Talk about good timing. In the middle of San Antonio’s current heat wave, Pennsylvania-based Bruster’s Real Ice Cream celebrated the grand opening of its Far West Side location at 13762 Potranco Rd. on August 8.Although the chain has a few outposts in the Dallas and Houston suburbs, it mostly op erates east of the Mississippi River. The San Antonio store will be the franchise’s first foray into Central Texas.As with all its outposts, the Potranco Bruster’s makes all its ice cream in small batches on-site, instead of relying on a central commissary. The chain prides itself on its proprietary milk-based mix, which avoids excess ice crystals for a creamier texture, and its seasonal sourcing.The latter means that menus frequently change and can vary widely from location to location. In San Antonio, the current list includes frosty standards like chocolate and strawberry and playful flavors such as Southern Banana Puddin’ with Nilla wafers and Cotton Candy Explosion loaded with popping rock candy. All can be mixed with chocolate chunks, nuts, swirls, or other add-ins.Founder Bruce Reed got his start in the ice cream business while working at his parents’ diner, Jerry’s Curb Service. In 1989, he opened a Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream Yogurt shop next door to Jerry’s. Two years later, he dropped the franchise and switched over to the Bruster’s name.Since then, the brand has spread throughout the eastern United States with a handful of international franchises in Guyana and South Korea. Although many locations are co-branded with Nathan’s Famous, the San Antonio store is sadly sans glizzies.Following the ribbon-cutting, Alamo City's first Bruster’s is now open daily, 11 am-10 pm. ...read more read less