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 Venture Marvel that can remodel the 210 for higher or worse. Nonetheless, a number of on a regular basis meals made their manner by means of the information overload, protecting me going by means of all of the cosmic shifts.
Seems, all of us want consolation, and San Antonio’s hospitality scene is all the time prepared to offer a heat hug. In no specific order, listed below are the ten dishes I assumed essentially the most about in 2025.
Beef picadillo at Con Huevos TacosYes, Austin is a taco city, however imagine me once I say I sprinted to this East Aspect taqueria the second my final transferring 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 may well often be sated by a few bites of Rocky Highway. 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 received 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 marvel 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 refined 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 revolutionary savory martini extra instances than I can depend.
Blue Corn Crispy Canine at Gimme GimmeNo dish divided San Antonio this 12 months greater than this Southtown bar’s tackle the acquainted crispy canine, wrapped in a blue corn tortilla from native tortilleria Historic Heirloom Grains. Whereas communities are rightfully cautious of Columbusing — simply have 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 mates in tow, we went by means of towering pork chops, molleja tacos, and steak and eggs topped with Chef Ernest Servantes’ shimmering salsa matcha. In some way, essentially the most humble dish lower by means of the embarrassment of riches.
Minus the Bagel focaccia at Tucker’s ItalianI’ve made many batches of focaccia this 12 months, 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 rooster at Petit CoquinBeing a frequent habitue of Fingers 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 superbly crisped half rooster 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 as a rule, I am going vegetarian at his new taqueria. The lamb barbacoa has adobo zest, the birria is luscious, however by no means depend out the modest mushroom.
Hen Sapporo ramen at Kaedama BattleshipI have a pal 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 group 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 rooster broth. In summer time, respect the citrus pop within the meatballs and the verdant shishito peppers.
