Breakfast tacos and brisket are must eats in the world of Tex-Mex food, but this melting pot of cultures is also a cauldron of culinary experiences. San Antonio is a city you want to eat your way through. It is one of two cities in the United States designated as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, making it an international culinary destination.
If you’re wondering where to eat first, explore one of Culinaria’s three San Antonio Food Trails. Culinaria is a non-profit organization promoting San Antonio’s vibrant food and wine experiences and events. Savor the journey as you sample tacos, barbecue or margaritas. A few of my Tex-Mex must-eats in San Antonio are a puffy taco at Los Barrios, pan dulce at
Mi Tierra Café y Panaderia, tacos al pastor at La Gloria, menudo at Pete’s Tako House and breakfast tacos at Taco Taco Café. Margaritas are refreshingly fabulous across the city, but some of my favorite spots are: La Fogata Restaurant on Vance Jackson, Aldaco’s in Stone Oak and Soluna in Alamo Heights. For brisket go to Jason Dady’s Two Brothers BBQ Market. It’s a classic Texas barbecue pit joint. Craving a burger? Chris Madrid’s is a San Antonio institution.
The emerging food scene is coming on strong in the eclectic arts district Southtown. At Burgeteca, Chef Johnny Hernandez is putting a Mexican twist on a burger. I stopped in after visiting the missions for a Pacífica. The seared tuna burger packs a little heat with a jalapeño lime mayo. Indulge with a treat from their la nevería (ice cream parlor). The mangonada fruit drink with a chile lime powder kick is my favorite, or cool off with a paleta (popsicle) or raspa (shaved ice) just like you would find at a plaza in Mexico.
The food scene runs the gamut from Tex-Mex comfort food to four-time James Beard Award finalist Andrew Weissman, who blends French techniques with Hill Country flair at his newest fine dining restaurant Signature, Inspired by Chef Andrew. Culinary roots run deep in San Antonio including German, Polish, Spanish, Native American and Mexican influences. As the gateway to Latin American cuisine, the world’s premier culinary college opened a campus in the Pearl District. San Antonio is a place where traditional cuisine meets culinary innovation.