Next stop, Flavortown

Guy Fieri visits 3 Texas restaurants on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives

Guy Fieri got into the Texas spirit at Smoke Shack BBQ.

Texans looking to find the coordinates of Flavortown should tune into the Food Network, where Guy Fieri is featuring three popular San Antonio restaurants in the 29th season of his series Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

The restaurants include:

Smoke Shack BBQ, a barbecue restaurant from Chris Conger
Wrigleyville Grill, a sandwich shop featuring Chicago-style hot dogs
Fat Tummy Empanadas, known for its artisan Argentinian-style empanadas

The peroxide-haired food star was first spotted in San Antonio on October 12 in an Instagram photo of him riding a longhorn in front of the Texas flag-clad roof of Chris Conger's Smoke Shack Meat Market, the recently opened market next to his barbecue joint. As camera equipment could be seen in the shot, rumors immediately began circulating that he was in town filming his flagship series.

Those rumors turned out to be true, as reps confirmed to CultureMap that they would be appearing in upcoming episodes.

First up was Smoke Shack BBQ, which appeared in the sixth episode of the season, "Burgers, Bacon, and BBQ," and aired on November 23. (You can watch the full episode here.)

Fieri continues his South Texas tour on the November 30 episode, "From Sandwiches to Stroganoff." Park North Shopping Center's Wrigleyville Grill is the "East Coast-Texas deli mash-up pilin' up smoked meat sensations" listed in the Food Network episode description.

In the same episode, Fieri also stops by Fat Tummy Empanadas, the brick-and-mortar version of a popular food truck.

It's unclear if Fieri drove his flashy Camaro SS convertible to any other San Antonio spots. The host typically films at each location in threes, but there is some indication that he snuck in at least one more visit while in town.

Season 30 debuts on December 28 and features another San Antonio spot. An episode called "Piling on the Pork" teases that Fieri visits "a Puerto Rican spot in San Antonio that's building a unique take on nachos and cooking up a monster chop."

That description sounds a lot like Luna Rosa Puerto Rican Grill y Tapas, which is famous for both huge pork chops and loaded Caribbean nachos with plantain chips. The owner was unavailable for comment, and an employee could neither confirm nor deny our hunch.

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Closure news

Longtime Thai restaurant Bangkok on Dallas' Greenville Ave to close

Bangkok

Bangkok Thai Greenville Ave

A longtime Asian restaurant on Dallas' Greenville Avenue is closing: Bangkok, which has been authentic Thai flavors and heartfelt hospitality at 4503 Greenville Ave. since 1993, will close its doors on June 30.

According to a release, owners Joe and Sunny Pumphaung, who have run the restaurant together since Joe, who was a server, took ownership in 2005, are closing due to rising operational costs and a desire to spend more time with their aging parents.

The couple, who married shortly after Joe took over the restaurant, have spent their lives building a restaurant rooted in family, culture, and community.

“While this was not an easy decision, we know in our hearts that it’s time,” Sunny says in a statement. “We’re so proud of the memories and meals shared here. Bangkok has been our home, and we’re grateful to have shared it with so many.”

Joe grew up in a family of restaurateurs in Thailand and studied culinary arts at the Royal Family’s cooking school, where he was trained not only in Thai cuisine but also in the art of fruit and vegetable carving and floral arrangement — elements that reflected the importance of presentation, beauty, and tradition in Thai culture.

These values were brought to life at Bangkok at Greenville in every dish served and every guest interaction.

At one point, they had locations in Addison, which has closed; and Richardson (which hosted a Thai-themed afternoon tea); Richardson is still open, but Joe and Sunny are no longer the owners.

Over the years, Greenville Avenue became more than a dining destination—it became a second home for guests who returned time and time again to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, quiet weeknights, and special occasions.

“Many of our staff have been with us for 20 to 30 years,” Joe says. “They’re not just employees—they’re family. And to our guests, you are family too. Thank you for letting us be a part of your lives.”

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