Guide to San Antonio's best local restaurants, including ethinic cuisine.
The great cities of the world are most often defined and most easily identified by their penchant for great food. San Antonio is no different. Deep in the heart of Texas, cultures from divergent parts of the globe intersect to create a confluence of multi-ethnic, multi-flavored cuisine that is uniquely San Antonio.
This city, largely influenced by its 17th century Spanish missionary settlers, is equally flavored by its Mexican roots as well as the German immigrants that later settled in the region. Today, a by-product of these influences is a wide array of ethnic cuisines that create a culinary delight for the discriminating diner who values variety and value in their menu. Here are a few of the best and most uniquely San Antonio eateries. Bon appetite!
The Guenther House -Travel back in time to the turn of the century to the home of a German immigrant family who opened San Antonio's first flour mill on the banks of the winding San Antonio River. Carl Hilmar Guenther, founder of the Pioneer Flour Mill, built this elegant home in 1860 for his family. The stately residence, which sits at the edge of one of the oldest historical districts in Texas, the King William, has been restored and now operates as a restaurant, a museum and a gift shop. The restaurant, open for breakfast and lunch, offers a menu prominently featuring Pioneer Flour products. For breakfast, take your pick of everything from hearty servings of biscuits and gravy to waffles to big, fluffy pancakes. The lunch menu offers a nice variety of salads, soups and sandwiches. Save room for dessert to sample some of the freshly made pastries topped with the house specialty, sweet cream ice cream. It's a great place for brunch.
Mi Tierra Café y Panaderia (bakery) - Movie stars, politicians, sports figures "¦ they've all dined at the Tex-Mex restaurant that never closes. Pete and Cruz Cortez opened the little café in 1941 with the intent of feeding the area farmers who would arrive early to sell their vegetables in the San Antonio Mercado (market). Little did they know that Mi Tierra would someday grow into a local landmark drawing locals and tourists alike to a dining experience known as much for its strolling Mariachis and festive year-round Christmas lights as it is known for its authentic Mexican cuisine. Breakfast, lunch, dinner or midnight snack, here the menu is broad and varied 24 hours a day. For breakfast, try the Huevos a la Mexicana, eggs scrambled with tomatoes, green peppers and onions. Lunch and dinner offers even more choices. Choose from traditional favorites like enchiladas, chalupas or Mi Tierra specialties such as cabrito: tender young goat baked to perfection and served with guacamole, Spanish rice and refried beans. Or, try a plate of succulent beef or pork tips simmered in a sauce of peppers, onions and tomato.
Paesano's Ristorante
There's something that keeps people coming back to Paesano's"¦ for some it's the service, but for many it's the hearty and exquisite Italian recipes that have been part of the restaurant menu for 30 years. Despite closing its original location a few years ago and expanding to two locations - one on the Riverwalk and the other on the edge of the Quarry Golf Course - Paesano's has managed to hold on to its unique character by maintaining a certain integrity about its food and service. The ambiance is somewhat sophisticated, but relaxed enough to bring the entire family. The heart of Paesano's success lies in the time-tested dishes such as the popular Shrimp Paesano: sautéed shrimp in a rich butter sauce served with spaghetti. Other dishes such as the Veal Fransesca or the baked pasta primavera are equally tempting. If you're on a budget, try lunch instead of dinner. The helpings are filling, but the prices more moderate.
The Grey Moss Inn - Nestled on the outskirts of San Antonio along a historic stretch of winding roadway known as Scenic Loop, rests the Grey Moss Inn. The Inn was founded in 1929 by Mary Howell and today remains Central Texas' oldest restaurant in continuous operation. Ms. Howell's famous cumin-herbed squash casserole remains a menu favorite to this day. But perhaps the Grey Moss Inn's greatest claim to fame is its somewhat rustic-yet-quaint environment that makes it a favorite spot among couples for romantic dining. Adding to the ambience is a menu of seafood, lamb dishes and prime steaks grilled to order over mesquite charcoal. For dessert, nothing compares to the Grey Moss Inn Pecan Pie, made with native Texas pecans from a recipe used at the Inn for over 50 years. It's an ideal spot for intimate dining and special occasions.
Piedras Negras - Here is where Tex Mex reigns. Breakfast, dinner or lunch, the dishes are hearty and authentically San Antonio. The tortillas are homemade, the enchilada sauces thick and rich with heaping helpings big enough to share. Everything from traditional favorites like crispy tacos and cheese enchiladas to specialties like the roasted chicken and steak ranchero are served with Spanish rice and beans along with a stack of warm, flour tortillas. Can't make up your mind? Try the Piedras Negras dinner or Steve's Special for a little bit of everything. Don't expect to have a beer with you meal though. Piedras Negras does not serve alcohol, but tall glass of iced tea or their homemade lemonade will hit the spot. Just look for the pink two-story building.
La Fonda on Main - Story has it that virtually every famous officer from World War II, including generals Eisenhower and MacArthur, ate here, along with presidents Franklin Roosevelt and Lyndon Johnson and movie stars John Wayne, Gary Cooper and singing Cowboy Roy Rogers. Since 1931, La Fonda on Main has been serving up Tex-Mex favorites and authentic Mexican dishes to local families and visiting dignitaries. A wide assortment of enchilada dishes, shrimp creations and beef tenderloin specialties offer a feast of flavor. The Tex-Mex Deluxe Dinner offers a little sampling of almost everything - tamale, enchilada, crisp taco and a succulent beef tenderloin strip smothered in red chili gravy, with sides of rice and beans. But perhaps what keeps bringing folks back to La Fonda on Main is their complimentary tostadas (toasted chips) and fresh, thick salsa - some of the best you'll find anywhere. Indoor and outdoor seating is available on an Oak Tree shaded patio.
These are just a few of many exceptional restaurants that make up the San Antonio dining experience. The bottom line is you'd be hard pressed to find a bad place to eat in San Antonio. The city truly is a culinary melting pot with a plethora of restaurants, ranging from fine dining establishments to mom-and-pop cafes that cater to local tastes as well as tourists. Be sure to bring your appetite.
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