Recs for San Antonio , TX

Hi Gang
I will be heading to San Antonio in a couple weeks. I have never been and dont know a soul there. Would any of you have any recomendations while I am there? Of course I would want to try a BBQ beef brisket and track down the "puffy" tacos. But just about anything ranging from street food to italian or chinese will work. Am I pushing it to ask for a polish buffet? I know a lot of my lansmen ended up in the dallas area in the late 1800's. Are the steakhouses cheaper there because it is cattle country?
Thanks all, I will report back on what turns up
bob

I'm headed to San Antonio too at the end of July - would love some great recommendations!

I have only one recommendation, which is based on only one visit many years ago, but when I was there in the summer of 99, i stopped at a place called bob's smokehouse that had the best brisket I had ever had, slow smoked, flavorful meat, sliced thick to oreder with a knife, complete with a velvety strip of tallowy fat across the top and a splendid bbq sauce served out of electric tea kettles. Damn. My mouth waters just thinking about it.

http://sanantonio.citysearch.com/profil ... ialty_id=5

I just got back from a bbq pilgrimage to central texas. Unfortunately, none of the restaurants were in San Antone and I am not familiar with restaurants there (avoid the nasty river walk...).

Anyhow, for a bbq experience that is almost surreal, head over to Lockhart which is about 45 minutes North (towards Austin). There you have your pick of three of the best bbq restaurants in the world: Smitty's, Kreuz and Black's... These places close early (6pm or so, but I think Blacks's closes at 8pm) so plan accordingly.

Here is a link oddjob.econ.northwestern.edu/bbq.html

Also, try chowhound for san antonio places.
Enjoy!
Elie

It's been a while since I lived in (or visited) San Antonio. but two archetypical places are:

For Tex-Mex, Mi Tierra.

And for local BBQ, Rudy's.

Cheers,
Wade

I was in San Antonio a few years ago and had 3 wonderful dinners. Mi Tierra would also be my recommendation for great Tex-Mex.
We had a great dinner on a deck overlooking the riverwalk at our hotel (La Mansion del Rio) restaurant called Las Canarias. Nouvelle southwest cuisine on the pricey side. Another similar pricey restaurant where we dined extemely well was Biga on the Banks, also overlooking the riverwalk. Can't go wrong with any of these choices. I also recommend staying at the Mansion. Historic hotel with great location on the riverwalk.

http://www.biga.com/menus.html
http://www.lamansion.com/
http://www.mitierracafe.com/

Here's some pictures Scott took of the puffy tacos at Henry's:

http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?sho ... ntry629828

Be aware that the puffy tacos are more a curiosity than a truly delicious item (unless you're really into American-style tacos--i.e., loaded with lettuce, tomato, and cheese). But they're enough of a regional curiosity that they're worth doing, I think.

As for BBQ, I enthusiastically second the suggestion that you take advantage of your proximity to some of the greatest barbecue joints in the planet, even though none of them happen to be in San Antonio proper. It's as easy as taking I-10 east to Luling for City Market; then, from there, taking 287 north to Lockhart for Smitty's, Black's, and Kruez Market. If you don't mind a bit more of a drive, there are a number of other really good barbecue spots in the region that you could visit. But Lockhart really is the epicenter.

Good luck.

Scott
DallasFood.org

Scott,

Are these puffy tacos the same, a variant of or completely unrelated to the Indian Taco?

Regards,

extramsg wrote:Here's some pictures Scott took of the puffy tacos at Henry's:

http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?sho ... ntry629828

Wow,

Those tacos bring me back to my childhood in Sugarland, TX. There was/still is? a place called Los Tios. IIRC t was located at the intersection of Hwy 6 and Williams Trace Blvd (it's been 18 years). Tacos such as those were my first introduction to 'Mexican' food. On a simliar note, they also had a dish on the kids menu which consisted of to large puffed shells topped with chile con queso. Every meal was finished with a plate of pralines.

Thanks for the flashback,

Flip

I believe they're completely unrelated, Cathy. The puffy taco is made by deep-frying pressed masa without griddling it first. Indian tacos are made using frybread, if I remember correctly, which is more like a savory elephant ear made with wheat flour.

There is a degree to which puffy tacos are a curiosity, but they're a tasty one. I think the shells (which I've done at home) have a really nice texture to them. And I don't know why Scott is all of a sudden turning up his Texan nose at Tex-Mex taco fillings. I may have rubbed off too much on him.

Um . . . they're not "really" tacos, according to the strict definition, but they are delicious, with a wonderful combination of textures, and I tend toward the more liberal interpretations of dishes.

Hell, this born and bred Texas boy knows that Lebanese immigrants are credited with introducing the vertical roasters that blesses us with the tacos al pastor that we know.

Henry's
815 Bandera Rd.
210 432 7341
11am-9pm Mon-Thu; 11am-10pm Fri-Sat

Back in 2000 when the Wildcats went down to the Alamobowl ( a very sad loss ), my friends and I ate all our meals on the Riverwalk b/c that was most convenient for us, and we didn't know any better. I was slowly becoming a young foodie at the time.

My date treated me to a romantic Italian restaurant, Paesano's. I ordered their signature dish, Shrimp Paesano w/lemon garlic butter pasta. I can't remember the exact details of how the shrimp was prepared, but it was delicious and one of the highlights I can remember.

Cathy2 wrote:Are these puffy tacos the same, a variant of or completely unrelated to the Indian Taco?

ExtraMSG said it. They're unrelated and very distinct in taste and texture.

Scott

I was in San Antonio on a work trip last year and there were a couple places I'd definitely recommend:

Earl Abel's
4210 Broadway
(210) 822-3358

Excellent pies and cakes at this diner-like restaurant. My co-worker and I were so wowed by our desserts at lunch (me custard pie; her German chocolate cake) that we returned after a fancy dinner for another dessert. It's a short drive from the hotels on the Riverwalk.

Rosario's Mexican Cafe Y Cantina
910 S Alamo St
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 223-1806

We also enjoyed Rosario's, which was a short walk from the Riverwalk. It's tex-mex in a lively atmosphere. The food was very good (spicy, which is what we were looking for) and it was a nice change from the touristy Riverwalk. There is also an outlet in the airport, which I regret trying while waiting for my flight home. It was not the same but, then again, I should have known better.

Enjoy your trip.

I am generally not a big fan of Tex Mex, but I will second, or third, the suggestion for Mi Tierra. I like it primarily for breakfast.

I disagree with the dismissal of the Riverwalk. I find it pretty enough, and a pleasant walk. There also are some decent places to eat, though they are generally not the places with decks on the river (which can be pleasant, but they are not there for good food). It certainly is a bit of a tourist trap and as tourist traps go, it is a pleasant one, based on a few weeks of visits over the years.

My memory of San Antonio will always be colored by my last visit, which was the night Selena was shot. Everyone was sobbing and moaning, and I was left asking who Selena was.

Last tip - avoid Landry's in all its forms (which includes Joe's Crab Shack). Godawful.

. . . how good food can rejuvenate and resurrect a fading memory (but, then, of course, Marcel Proust understood this).

An Independence Day late lunch at La Quebrada in Brighton Park (introducing the Lithuanian magicianess to her first pollo en mole and tostada de ceviche de pescado [her favorite]) made me recollect:

El Mirador
722 S. St. Mary’s St.
San Antonio, TX
210-225-9444
·  Mon 6:30am- 3pm
·  Tue-Thu 6:30am- 9pm
·  Fri-Sat 6:30am-10pm
·  Sun 9am- 3pm

Generations-old, family run, off-the-beaten tourist path. Notable for breakfast and lunch. Famed for Saturdays-only sopa de xocetl (chicken broth) and sopa de azteca (spicy tomato) soups. Nice cabrito, too. Expect a line for the Saturday soups.

Cheers,
Wade

A link for you. Some Texans who live here in Portland went and did some "research" before starting up a BBQ place here (great stuff, btw). This is the thread on eGullet that they did while they were on their trip. Not much on San Antonio area, but a little, plus places not far away, and just a fun read for anyone wanting to go to Texas for food:

http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?sho ... ntry561570

I'm so thrilled on the great recommendations... I'm going to print this thread and take it with me on my trip Definitely need to have both great mexican food and great bbq. I use to live in Birmingham, Alabama and I miss the bbq a ton.

Thanks all.

Scott--DFW wrote:As for BBQ, I enthusiastically second the suggestion that you take advantage of your proximity to some of the greatest barbecue joints in the planet, even though none of them happen to be in San Antonio proper. It's as easy as taking I-10 east to Luling for City Market; then, from there, taking 287 north to Lockhart for Smitty's, Black's, and Kruez Market.

DallasFood.org

I don't think I've agreed with anybody more wholeheartedly than this. When Trixiepea and I did our Central Texas tour together last winter, I kept saying that "we are now in the Mecca of BBQ". Being a BBQ fan and not going to Lockhart and Luling would be a major missed opportunity. It's impossible not to smile broadly when your amongst the giants.

I agree with all of the BBQ recommendations, but this expat Texan would humbly like to submit another suggestion for the Hill Country:
Louie Mueller's BBQ
Taylor, TX
I-35 north out of S.A., through Austin to Round Rock, then Highway 79 east to Taylor.

I died a little the day they stopped shipping their hot-link sausages due to draconian U.S.D.A requirements.

Well worth the trip (um . . . I'm thinking 2-1/2 hours one way, not counting a stop mid-way to Austin at the New Braunfels Smokehouse in New Braunfels for some bacon).

I will stop short of suggestions for Eastex (I'm driving there soon with a route that will take me past Mt. Zion Church's bbq stand).

Cheers,
Wade

waderoberts wrote:I agree with all of the BBQ recommendations, but this expat Texan would humbly like to submit another suggestion for the Hill Country:
Louie Mueller's BBQ
Taylor, TX
I-35 north out of S.A., through Austin to Round Rock, then Highway 79 east to Taylor.

I died a little the day they stopped shipping their hot-link sausages due to draconian U.S.D.A requirements.

So true. These sausages are amazing. I almost got eye-scorched from the wonderful juices shooting from the link. When you visit Louie Mueller's in Taylor, you also get the added pleasure of sensational ambiance. Classic. On my first LTH event (winter Scotch tasting), I had the fortune of meeting one of the Mikeska's, another legendary BBQ family in Taylor (right next door from Louie Mueller's) and environs. He admitted that when he is in Taylor, he prefers Mueller's! Kinda like meeting Babe Ruth's son. Great call.

Mueller's is definitely worth a visit, if you have time and stomach space. But, if you're going to head out that way, you also have to make a stop in Elgin for sausage at Southside Market.

Scott

hi everybody
I finally got home for the weekend and wanted to report in on my San Antonio trip. Unfortunately I arrived on a sunday afternoon and had to cut the trip short and leave tuesday morning so i didnt get out much at all. it rained the entire time and the streets where flooding, couple this with 14 hour days and I am sure you understand my reluctance to go out

But I did get to try 2 places in the area i was staying. They where both long time local chains. One is Bill Miller BBQ and the other is Grady's BBQ.

I ordered the same thing at both places, the BBQ beef brisket with sweet tea and sides of cole slaw and beans. Now I do not remember the last time, if ever, that I have had woodfire beef brisket so i really didnt have much to compare it to except my own bbq's of ribs, pork picnic, tenderloins, etc.

I tried Bill Miller the first night. The price was reasonable. I got 1/4 lb brisket, the order seemed light but that was ok. The beef was smoked over oak and did not have much of a ring or smoky taste at all. not as loose or tender as pork is at all. and except for the sauce just not a whole lot of flavor. The slaw was a nice rough cut and vinegary which is what i like. The beans where cooked right but the sauce was like water and they didnt have much flavor. I really was not impressed with the food but the service was friendly and very good.

The second night tried Grady's BBQ. One immediate difference I noted was the place was full and many people came in for take out. I got the same order except I got 1/2 pound of brisket. This brisket seemd to be hickory smoked and had a smoke ring a good 1/4" into it along with a nice char outside. The different wood did bring a lot more flavor out than Millers but the texture of the brisket was the same. I did enjoy this version much more and I could not finish more than 2/3 of the order. The slaw was a creamier vinegar style but pretty darn good. The beans had a nice homemade tasting sauce loaqded with odd bits of bacon. And the sweet tea topped it off. Apparently the folks down there are extremely loyal to the sweet tea here. If I had to pick betweeb these 2 Grady would hands down.

http://www.billmillerbbq.com/

http://www.gradysbbq.com/

I am heading to San Antonio as a gateway to the Rio Grande Valley (McAllen, Harlingen. Brownsville, etc.) in late October. I am very familiar with the RGV and I pretty much have most of the meals planned out. However, I have really had no luck in San Antonio other than the obligatory visit to Mi Tierra in the Market Square area.

Since I am heading south, I really do NOT want to head up to Luling and Lockhart for BBQ. While the food at the BBQ places was very good, four straight days of BBQ was about as close as I want to get to a heart attack.

I am looking for "off the beaten track regional restaurants, preferably NOT fine dining and reasonably priced. And the places will need to be casual as I do not plan to wear anything but shorts the entire trip.

jlawrence, anytime I'm heading down that way (I live in Austin), I make sure to print off 2 threads of some valuable info for taquerias and taco stands. Number 1 and Number 2.

There's plenty more info out there, but I haven't yet made my way through this great list to find the need to move on.

Nab

I would second the recommendations for El Mirador above. As noted, the soups really are fantastic, and its in the King William District, a very interesting part of the city to explore.

If you're looking for Tex Mex in all its greasy, soul-satisfying glory, stay away from Mi Tierra or anywhere else in El Mercado or the Riverwalk. My personal favorite is the Blanco Cafe (the original Blanco Road location has the best food in my opinion). Its not pretty to look at, but I dream about the cheese enchiladas and carne guisada after these many long years in the Midwest.

And since you asked about a good place to go for a beer (or at least since I have an answer for that question ), you should give Hills and Dales a try. Located on the northwest edge of the city, they're one the last of a dying breed - a real Texas ice house. An excellent selection of draft and bottled beers, an eclectic clientèles, and a relaxed atmosphere conducive to wasting an afternoon - I wish I was there now.

Blanco Cafe
1720 Blanco Rd
(210) 732-6480

Hills & Dales Ice House
15403 White Fawn Dr
(210) 695-2307[/url]

ksbeck wrote:And since you asked about a good place to go for a beer (or at least since I have an answer for that question ), you should give Hills and Dales a try. Located on the northwest edge of the city, they're one the last of a dying breed - a [/url]

Talking about ICE HOUSES, the Luling Ice House (closed) has been converted into a heck of a nice pottery factory that is well worth a visit after enjoying lunch at the Central market.