Dang, I’ve missed you, Alamo Metropolis. After a quick facet quest in Austin, I jumped on the probability to return to town as CultureMap San Antonio’s editor. I didn’t waste a lot time earlier than stuffing my face.
The difficulty is, I not often had the possibility to pause. 2025 introduced a whiplash tempo of recent restaurant openings and closures— together with metropolis developments like Undertaking Marvel that may rework the 210 for higher or worse. Nonetheless, a couple of on a regular basis meals made their means via the info overload, protecting me going via all of the cosmic shifts.
Seems, all of us want consolation, and San Antonio’s hospitality scene is at all times prepared to offer a heat hug. In no explicit order, listed here are the ten dishes I assumed essentially the most about in 2025.
Beef picadillo at Con Huevos TacosYes, Austin is a taco city, however consider me once I say I sprinted to this East Facet taqueria the second my final shifting field was unloaded from the truck. The Capital Metropolis doesn’t have a single flour tortilla that holds as much as Con Huevos’ vellum-like wrapper with simply the correct amount of satisfying tug. Add floor beef, fork-tender potatoes, and a fruity habanero salsa, and it is eye-closing, a reverie folded into the current second.
Magpie’s butter cake is dessert for individuals who hate dessert.Magpie/ Instagram
Butter cake at The MagpieI barely have a candy tooth, and, once I do, it will probably normally be sated by a few bites of Rocky Street. Fold a metric ton of butter into the sugar, and now we’re speaking.
Church Burger (maintain the onions) at Church Burger All of us obtained caught up within the smash burger craze, maybe as an excuse to yell a Hulk-like “smash,” however the flattened patties not often lived as much as the hype. This succulent, crisp surprise is what the trendsetters promised. Though the meals truck can get mischievous with topping — most notable peanut butter and jelly — the patties don’t want any adornment. Simply add the delicate pucker of housemade pickles and maybe a Excessive Life pony from the Palomino bar.
Soup For My Household at Jue LetIf a cocktail sips someplace between consommé and clam chowder, is it a “dish?” And what if it’s served with tiny accoutrements like a tiny dice of pickled potato and a crispy pancetta chip? Personally, I don’t care. I’ve made a meal out of beverage director Lis Forsythe’s progressive savory martini extra occasions than I can rely.
Blue Corn Crispy Canine at Gimme GimmeNo dish divided San Antonio this yr greater than this Southtown bar’s tackle the acquainted crispy canine, wrapped in a blue corn tortilla from native tortilleria Historical Heirloom Grains. Whereas communities are rightfully cautious of Columbusing — simply take a look at the viral furor over British baker Richard Hart’s ill-advised remarks about Mexican bread tradition — this lark of a dish ain’t it.
The insufferable lightness of a blue crispy canine.Gimme Gimme
Menudo at Burnt Bean Co.When CultureMap Houston editor Eric Sandler prompt assembly in Seguin for Sunday breakfast, I wasn’t ready for fairly the feast. However with three of his food-savvy associates in tow, we went via towering pork chops, molleja tacos, and steak and eggs topped with Chef Ernest Servantes’ shimmering salsa matcha. By some means, essentially the most humble dish reduce via the embarrassment of riches.
Minus the Bagel focaccia at Tucker’s ItalianI’ve made many batches of focaccia this yr, to the purpose of now not utilizing a recipe. Whereas I’ll miss poking the dough to get these acquainted ridges and divots, no extra.
Roast hen at Petit CoquinBeing a frequent habitue of Palms Down, I used to be primed to hate its sequel. I did have some phrases about why the previously vibrant area was now so blindingly white. Chef Max Mackinnon shut me up with a wonderfully crisped half hen served with easy schmaltz-flavored rice. It’s a yoga session, a slo-mo second, and an instance of what occurs when substances are first — and an antidote to the cluttered Instagram feeds attempting to persuade locals we solely eat with our eyes.
Champignon quesadilla at TacopolisChef Alex Paredes could also be synonymous with carnitas in San Antonio, however most of the time, I’m going vegetarian at his new taqueria. The lamb barbacoa has adobo zest, the birria is luscious, however by no means rely out the modest mushroom.
Hen Sapporo ramen at Kaedama BattleshipI have a buddy who craves soup no matter how sweltering the San Antonio climate could also be. If she’s studying, I hope she is aware of this downtown noodle store will now be in everlasting rotation. The culinary crew of John Philpot, Alex Roth, and David Filler has created a ramen that transcends seasons. In winter, snuggle as much as the nice and cozy nostalgia of hen broth. In summer time, recognize the citrus pop within the meatballs and the verdant shishito peppers.
