SAN ANTONIO — A social media post from a local bar about "Edgar" haircuts earlier this month has sparked a huge response in the San Antonio community, including a new mural and at least one restaurant offering discounts to customers who sport the hairstyle.
El Camino SA cocktail bar in downtown San Antonio posted a meme on May 3 with the caption "Should we ban chili bowls/edgars?" with an image of someone with an Edgar hairstyle and a red line going through it.
The hairstyle is often associated with Latino culture and is popular in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.
After some local media coverage and backlash, the bar posted a defense of the meme, saying, "It was a joke yall. We only asked if we should ban the hair style. If you’re offended, find 1 article of a Latino with a mop top doing something good in the community."
Days later, artist and muralist Colton Valentine posted video on Instagram of his new mural, which depicts someone with an Edgar hair style, along with imagery connecting the hairstyle's roots with Indigenous people. The mural includes the text, "They not like us."
On his Instagram post, Valentine made his message clear with the caption, "Yall think it’s ok to judge folks by their haircut? Asking for a friend 👨🏽🎨 leme know what y’all think!"
The mural video sparked hundreds of comments from people in the community discussing the hairstyle. Among the comments was one from El Camino SA, which continued to criticize the Edgar hairstyle and people who wear it.
In the middle of the discussion, a San Antonio restaurant, Elotitos Corn Bar, decided to voice its support for those who wear the hairstyle by offering the "Edgar Special." The restaurant is allowing customers to choose three items for $9.