After a year of anticipation, The Sicilian Butcher is betting that San Antonio will soon go mad for its meatballs. The Phoenix, Arizona-based Italian chain is opening its first Alamo City restaurant at 5546 N. Loop 1604 W. on November 21.
Since launching in Arizona in 2017, The Sicilian Butcher has earned kudos for its build-your-own meal experience. For an appetizer, diners can curate a bruschetta board with toppings like whipped ricotta with honeycomb, balsamic-soaked cherries, or pea-mint pesto. Then come the famed meatballs, available in five versions and remixable into hundreds of combinations of pastas and sauces.
The eatery also serves Italian classics created by chef Joey Maggiore. Starters such as stuffed zucchini blossoms and fritto misto with fennel and zucchini get the mouth watering before an array of traditional entrees, including Neapolitan-style pizzas, 10-layer lasagnas, chicken cacciatore, and pork rollatini served with gnocchi.
A customized cannoli from The Sicilian Baker. Photo courtesy of The Sicilian Baker
Each outpost also comes with a sweeter sibling. The Sicilian Baker serves rotating gelati, flaky pastries like lobster tails and sfogliatelle, and marzipan cassatina cakes, but it is best known for its customizable cannolis. Guests can choose from classic ricotta-based fillings or unconventional options like chocolate or cookie butter, then customize the ends with toppings such as pistachios, candied fruit, chocolate chips, or powdered sugar.
The San Antonio Sicilian Butcher is only the third Texas restaurant for the mini-chain founded by Maggiori and his wife, Cristina Maggiore. In 2022, the couple teamed up with restaurant private equity firm the Savory Fund and quickly opened outposts in North Dallas and Fort Worth. The Alamo City location is one of only seven units nationwide.
“San Antonio has such a rich and diverse culinary scene, and we’re thrilled to bring our Sicilian soul to the table,” says Joey Maggiore, via a release. “We want every guest to feel like part of our famiglia, sharing good food, laughter, and a little bit of that Italian magic.”