest sellers.
Recent updates: Mildfire provides seasonal coffee blends and recently started offering coffee mugs with the shop’s logo.
15502 Huebner Road, Ste. 101, San Antonio
210-492-9544
www.mildfirecoffeeroasters.com
Hours: Mon.-Wed. 7 a.m.-3 p.m., Thu.-Sat. 7 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
What’s Brewing
Originating in 1979, What’s Brewing—also known as San Antonio Coffee Roasters—is a family-owned wholesale roaster and pet-friendly cafe with assorted coffee beverages, teas, fresh pastries, home roasters, and tables, couches, board games and pinball machines for guests. In early 2020, What’s Brewing launched a drive-thru on Blanco Road across from Churchill High School, offering coffee, tea, smoothies, soft drinks and food items, such as avocado toast and breakfast sandwiches.
What to try: Company Vice President Sami Chbeir recommends a Sami honey latte and a kolache. As for beans, Chbeir called their Vienna roast their go-to espresso.
Recent updates: The roastery is offering holiday gift baskets.
Roastery/cafe 138 W. Rhapsody Drive, San Antonio
Hours: Mon.-Thu. 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun. closed
Drive-thru 12054 Blanco Road, San Antonio
Hours: 7 a.m.-2 p.m. daily
210-308-8882
www.sacoffeeroasters.com
