Texas News Beep
  • News Beep
  • Texas
  • Houston
  • San Antonio
  • Dallas
  • Fort Worth
  • Austin
  • United States
Texas News Beep
Texas News Beep
  • News Beep
  • Texas
  • Houston
  • San Antonio
  • Dallas
  • Fort Worth
  • Austin
  • United States
Fiesta icon ‘Mr. Chicken’ dies from cancer, family shares
SSan Antonio

Fiesta icon ‘Mr. Chicken’ dies from cancer, family shares

  • November 23, 2025

J.J. Gonzales was known for serving up the iconic chicken on a stick during A Night in Old San Antonio

FILE – Fiesta icon J.J. Gonzales, also known as “Mr. Chicken” during an interview at NIOSA in April 2025. (Copyright 2025 by KSAT – All rights reserved.)

SAN ANTONIO – Fiesta icon J.J. Gonzales, also known as “Mr. Chicken,” died early Sunday morning after a battle with cancer, his family told KSAT.

Gonzales’ daughter confirmed to KSAT that he died around 12:45 a.m. Sunday.

Gonzales was known for his involvement with A Night in Old San Antonio. He would serve up San Antonio’s iconic chicken on a stick, a longtime favorite among attendees.

In a previous interview with KSAT, Gonzales explained that everyone who works for the event does so as a volunteer, and all proceeds support the Conservation Society of San Antonio.

“We give of our time, and I know that’s me. I can only speak for myself but that’s my way of giving back to San Antonio,” Gonzales previously told KSAT. “I love my city.”

Copyright 2025 by KSAT – All rights reserved.

About the AuthorsAndrea K. Moreno headshotAndrea K. Moreno

Andrea K. Moreno is a Digital Journalist at KSAT. She graduated from Texas State University with an electronic media degree and a minor in psychology. She also attended San Antonio College, where she held several positions at The Ranger, now known as The Sundial, for three years.

Ernie Zuniga headshotErnie Zuniga

Ernie Zuniga is a veteran TV and media personality in San Antonio and is an anchor/reporter at KSAT.

Holiday night kayaking on the San Antonio River

▶ 0:48

Holiday night kayaking on the San Antonio River Video from North Side raid shows FBI arresting more than 150 people, destroying surveillance camera

▶ 1:58

Video from North Side raid shows FBI arresting more than 150 people, destroying surveillance cameraNew mural on South Side celebrates San Antonio’s rich cultural heritage

▶ 1:23

New mural on South Side celebrates San Antonio’s rich cultural heritageDevin Vassell surprises children at the Boys & Girls Club

▶ 1:37

Devin Vassell surprises children at the Boys & Girls ClubSan Antonio nonprofit helps meet students’ need for new underwear

▶ 1:07

San Antonio nonprofit helps meet students’ need for new underwearSAPD: Officers searched around 30 minutes for woman who crashed into creek

▶ 1:50

SAPD: Officers searched around 30 minutes for woman who crashed into creekHill Country floods leave Kerr County businesses struggling to rebuild months later

▶ 1:29

Hill Country floods leave Kerr County businesses struggling to rebuild months later🌸✨ Illuminate returns to San Antonio Botanical Garden ✨🌺

▶ 1:04

🌸✨ Illuminate returns to San Antonio Botanical Garden ✨🌺Viral TikTok shows woman pepper-spraying River Walk barge riders

▶ 1:34

Viral TikTok shows woman pepper-spraying River Walk barge ridersFamily seeking answers after finding mother in creek more than 24 hours after fatal South Side crash

▶ 1:13

Family seeking answers after finding mother in creek more than 24 hours after fatal South Side crashMayor Jones refuses multiple times to publicly back SAPD Chief William McManus

▶ 1:30

Mayor Jones refuses multiple times to publicly back SAPD Chief William McManusA tale of 2 households: What is a K shape economy?

▶ 1:15

A tale of 2 households: What is a K shape economy? Gas prices to expect during Thanksgiving

▶ 0:15

Gas prices to expect during ThanksgivingNew study find fluoride in drinking water may not affect cognitive ability

▶ 1:20

New study find fluoride in drinking water may not affect cognitive ability Unprecedented security measures for Mayor Jones as SAPD officers ordered to guard her home overnight

▶ 1:22

Unprecedented security measures for Mayor Jones as SAPD officers ordered to guard her home overnightAuthorities recover body after apparent rollover on South Side, SAFD says

▶ 0:53

Authorities recover body after apparent rollover on South Side, SAFD says🎄 See Millions of lights at SeaWorld San Antonio’s Christmas Celebration!✨

▶ 0:41

🎄 See Millions of lights at SeaWorld San Antonio’s Christmas Celebration!✨Get a look inside Bill Miller Bar-B-Q’s new West Side headquarters

▶ 1:21

Get a look inside Bill Miller Bar-B-Q’s new West Side headquarters1-on-1 with Spurs rookie Carter Bryant

▶ 0:18

1-on-1 with Spurs rookie Carter BryantStorm chances for Nov. 19 and 20

▶ 1:40

Storm chances for Nov. 19 and 20Erik Cantu found guilty for violating previous probation terms, avoids jail time

▶ 1:14

Erik Cantu found guilty for violating previous probation terms, avoids jail timeUniversal City police seeking vehicle involved in September hit-and-run

▶ 1:23

Universal City police seeking vehicle involved in September hit-and-runWhat to know about getting to the Mexico vs Paraguay game on Tuesday night

▶ 0:55

What to know about getting to the Mexico vs Paraguay game on Tuesday night Some San Antonians hiring helpers to install Christmas lights

▶ 1:33

Some San Antonians hiring helpers to install Christmas lights Meza Gonzalez DWI case reset; councilwoman won’t say if she plans to fight charge or seek a deal

▶ 1:04

Meza Gonzalez DWI case reset; councilwoman won’t say if she plans to fight charge or seek a dealPrevious photoNext photo

  • Tags:
  • Fiesta
  • Obituaries
  • San Antonio
  • San Antonio Headlines
  • San Antonio News
Texas News Beep
www.newsbeep.com