“Hopin’ to open July!” the business posted. “Thank you so much for your patience during this big transition.”
The message is the strongest sign yet that the longtime Hill Country eatery is preparing to reopen following a turbulent spring that saw the restaurant temporarily close amid a staff exodus and leadership overhaul. MySA reached out to Alvin Ord’s for comment but did not hear back at the time of publication.
While ownership has not yet announced an exact reopening date, the eatery’s social media post quickly drew excitement from customers eager to return for one of the shop’s most famous menu items: The Salvation, a fan-favorite at Alvin Ord’s, which consists of ham, salami, cheddar, mozzarella, parmesan, lettuce, tomato, onion and mustard on fresh-baked bread. One Facebook user predicted a packed house when the doors reopen.
“Y’all are going to be SWARMED! I’ve been dreaming of a Salvation and jalepeno chips!” Allison Vero commented.
The anticipation reflects the restaurant’s deep roots in Central Texas. For decades, Alvin Ord’s has served Texas State University students, alumni and travelers passing through San Marcos. Many residents and tourists alike have their own memories tied to the sandwich shop, whether from college days, weekend trips or family outings in the Hill Country.
The reopening update arrives roughly two months after Alvin Ord’s became the focus of public controversy following allegations regarding workplace conditions. The fallout ultimately led to the departure of the restaurant’s staff and a temporary shutdown.
Since then, the business has announced it is operating under new leadership and has been working through a deep-cleaning and modernization process. Ownership has also assured customers that one of the restaurant’s most cherished features — its graffiti-covered booths and walls filled with decades of signatures, drawings and memories — will remain intact.
For now, customers are still waiting on a firm reopening date. But if Alvin Ord’s July target holds, fans from San Marcos, San Antonio and beyond may soon be making the drive once again for a Salvation sandwich and a taste of Hill Country nostalgia.