Thai Bird Will Open New Castle Hills Market Location

The Asian-inspired fried chicken restaurant is expanding to a second San Antonio site.

Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Bold vector editorial illustration of a piece of crispy fried chicken in a ceramic bowl, representing a new restaurant opening. — Thai Bird, a San Antonio-based restaurant known for its Asian-inspired fried chicken, is expanding with a second location in Castle Hills Market. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Thai Bird plans to open a new location in the Castle Hills Market shopping center. Owners David Gilbert and Kristin Alvarez aim to introduce their gluten-free Asian-inspired fried chicken to this new community.

Why it matters

The expansion follows the successful launch of the brand's first brick-and-mortar space in Alamo Heights, demonstrating growing consumer demand for the restaurant's niche menu. This second site will increase the brand's footprint within the San Antonio area.

The new restaurant will operate at 2211 NW Military Highway, Suite 121, following the 2025 opening of their first brick-and-mortar space at 6401 Broadway, Suite 1.

The players

David Gilbert

He is an owner of the Thai Bird restaurant brand.

Kristin Alvarez

She is an owner of the Thai Bird restaurant brand.

The details

Owners David Gilbert and Kristin Alvarez have secured a lease in the Castle Hills Market shopping center to house the upcoming second outpost. The menu will continue to focus on gluten-free Asian-inspired fried chicken.

The original Thai Bird outpost opened at Make Ready Market in 2023.
The first brick-and-mortar space opened in Alamo Heights in 2025.
The owners teased the new location to the Current in Spring 2026.

Market Landscape

This move follows a pattern set by the San Antonio food hall to brick-and-mortar restaurant expansion trend. Many local restaurateurs now use market-style incubators to prove concepts before committing to permanent commercial retail space.

Local residents in the Castle Hills area will gain access to the brand's signature gluten-free menu without needing to travel to Alamo Heights. The opening adds another dining option to the retail mix at Castle Hills Market.

The takeaway

Expanding from a food hall startup to multiple brick-and-mortar locations is a key growth milestone for independent restaurant owners. Customers looking for specific dietary options like gluten-free fried chicken should watch for upcoming service announcements.