Loading...
-
$$ | |
For almost 90 years now, Earl Abel's has managed to stay as hip as ever thanks to their classic homestyle menu and loyal fans that have followed them to a new location in the Pearl. The top-notch comfort food is made fresh daily and includes everything you would hope to see on your family table: classic breakfasts, soups and salads, hearty sandwiches, Abel's famous meat loaf, house-roasted turkey breast with cornbread stuffing, chicken-fried steak, garlic fried rice, and much more, with homemade pie and cake for dessert. But the real star of the show is Earl's Famous Original Fried Chicken, available as an entrée or dinner box, or in a family meal package with two sides and two slices of pie. Earl's also serves classic cocktails, coffee cocktails, draft and bottled beers, wines, and mocktails.
1639 Broadway, San Antonio, Texas, 78215, USA
Known For
- Famous fried chicken
- Homestyle comfort food
- Cakes and pies for dessert
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
-
$ | Historic District |
You can't get too far in San Antonio without stumbling into a Tex-Mex restaurant, but when you need something that relays the authenticity of true Mexican cuisine, La Gloria is the place. Inspired by the street foods of Mexico, chef/owner Johnny Hernandez has created a vibrant taqueria-style restaurant celebrating the bold flavors and classic offerings you'd typically find with Mexican street vendors. Mini-tacos dorados verdes (crispy chicken in salsa) and torta loca de carnitas (a sandwich of braised pork) are top picks, but you can't go wrong with any of the selections from the fresh ceviche menu or with an order of quesadillas, tostadas, or enchiladas. Corn tortillas are made daily in-house from the restaurant's own non-GMO native crop in La Costa, Texas. Don't miss the daily selection of aguas frescas or their specialty cocktail, the Mangonada. They have at least six kinds of margaritas, or try the Sangria La Gloria: red wine, light rum, simple syrup, and lime and orange juices, with a fresh-fruit garnish. Tequilas, spirits, and beer round out the beverage menu.
100 E. Grayson St., San Antonio, Texas, 78215, USA
Known For
- Best Mexican street food in the city
- Colorful, lively setting
- Extensive cocktail menu
-
$ | Downtown |
This venerable and popular downtown institution has been serving up hearty German soul food for breakfast (served all day), lunch, and dinner since Mama and Papa Schilo established their first location in 1917. The delicatessen moved to its current spot on East Commerce Street in 1942; Schilo's even lays claim to being the oldest operating restaurant in San Antonio and nobody has challenged them for the title. Fuel up with their famous split-pea soup; Reuben, sausage, and deli sandwiches; or weekday lunch specials, such as chicken and dumplings or meat loaf. There are also plenty of German classics like schweineschnitzel (panfried pork loin) or wienerschnitzel (panfried veal). Wash it down with fantastic homemade root beer, and top off your meal with rich, creamy cheesecake or delectable apple strudel. They also offer draft beer and spiked root beer specials. To add to the cool history, the building was originally a bank; the old bank vault is now the restaurant's walk-in cooler. They don't take reservations for groups smaller than 20, so be prepared to wait a bit during peak breakfast and lunch times.
424 E. Commerce St., San Antonio, Texas, 78205, USA
Known For
- Long waits during peak hours
- Famous split-pea soup and hearty all-day breakfast
- Homemade root beer (including a spiked option)
-
$ | King William Historic District |
This popular restaurant is housed in a stately 1860 home built by the founder of Pioneer Flour Mills. Breakfast is served all day, and options like fluffy Pioneer Brand biscuits, breakfast tacos, Southern sweet cream waffles, and delectable pastries are half the reason to eat here. The other half is the 1920s art nouveau decor of stained, beveled, and etched glass along with plant motifs that create the illusion of a fine home's conservatory.
205 E. Guenther St., San Antonio, Texas, 78204, USA
Known For
- On-site store selling baking mixes and gift sets
- Freshly baked pastries and biscuits
- Beautiful historic setting with gorgeous decor
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No dinner
-
$$ | Alamo Heights |
Part of the Alamo Quarry Market shopping complex, this upscale spot may make you wonder whether you're going to dinner or a wine tasting. Well, why not have both? The selection of vintages is overwhelming, but the sommelier will help you make the right choices to pair with a small menu of entrées ranging from Stilton-stuffed chicken breast to a NY strip. This is also a great place to wind down from a day at the boutiques with dessert and a glass of port.
255 E. Basse Rd., San Antonio, Texas, 78209, USA
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
-
Recommended Fodor’s Video
-
-
$$ | Northwest |
A perennial favorite with locals, Alamo Cafe is far from the actual Alamo, but you'll still remember it for its fresh tortillas and no-frills approach to Mexican dishes. This is a good place to try fried jalapeño starters, sizzling fajitas, quesadillas, and puffy, soft, or crispy tacos. It has a very good drink menu with margaritas, sangria, and draft and bottled beer. Alamo Cafe is extremely family-friendly, with a generous kids' menu that includes a choice of drink with each meal and free refills.
14250 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio, Texas, 78232, USA
Known For
- Fajitas trio of beef, chicken, and shrimp
- Vegetarian and gluten-free options
- Family-friendly atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
-
$$$ | Northwest |
Enjoy authentic Italian cuisine at this upscale restaurant. The warm and inviting space features a wide menu of appetizers, entrée salads, pasta, seafood, poultry, beef, and chops; try the salmon Pavarotti, the quaglia all griglia (quail), or the brasato (braised boneless prime short ribs). Fresh, well-prepared dishes are paired with attentive service. A small patio allows you to dine alfresco.
22211 IH--10 W, San Antonio, Texas, 78257, USA
Known For
- Authentic northern Italian cuisine
- Nice happy hour
- Extensive wine list
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
-
$$ | King William Historic District |
If you want something different from San Antonio's usual Mexican or Tex-Mex offerings, venture south to find festive fare here hailing from the Caribbean, Spain, and South and Central America. Executive chef Rene Fernandez mixes up flavors and styles con pasion. Start with an appetizer sampler (five different apps) and move on to seed-crusted ahi tuna or meats basted with chimichurri, a tangy basil sauce. Tempting desserts include coconut flan, chocolate truffles made to order, and a dessert sampler with five of their house creations and homemade ice cream. Dance it all off with live salsa music and dancing Friday and Saturday. Reservations are recommended for weekend nights.
709 S. Alamo St., San Antonio, Texas, 78205, USA
Known For
- Authentic Latin cuisine
- Great bar selection
- Live music and dancing weekend nights
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No lunch
-
$ | Southside |
A continuation of a family-run Southside business since 1958, this version of B&B opened in 1984 and has a menu that goes beyond the usual barbecue fare. In addition to the typical brisket, smoked sausage, and pulled pork, they also offer burgers, club sandwiches, tacos, and a veggie chef salad that's fresh and flavorful. Choose from barbecue plates with multiple meats or pork rib plates with a half-rack or full-rack. Huge baked potatoes start with only butter and cheese, then you can add chicken, brisket, or turkey to top them. Among other tasty sides, the potato salad is a standout.
2619 Pleasanton Rd., San Antonio, Texas, 78221, USA
Known For
- BBQ brisket, sausage, turkey, and pork
- Friendly, efficient service
- Dine-in or drive-thru options
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
-
$ | Monte Vista Historic District |
Pick up fresh Mexican pastries from this long-standing neighborhood panaderia (bakery) in Monte Vista. They make all the traditional pan dulce plus novelty cakes and frosted cookies. Conchae are soft and fresh, while pumpkin empanadas are a favorite. The fastest sell-outs are the campechana flaky glazed pastry—they can sell through three batches in the morning alone. They also have fresh flour tortillas and a tiny produce display if you need a lemon or avocado. The line can get long on weekend mornings, so plan accordingly. They have another location at 2714 Hillcrest Drive.
803 W. Hildebrand Ave., San Antonio, Texas, 78212, USA
Known For
- Family-owned since 1961
- Long lines on weekend mornings
- Huge variety of pastries that often sell out
-
-
$$ | |
Here excellent Asian-American fusion is served in a delightful, vibrant setting within the historic Mueller House. Chefs/owners Jennifer Hwa Dobbertin and Quealy Watson create an innovative and regularly changing all-day menu, plus lunch specials, always with a unique blend of Asian-American and South Texas influences, plus touches of other cuisines. The menu is divided into Smallish, Family Style, Noodles and Rice, and Dessert. Plenty of vegan and vegetarian options are here, along with family-style chicken, seafood, and pork. The restaurant began life as a pop-up by Dobbertin with fellow chef Anne Ng and artist Jennifer Ling Datchuk, who curates a wonderful collection of art by Asian-American women and whose own art graces the host stand at the entrance. The restaurant name was inspired by a line in Amy Tan's book The Joy Luck Club.
602 Avenue A, San Antonio, Texas, 78215, USA
Known For
- Many vegan and vegetarian options
- Fusion menu that changes regularly
- Artwork by Asian-American women
-
$$$$ | Historic District |
Built within the 130-year-old renovated boiler house of the original Pearl Brewery, the Boiler House Texas Grill & Wine Garden is every bit as Texas-size in flavor as it is in its expansive two-level space. Sophisticated yet casual, it enjoys a loyal following, many of whom settle in at the long bar for signature and seasonal craft cocktails. Menu items include everything from chicken to pork to seafood, accompanied by a myriad of local ingredients sourced from nearby farmers' markets. But the specialty is steak, with local beef sourced from family ranches in Texas. Prime-grade steaks are grilled to perfection and served with chipotle compound butter. Add steak toppers like béarnaise sauce or bacon-wrapped quail. Outdoor patio dining is available.
312 Pearl Pkwy., San Antonio, Texas, 78215, USA
Known For
- Prime steaks
- Historic atmosphere
- Sourcing from local farms and markets
-
$$$ | Alamo Heights |
An Alamo Heights casual but upscale staple since 1977, Cappy's features exceptional menus of innovative dishes against a warm, two-level modern backdrop of brick architecture, tall windows, and pleasant outdoor seating. Well-prepared and presented dinner entrées include potato-crusted halibut, Wild Isles salmon with lobster mashed potatoes, and beef tenderloin with roasted fingerlings. They have an extensive wine list and craft cocktail menu, plus dozens of varieties of scotch and bourbon. Weekend brunch is a treat, with starters like jumbo lump blue crab cake and New Orleans gumbo. An ever-changing gallery of art showcases local artists.
5011 Broadway, San Antonio, Texas, 78209, USA
Known For
- Weekend brunch
- Extensive bar selection
- Consistently excellent food
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
-
$ | Alamo Heights |
For a smallish place, Cheesy Jane's has a surprisingly varied menu, with big burgers, milk shakes and malts, and nostalgic decor dominating this throwback to old-time malt shops. Flavors for shakes and malts—made with Cheesy Jane's ice cream—include plain vanilla, peppermint, Dreamsicle, chocolate peanut butter, amaretto-espresso, and more. Ground-chuck burgers come in different sizes, with variations like a deluxe bacon burger with applewood-smoked, sugar-cured bacon; a Wurst burger topped with Kiolbassa sausage; and a bean burger with refried beans, cheddar, and Fritos corn chips. Adventurous diners should definitely try the Spicy Splinters—battered and fried slivers of onion and jalapeño peppers.
4200 Broadway, San Antonio, Texas, 78209, USA
Known For
- Retro-style atmosphere
- Good menu selection of burgers and sandwiches
- Big shakes and malts
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
-
$$ | North |
Since 1975, this family-owned restaurant has been a favorite for innovative Mexican cuisine. It's tough to choose from the huge menu, with standout specials like mole enchiladas, tenderloin chipotle, and red snapper in a tequila sauce. It's also tough to choose between the beautiful, festive dining room and the garden-lush outdoor dining patio. Start out with the botano (sampler) platter to get a taste of all the flavors.
13421 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio, Texas, 78216, USA
Known For
- Popular lunch buffet
- Vegetarian-friendly items
- Huge food menu of Mexican classics
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
-
-
$$ | King William Historic District |
Nuevo Mexican and traditional Tex-Mex flavors collide at this family-owned restaurant, a much-loved King William–district mainstay since 1967. Owner Dona Marie's mole enchiladas shine here, with the extra-sweet but smoky sauce designed to be sopped up by homemade corn tortillas. Shrimp and fish play a major role, bringing new life to tacos, nachos, and chiles rellenos. And if you've never had a breakfast taco, this is the place to try one in any of almost a dozen ways. A full bar during dinner and an outdoor dining patio seal the deal on a quintessential San Antonio eating experience.
722 S. Saint Mary's St., San Antonio, Texas, 78205, USA
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
-
$$ | Northwest |
The open and airy spaces of La Fogata's rambling, hacienda-style indoor dining areas plus its lush, tropical outdoor patio put you in the mood for the menu of authentic Mexican dishes to come. A top-shelf, hand-shaken margarita helps you relax and enjoy an enormous selection of options ranging from chicken mole to a rich, flavorful calabacita con carne de puerco (pork stew with fresh squash and corn). The expected Mexican cornucopia of tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, and everything in between is kicked up a notch with made-on-the-premises tortillas. Reservations are highly recommended, especially for weekend dinner.
2427 Vance Jackson Rd., San Antonio, Texas, 78213, USA
Known For
- Homemade tortillas
- Extensive menu of traditional Mexican specialties
- Festive tropical atmosphere
-
$$ | North |
It may feel like you're walking into a centuries-old hacienda at this enormous outpost just outside Texas Loop 1604, but the tacos, nachos, and enchiladas have a modern twist. If you can't decide what to choose, hedge your bets by going for the enchilada assortment—five delectable takes served with refried beans and guacamole salad. Entrées include beef steak ranchero and El Mofofo Grill, a specialty combination of marinated beef and pork cooked on the grill for two people or more. Wednesday night is margarita night from 3 pm to close. With lots of space and outdoor dining, there's no doubt that this popular restaurant was built by a family business with families in mind.
18747 Redland Rd., San Antonio, Texas, 78259, USA
Known For
- Margarita night on Wednesday
- Family-friendly atmosphere
- Extensive homestyle Mexican menu
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
-
$$ | Downtown |
In the heart of Market Square, here you can sample Mexican fare or oysters or both while surrounded by Spanish tile and light music. Try the fajitas, enchiladas, or puffy tacos, seated inside or on the patio under colorful umbrellas with a great view of the square. If you want to try a bit of everything, go for the Fiesta San Antonio appetizer plate for yourself or to share with friends over a fantastic array of margaritas—it's what the restaurant is named for, and the moniker is justified. There's plenty of live entertainment, and mariachis will serenade your table upon request (and please do tip).
120 Produce Row, San Antonio, Texas, 78207, USA
Known For
- Excellent margaritas
- Sizzling fajitas
- Great atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. and Wed.
-
$ | Southside |
This is a popular old-school neighborhood Mexican bakery. Their pastry-laden cases contain Mexican pan dulce staples like conchas, empanadas, and campechanas, plus cupcakes, cookies, donuts, apple fritters, pink cake, and fresh bread. They also take orders for weddings, quinceneras, and other celebrations. They open at 6 am, and if you have favorites it's best to get there early, especially on weekends. Call with any questions, as they have no website or social media.
519 Pleasanton Rd., San Antonio, Texas, 78214, USA
Known For
- Big selection of Mexican pastries that sell out quickly
- Good value
- Neighborhood favorite