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Southtown featured on ‘Top Chef’ on Bravo TV

Customers wait to order at Madhatters during Sunday’s lunch-hour rush. The local cafe in Southtown at South Alamo Street and Beauregard will be featured on Top Chef at 8 p.m tonight. Photo by Allen Gross

Madhatters places San Antonio on the Culinary Map.

By Steven Zavala
Contributing reporter
steven.zavala@jaguar.tamu.edu

Madhatters Tea House and Cafe, located in the heart of the historic King William neighborhood on the corner of South Alamo Street and Beauregard, will be featured on Bravo’s “Top Chef: Texas” tonight at 8 p.m.

The cafe’s Facebook page posted Jan. 26 that “the wait is over….Be sure to tune in as the best restaurant in Southtown will be featured.”

When I met with Joey Cuellar, restaurant manager, on Jan. 29, he said the excitement and emotions of being featured on Bravo’s “Top Chef” was met with some hesitation.

Cuellar described a recent scam involving a fictitious representative claiming to be from the Travel Channel who unfortunately swindled an estimated $4,000 from a fellow Southtown restaurant.

But, opportunity only knocks once. The Cuellars decided to contact Bravo to verify that their tea house and cafe had been selected to represent San Antonio on this season of “Top Chef: Texas”.

After location scouts from Bravo TV confirmed Madhatters as a site for filming, doors opened in July to the talented contestants of “Top Chef: Texas”.

Madhatters already has a loyal following, but after tonight, it’s going to be a real hot spot.

“I am absolutely excited for Madhatters and the potential business this opportunity will bring,” said senior server David Hinojosa.

Cuellar added, “We will celebrating all together across the street at Titos restaurant located 955 South Alamo Street and we encourage the public to come out and celebrate wit us, viewing party begins around 8 o’clock tonight,” Hinojosa added. “Our doors will remain open for regularly scheduled business hours.”

“I feel great about the exposure and opportunity to share this exciting time with our fellow Southtown community” said Cuellar.

Madhatters is not only my own personal study break but a place where I bring my friends, usually on Sundays to enjoy their mimosas and the ever popular Dean Scam with a side of Cardamom and Cinnamon Tea Infused Oatmeal.

From undergraduates enjoying fish bowl mimosas during Sunday brunch, to downtown residents, this urban, hipster, vintage restaurant is where San Antonio foodies gather.

Whether you are working on a group project, cramming for finals or revising your dissertation, Madhatters is the top pick for students, artists and foodies.

With a menu as diverse as the clientele, healthy choices combined with local favorites keep the faithful coming back every weekend.

Cuellar, restaurant manger, and Gina Cuellar, restaurant owner and operator, have been serving the Southtown community for the past three years at the current location.

Madhatters was previously located at Avenue B and Broadway, but could not resist the opportunity to call the King William neighborhood home.

Madhatters caters to the unique, talented, and local contemporary art district with all import and domestic beers only $3 during the First Friday art event.

First Friday encompasses the galleries at the Blue Star Art Complex and extends to last call at Bar America. Madhatters has solidified their place among the cities top choice for chips and salsa.

With their recent award from SA Youth’s 2011 best chips and salsa competition, Madhatters took top honors among a field of over 10 traditional Mexican-American restaurants.

Cuellar said members of the family, including pets, are welcome to enjoy Madhatters’ laid back atmosphere, ambiance and sense of community because of the open-air porches that accommodate four legged friends.

“I love being able to bring our dog to brunch with us,” said Ernest and Linda Garza, local downtown residents.

Linda Garza, who visits Madhatters every other weekend, added it’s “the only place in town where you can order the popular Egg White Scram with a side of fresh fruit and a slice of whole wheat toast accompanied by an infused strawberry butter spread.”

Madhatters has a collection of electric coffee and tea cups. But as you walk in the cafe, you will also notice the art collection through the winding rooms of Tea House and café.

Why will the college demographic like this place?

It’s the “familiar Austin, Texas feel,” said Ariel Lopez, University of Incarnate Word student and member of the Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority. “Over sized tea cups and a conclave of hipsters biking up and down South Alamo Street reveal what San Antonio can be.”

Contributing reporter Steven Zavala is an English senior.

About the Author

Melody Mendoza
Melody Mendoza is the Comunidad Editor for The Mesquite. Previously, she reported on the development of the year-old Main Campus Building and Brooks City-Base Campus, and has followed Texas A&M-San Antonio's growth through its plans for two new buildings. Melody is a communication-journalism major, serves on the Student Media Board and is a freelance reporter and part-time editorial assistant for the San Antonio Express-News. She is a 2008 East Central High School graduate, an award-winning reporter for The Ranger (San Antonio College's student newspaper), and a youth leader at her church.

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