San Antonio’s 2M Smokehouse plans airport outpost in 2026, expanding its Texas barbecue footprint
A second San Antonio location is planned inside Terminal B at San Antonio International Airport
2M Smokehouse, the Southeast Side barbecue restaurant that opened in December 2016, is preparing to expand with a new outpost at San Antonio International Airport, marking one of its highest-profile moves to date. Project filings describe a roughly $450,000 buildout to convert a 639-square-foot space into a full-service barbecue operation in Terminal B at 9800 Airport Blvd.
Construction is scheduled to begin Feb. 16, 2026, with a projected completion date of June 16, 2026. The timeline aligns with the airport’s broader effort to refresh Terminal B concessions ahead of expected summer 2026 openings.
How the airport deal fits into the city’s concession plans
The Terminal B lineup approved for the next contract term includes 2M Smokehouse alongside other concepts slated for the same concourse. The airport’s food-and-beverage plan for Terminal B has been presented as a multi-tenant package intended to broaden local representation in the terminal and refresh offerings for travelers.
For 2M, the airport location would bring its barbecue to a high-volume setting that differs sharply from its original model, which has been built around limited service days, frequent sell-outs, and a destination-style customer base traveling to the restaurant’s WW White Road address.
Why this expansion matters for San Antonio’s barbecue market
Airport placements can function as brand accelerators for local restaurants, providing exposure to visitors and business travelers while also testing whether the operation can maintain consistency outside its flagship setting. For barbecue, that challenge often includes managing smoke, holding times, and peak-period throughput while meeting airport security and infrastructure constraints.
The move also comes as large-scale food operators and local favorites compete for space within San Antonio International Airport, which has been rolling out additional restaurants and retail concepts tied to long-term terminal upgrades.
Recognition and track record
2M Smokehouse has been recognized in major statewide and national barbecue conversations in recent years, including placement in Texas Monthly’s rankings and recognition connected to the Michelin Guide’s Texas coverage. The pitmaster behind the concept, Esaul Ramos Jr., has also received major-industry attention through the James Beard Awards’ nomination process.
Location: Terminal B, San Antonio International Airport (9800 Airport Blvd.)
Project size: 639 square feet
Estimated cost: about $450,000
Projected schedule: Feb. 16, 2026 start; June 16, 2026 completion
The airport outpost is positioned as a significant step in scaling a San Antonio barbecue brand into a broader, travel-driven marketplace while remaining rooted in the city’s local food identity.
If delivered on schedule, the Terminal B opening would represent 2M’s latest foothold in Texas expansion—one built not on a new standalone dining room, but on a gateway location that places the brand in front of millions of passengers a year.