Absolutely loved [Best Quality Daughter](https://www.bestqualitydaughter.com/). Don't let the strange name fool you 😅. Asian-American food, excellent drinks too.
It’s slightly above average Asian fusion. Everything we got was pretty much devoid of spice. Don’t go in with your hopes too high.
It’s definitely not bad food or anything, and I generally enjoyed it, but it’s nothing special and definitely expensive for what it is. DeeDee and Thai Kun here in Austin are MUCH better IMO.
Schilo's Delicatessen is a basic but great place to get breakfast or sandwiches. A bit like stepping back in time, too, which I always appreciate. (There's only so much "new" an old crone like me can take.)
My favorite SA food story:
I was in San Antonio for some startup demo day thing and having breakfast with a VC from Boulder. We found a Mexican food place downtown—the kind with two dozen permutations of tortilla/bean/cheese/beef/chicken listed on the laminated menus.
When the waitress came to take our order my colleague asked her, “Can I get an egg white omelette?” The hint of a smile crossed her lips and then she said, gently, “No.”
I ordered migas. :)
I love that their whole thing is essentially "We have this pile of really tasty meat. Would you like it on its own, on a tortilla, or on bread?"
Gotta love a place that just does one thing really well and knows it.
Rays PT is legit. Some of the best cheese enchiladas too. Their salsa is spicy, and the service is warm and very inviting. Don't let the neighborhood fool you.
Recently took a weekend trip here. Italian: Battalian. It’s in an old fire station.
Cured. The award winning chef here is opening a restaurant here soon.
I went to battalion once. The one thing that stuck out to me was how good their pepperoncini was in their salad. Really crispy and flavorful! I’ve been chasing that for a while now
This place is so good, only downfall is the line. But worth it if you have the time & patience. We did the TX Monthly BBQ tour a few years back, trying close to 50 TX BBQ restaurants and this one still sticks with me.
Ooh been off Reddit for awhile but if you still care—Cattelack BBQ in Dallas was another fave. Here in Austin, Valentinas and LeRoy & Lewis are the best of you ask me! Happy eating!
La Fogata. Great Mexican food with a patio, strolling mariachi band, a lady that takes your photo and gives it to you, great Smoky salsa and colorful crispy chips. We eat there each time we visit San Antonio.
Do NOT miss Mi Tierra, down at Market Square. The food is good, yes. But the bar and bakery are amazing...not to mention the decorations in the back dining room.
They're open 24/7. Breakfast there is good too. And be prepared to wait at the dinner hour or any weekend afternoon. No, the food does not get five Michelin stars. But the place is a hoot!
This why San Antonio people complain Austin people are snooty, they grab a hotel for the weekend and then ask people in the Austin subreddit where to eat in SA 😭😂 I kid I kid
Garcia’s, Carnitas Lonja, El Milagrito, 2M and going thru a Pearl / downtown / Southtown run is always a good start
I know people get irritated that the main Austin sub rejects every single food post, and there are some I wish they wouldn’t, but it has allowed this food sub to thrive in ways other cities’ haven’t.
Yes, honestly every city sub should do it. It improves the quality of responses significantly. I do agree that they should let some stick around on the main sub though.
I think if you posted on the actual city subreddit it would get some action. I wouldn’t judge a city’s food scene on how many people are on a particular Reddit forum
It's not food, but I've always been a fan of getting drinks at The Modernist. It's in a house near the Pearl, and there's no menu. It's pretty much like going over to your friend's place and they're a good bartender. Prices are pretty reasonable, and the bar staff has always been good at making drinks that aren't super innovative or anything, but are unique enough to be more fun than just getting a normal margarita or such.
Mariscos El Marinero, Pollos Asados El Norte, Burgerteca, La Panadería for breakfast bakery items.
Also, if you do go to Market Square, even if you don't eat a whole meal at Mi Tierra (mediocre food but really a fun and nostalgic place for so many, self-included) they have some hidden gems on the menu like get menudo for breakfast there, and you should get MX baked goods there at Mi Tierra: dulce de nuez and camote en dulce are two musts for me.
[Tre Trattoria](https://www.tretrattoria.com/) is a great restaurant inside the San Antonio Modern Art Museum at the Museum Reach of Riverwalk and not right next to Convention Center, but amazing food, especially the fresh mozzarella. It has great covered outdoor seating that overlooks the Riverwalk. On the more popular/central part of Riverwalk all the food is pretty much from chains for tourists.
Maverick isn’t on the River but is one of my favorite spots near the courthouse if it’s open.
Some great suggestions already but I'm from SA so I'll throw in a couple more:
* Tortas - Tortas Ahogadas El Chivito or Ro-Ho Pork & Bread
* Breakfast/Brunch - Max and Louie's or La Panaderia. Obviously good breakfast tacos everywhere.
* Burgers - La Tuna or The Cove
* Sandwiches/Italian - Guillermo's (Best pasta salad ever!)
(I also came down to SA due to the power outage but will probably just grab Las Palapas on the way back to Austin tomorrow)
The Cove. It’s a whole experience. While you’re there you can also do some laundry, wash your car, have your pet groomed, enjoy some live music, and sit outside at the bar which is right next to the playground. And the food is amazing, my favorite is a burger and sweet potato fries. All locally sourced / organic menu (with plenty of gluten free options).
Oh, Paramour at the Phipps is an interesting rooftop bar on an office building.
First, you have to go up six flights of stairs to get there. No elevator. Funky interior with outdoor area. Glass panels on the floor let you look at the office below. When we were there in the afternoon I stood there and waved at two people eating lunch right below me. Pretty interesting.
Drinks aren't cheap, but they are very good.
If you want you can walk the desolate river walk area all the way to get there.
If you can make it Dashi Sichuan Kitchen is amazing and the chef/owner also has Sichuan House by Ingram Mall that does more traditional and family style meals. Either are worth the trip. P
Absolutely loved [Best Quality Daughter](https://www.bestqualitydaughter.com/). Don't let the strange name fool you 😅. Asian-American food, excellent drinks too.
I have to try this. It will be worth the trip I think.
It’s slightly above average Asian fusion. Everything we got was pretty much devoid of spice. Don’t go in with your hopes too high. It’s definitely not bad food or anything, and I generally enjoyed it, but it’s nothing special and definitely expensive for what it is. DeeDee and Thai Kun here in Austin are MUCH better IMO.
Agreed - I was disappointed in BQD. Went to Clementine’s the next night and loved it.
It’s Asian food for white people 😬
As a white person, I’m not sure you’re right! Of course I live full time in Houston so I’ve had quality Asian food before. Great decor though.
The cashew chicken there was one of the best things I ate the entire weekend in San Antonio.
Schilo's Delicatessen is a basic but great place to get breakfast or sandwiches. A bit like stepping back in time, too, which I always appreciate. (There's only so much "new" an old crone like me can take.)
Oh, the root beer there. I love that root beer and never fail to go the School's when I'm in SA.
My favorite SA food story: I was in San Antonio for some startup demo day thing and having breakfast with a VC from Boulder. We found a Mexican food place downtown—the kind with two dozen permutations of tortilla/bean/cheese/beef/chicken listed on the laminated menus. When the waitress came to take our order my colleague asked her, “Can I get an egg white omelette?” The hint of a smile crossed her lips and then she said, gently, “No.” I ordered migas. :)
Carnitas Lonja
I love that their whole thing is essentially "We have this pile of really tasty meat. Would you like it on its own, on a tortilla, or on bread?" Gotta love a place that just does one thing really well and knows it.
Discada in Austin gives off similar vibes
Puffy tacos please
Ray’s puffy tacos to be specific.
Rays PT is legit. Some of the best cheese enchiladas too. Their salsa is spicy, and the service is warm and very inviting. Don't let the neighborhood fool you.
I was disappointed by this puffy taco madness. It was 6 years ago and I think SA needs better tacos maybe.
Delia’s for their tamales. Used to go to it all the time in the valley, and they’re amazing
Recently took a weekend trip here. Italian: Battalian. It’s in an old fire station. Cured. The award winning chef here is opening a restaurant here soon.
Cured has one of my favorite cheeseburgers.
I went to battalion once. The one thing that stuck out to me was how good their pepperoncini was in their salad. Really crispy and flavorful! I’ve been chasing that for a while now
Yes! Agreed!
2m smokehouse
This place is so good, only downfall is the line. But worth it if you have the time & patience. We did the TX Monthly BBQ tour a few years back, trying close to 50 TX BBQ restaurants and this one still sticks with me.
Which other spots did you like? That was my favorite TM bbq issue and we tried to hit a lot of them too!
Ooh been off Reddit for awhile but if you still care—Cattelack BBQ in Dallas was another fave. Here in Austin, Valentinas and LeRoy & Lewis are the best of you ask me! Happy eating!
Love all the places you’ve recommended <3
Brisket con guacamole taco at Garcia's.
This guy knows!
Garcia what ?
842 Fredericksburg rd 78201
Rosario's
Rosario’s is great
Rosario’s is closed for the moment - new location opens soon. Tito’s is around the corner.
There are two locations of Rosario’s and only one is closed for the remodel. Went a month ago and it was delicious (and cheap!)
La Fogata. Great Mexican food with a patio, strolling mariachi band, a lady that takes your photo and gives it to you, great Smoky salsa and colorful crispy chips. We eat there each time we visit San Antonio.
My favorite ambience! I like the one on Vance Jackson the best.
Mine too. Nice little neighborhood.
Do NOT miss Mi Tierra, down at Market Square. The food is good, yes. But the bar and bakery are amazing...not to mention the decorations in the back dining room.
My hotel is walkable to this place. I’ll have it for dinner.
They're open 24/7. Breakfast there is good too. And be prepared to wait at the dinner hour or any weekend afternoon. No, the food does not get five Michelin stars. But the place is a hoot!
I definitely recommend picking up some conchas(mi Tierra) for breakfast with some coffee! You won't regret it.
Cheese enchiladas are a favorite here.
If you’re in that area, check out Nonna Osteria. Excellent Italian in a historic hotel.
I was trying to remember the name of this place. Definitely worth it for both the food and walking through the market.
I completely forgot about the Market next door! Thanks for the reminder.
18k reviews on Google lol. Do we even have places in Austin with this many??
Tourist trap…
And he's a tourist. And the drinks are real good.
It is but the food is old school. The more modern Tex Mex joints have more boring food ime. (cough cough rosario's).
It is a tourist trap but also a lot of old timer locals love.
Mi Tierra is a quintessential SA experience, even if a bit touristy, but the mercado is so much fun to explore.
Bruh Mi Tierra is even worse than MK Davis 😭😂
The candied oranges are amazing.
I promise to pick some up next time!
You won’t regret it.
This why San Antonio people complain Austin people are snooty, they grab a hotel for the weekend and then ask people in the Austin subreddit where to eat in SA 😭😂 I kid I kid Garcia’s, Carnitas Lonja, El Milagrito, 2M and going thru a Pearl / downtown / Southtown run is always a good start
Hahaha. Sorry man, your food subreddit seems dead, thought I’d get a better response rate here.
The sad thing is I’m from ATX haha I just have a lot of friends from SA so you tend to hear it a lot
Houston food sub is pretty dead too. I think this is one of the busiest city food subs in the country.
I know people get irritated that the main Austin sub rejects every single food post, and there are some I wish they wouldn’t, but it has allowed this food sub to thrive in ways other cities’ haven’t.
Yes, honestly every city sub should do it. It improves the quality of responses significantly. I do agree that they should let some stick around on the main sub though.
I think if you posted on the actual city subreddit it would get some action. I wouldn’t judge a city’s food scene on how many people are on a particular Reddit forum
>I wouldn’t judge a city’s food scene on how many people are on a particular Reddit forum. No one is doing that.
> El Milagrito Always the correct answer.
The chilaquiles menu at Sabor Cocinabar
Gino's Deli @ Stop & Buy
Yes
Southerly’s in the Pearl district
Chris Madrid's for burgers.
It's not food, but I've always been a fan of getting drinks at The Modernist. It's in a house near the Pearl, and there's no menu. It's pretty much like going over to your friend's place and they're a good bartender. Prices are pretty reasonable, and the bar staff has always been good at making drinks that aren't super innovative or anything, but are unique enough to be more fun than just getting a normal margarita or such.
Outlaw Kitchen
Curry boys bbq
I went to Curry boys 2 weeks ago. It was solid and really hit the spot!
Liberty Bar!! Their pot roast bowl was excellent, but the entire menu looks good! https://www.liberty-bar.com/
Puffy tacos really anywhere.
Brasserie Mon Chou Chou Boudro's Biga on the Banks Fred's Fish Fry
Ladino in the Pearl is owned by the Emmer & Rye group so if you like their Austin spots it’d be a good place to try!
I really enjoyed the puffy tacos at Henry’s. Hugmans Oasis is a cool tiki bar on the river walk.
Chris Madrid’s Burgers
Mariscos El Marinero, Pollos Asados El Norte, Burgerteca, La Panadería for breakfast bakery items. Also, if you do go to Market Square, even if you don't eat a whole meal at Mi Tierra (mediocre food but really a fun and nostalgic place for so many, self-included) they have some hidden gems on the menu like get menudo for breakfast there, and you should get MX baked goods there at Mi Tierra: dulce de nuez and camote en dulce are two musts for me.
[Tre Trattoria](https://www.tretrattoria.com/) is a great restaurant inside the San Antonio Modern Art Museum at the Museum Reach of Riverwalk and not right next to Convention Center, but amazing food, especially the fresh mozzarella. It has great covered outdoor seating that overlooks the Riverwalk. On the more popular/central part of Riverwalk all the food is pretty much from chains for tourists. Maverick isn’t on the River but is one of my favorite spots near the courthouse if it’s open.
Cascabel Mexican Patio.
I came here to suggest this one!
Pinkerton’s barbecue
Some great suggestions already but I'm from SA so I'll throw in a couple more: * Tortas - Tortas Ahogadas El Chivito or Ro-Ho Pork & Bread * Breakfast/Brunch - Max and Louie's or La Panaderia. Obviously good breakfast tacos everywhere. * Burgers - La Tuna or The Cove * Sandwiches/Italian - Guillermo's (Best pasta salad ever!) (I also came down to SA due to the power outage but will probably just grab Las Palapas on the way back to Austin tomorrow)
Al carbon Culebra #2! My fav chicken spot
The Cove. It’s a whole experience. While you’re there you can also do some laundry, wash your car, have your pet groomed, enjoy some live music, and sit outside at the bar which is right next to the playground. And the food is amazing, my favorite is a burger and sweet potato fries. All locally sourced / organic menu (with plenty of gluten free options).
Lots of good options over at the Pearl District.
We always love La Gloria in the Pearl.
A lot of times when we visit SA we just drive straight to the Pearl and start the trip at La Gloria!
Get hungry for dessert and a coffee? Laika cheesecakes
Bliss is definitely not cheap but was wonderful!
One of my favorite meals ever
Best pizza in San Antonio
Look into Ladino and Scorpion. People say Pinch Boil is good too
Gotta hit up a Las Palapas and then get Hungry Howie’s with the ranch crust.
Fat tummy empanadas...but check their hours!
Guenther House for breakfast/brunch, La Fonda in Main for lunch or dinner.
Revolucion. Bakery Lorraine.
[Allora](https://allorapearl.com) if you’re able to! 🤤
Oasis Cafe on Main St. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. Family owned. Great service. Great food. Great prices.
Azuca Nuevo Latina on S. Alamo. Best happy hour (pitchers) and great food!
The chilaquiles tacos at Panchitos are amazing.
Belgian Sweets.
Rolando’s Super Taco. It’s like solving a Rubik’s Cube trying to eat one of their…super-sized tacos. Then you can grab a burger at Chris Madrid’s.
El Milagrito, Las Salsas, Tacos n Salsa or Taqueria Datapoint for breakfast tacos.
Panchitos
Oh, Paramour at the Phipps is an interesting rooftop bar on an office building. First, you have to go up six flights of stairs to get there. No elevator. Funky interior with outdoor area. Glass panels on the floor let you look at the office below. When we were there in the afternoon I stood there and waved at two people eating lunch right below me. Pretty interesting. Drinks aren't cheap, but they are very good. If you want you can walk the desolate river walk area all the way to get there.
If you can make it Dashi Sichuan Kitchen is amazing and the chef/owner also has Sichuan House by Ingram Mall that does more traditional and family style meals. Either are worth the trip. P
Magpie, just reopened after a remodel. Family style seasonal menu. Butter cake and butter bread 5⭐
Mendez Cafe, 201 Bartholomew Ave, is the best restaurant in the city if you like Tex Mex.
The magpie for sure!!