Sweet Cheeks baking Spurs spirit into every bite during culinary residency at Frost Bank Center

Bake shop on Callaghan Road selected for program this season

If you’re headed to a Spurs game this season and looking to get your sweet tooth fix, there’s a spot that is sweet and sure to bring a smile.

Sweet Cheeks Bake Shop is part of this year’s Spurs Culinary Residency program. Samantha Guia Villareal’s bakery, located in the 6900 block of Callaghan Road, was one of 12 small businesses picked for the program out of nearly 250 entrants.

“I wanted to highlight some of our popular items,” Guia Villareal said. Our signature sugar cookie is one of those things. We also have four large cookies, a mini cookie, a brownie and we do a chocolate cake and cake pop."

Samantha has one employee and operates out of a space with a single oven where she often fills orders for hundreds of cookies and other baked goods.

“I went to culinary school. I graduated in 2010 and was just doing the same job from the house. I’d work full time, come home, bake late at night, and about 2020 is when I took it full time,” said Guia Villareal.

This residency highlights local and minority-owned restaurants and has expanded to two locations this season.

“We are a recently certified small business, Latina owned. So, to get that out there it’s been amazing. It opens up a lot of opportunities,” Guia Villareal said.

When she was selected for the program, she wanted to create a cookie with a San Antonio icon that any Spurs fan, young or old, would enjoy.

“Everyone loves The Coyote; it’s so fun,” Guia Villareal said. “And this is our signature sugar cookie. This is what started the business. The s’mores cookie has been a fan favorite. We sold out during these past games.”

The name Sweet Cheeks is also a nod to her parents and children.

“My dad used to call me ‘catchetona’ growing up. So, my children have their mom’s cheeks when they were born. They were huge. We just would say like, ‘We love your sweet cheeks,’” Guia Villareal said.

Sweet Cheeks will be located throughout the season at the concession stands in the H-E-B Fan Zone.

It’s on a rotating schedule with the other eateries selected for the residency.

“We’re just really excited for the exposure. We hope to just continue to grow from here,” said Guia Villareal.


About the Authors
RJ Marquez headshot

RJ Marquez is the traffic anchor/reporter for KSAT’s Good Morning San Antonio. He also fills in as a news anchor and has covered stories from breaking news and Fiesta to Spurs championships and high school sports. RJ started at KSAT in 2010. He is proud to serve our viewers and be a part of the culture and community that makes San Antonio great.

Sal Salazar headshot

Sal Salazar is a photojournalist at KSAT 12. Before coming to KSAT in 1998, he worked at the Fox affiliate in San Antonio. Sal started off his career back in 1995 for the ABC Affiliate in Lubbock and has covered many high-profile news events since. In his free time, he enjoys spending time at home, gaming and loves traveling with his wife.

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