Hi, heading to San Antonio for the next week and wondering where the locals eat. Rather than trendy touristy places, I like the off the beaten track attractions and places to eat, any suggestions?

Give in to the touristy places just once - go to Mi Tierra's. Get the tortilla soup. Then load up on a bag of goodies at the bakery counter.

We were in SA as a tourist about one month ago (see my trip report on another thread). In SA we enjoyed the MadHatter, a funky place in the Prince William District. Went there on a Sunday for brunch.

Also loved Boudro's on the Riverwalk. If that is called "touristy", it still shouldn't be missed. A friend who lives in Austin said she drives down to SA just to eat at Boudro's. Don't miss the Glaucamole that is made from scratch at your table.

Didn't care too much for Mi Tierra's and its sister restaurant, La Margarita. In fact we didn't have any outstanding Mexican or Tex/Mex in Texas. Guess we picked the wrong places! Had good BBQ and other things at the Gristmill in Gruene--our favorite place in the Hill Country.

Check out my trip report for off the beaten track things in the area but not in SA itself.

Margo

Joan - besides the above suggestions, if you'll also do a search for "San Antonio" and/or include "Restaurants" you should get a lot of recent info.

Er, that would be the KING William district for the Madhatter restaurant, not PRINCE William.
Margo

We had tea and pastries at the Mad Hatter a little while back. It's a really cute place with good food and a great vibe. (We also had dinner at Boudro's, which was lovely -- being on the Riverwalk (i.e. touristy) only added to the very nice ambiance).

I'm local and love two places in downtown...Guenther House (open for breakfast and lunch only) and Rosario's.

Fabulous, and allegedly one of the best restaurants in the US, Le Reve, downtown. It is $$$$$ and reservations in advance. Bohanan's too for steak. Either of those will set you back at least $120pp.

Boudros can run hot...or cold! Consistency is not their forte. Used to like Pesca a lot, but it has changed since Omni bought the hotel, (Watermark) and no longer what it was. Still, for downtown, it is generally better than the rest.

Further out from town, both nice and both expensive but not as expensive as Le Reve or Bohanan, The Lodge and The Grey Moss Inn.

What do the locals think about La Hacienda de Los Barrios - the chef was challenged for a puff taco throwdown w/Bobby Flay? Just watched that episode recently.

yk, I've been there with some girlfriends. It was all right. The restaurant was beautiful and the margaritas were good, but I prefer Chuy's Texas Martini (tastes like a smooth margarita) or Rosario's food.

I am leaving in about 2 hours for the airport (out of Phila) and I want you to know you all gave me great tips! Hope I enjoy the trip as much as Margo. Will let you know when I return but thank you so much!

Joan

Hope you have fun Joan. Be prepared for HOT today (94) then back to the 80s for the rest of the week.

Hi Joan -
OO has covered most of my faves already. I'll add - for good Mexican/ Tex Mex try Paloma Blanca on Broadway. Picante Grill on Broadway, across from the Witte museum is also very good.
If you are up for tacos the way they are done in Mexico, try Taco Tote on IH-10 access road at Wurzbach. Definitely not upscale, but some of the most delicious Mexican (as opposed to Tex Mex) tacos you will eat, and the tortillas are freshly hand made, not just reheated.

If you are up from some Thai, Tong's Thai on Austin Highway is quite good. Across the street from it is Silo, the original foodie mecca in SA that continues to be good.
As for Hacienda Los Barrios - I have never been that impressed with either of the two Los Barrios locations - OK, but nothing to write home about and certainly not worth waiting in line in a city with scads of alternatives.

Alas, no recommendations on where to find good scrapple, and Tatsycakes are an unknown quantity hereabouts, dammit. ;-)

We will be in San Antonio in June and carless staying at the St Anthony. Will any of these places be accessible to us? Thanks.

From the St Anthony you can easily walk a couple blocks to the Riverwalk, though in June it is likely to be warm and muggy. Bohannon's is close by. King William is a good mile or so away, if you enjoy strolling you can get there, even along the Riverwalk. The other places mentioned (Paloma Boanca, Silo, Tong's, Picante) would require a cab ride.

If I was looking for outstanding Mexican and Tex-Mex (as you can see from my name there isn't any where I live) what would you recommend? Cabs are not a problem. TIA

Rosario's is best for Tex Mex downtown. I agree with Seamus on Hacienda do los Barrios by the way.

I routinely walk from the central Riverwalk area to King William, but then heat doesn't much bother me (after 9 years living in FL).

What a difference a day makes!! Our A/C is off again (turned it on for the first time this season yesterday) and windows open. I've got a light sweater on.

AGM - Agree with OO that Rosario's would be an excellent choice downtown. It can be a bit loud at peak times, but the chocolate flan more than compensates for the aural distraction. If you want something a little on the quieter side hop in a cab to Paloma Blanca for a white tablecloth Mexican meal. http://www.palomablanca.net
Or, try Picante Grill for a less posh but authentic and delicious meal - especially recommend the cochinita pibil http://www.sawhost.com/picantegrill/

OO - did you see that yesterday's 98F was a new record high temperature for the date? It was all I needed to rationalize the trouble and expense of keeping up pool.

I have a new bathing suit Seamus.

We broke down and turned on the AC around 5 PM yesterday...I hate AC and fight it as long as possible! Today is heavenly.

For a lovely, but intimate and casual experience, try the Carriage House Kitchen, located at the San Antonio Botanical Gardens. The restaurant is built out of the old carriage house, with the booths built into the former horse stalls. The atmosphere is upscale casual, with dark woods and white linens. My mother and I really enjoyed our lunch when we were there last Thanksgiving. The food and, especially, the service were excellent. Best of all, post meal you can wander through the lovely botanical gardens (separate entrance fee).

To get to the restaurant, take the #7 Sightseer bus, which runs along the main tourist drag (on the street where the Alamo is) and passes by a number of nice attractions, including the small but interesting San Antonio Museum of Art.