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Writer: Jasmina Wellinghoff
Photographer: Liz Garza Williams
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February 16
Earl Abel's famous pies... The restaurant is a San Antonio institution. The baker has been here for 50 years!

 

 

 

Earl Abel's head baker marks golden anniversary

 

 

 

Bray was a longtime employee of Earl Abel's

By Elaine Ayala
Obituary: Ella Mae Bray, who became as much of a fixture at Earl Abel's Restaurant as Curly, the bald maitre d' figure, died Thursday of complications after a fall.

 

 

 

Texas Highways Article - Thank God It's Pie Day!

 

 

Learn about Foodways Texas While Enjoying Earl Abel's Pie at the Pearl

By Bonnie Walker
Posted on 04 November 2010.
Tags: Earl Abel's, Earl Abel's pie, Foodways Texas, Pearl Brewery, Pearl Farmers Market, Tony Sanchez piemaker

 

Foodways Texas is a new organization with the mission of promoting, preserving and celebrating the diverse food cultures of Texas.

 

Earl Abel's pies, such as this lemon meringue, to be featured at the Pearl Saturday.

 

And what could be more Texas than pie?

 

You can sample some of Earl Abel's famous pies during the Pearl Farmers Market on Saturday. All 16 of the restaurant's award-winning pies will be on display, and samples will be available. In addition, Foodways Texas will be screening one of its first film projects. The short film features Tony Sanchez, baker and pie maker at Earl Abel's for 50 years.

 

The restaurant was a fixture for decades on the southeast corner of Broadway and Hildebrand. It is now at 1201 Austin Hwy. at the Terrell Plaza Shopping Center, under the ownership of Roger Arias.

 

The pie social and coffee begin at 10 a.m. and run until 1:20 p.m. in the Studio at the Full Goods Building at the Pearl, 200 E. Grayson St. The film will be shown at 10:30 a.m.

 

This is the time to learn about, and join, the new Foodways Texas.

 

 

Earl Abel's continues to evolve

By Miranda Koerner - Staff writer/North Central News
Web Posted: 04/08/2010 12:00 AM CDT

 

A favorite restaurant is like your grandmother's house. You never want it to change. And luckily for Earl Abel's fans, owner Roger Arias knows that all too well. Having originally opened in 1933 on Main Street, Earl Abel's gained a major following at the corner of Broadway and Hildebrand, where the diner and its large, art-deco neon sign became a virtual landmark from 1940 to 2006.

 

Under new ownership, Earl Abel's set up shop at 1201 Austin Highway whereas the longstanding diner was demolished to make way for a high-rise. "Earl Abel's is a city institution. We knew that coming in (and purchasing it from the Abel family four years ago), but we didn't know what responsibility that meant," Arias said. "People watch every day to make sure we maintain the San Antonio traditions. It's a San Antonio dining tradition. We're under a microscope."

 

Under the watchful eye of generations of customers and former owner Jerry Abel and his family, Arias has slowly been updating the Earl Abel's menu and look over the past four years. While all the old favorites are still on the menu, he has added trendier dishes such as bison burgers and sweet potato fries to attract younger customers and give long-term customers new options. "We're trying to give the customers the best we can provide for the best price," Arias said.

 

"We wanted to take Earl Abel's to a level that wouldn't frighten people into thinking we were changing it. We wanted to preserve what Earl Abel's is about but extend the menu to dishes we believed in and knew they would like."

 

And so far, it's paid off.

 

"I think it's great," customer Jane Correa said. "There's a greater variety. They're reaching out. Our family loves to come here and eat the favorites." "I love the fried chicken," customer Patty Fargerson said. "It's comfort food." So far, Arias has added local specialty chicken tortilla soup that he says challenges all the Mexican restaurants in town, a half-pound, ground in-house Angus burger inspired by Texas Monthly's "Best Burgers in Texas" feature, a Philly cheeesteak, his wife's chicken salad recipe on a croissant and spicy fried chicken, created by his son. "My son is an aspiring chef, and he came up with the spices and tested the blend," Arias said. "When (Jerry Abel) found out, he was very concerned. But after he tasted it, he thought it fit right in with Earl Abel's fried chicken. Now, you can get the traditional or spicy. Folks can't get enough of it."

 

Along with creating new recipes, Arias has been expanding healthy options on the menu as well. Downsized portions on petite plates are offered for all menus, including breakfast. Healthy salad vinaigrettes and wild salmon have been added as well.

 

Fresh produce and fresh fruit are standard, along with the highest quality of meat Arias can find, often at the Pearl Brewery farmers market. Yet, Arias has kept the prices the same, as he is sensitive to those affected by the economy and fixed incomes. "Customers appreciate we're looking out for their health," Arias said." Everyone thinks comfort food is fattening. If you use good foods with fresh ingredients, it's good for you. This food is better for you than using canned food with preservatives."

 

In addition, Arias expanded operational hours to 11 p.m. weekdays and midnight on weekends to keep alive the Earl Abel's tradition of late-night dining and began promoting the breakfast menu, hoping to draw in more young families. He also added sugar-free pies and two new seasonal pies - sweet potato pecan and key lime - to accompany the restaurant's legendary ice-box pies. "We're always looking on ways to carry on the Earl Abel traditions," Arias said. "(Earl Abel) always looked for ways to be different and unique. I never met the man, but I feel I know a lot about him."

 

Jerry Abel, former owner and son of Earl, agrees. "I think (the new additions) have added a lot of interest and change," Abel said. "It freshens it up. The basic format is still here. That's important because we've been around so long. During World War II, people transferred here and this is the first place they ate. There are so many memories here for a lot of people." Abel said those memories is what keeps Earl Abel's going. Most of the restaurant's staff has stayed the same. Some employees have worked for Earl Abel's for more than 50 years.

 

Arias and Abel each have had customers come up to them, relating memories of birthdays, anniversaries and even departed relatives who had a special place in their heart for the restaurant. "The last four months we owned the restaurant, my wife put out journals and people wrote their feelings and stories," Abel recalled. "I used to wonder what made us so special. It was amazing how many special moments and family traditions people had with us."

 

"But the most important part of Earl Abel's remains true to people's memories and growling stomachs," he added.

 

 

75TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION-MARCH 15, 2008

 

It was 75 years ago in 1933 that Earl Abel began his quest to establish one of the best restaurants in San Antonio. The new Earl Abel's is proud to be a part of that history and tradition that allows this institution to continue serving San Antonio. Any restaurant that has survived in the highly competitive restaurant industry for so many years must be doing something right. To celebrate this milestone, Earl Abel's is planning a year long schedule of fun-filled events that will allow all of San Antonio to participate.

 

During the week of March 10, 2008, Earl Abel's turned back the clock and took its customers to "days gone by" by offering one menu item per day at early 20th century prices. There were also antique cars on display, courtesy of our local antique car clubs in town. And to give back to the community that has supported it for 75 years, Earl Abel's donated a portion of selected days proceeds to the Make A Wish Foundation of South Texas.

 

Daily diners also received a complimentary dinner placemat, each with a different historical and never before seen or published Earl Abel's photograph. These will surely be collectors items in the future, as are other Earl Abel's memorabilia. An historical wall mural was also unveiled during the week highlighting these and other photographs provided by Jerry Abel, the former owner and son of Earl Abel.