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Boy, this is a touchy subject. I
hesitate to go where angels fear to tread but what the hey, I wouldn't
be doing you much service unless I make somebody upset about their not
being included. San Antonio has beaucoup restaurants. And if
they're anywhere remotely fashionable I've eaten there. In fact,
there are very few
places I haven't eaten at and I think most of them are
passable. When I go visiting a new city, I like to eat where the
locals eat and stay away from the tourist places. Fortunately for
you, most
of the restaurants that you will visit are frequented by locals as well
as tourists. We don't go to the Riverwalk for dinner as often as we should, but
when we do we eat at the same restaurants that you are faced with.
The one restaurant that comes immediately to mind that is a tourist
restaurant is Dick's Last Resort. If you enjoy paying to
be insulted by your waiter (as part of their attraction) then have at it.
A few restaurants worth mentioning specifically along the
Riverwalk are:
Boudros This is just a very good restaurant. Has
been in operation for perhaps 20 years. Serves Southwest and Cajun
style quisine.
Paesanos This restaurant is owned by a local
restauranteur who has the flagship Paesanos restaurant up north near The
Quarry Mall. I eat at the north side location about once a month. Try the Shrimp Paesano, their signature piece.
Italian food.
I might add that Las Canarias, Hotel La Mansion del Rio's
restaurant is also good.
Now here is an assortment of restaurants that I list either because of
the food, charm, longevity or history associated with the place.
I'll only mention those downtown within easy reach of the typical
tourist/guest. If you don't like my choices then check out some
of the annual Reader Choice winners on the
Miscellany
page.
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Guenther
House Lovely location near King William area. Can
get there by walking along the Riverwalk or taking a streetcar
trolley. Location map.
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205 E. Guenther St.
210-227-1061
daily 7am-3pm
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Estela's Mexican Restaurant You will never see this on
any tourist map. If fact most locals don't even know about this
place. The restaurant is in an unappealing low rent area
but considering you will be going for breakfast is quite safe. It
is a large restaurant with meeting rooms and has its own bakery counter
selling mexican pastries. The place is always quite full so don't
think I'm sending you to a dive. You'll have to
take a cab but if you go on a Saturday or
Sunday morning you will be eating mexican food accompanied by the music
of mariachis, which is the reason I'm sending you there. These are not the roving, for tourist show, hand out for a tip,
mariachis. These are varied San Antonio groups that
entertain on stage the
clientele which is almost exclusively local hispanics. This is so San Antonio, you can't
find any more local color than this. The group does take a
break, so hopefully you won't be dining during the lull of
entertainment. Be reminded I'm not sending you to this place for
the food, decor or location. I'm referring you because here you
get to see locals enjoying mariachis music just because they like
it. Not as a tourist draw. This may be one of those intimate
and memorable events in S.A.
that you will remember forever. Shhh...don't tell too many people
about this place.
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Estela's
2200 W. Martin Street
210-226-2979
Verify that they have mariachis the day you go.
It's only a mile or two from downtown but once there it might be more
time efficient if you call a cab
company and arrange a specific time to pick you up so you won't have to
be waiting for a cab to return.
Bus Route 77 goes by but only once an hour, so the bus is not practical.
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For a sandwich and home made draft root beer try Schilo's Delicatessen
on Houston St. The place has been there for roughly 80 years and has
the ambiance to prove it.
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Schilo's
424 E. Commerce St.
210-223-6692
Near the Commerce St. bridge
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I realize most of you will want to spend what limited
time you have dining along the Riverwalk. And with good
reason. It's a beautiful location. So, other than the above
listed Riverwalk restaurants I won't highlight any others there.
However, for those of you who wish to try something else of gastronomic
excellence I will mention the following. Both are downtown and
next to the Riverwalk, but on the street level not the river level, so
you will find them easy to get to. You will not be
disappointed at either place.
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Biga
on the Banks Another restaurant owned and operated by its
chef. In this case, Bruce Auden, who has been on the local scene for
many years. Suggest you make a reservation here also. The food
is contemporary American/Regional. You will enjoy this dining
experience. As mentioned the restaurant is downtown and, at street level,
overlooks the River. Again, bring your wallet as you will pay.
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Biga on the Banks
203 S. St. Mary's St.
210-225-0722
Open only for dinner
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Local Inside Information
A very popular place on Friday evening is to go to
El Jarro. It's obviously, or maybe not too obvious to
outsiders, a mexican food restaurant. And Friday evening it is
always packed. They have a free band playing and a dance floor
which allows you to work off the margarita calories. It is
north of downtown up in suburb land but is really a well known and
local hangout.
If you really, really want to be in the "know" you
will be at La Fonda restaurant (the one at Sunset Ridge strip
center on N. New Braunfels Ave) at 6 p.m. on Sunday evening.
You won't know a soul but rest assured that most everyone in there
is well connected in local society. It's a gathering of the
equals. |
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