Fatso's Sports Garden, closing after 30 years of Spurs games and fun in San Antonio

mySpy: Spurs fans at Fatso's (Xelina Flores-Chasnoff) mySpy: Spurs fans at Fatso's (Xelina Flores-Chasnoff) Image 1 of / 14 Caption Close Fatso's Sports Garden, closing after 30 years of Spurs games and fun in San Antonio 1 / 14 Back to Gallery

Fatso's Sports Garden, San Antonio's go-to spot for generations of Spurs games and volleyball competitions, will shut its doors on May 28 after nearly 30 years.

"It's one of the hardest decisions of my life," owner Steve Wilkinson told mySA.com on Wednesday, holding back tears. "I want to start a new chapter, running a business of this caliber takes a toll."

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San Antonians have packed the restaurant and bar, at 1704 Bandera Road, for its no-frills menu of wings and burgers, hometown atmosphere during Spurs games, sand volleyball tournaments and parties since 1987.

Wilkinson said his customers have been "shocked" and "devastated" by the news.

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Although the decision to call it quits is difficult, the owner said he is anticipating retirement, golfing and spending time with his wife after saying goodbye to the business which "began as a dream with one satellite dish and five parking places."

"Twenty nine years later; thousands of sand volleyball games, countless pounds of smoked briskets; 5 NBA Championships with the Spurs; NFL fans adorned in helmets and jerseys; a million wonderful customers will be put into the history book with Wilkinson family," Fatso's said on the business Facebook page.

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Wilkinson said a party will be hosted on Friday, May 27 for customers to give Fatso's a final hurrah.

"Thank you, San Antonio, for a wonderful 30 years," he said.

mmendoza@mysa.com

Twitter: @MaddySkye