Urban sprawl from San Antonio, one of the largest cities in the U.S., has been creeping beyond the city’s borders for years. As a result, Universal City, in far northeast Bexar County, has become a booming town with massive shopping centers and attractions. But vibey zones that attract younger communities have been slow to trickle in until now.
Dining options in Universal City can feel repetitive. Often, big chains and box stores are the first to enter outer-city regions as the population climbs. In conversations with locals, it’s clear the staples are there –– Tex-Mex spots, drive-thru burgers, a Thai place or two and a local bakery. But more unique, culturally distinct dining spots are notably lacking.
“We’re always looking for places nearby because we go to the same places for lunch,” said Ricardo Rodriguez, an artist at Goddess Ink Tattoo & Piercing Studio.
Luckily, a first-of-its-kind food truck park just around the corner from the studio where Rodriguez works is in the works, and whether it’ll fill this hole in the market should become clearer in the coming months. Tucked between the ModWash laundromat and the Peaks at Universal City apartments, Subhi Hamideh (owner of UC Texas LLC) is building a community gathering place unique to the area.
While there is another food truck park on the edge of the Universal City limits, Screamin Chameleon is a central building that currently advertises two food trucks in its lot. This new endeavor, however, will feature six food trucks, outdoor seating and a public restroom. It’s also converting an otherwise unsightly empty lot between the strip center on Pat Booker Road and the apartment complex into usable community space.
While word on which types of eateries will call the new digs home is still out, Rodriguez says he’d love a wider spread of Latin American eateries (such as Peruvian or Puerto Rican), a true smash-burger place (that isn’t one of the fast-food staples already calling Universal City home) and Texas barbecue.
There were initial parking and safety concerns, but a development agreement was crafted between University City and the food truck park developer earlier this year. Several of the concerns were addressed, and a deal was officially inked. Now, the property owner is set to make progress.
The project, as filed with the state, says work begins on June 30 and should wrap up by July 30. However, the developer isn’t quite ready to confirm additional details about what to expect from this up-and-coming hangout spot, though he said things would become clearer in the coming months.
“This is great. I like that we’re developing a property that’s basically an empty lot right now,” said Universal City City Council Member William Shelby when the deal was struck. “I expect to see a lot of traffic to this. This is probably three-quarters of a mile from my house, and I see no problem walking there.”