177. Staying Small in San Antonio: How Clementine Found Success Without Expansion

This week on bigcitysmalltown, we visit Clementine, a family-owned restaurant in Castle Hills that has quietly become a fixture for neighborhood dining and local sourcing in San Antonio. Bob Rivard sits down with Chef John Russ to discuss the realities of operating an ambitious independent restaurant outside of the city’s trendiest areas—and how decisions around location, size, and sustainability have shaped Clementine’s identity and resilience since opening in 2018.They discuss:• The challenges and opportunities of opening a restaurant in a modest strip center rather than downtown or at the Pearl• How the team navigated pandemic disruptions, staffing shortages, and ongoing economic uncertainty• The importance of local farms, ranches, and the broader food ecosystem that supports restaurants in South and Central Texas• The financial realities of restaurant ownership in San Antonio—and why the focus remains on community, staff, and family rather than rapid expansion• Reflections on evolving neighborhood dining, what keeps regulars coming back, and how Clementine builds connections with guests and growers alikeTune in for a grounded look at the work, risk, and local relationships behind one of San Antonio’s most respected neighborhood restaurants.RECOMMENDED NEXT LISTEN:▶️ #150. The Rise of Jamaican Food in San Antonio (ft. The Jerk Shack) – Explore how culinary identity shapes a city with Chef Nicola Blaque, San Antonio’s only Michelin-recognized Jamaican chef. Host Cory Ames joins Nicola to discuss her journey from military service to launching The Jerk Shack, the evolution of San Antonio’s dining scene, and building community through food.-- -- GET THE NEWSLETTER📰 If you enjoyed this conversation, sign up for Bob Rivard's Midweek — sharp takes on San Antonio's politics, culture, and civic life, delivered to your inbox every Wednesday. Independent, nonpartisan, and free to read.Subscribe here.-- -- CONNECT📸 Connect on Instagram🔗 Join us on LinkedIn🎥 Subscribe on YouTubeSPONSORS🙌 Support the show & see our sponsorsTHANK YOU⭐ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts⭐ Rate us on Spotify