Plan a Gastronomic Getaway to San Antonio’s Pullman Market
Learn how Pullman Market celebrates Texas farmers, ranchers, bakers and makers in this new culinary destination at the historic Pearl
A popular destination for a day trip adventure or an easy weekend away, San Antonio’s historic Pearl is a favorite for luxury accommodations, as well as culinary and cultural delights. Once the site of the Pearl Brewery, which was first established in 1883, Pearl’s transformation into today’s vibrant community hub is something to behold. The latest development at the ever-evolving Pearl invites guests to immerse themselves in a foodie field trip and a tasting tour of Texas at Pullman Market.
Opened in April 2024, Pullman Market is touted as the largest culinary market in the Southwest, offering a specialty grocery curation of Texas-based produce and goods from more than 200 vendors, along with a butcher, bakery, tortilleria, several restaurants and quick-bite eateries, coffee bar, ice cream shop, mezcal bar, impressive wine collection, plenty of grab-and-go food options, and many stylish and comfortable areas to sit and converse with friends. The list of Pullman Market offerings is lengthy, but at the heart of it all, you’ll find a celebration of Texas farmers, ranchers, fishermen, bakers, and makers.
This is From Texas; This is For Texas
Pullman Market is led with passion by CEO Kevin Fink, also the CEO of Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group, best known for renowned restaurants like Emmer & Rye, Hestia, Kalimotxo, Canje, and Ezov. Pullman Market offers the same commitment to this San Antonio concept as it does to these Austin restaurants — quality, sustainability, and support for local farmers and producers.
In chatting with Fink about the Pullman, his excitement and sincerity about the project is palpable. Fink’s vision is “to create a space that is supportive of local food and local produce in a way that celebrates its uniqueness,” and his eyes light up when chatting about the process of how the Pullman operates — using elements of the meat, fish, grains, produce across all facets of the market. The beef that starts at the butcher counter, for example, can be found in their burgers, but also in an Italian ragu, by way of lard in their tortillas, and in jars of bone broth. Additionally, even compost is taken from the Pullman to Trosi Farms, a regenerative organic farm in Elgin, to help grow tomatoes that will eventually make their way to the market.
“The whole vision for the market is so cool and circular. It’s really meant to be just an improvement on food systems and to have our entire operation vertically integrated,” adds Houston Eaves, Pullman’s Director of Bars. “We know that we’re sourcing excellent produce, but we’re also really supportive of farmers and fishermen and ranchers, and if there weren’t people purchasing from these smaller producers, it’d be really tricky for them to survive, so it really helps the entire community of Texas.”
A Re-Imagined Space for Community
When describing the initial interest in the development of Pullman Market, Pearl CEO Mesha Millsap notes, “I would say that part of the draw was Kevin’s passion. When he came to Pearl and started looking at different places to open this business, they went into the Samuels Glass building, and he just fell in love with the space.”
“It was a perfect marriage of his idea, things we already had in mind, and the sustainability that we can bring to that space,” adds Millsap.
The 40,000-square-foot market was designed by Texas architecture firms Clayton Korte and Burton Baldridge along with interior design firm Joel Mozersky Design, showcasing Pearl’s history by preserving the shell of the structure, while lightly touching the space with new updated elements.
The space at the Pullman invites you to linger, to relax, to gather and enjoy delicious, high-quality but approachable food.
“If I was going to think of things that we really drew inspiration from, it’s all those markets throughout Europe and Mexico that communities center around,” notes Fink. “That’s really what we’re trying to do in this space. We’re trying to be a place where you meet up with your family and friends every weekend.”
The Restaurants
In addition to the grocery items, goods and quick bites, the Pullman also features several restaurants on site. Fife & Farro specializes in handmade pasta and wood-fired pizzas. Mezquite highlights the cuisine of Sonora, Mexico, with a dedicated mezcal bar named Mezcaleria, offering buzzed-about beverages. At the time of our interview, two remaining restaurants were still forthcoming, Isidore and Nicosi. Isidore is designed for an elevated experience with a menu slated to change regularly in order to showcase the best ingredients of the season. Nicosi, created by celebrated Pastry Chef Tavel Bristol-Joseph, offers an intimate 20-seat dessert bar (and is now open).
The Quick Bites
One of TRIBEZA’s contributors recently dined her way through all of the quite-eats food menus to share her top picks on what to order. View the list of 5 Must-Have Menu Items at Pullman Market here!
Plan a visit
Plan a visit to Pullman Market at Pearl, and give yourself plenty of time to browse, sample, and really explore the many tastes of Texas while you’re there — knowing the motivation and drive behind this project comes with such enthusiasm.
“It’s fun for me when people from all over are so excited to come here and have this Texas experience because it’s one of the best places in the world,” shares Fink. “I’m so excited to empower that and continue to live that, and also show people who live here why we are so special.”
Find more info at pullmanmarket.com.
Where to stay on your visit to Pullman Market: Hotel Emma
Despite the fact that it was once a 19th-century brewhouse, Hotel Emma exudes the grandeur of an old castle — full of timeless sophistication, historic luxury, and a blend of the space’s industrial past with modern day elegance. There is nothing quite like the 146-room Hotel Emma in Central Texas, which is why it notably stands out as the lone AAA five-diamond hotel in the Lone Star State as well as Tripadvisor 2024 Travelers’ Choice #1 Luxury Hotel in the U.S. Upon arrival, you are met with charming Southern hospitality, including an invitation to enjoy a complimentary margarita in the hotel’s gorgeous two-story library. Don’t miss a dip in the rooftop pool by day or a post-dinner cocktail at the Sternewirth tavern and clubroom to wind down your evening.
The range of posh accommodations includes a variety of suites and rooms, some with terrace views, some overlooking the northern end of the San Antonio River Walk — all with the hotel’s signature mix of vintage and industrial style, coupled with a refined panache. Book your stay at thehotelemma.com.
More to do on your visit to Pullman Market: See at show at Stable Hall
Famously known for its live music scene, Austin has it all when it comes to top-notch performance venues, so when we were invited to check out this “new” live music venue in San Antonio, we weren’t initially clear why we’d be motivated to make the drive down Interstate 35 — until we stepped inside. “Ahhh, ohhh,” we marveled. “We get it now.” Stable Hall is truly as unique as they come.
Constructed in 1894 as the stable for the Pearl Brewery’s horses, the building is shaped as an oval with interesting and intricate Victorian brickwork. While the space has been used for various functions over the years, the latest reimagining of the building as a world-class music venue opened in January 2024, a perfect fit to engage The Pearl’s vibrant and growing community.
Austin-based architects Clayton Korte and interior design firm Joel Mozersky Design helped create an alluring atmosphere that honors the history of the building and features charming hand-painted murals and historic photographs adorning the walls.
Stable Hall evokes an old Texas dance hall, but with such modern amenities such as state-of-the-art acoustics and lighting design, along with a fabulously exquisite greenroom, all designed to woo not only concertgoers but top tier performers as well.
The venue is operated by Dallas-based entertainment company, WoodHouse, and WoodHouse Principal Brandt Wood shared his passion with us about this project, noting that it is “raising the bar,” and “adding to the radiance of re-introduction of Pearl 2.0.”
His passion for this project is quite apparent, and with more than three decades of experience in operating entertainment venues and music festivals, his exuberance piques our curiosity about what’s ahead for Stable Hall. A robust calendar of performances is on the horizon, with talks of festivals and more to come. Creative programming includes national and touring artists and regional musicians, and of course, shines a spotlight on San Antonio’s homegrown talent. Check out the calendar of events at www.stablehall.com.