Charles Barkley has a mouth that just won't quit. If you’ve watched a single episode of Inside the NBA over the last twenty years, you already know the drill. Ernie Johnson tries to keep things on track, Shaq starts wheezing like a broken accordion, and Kenny Smith just shakes his head while Barkley launches into another tirade.
But nothing—and I mean nothing—gets him going quite like the 210 area code.
The relationship between Charles Barkley in San Antonio is basically the longest-running soap opera in sports television. It’s a mix of genuine local outrage, hilarious late-night bits, and a surprising amount of churro-flavored diplomacy. Honestly, it’s hard to tell if he actually hates the place or if he just loves the reaction he gets when he pokes the bear.
Most people think it started with a single joke. It didn't. This thing has layers, and most of them are deep-fried.
The "Big Ol' Women" and the Great Churro Incident
The core of the beef is legendary. Barkley famously dubbed San Antonio the "gold mine for Weight Watchers." He didn't stop there. He went on national television and claimed that "Victoria is a secret" in the city because nobody could fit into the clothes.
It was brutal.
But then came the churros. During the 2014 playoffs, the bit reached its absolute peak. Barkley started miming how the women in San Antonio eat churros—double-fisting them, head back, just going to town. Shaq was literally falling out of his chair.
You’d think the city would have banned him for life. Instead, a funny thing happened.
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San Antonio leaned into it.
Local bakeries started sending boxes of churros to the TNT studios. Tim Duncan’s then-girlfriend, Vanessa Macias, wore a "Barkley Can’t See Me" shirt while sitting courtside, flanked by some of the most fit women in the city. It became a badge of honor. If Chuck wasn't making fun of you, did you even matter in the NBA landscape?
Is the River Walk Actually a "Dirty Creek"?
Barkley doesn't just go after the people; he goes after the real estate. Every time the Spurs make a deep playoff run, the TNT crew has to spend weeks in South Texas. And every time, Chuck complains about the River Walk.
He calls it a "dirty little creek."
"That ain't no river, that's a muddy creek. I wouldn't even fish in that thing." — Charles Barkley
The San Antonio River Authority actually got involved at one point, trying to explain the ecosystem of the river. They pointed out that it's 240 miles long and supports dozens of fish species. Barkley didn't care. To him, if it wasn't the Bellagio fountains, it was a puddle.
Interestingly, his tune changed a bit around 2017. He stayed at the Hotel Emma at the Pearl—a much cooler, more industrial-chic part of town—and he actually admitted he liked it. He told the world it was one of the best hotels he’d ever stayed in. Of course, he still managed to insult the "touristy" part of the river while doing it.
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That's just Chuck. He gives with one hand and takes away with a churro in the other.
Why Charles Barkley in San Antonio Actually Matters
Despite the insults, there is a weird, grudging respect here. Barkley played against the Spurs for nearly two decades. He hit the game-winner that closed down the old HemisFair Arena in 1993. He knows the Spurs are a class-act organization.
When Victor Wembanyama arrived, Barkley’s first question wasn't about his wingspan. It was about whether he’d tried a churro yet.
Basically, the feud is a giant "bit" that serves as a love letter to the city's unique culture. San Antonio isn't a generic, polished corporate hub like some other NBA cities. It has flavor. It has Big Red and barbacoa. It has a personality loud enough to trade punches with a Hall of Famer.
What most people get wrong about the apology
In 2017, Barkley finally "apologized." He sat on the air and said, "I wanna apologize to the women of San Antonio... I had churros last night. I see what all the excitement is about."
It wasn't a real apology for the insults. It was an admission that the food is just too good to stay mad at.
The Reality of the "Cancel Culture" Threat
A few years ago, things got a little tense. Reports surfaced that TNT executives were tired of the weight jokes. There was talk that Barkley was being told to tone it down.
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Barkley, being Barkley, went on a podcast and railed against the "censor police." He argued that if people can't take a joke about churros, the world has gone soft. For a minute, it looked like the San Antonio bits were dead.
They weren't.
During the 2025 Final Four in San Antonio, he was right back at it. He stood on a stage in front of thousands of residents and called it a "great city" before dropping the hammer with another "big ol' women" comment. He got booed, he laughed, and the cycle started all over again.
How to Handle the Barkley Effect
If you’re heading to San Antonio or you're a local still feeling the sting of the "Round Mound of Rebound," here is the play:
- Own the Food: Don't defend the calorie count. Just point out that our food tastes better than whatever they're eating in Phoenix (Chuck’s old stomping ground).
- Check the Rings: The ultimate San Antonio comeback is the hardware. The Spurs have five championships. Barkley has zero. That’s the "mic drop" that usually shuts him up for at least five minutes.
- Visit the Pearl: If you want to see the side of the city Barkley actually likes, skip the tourist traps and head to the Museum Reach.
The relationship between Charles Barkley in San Antonio is a reminder that sports are supposed to be fun. It’s not always about advanced analytics or trade exceptions. Sometimes, it’s just about a guy from Alabama making fun of a city in Texas because they have better pastries than he does.
Barkley is likely retiring from TV sooner rather than later. When he does, San Antonio will lose its favorite villain. And honestly? The River Walk might feel a little bit more like a creek without him there to complain about it.
The next time you’re near the Alamo, grab a churro for Chuck. Just make sure you don't double-fist them—unless you want to make the highlight reel.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch the 2014 "Churro Demonstration" on YouTube to see the peak of the madness.
- If you're visiting the city, head to Honchos The House of Churros to see if Barkley was right about the hype.
- Follow the Inside the NBA social feeds during Spurs games; the feud is far from over as long as Wemby is in town.