Burger Showdown 6.0: San Antonio’s Culinary Showdown Raises Funds for Flood Relief
San Antonio’s top chefs turned up the heat at Burger Showdown 6.0, serving up bold flavors and raising funds for Mercy Chefs’ flood relief in Kerrville. Hosted at The Cherrity Bar, the event showcased creativity, community and a shared purpose — proving that great food can make a real difference.
The highly anticipated annual culinary competition, Burger Showdown 6.0, returned to The Cherrity Bar on Friday, Oct. 10. The event, which served up bold flavors and creative energy, was held to support a critical cause.
Homegrown Chef and The Flavors of Texas, powered by the San Antonio Restaurants Group, brought together 12 of the city’s top chefs for the sixth straight year. This showdown served as a fundraiser for Mercy Chefs and its ongoing flood relief work in Kerrville.
Team Milpa
The Burger Showdown began with a spark from Kimberly Suta, a writer, storyteller, and editor of Flavors of Texas Magazine. Suta’s goal was to celebrate local chefs and elevate the independent restaurant community. The event started as a casual online challenge when she asked, “Who can make the best burger in San Antonio?” That question quickly evolved into one of the city’s most anticipated annual culinary events, known for pairing culinary creativity with charitable purpose.
Suta uses her platforms — Flavors of Texas Magazine, the St. Paul Square Dinner Club and Riverwalk Culinary Adventure Tours — to keep the spotlight on local restaurants and culinary innovation. Under her leadership, Flavors of Texas now reaches more than 45,000 readers per issue, championing the small businesses that make up the heartbeat of San Antonio’s dining scene.
“It started as a friendly challenge, but what it’s grown into is something that gives back, connects people and celebrates the best of San Antonio,” Suta said on The More You Know, The Better It Tastes podcast.
Burger Showdown 6.0 was made possible through a partnership with Homegrown Chef and the San Antonio Restaurants Group (SARG) through its Flavors of Texas platform. Founded by Alan and Beverly Williams and Susie LaFredo, SARG began as a Facebook community to uplift local restaurants and has grown into one of the largest food communities in Texas, with more than 300,000 members. Through Flavors of Texas, the group transforms its digital reach into real-world events that unite the community for a purpose.
From the first sizzle to the final vote, the event provided a fun and lively atmosphere. Every slider and every dollar raised went directly to Mercy Chefs, a nonprofit known for providing hot meals to families and first responders affected by disasters.
Guests enjoyed unlimited burger sliders, fries from JD’s Chili Parlor’s Chef Diana Anderson and cookies from Texas Cookie Shop. KJ Tammy Cruz hosted karaoke sessions throughout the evening.
The 12 Competing Chefs
Each of the 12 participating chefs brought unique and delicious creations to the competition:
Chef Justin Bluhm, STX BBQ: Blackberry Bacon Cheesecake Slider with smoked cream cheese, macerated blackberries, prosciutto bacon and candied chilies.
Chef Ernie Bradley, Cherrity Bar: “I Blue Myself” Burger with brisket, miso-garlic shiitake mushrooms and creamy blue cheese.
Chef Jared Cattoni, Dos Sirenos Brewing: The Sticky Pig with pomegranate-glazed al pastor pork and pineapple pepper jam.
Chef Joseph Casanova, Bandit BBQ & Burgers: The Bandit Cherry Bomber featuring a brisket-short rib patty, jalapeño cream cheese and Cherry Dr Pepper bacon jam.
Chef Marlen Davila, San Antonio Zoo: Texas Firecracker with a brisket-bacon patty, jalapeño-pineapple pickles and garlic aioli.
Chef Guidon Degollado, Cuba 1918: Meet the Cuban Frita with a pork-beef smash patty, roasted pork, Swiss cheese and crispy shoestring fries.
Chef Francisco Estrada, Naco: La Chilanga Smash layered with bacon, chilaquiles and creamy jalapeño cheese sauce.
Chef Phillip Gonyea, Krazy Katsu: The Matador Smash, a Latin-Asian fusion with short rib, smoky salsa and bright slaw.
Chef Anthony “Nene” Hernandez, Milpa: Me Vale Verde with a beef-and-pork chorizo verde patty, nopale ranchero and limón aioli.
Chef Kaius, The Chef Kaius Xperience: The Bad Bunny XP with a chuck blend burger topped with braised oxtail, guava-peach marmalade and queso de freír.
Chef J. Perez, Unless Catering: The Burger, Bee, a bacon-beef-cheddar blend with caramelized onions and BeeBeeQueen Sauce.
Chef Nathan Rodriguez, Tributary: The Jalapeño Royale, a beef-and-lamb burger with a jalapeño popper surprise.
The competition relied on a panel of expert judges who conducted a blind tasting to determine the Judge’s Choice winner. Each chef submitted their creations unmarked, ensuring the judging focused solely on flavor, texture and execution.
This year's panel included three industry experts: David Elder, TV host and executive producer of the food show Texas Eats on KSAT; Chris Flores, the San Antonio food storyteller known as Eat Migos; and a chef representing Mercy Chefs, the event’s charitable beneficiary. Elder, who brings experience as both a chef and server, showcases diverse Texas cuisine on his show, available on KSAT.
Flores is a prominent figure in the local food scene who uses his background in video production to highlight defining dishes and help residents discover new restaurants. He now serves as the chief tasting officer for Favor Delivery (HEB) and a content creator for Flavors of Texas.
Flores’ philosophy that authenticity in food is rooted in local ingredients made him an ideal fit for the Showdown. “San Antonio has the richest food story in the country. The more you know where something comes from, the better it tastes,” Flores said on The More You Know, The Better It Tastes podcast.
The showdown crowned three champions across its signature categories:
Judge’s Choice Winner: Chef Anthony “Nene” Hernandez of Milpa
People’s Choice Winner: Chef Joseph Casanova of Bandit BBQ & Burgers
Kids’ Choice Winner: Chef Marlen Davila of San Antonio Zoo
Sponsors for the event included Ben E. Keith, Food Related, Unifresh Produce, Texas Cookie Shop, Olympia Trophy Center and host venue The Cherrity Bar. Their generosity, alongside the chefs, organizers and hundreds of attendees, turned one evening into meaningful local impact.
Burger Showdown 6.0 demonstrated that the event is about more than who makes the best burger. The proceeds benefit Mercy Chefs, proving that the best flavors are the ones shared for a cause.
A Note on Bandit BBQ & Burgers
Shortly after this year’s Burger Showdown, the San Antonio community received difficult news: Bandit BBQ & Burgers, winner of the People’s Choice Award, announced it has permanently closed its doors after a brief comeback.
In a message shared with their followers, the Bandit team expressed gratitude for the community that supported them and the memories made along the way. Their dedication to craft, creativity and connection was evident in every dish — especially the Bandit Cherry Bomber, which captured the crowd’s hearts at the Showdown.
While this chapter has ended, their spirit and influence remain part of what makes San Antonio’s food community so special. We hope to see the team behind Bandit BBQ & Burgers back at the grill again someday.
The Local SEO Playbook for Mechanics & Auto Shops
When Cars Break, Customers Don’t Shop Around
Nobody plans for a flat tire, a dead battery, or a check engine light. They grab their phone, type “auto repair near me” and pick one of the first shops that shows up. In that moment, they are not comparing coupons or scrolling through Yelp for hours. They just need a trustworthy shop that can get them back on the road.
If your shop does not show up, you lose that customer to the competition.
Step One: Be There in the Panic
Local SEO makes sure your shop is visible in the exact moment someone needs help. Ranking in the map pack means your phone rings first. If your info is outdated or missing, your competitors get the call.
Pro tip: Keep your Google Business Profile updated with services like “towing available” or “open late” if you offer them. Small details can win you customers when they are stranded.
Step Two: Build Trust Before They Call
Car repairs are high-stakes purchases. Most customers worry about being overcharged or misled, so reviews carry enormous weight. A shop with fresh five-star reviews and timely replies looks safer than one with silence or outdated feedback.
Practical move: Ask happy customers for a Google review at checkout. A simple, “Glad we got you back on the road, would you mind leaving us a quick review on Google?” works. Then reply to every review, good or bad. Google values timely responses, and so do your next customers.
Step Three: Make Services Crystal Clear
A lot of shops lose customers because people cannot tell what they actually do. If someone needs brakes, inspections, or transmission work and your listing does not say it, they will scroll right past you.
Quick win: List your top services in your profile and post short updates. For example, “Now offering state inspections, no appointment needed.”
Step Four: Turn One Repair Into Repeat Business
The customer journey does not stop when the car leaves the bay. Today’s oil change or flat tire can become tomorrow’s loyal customer if you stay visible and engaged. Posting seasonal tips, highlighting your team, or reminding people about routine maintenance keeps your shop top of mind. When the next dashboard light comes on, they will think of you first.
Competing With the Chains
SEO is not just about “auto repair near me.” It has to cover all the services you provide, from oil changes and brakes to inspections, tune-ups, and even major jobs like transmissions and engine rebuilds.
The challenge is that quick service chains like Take 5 and Valvoline grab a huge share of the easy wins. They are everywhere, and their visibility pulls in a lot of customers who need fast service today. That often leaves independent shops chasing only the bigger, less frequent repairs.
But here is the opportunity. Not everyone wants a drive-through service. Plenty of people prefer to schedule with a local mechanic they know and trust, someone who lives in their community and stands behind the work. Local SEO helps you reach those customers. By making sure your services are clear, your reviews are fresh, and your shop shows up strong on Google Maps, you can compete with the chains and capture both types of business, the quick oil change and the long-term client who comes back for major repairs.
Why Ads Still Matter
SEO will take you a long way, but there is no true substitute for ads. In auto repair, you are often up against competitors spending thousands of dollars a day on visibility. At a certain point, you need to budget for ads to keep pace. My view on ads is simple. No single ad will change your business, but a steady budget gives you the chance to win a job or two from the competition.
Google Ads are intentional. They show up for people who are actively searching for the exact service you sell. Meta Ads are different. They are served to people scrolling through their feed, which makes them cheaper but also less precise. The trick is understanding that one is not better than the other. They work together. Meta Ads keep your shop in people’s minds, and when the day comes that they actually search for an oil change or a repair, Google makes sure you are the one they see.
My advice is to keep ad budgets modest and consistent. Like most marketing, the impact comes from time and repetition.
The SEO Sitdown for Auto Shops
Growing your shop’s visibility through SEO is possible and practical. Most of the setup can be handled in a day, updating listings, cleaning up reviews, and posting services. From there, it is about keeping it part of your routine, the same way you maintain tools and training in the shop.
The SEO Sitdown is your jump start. We give you a roadmap so you know exactly where to focus instead of guessing. You will see the keywords people in your area are actually using, from “oil change near me” to “engine rebuild [city].” We track thousands of those terms and show you how you stack up against competitors. You will also see your shop’s reach on Google Maps with grid tracking, which shows how far your visibility stretches across neighborhoods.
On top of that, we break down how competitors are keeping their bays full and where you can stand out. And we make it practical for your setup. Whether your website is on Squarespace, WordPress, or another platform, we show you what SEO means for your site and how to put it into action.
The SEO Sitdown makes sure that whether it is an oil change or a major rebuild, your shop is competing head-to-head with the best in town.
The Local SEO Playbook for Barbershops
Running a Barbershop Isn’t Just About Cutting Hair
It’s building a whole business from scratch. For a lot of barbers, this is their first time running a shop, and often their first time running any kind of business. The grind is real. You’re managing a team, keeping chairs full, handling clients, and doing all the little things like sweeping floors and balancing the books.
Barbers are some of the busiest small business owners out there. Long hours, high demand, and the constant hustle leave very little room for marketing. Most owners don’t have the time or the budget to hire a marketing team.
Here’s the thing though. Boosting your shop’s visibility doesn’t have to turn into another full-time job. This guide is all about simple, practical steps you can take today to get more clients in your chairs without burning yourself out.
Why Local SEO Matters for Barbershops
A strong scheduling system matters for any shop, but barbershops often live and die by walk-ins. Many men aren’t booking weeks in advance the way women might for a color treatment or style session. They’re looking for a quick beard trim or a clean-up and will usually head to the nearest shop that pops up when they search.
That’s why showing up in local search results is so important. If your barbershop isn’t visible in Google Maps or local search, chances are those clients are sitting in someone else’s chair. Local SEO makes sure your shop is the one they find first, trust right away, and keep coming back to.
So What Does SEO Look Like for a Barbershop?
For barbershops, SEO isn’t about complicated strategies. It’s about showing up where clients are already looking and fixing the simple things that keep you hidden. Here’s where you can score quick wins right away:
1. Google Maps
Why it matters: Walk-ins live here. If you’re not in the top map results, your competitors are getting the traffic.
Quick win: Claim your Google Business Profile. Update your hours, list services like fades and beard trims, and upload sharp, recent photos of your work.
2. Reviews
Why it matters: Reviews are the new word of mouth. A strong star rating builds trust instantly.
Quick win: Google encourages you to ask for reviews, so make it part of your daily routine. Ask right after the cut when the client is happy. Then reply to every review, good or bad. Timely replies matter to Google and show future clients you’re paying attention. Note: Yelp is different — they discourage direct asks, so let Yelp reviews happen naturally while focusing your efforts on Google.
3. Social Proof
Why it matters: People want to see your work before they choose you. Photos of fades, beard trims, and the vibe inside your shop help set you apart.
Quick win: Post weekly. It doesn’t need to be fancy — a quick snap of a fresh cut or a team shoutout goes a long way.
4. Consistency Across the Web
Why it matters: A client in a hurry won’t fight through bad info. If your number or address is wrong, they’ll call the next shop.
Quick win: Make sure your shop name, address, and phone number are identical across Google, Yelp, Facebook, and anywhere else you’re listed.
The SEO Sitdown
Growing your voice through SEO is a lot like building a loyal client base. It takes consistency and patience. You won’t see results overnight, but just like a sharp haircut changes how someone feels right away, the right SEO steps can start making your shop more visible almost immediately. Most of the groundwork can be done in a single sitting. Updating your listings, cleaning up reviews, and posting new photos are quick tasks that set the foundation. If you keep up with it week to week, it becomes part of the routine, like sweeping the floors and keeping your clippers in good shape.
That is where the SEO Sitdown comes in. Think of it as a jump start for your shop. We put together a roadmap so you know exactly where to focus instead of guessing. You will see the keywords people in your neighborhood are typing when they are looking for a fade, a beard trim, or a quick clean-up. We track thousands of those terms and show you how your shop stacks up against others nearby. We also map out your reach on Google Maps with grid tracking, so you can see how far your visibility stretches across your community.
On top of that, we show you how your competitors are keeping their chairs full and where you can stand out. We make it practical too. Whether your website is on Squarespace, WordPress, or another platform, we break down what SEO means for your setup and how to put the plan into action.
The SEO Sitdown is like that first cut with a new barber. It sets the tone, builds confidence, and gives you a style you can maintain. Even if you are just starting out, it makes sure your shop is ready to compete with the best in town.
Lamb and the Wolf/CocoRosie
CocoRosie- “Lamb and the Wolf”
Psychedelic folk duo group, CocoRosie, formed by sisters Bianca and Sierra Casady, are scheduled to release their new 7th studio album. “Put the Shine On” will be released on March 13th, 2020. Four songs have been pre-released
https://www.cocorosiemusic.com/
6 US tour dates have been announced.
4/7 Brooklyn, NY Elsewhere
4/8 Los Angeles, CA The Belasco Theater
4/9 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore
4/11 Chicago, IL Metro
4/13 Brooklyn, NY Elsewhere
4/14 Brooklyn, NY Elsewhere
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The Professor and Legos
Joe is one of my best friends ever, we’ve known each other for many many years and I was excited to see what he would recommend to me considering we sit around all day at my restaurant talking movies, tv shows, and comic books. He did not disappoint! He gave me very first full lego set, to try out. It was tedious and frustrating but ultimately very rewarding experience!
Can't Stop Your Lovin/Poolside
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Today’s Music Goods episode is a track from Los Angeles-based electronic indie group, Poolside.
The track is called Can’t Stop Your Lovin off they newly released LP Low Season
Get more tour details, merch and vinyl at
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Ryan Salts/ Launch SA
Ryan Salts director for Launch SA which is an entrepreneurial hub and information resource center headquartered at the Central Library in downtown San Antonio.
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Music by
XYCE
I have attended conferences and and networking events at Launch SA in the past but only had a limited understanding of what Launch SA was all about. I reached out to Ryan because we had several mutual friends in common and i am glad that i did, I had such a good time recording this episode, if you have a business are looking to grow or maybe you want to start a business and want to know where to start then Launch SA is the place to go.
Cool for a Second/Yumi Zouma
Cool for a Second by Yumi Zouma. A four-piece alternative pop band out New Zealand.
This is the second single off of their third studio album Truth and Consequences that will release March 13th!
Huge thanks to Polyvinyl Records making this first episode possible.
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Cool For A Second Music Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7Kt_YAQQgM
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B. Kay and David Sedaris
Quick Hang⚡️
My friend B. Kay joins the show to suggest one of her favorite things!
The David Sedaris book
"Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim"
Follow B. Kay on Twitter: @RichterKay
Instagram: @bkayrichter or visit her website
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Mark Bohanan/Cathy Siegel and the San Antonio Cocktail Conference
Mark Bohanan and Cathy Siegel are largely responsible for bringing the San Antonio Cocktail Conference to life. They sat down with me to talk about its humble beginnings and the charitable efforts that are enable through their work at the conference. Learn more about the San Antonio Cocktail Conference here
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The Break Room
The Breakroom is our space to share ideas, insights, and conversations that matter to small businesses and creatives. Here you’ll find local SEO guides built for business owners, practical PR tips, industry deep dives, music reviews, and even podcast talk. Think of it as a mix of strategy, culture, and community — all in one place. Pull up a chair, grab a coffee, and hang out with us.