Houston Chef to Open Icy-Cool New Hangout in San Antonio’s Historic Pearl

Otto Koehler had some issues with infidelity, according to local lore. Legend has it that he had affairs with two women who had the same name as his wife, Emma. One of his mistresses reportedly fatally shot him, and his wife Emma took over the brewery, running it successfully through the Prohibition period and beyond. Goode and his team plan to play off of some of Otto’s history, offering cheeky cold drinks like Otto’s Last Shot, a refreshing play on a Holland Razor Blade made with mezcal, lemon, honey, habanero, and cayenne. There will also be micheladas, Damn Goode margaritas, honeysuckle frozen drinks, and more.

As for food, Otto’s will have a wood-fired rotisserie and grill to produce pollo asado and redfish on the half shell, but most of the menu will center on more around casual Texas-meets-pub fare, including street tacos, bratwurst on buns, Frito pies, nachos, and German soft pretzels.

Goode says that the bar will also play off the nostalgia and history of Texas icehouses, which were popular in South Texas before modern refrigeration. People would use houses or storage-like facilities filled with large blocks of ice, often insulated by sawdust, to preserve food and keep items from spoiling. People commonly stored and enjoyed cold beer inside, but fewer icehouses opened as modern refrigeration became a thing. Still, some survived as communal spaces where people could drink in company. Goode says he’s excited to grab that part of history, capturing the theme of an icehouse in the 1930s and 1940s and incorporating it at Otto’s. He’s been working to implement Texas beer memorabilia from the early days of pre-prohibition.

The icehouse will sit along the San Antonio River across from Hotel Emma, which was named for Emma Koehler. It will offer scenic views, including a century-plus-old oak tree that will shade a spacious backyard equipped with an outdoor bar and plenty of tables and seating.

Otto’s is Goode’s first foray into San Antonio. Goode tells Eater he’s been a longtime fan of the Pearl and its rich history, which dates back to the 1880s. “It’s something special in the sense that they’re there, and they want to be there for the next 100 years,” he says. “To be a part of that and join their offerings speaks to the unique aspects of a Texas icehouse that are very interesting to me. It was right up my alley.”

Otto’s is Goode’s third solo establishment, including live-fire restaurant Credence, which pays homage to Texas cuisine, and speakeasy Sidebar. Both opened in Houston’s Memorial City in 2024. Goode also oversees his family restaurant group, Goode Company, which operates nearly a dozen restaurants in the Houston area, including Goode Co. Barbecue and Goode Co. Kitchen and Cantina.