USA. HMSHost, part of Autogrill Group, has partnered with local Chef Johnny Hernandez to open a Tex-Mex themed restaurant called Super Bien at San Antonio International Airport (SAT) Terminal A.
From left: City of San Antonio Director of Airports Jesus Saenz; HMSHost EVP Business Development Derryl Benton; Chef Johnny Hernandez; San Antonio Airport System Chief Commercial Officer and Technology Assistant Director Jennifer Mills Pysher; and HMSHost VP Business Development Anthony Alessi.
It is the third restaurant HMSHost has opened at the Texas airport with Hernandez, following La Gloria and The Frutería in 2013.
HMSHost Vice President Business Development Anthony Alessi said: “We’re proud of our continued partnership with Chef Johnny Hernandez to bring the very best of San Antonio’s dining scene and culture to travellers from every corner of the globe.
“It’s been an exciting experience working alongside Chef Johnny and the airport to bring Super Bien to life.”
Artist Claudio Aguillon was invited to paint a mural for the restaurant to bring the flavours, flair and culture of San Antonio to travellers
Hernandez who is also Founder and President of Grupo La Gloria and True Flavors is renowned for his Mexican cuisine.
The menu at Super Bien includes tacos, burritos, and chicken fajitas as well as Hernandez’s signature crispy taco and vegan bowls and traditional carne guisada, a homemade beef stew with tortillas, rice and beans.
For drinks, it will serve coffee, brewed from beans grown in Vera Cruz, Mexico, and roasted locally, and a selection of Mexican beers, and frozen margaritas.
Hernandez said: “For years, I’ve wanted to open a place like this that brings back the flavours and memories of my own San Antonio childhood. These are foods I grew up cooking as a kid.
“My other SAT restaurants, and those I have in town including La Gloria and The Frutería, feature cuisine from the interior of Mexico, and locals love that concept.
“However, this is the first time I’ve let Tex-Mex traditions take centre stage. What better place than the airport to grab a great-tasting breakfast taco or crispy taco bowl to go, or to take a fruity, fresh agua fresca on the plane?
“The wonderful aroma of tortillas being made and the bubbling of the guisadas not only let visitors know that they’ve arrived in Texas, they also remind locals how good it is to be back home. I’m so pleased to be in partnership with HMSHost to bring true Tex-Mex fare to San Antonio International Airport.”
In keeping with Super Bien’s mission to bring the flavours, flair and culture of San Antonio to travellers, the restaurant features a mural painted by local artist Claudio Aguillon, a 33-year resident of San Antonio and native of Mexico.
The Day of the Dead-themed mural showcases a sugar skull, or calavera, a nod to Día de Los Muertos celebrations.
Aguillon has painted more than 30 murals in San Antonio. His work is included in the permanent collection at the University of Texas in San Antonio and displayed at all La Gloria restaurants.
On partnering with Hernandez and opening Super Bien, San Antonio Airport System Chief Commercial Officer and Technology Assistant Director Jennifer Mills Pysher said: “This concept is something we are thrilled to bring to our passengers and employees.
“Working with HMSHost and iconic Chef Johnny Hernandez, whose culinary skills are known around the globe, is the perfect partnership to showcase San Antonio’s flavour and culture to millions of travellers.”
Hernandez added: “It’s long been a mission of SAT, HMSHost, and mine to offer travellers quick, fresh, delicious, chef-driven, local fare the moment they land in San Antonio. Food in this UNESCO City of Gastronomy should always taste ‘Super Bien’ and it does.”