San Marcos, TX recently welcomed several new restaurants, bars and breweries to the city. Whether you’re in the mood for good food or wanting to try a new brew, this fresh round of businesses has something for everybody.
Video story by Hallie Colbert
Audio story by Isaac Thomison
Photo gallery by Stephen Spencer
Industry is another casual hangout spot that opened recently. A nice urban and industrial eatery that offers healthy and diverse drink and food options. 
The interior of Industry features many rustic and industrial décor. 
Industry has banquette seating near the bar where you can wine and dine. 
Thor Shoemaker, bar manager at Industry, says his favorite part of working at Industry is the camaraderie among coworkers. He also says his favorite dish is the boneless ribs. 
The register features an overhead menu and a nice view of the back of the kitchen. 
Unlike Hops & Grain, Industry offers other alcoholic beverages in addition to beer. 
Hops & Grain is an Austin brewery that has been open for 7 years. The brewing company recently opened a new location in San Marcos, Texas, giving students and locals a new hangout spot. 
Bethany LeBeau, Hops & Grain Brewing manager, says they have a product that recaptures CO2 from their beer to produce more beer, making their brewing more sustainable. 
The tap room is the first thing customers see upon entering the establishment. 
Glasses on deck, anticipating being filled with beer. 
The outside patio deck is where customers can also enjoy their beer on a nice sunny day. 
Hops & Grain Brewing offers signature beers crafted in house on draft. 
Patrons enjoying beer on the patio deck. 
Hops & Grain Brewing has a tap room where customers can relax and drink and even get a view of the brewery. 
A glass half full of Hops and Grain’s River Beer. 
The establishment features a wall with a projector screen and vinyl records. 
Manager Ted Calvin says Cheer & Chow is an environment for locals and students to eat, have a beer, and watch movies. “Bringing Flavortown to San Marcos,” he says. 
The atmosphere of Cheer & Chow is very welcoming and has an industrial look. 
Although Cheer & Chow has been open for a while, the pub just recently moved from its N. LBJ location to it’s new cozy home in The Square. 
Customers enjoying their meal at the bar. 
When a customer orders the Hibiscus Saison ale, a portion of the proceeds goes to breast cancer research.
Photo gallery by Kenidee Thomas
“A Casa Choi customer enjoying his Bulgogi quesadilla, priced at $7.5, has spicy mayo and teriyaki inside it. On the side the customer has Papa’s soup which is chicken tortilla soup.” 
“Customers enjoy their tofu burrito, Elote Corn, and their street corn. Casa Choi’s tofu burrito had deep fried tofu, lettuce, salsa, pico, seasoned rice, green onions, and corn.” 
“Employees make the food fresh and ready to eat.” According to Casa Choi’s facebook, “we proudly make our own salsa’s and bring our tortilla’s locally from San Marcos.” 
“As of now Casa Choi has can and bottled drinks for sale but according to employee, Johnny, alcohol will soon be available for purchase as well.” 
“Casa Choi gives customers the option to order at the counter, and seat themselves. Customers also have the option to purchase a bag of chips and soda with their meal.” 
“Casa choi has unique decorations. To the right of the entry you can find a brick wall covered in leaves with two boards promoting their tacos and burritos. Inspired by Seoul, South Korea they use the word Seoul instead of soul.” 
“Casa Choi is bringing new flavors to San Marcos. Inspired by Korean BBQ with a hint of Mexican flavors, customers have a wide variety of food options.” 
“For customers who are looking to grab a quick bite to eat, Casa Choi offers breakfast tacos until noon. Casa Choi opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 8 p.m. .” 
“A new restaurant by the name of Casa Choi has hit the streets of San Marcos. Casa Choi recently opened on April 3, 2019 and is located on 700 N LBJ Dr Ste 102B.”
Photos by Mason Thayer
You’re never drinking alone at Showdown! The Holy Trinity that is, Han Solo, Xena Warrior Princess and The infamous Dark Knight strike up stimulating conversation!
(Only after your 5th drink)
You’re never drinking alone at Showdown! The Holy Trinity that is, Han Solo, Xena Warrior Princess and The infamous Dark Knight strike up stimulating conversation!
(Only after your 5th drink)
Though out Showdown they have tons of photos of the glory days of SWT. If you ever wanted to get a glimpse of those simpler times while under the influence, you’ve come to the right place! 
Enrique Salazar, Pricilla Gomez and David Gomez not only love Showdown but also Texas State. GO BOBCATS 
Photos last a lifetime, but so does signing the walls of Showdown. Don’t be shy, grab a sharpie and be creative! (Keep profanity to a minimum) 
You officially become a regular when you join the stein club. Get your own stein, customize it and rejoice as an elite member of this prestigious club. 
Piper Doiron Is a Bartender at Showdown. She makes the best Bloody Mary this side of the Mississippi and all the regulars love her! 
Now we take a smooth transition to this new, sleek and trendy brewery, Hops & Grain 
Open style bar, roomy, clean and inviting 
Carlos Garcia is a long time fan of Hops & Grain turned bartender. He reccomends every beer they have!
modern questions require modern solutions. 
No matter what style you prefer, we could all use a drink. 
Photo gallery by Madeline Garbarz
Hops and Grain brewing opened in downtown San Marcos over Spring Break 2019. This is the second location, with the first in Austin being open for seven years now. 
Bethany Lebeau, DMI major and Hops and Grain bartender, says the brewery’s core values are what make them special. She says community development, quality innovation and sustainability are at the heart of the operation. 
To keep operations environmentally sustainable, Hops and Grain recaptures the Carbon Dioxide used in the brewing process and reuses it. This reduces waste and saves money. 
Many of the Hops and Grain employees are also Texas State students. 
Industry is a service industry-themed restaurant which opened September 2018. The restaurant and bar always gives 15% off to those in the service industry to say “thank you.” 
Bar manager Thor Shoemaker says Industry’s owners were in the service industry for over 20 years, which inspired the restaurant’s theme. “If anything, you have to try the boneless ribs,” Shoemaker says. “Best thing on the menu.” 
A waitress delivers a sandwich wrap in front of one of Industry’s many service-themed decorations. 
Although Cheer & Chow has been in San Marcos over two years, they relocated to a spot just off the square about four months ago. 
Manager Ted Calvin stands with a beer he describes as a “hibiscus saison.” Calvin says because the beer is pink, a portion of the proceeds will go towards breast cancer research. 
Calvin says Cheer & Chow is unique because there is “no target demographic; it’s an environment for locals or students to watch a movie, have a beer, or get food.”
