HOUSTON— San Antonio expanded its rising culinary profile with Michelin one-star awards for Mixtli, Isidore and Nicosi at the second annual Texas Michelin Guide ceremony Tuesday night in Houston.
Mixtli, the much-acclaimed Mexican restaurant in Southtown, earned a second Michelin star while Pullman Market’s Isidore and Nicosi each won their first star at the Wortham Theater Center.
Isidore chefs Danny Parada and Ian Lanphear also won a Green Star Award for sustainable and eco-friendly practices.
A Michelin star is awarded to restaurants that use “top quality ingredients, where dishes with distinct flavours are prepared to a consistently high standard.”
Five San Antonio restaurants garnered Big Gourmand recognition, four of whom were repeat winners: Cullum’s Attaboy, Ladino, The Jerk Shack and Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery. Pullman Market’s Mezquite won its first Bib Gourmand.
Christopher Cullum plates a breakfast order at Cullum’s Attaboy in 2024. Credit: Bria Woods / San Antonio Report
Just outside of the city in Seguin, Burnt Bean Co. won its second Bib Gourmand.
The award, named after the Michelin Man mascot, Bibendum, is given for great food at “reasonable” prices.Â
Michelin did not include “recommended” restaurants in its guide this year. In 2024, seven local establishments earned a recommended designation: 2M Smokehouse, Leche de Tigre, Signature, Barbecue Station, Garcia’s Mexican Food, Nicosi and Little Em’s Oyster Bar.
Founded by a French tire company in 1900 to encourage travel, the Michelin Guide expanded its “lIttle red book” to include hotels and restaurants. The guide included Texas for the first time in 2024.
A Michelin star enhances a restaurant’s reputation, boosts business and adds pressure.
“It’s a good pressure,” Galicia said. “We just want every guest to have an awesome experience.”