Andrew Weissman, the James Beard-nominated chef turned Mr. Juicy burger maven, is planning to open a new concept featuring “enhanced American and French fare” on Nov. 1 at Alon Town Centre.

The yet-to-be-named restaurant will feature a value-based menu with entrees priced under $20, except for nightly specials, and drinks that cap at $10. Tipping will be discouraged.

“It’s a difficult economy so we want to offer extreme value,” Weissman told the San Antonio Report. “Tipping is a pain point in America right now. People feel they have been abused and pushed around too much with the tipping culture. People can tip if they want to, but we don’t want anyone to feel obligated to leave a tip. I’m going to give my staff a healthy, hourly wage.”

The no-tipping idea sprang from his experience at Mr. Juicy. 

“We never expect a tip,” he said. “But more often than not, a guest will leave a dollar or two dollars or three. I want to see if that can work in a higher end environment.”

One year to the day after opening a Mr. Juicy on Northwest Military Drive, Weissman signed a lease on Saturday to launch his new concept two miles down the road in the space once occupied by The Hayden, a diner that closed in May.

“When The Hayden went out of business, there was a turnkey scenario,” Weissman said. “It had a good energy. I think The Hayden made all the right decisions in decor. We’re going to make some changes. But I felt like it was a bird’s nest on the ground.”

Weissman initially wanted to focus on enhanced American fare. As the concept evolved, he realized he wanted to create dishes not specific to the continental U.S.

“I’m going to have a classic French sandwich with caramelized onions and au jus,” he said. “We’ll have housemade potato chips with chive cheese fondue and ricotta gnocchi with truffle cream.”

Andrew Weissman sits next a newly constructed fountain at La Cantera Resort & Spa. Photo by Scott Ball.Andrew Weissman sits next to a newly constructed fountain at La Cantera Resort & Spa in 2016. Credit: Scott Ball / San Antonio Report

Other sample menu items include classic wedge salad with pickled shallots, New York strip with peppercorn sauce, classic meatloaf with spicy carrots, French green beans and mashed potatoes, cold seafood — oysters, lobster and crab — and chicken fried steak “right out of Mr. Juicy but with French-style mousseline potatoes.”

Weissman elevated San Antonio’s culinary reputation in the late 1990s with the launch of Le Rev, a since-closed French restaurant that received national acclaim. At Le Rev, Weissman earned four James Beard nominations for Best Chef: Southwest.

The 2019 launch of Mr. Juicy in Olmos Park turned heads. How many French chefs open burger stands? To Weissman’s surprise, Mr. Juicy became an instant hit. He relocated to the corner of San Pedro and Hildebrand and opened a second location last year on Northwest Military Drive.

What prompted his return to the restaurant world?

“It’s a sickness,” he said. “It really is, man. I’m going to do my darndest to expand Mr. Juicy. I’d like to have another location by late summer of next year. But I wanted another outlet. I’ve always had a desire to try to get back into creating food other than hamburgers and chicken sandwiches.” 

His contract requires him to open in a little more than three months. Meeting that deadline, he admits, will be challenging.

Weissman left on Monday for a family vacation in Europe. When he returns, he’ll take his son to college. 

“It is a big time crunch,” he said. “That only gives us about nine to 10 weeks to pull this off.” 

The new venture excites him, filling him with a rush of adrenaline. 

“I think it’s going to be a great spot and will do amazing,” Weissman said. “The menu will allow people to build one course or multi-course meals. It has an inviting patio. I’ve always always wanted to create a tremendous patio space at a restaurant. And I think this is the opportunity.”