Soar to: The Classics | Riverwalk & Downtown | Native Staples | Puffy Tacos & Specialties
San Antonio isn’t only a metropolis with Tex-Mex; it’s the coronary heart of Tex-Mex tradition. Within the Alamo Metropolis, the salsa is all the time recent, the tortillas are handmade, and the cheese enchiladas are virtually a non secular expertise. Whether or not you’re strolling the Riverwalk or exploring the historic Westside, discovering the appropriate plate is crucial.
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Additionally take a look at these articles – Finest Tacos in San Antonio, Finest Mexican Eating places in San Antonio, Finest Date Night time Concepts in San Antonio, Finest Low cost Eats in San Antonio, and Finest San Antonio Meals Spots for Late Night time Eats!
Finest Tex Mex in San Antonio (The Classics)
La Fonda on Essential
Picture credit score: La Fonda on Essential Fb
Since 1932, La Fonda has set the usual for upscale Tex-Mex. Situated within the lovely Monte Vista neighborhood, it presents an ideal mix of conventional plates and inside Mexican specialties.
Insider Tip: The outside patio is arguably the perfect within the metropolis—request a desk there for a extra romantic vibe.
Working Hours: Monday – Thursday 11 am – 9:30 pm | Friday 11 am – 10 pm | Saturday 11 am – 10 pm | Saturday 10 am – 10 pm | Sunday 10 am – 9:30 pmWhere: 2415 N Essential Ave, San Antonio, TX 78212How A lot: $20 – $40
Mi Tierra Cafe y Panaderia
An absolute landmark in Market Sq., Mi Tierra is legendary for its festive ambiance, year-round vacation lights, and unbelievable Mexican bakery.
Vibe Examine: It’s loud, colourful, and quintessential San Antonio.
Working Hours: Monday – Thursday 8 am – 10 pm | Friday – Sunday 8 am – 11 pmWhere: 218 Produce Row, San Antonio, TX 78207How A lot: $15 – $30
Finest Tex-Mex San Antonio Riverwalk
Casa Rio
Picture credit score: Casa Rio Fb
As the primary restaurant to open on the Riverwalk in 1946, Casa Rio is a chunk of historical past. Their iconic, colourful umbrellas are a staple of the San Antonio skyline.
Why it’s a win: You possibly can’t beat the riverside views for a traditional enchilada plate.
Working Hours: Sunday – Thursday 11 am – 9 pm | Friday – Saturday 11 am – 10 pmWhere: 430 E Commerce St, San Antonio, TX 78205How A lot: $15 – $25
Acenar
For these looking for a extra trendy, upscale Tex-Mex expertise on the Riverwalk, Acenar delivers with modern flavors and a trendy ambiance.
Dish to attempt: The quick rib tacos or their signature margaritas.
Working Hours: Sunday – Thursday 11 am – 10 pm | Friday – Saturday 11 am – 11 pmWhere: 146 E Houston St, San Antonio, TX 78205How A lot: $25 – $50
Native Neighborhood Staples
Ray’s Drive Inn
If you need the “Dwelling of the Puffy Taco,” that is it. Ray’s has been a Westside establishment since 1956, serving a novel San Antonio delicacy that each customer should attempt.
Insider Tip: Don’t overlook to attempt the “crispy canine”—a scorching canine wrapped in a corn tortilla and deep-fried.
Working Hours: Monday Closed | Tuesday – Thursday & Sunday 11 am – 8 pm | Friday – Saturday 11 am – 9 pmWhere: 822 SW nineteenth St, San Antonio, TX 78207How A lot: $10 – $20
Garcia’s Mexican Meals
Picture credit score: Garcia’s Mexican Meals Fb
Ask any native for the perfect brisket taco within the metropolis, and they’re going to level you to Garcia’s. This family-run diner is a no-frills temple to Tex-Mex.
Localite Tip: They’re solely open for breakfast and lunch, so arrive early to keep away from the road.
Working Hours: Monday & Sunday Closed | Tuesday – Friday 7 am – 2 pmWhere: 842 Fredericksburg Rd, San Antonio, TX 78201How A lot: $10 – $15
The Unique Blanco Cafe
This spot is persistently ranked among the many greatest cheese enchiladas within the state of Texas. It’s a traditional greasy-spoon Tex-Mex diner at its best.
Working Hours: Monday – Friday 7 am – 3 pm | Saturday 7 am – 2 pm | Sunday ClosedWhere: 201 W Commerce St, San Antonio, TX 78205How A lot: $10 – $18
Finest Fajitas & Specialties
Teka Molino
One other establishment relationship again to 1937, Teka Molino is legendary for its recent masa and the “Bean Cup.” Their puffy tacos are legendary opponents to Ray’s.
Why go: To style masa made the old school method utilizing high-quality nixtamalized corn.
Working Hours: Monday – Thursday 7 am – 9 pm | Friday – Saturday 7 am – 10 pm | Sunday 8 am – 9 pmWhere: 7231 San Pedro Ave, San Antonio, TX 78216How A lot: $12 – $20
Paloma Blanca Mexican Delicacies
Picture credit score: @angelapelak by way of Paloma Blanca Mexican Delicacies Fb
Situated within the upscale Alamo Heights space, Paloma Blanca presents a refined ambiance and a few of the best-grilled fajitas and seafood within the metropolis.
Working Hours: Every day 11 am – 9 pmWhere: 5800 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209How A lot: $20 – $45
Don Pedro Mexican Restaurant
A South Facet icon for half a century, Don Pedro is thought for its sprawling, mural-covered partitions and its well-known “No. 3 Quickie Plate” that includes scorching cheese enchiladas.
Vibe Examine: Good for big households and celebrations.
Working Hours: Sunday – Thursday 8 am – 10 pm | Friday – Saturday 8 am – 11 pmWhere: 1526 S.W. Navy Drive, San Antonio, TX 78221How A lot: $15 – $25
Know Earlier than You Go
Whereas San Antonio’s downtown and Riverwalk areas are dwelling to most of the metropolis’s most well-known eating places, don’t overlook the West and South Sides for probably the most genuine “neighborhood” experiences. Most top-tier spots provide beneficiant lunch specials that may prevent important cash in comparison with dinner service.
Widespread Questions on Finest Tex-Mex in San Antonio
What’s the distinction between Mexican and Tex-Mex?
Tex-Mex is a regional American delicacies that comes with heavy use of yellow cheese (cheddar), cumin, and flour tortillas—staples that you just received’t usually discover in conventional inside Mexican cooking.
What’s a puffy taco?
A puffy taco is a San Antonio specialty the place a recent corn tortilla is deep-fried till it puffs up like a pillow, creating a lightweight, crispy shell that’s then crammed with meat and toppings.
Is Tex-Mex costly in San Antonio?
It will possibly range! You’ll find world-class breakfast tacos for underneath $3 at neighborhood spots, or take pleasure in an upscale $50 meal at locations like Acenar or Paloma Blanca.
Searching for extra? See the upcoming Weekend Occasions in San Antonio.
Maya is a lifelong Texan native to the San Antonio space. Between her English research at UTSA, two younger youngsters, and small herd of canines, she’s all the time on the lookout for methods to get out and get entangled. When she’s inside she’s studying, writing, or taking part in video video games, however she’s all the time prepared for a aspect quest to native museums, exhibitions, and occasions.
