Am leaving (w/husband) for San Antonio Texas on Friday morning. We will spend Memorial day weekend and the following week there.

Am looking for suggestions for resturants from anyone who has been there recently. Like all types of food. Also am looking for favorite things to do besides the Alamo even if it is a day trip somewhere.

Thanks.

Karen,

We just got back from a trip to San Antonio/Austin a few weeks back.

Besides the Alamo, there's the nearby riverwalk filled with restaurants. Also, visit the Mercado, a large Mexican market.

On our way back to Austin we toured the hill country and went to the town of Gruene (prounouced green) and another one further north (can't remember the name right off). Very beautiful countryside to drive around.

Thanks Carolyn.

Did you have a favorite restaurant in SA?

Anyone else have any suggestions?

Even as an adult I loved Sea World.

You might like Fredericksburg-- German town with neat restaurants and great antique and unique gift stores.

New Braunfels just down the road from Gruene is a German town also. New Braunfels Smoke House has good food and all kinds of meats to buy. They do a major mail order business from there.

If you like waterparks, the Schlitterbahn in N.B. has been voted as one of the best in the world.

The Guadalupe River in N.B, area is Texans' favorite river to tube--very pretty.

San Marcos has a large outlet mall.

Austin is a neat town to visit--about an hour away. You will go through New Braunfels and San Marcos to get there.

We were only there for the day. The only meal we had was lunch at a Mexican Restaurant on the Riverwalk, I can't remember the name, and the food was mediocre as well.

Sorry, hopefully someone else can help. You might want to check chowhounds.com for recommendations.

Seems as though not too many people have info on SA.

Thanks for the two responses.

I think we will go to Schlitterbaun because my husband is a waterpark nut. and we will definately go to Sea World.

Anyone?

here are some favorite restaurants from a san antonio resident:

downtown and river locations: boudro's on the river. la margarita or mi tierra for great mexican food in the mercado area. (mexican breafkast at mi tierra is esp fun and tasty.) sit outside one evening and watch the river boats and have a margarita and a chaupa copmuesta at the mexican manhattan. upscale but wonderful with great atmosphere: biga on the banks.

further afield: paesano's in alamo heights. (i don't think their location on the river is as good as this one.) i also like cappy's on broadway.

if you get up to new braunfels, have dinner at the huisache grille.

and there are some great films playing at the IMAX at the river center mall.

As far as restaurants, try doing a San Antonio search. I remember a similar question not too long ago. There were lots of replies. Maybe that's why people aren't replying again.

I agree that Mi Tierra is a good place to eat. Whatever you do, don't go to The County Line on the Riverwalk. We ate there last November and it was the worst meal we've had in a loooonnng time! And I love The County Line in Austin - just goes to show they ain't all the same.

Biga was awesome! Excellent food and service, but yes, it is epensive.

We go to Schlitterbahn at least 2 or 3 times every year. Just went last weekend. Memorial Day weekend is Very busy there, so if you can, I suggest going during the week. Tuesday might be one of the less crowded days. It's a BLAST.

Karen-
Budro's on the Riverwalk is a local treasure, consistently well reviewed nationally - be prepared for a wait, but it's worth it. They have a separate martini bar (Zinc, I believe it's called) on the street level where you can munch appetizers while you wait for a table. The lousy Mexican restaurant on the Riverwalk was probably Casa Rio - epitome of a tourist trap, avoid lke the plague. For really good Tex Mex on the river try the Old Original Mexican restaurant. Mi Tierra is OK but don't make a special trip.
If you want a nice little drive for a memorable meal, consider the Grey Moss Inn - out in the country, excellent food and service in a beautiful setting.
Biga's on the Banks is indeed great, a foodie's delight - trendy but well done, not cheap but a nice meal in a great setting right downtown. Another place for great food is Silo, located on Austin Highway just a couple miles from downtown. The neighborhood is not exactly charming (think strip mall ambience) but the food is nothing short of terrific. If you want something more French and formal, consider La Reve.
For world class Mexican soups try El Mirador close to downtown, or go to the nearby Rosario's for Tex-Mex gone trendy. (This is the place with legendary chocolate flan - word is that Martha Stewart took four back to her hotel!)
If you're in the market for a Sunday brunch the best in town is probably at La Mansion on the Riverwalk.
Enjoy!

Thank you everyone for your replies.

This really helps. I do realize that other people have asked similar questions and I have printed out those responses to take with us. I just want to have some updated input from residents or recent visitors because things change so quickly sometimes, I have found that you can not always rely on guide books.

In addition to resturaunt suggestions, I was looking for some input on things to do.

Again thanks to everyone.

Sorry Karen

I wasn't chastising you but thought you could get a lot of info. quicker and easier. Since it was pretty recent I felt like you could trust it.

Karen,

The San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau website has a lot of good info on things to do:

http://www.sanantoniocvb.com

Thanks, Don that is a good site.

In a nut shell, best places:
- the River Walk in downtown S.A., restaurants and atmoshpere to die for.
- Shlitterbaun in New Braunfels (you like water parks)
- tubing on the Guadelupe River, fantastic and not commercialized
- the Grist Mill restaurant near New Braunfels

TTT

I 2nd the Grist Mill in New Branfels. Especially if you are going to Schlitterbaun. Also we have floated the Comal River, which runs right beside Schlitterbaun. If you are looking for a relaxing day this is the way to do it. After you get past the chute and a little water fall it is pure relaxing time. We always rent our inner tubes at the Rockin R. Then they take you on a bus or van to the river (It is only a block away). Be sure to take your ice chest with drinks in them. We take ropes or bungee cords to connect our inner tubes together so you don't have to swim or hold on to each other. Also, if you go get the inner tubes with the bottom in them. Then you can really relax without having to hold yourself in. Sorry I'm a little winded about this. We go every year. Will be there in a few weeks!!!

Melissa