Best non-texmex restaurants I can get to without a car from the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center?

[Chaka]

Originally Posted by Azure110

This is your opinion and I respect that, but I disagree that 90% of the best restaurants in San Antonio area are in downtown area near Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. If the OP wants to stay in downtown area though, then he/she doesn't really need a car to reach the good restaurants in the area.

ggeorgie and unintentionallyfunny made really good suggestions. The Pearl is your best bet for downtown area.

Right, it's my opinion, but given all the suggestions on this thread which are in walking distance (including the Pearl - easily accessible via public transport if walking a mile is too challenging) I'd say it's not far off. Outside the downtown/Southtown/Pearl area, the vast majority of restaurants are chains with a few exceptions. I left 10% out there for those exceptions.

Given the cost and hassle of parking at the convention center, unless the OP *needs* a car for his or her other required activities while in San Antonio, I don't think it's worth it to visit a chain restaurant they could visit in any other city. And I'm not trying to bash chains, I just can't imagine going to the expense of hiring a car/parking etc to have the option of visiting one when there are so many good options within a short walk.

90% is a random figure thrown out there, maybe it's 85% or 92%, but I'd challenge you to name as many restaurants outside the area that would match the quality, style, and uniqueness of those mentioned in this thread.

Clarification - if your vision of "walking distance" is not having to go outside or no more than 10 steps, then no, there's not much that close to the Convention Center, but you also won't be able to park that close to the convention center. By the time you walk the few blocks to/from your car for which you've paid $18+ to park, you may as well walk to a restaurant in Southtown.

[rynetwo]

Originally Posted by Chaka

Right, it's my opinion, but given all the suggestions on this thread which are in walking distance (including the Pearl - easily accessible via public transport if walking a mile is too challenging) I'd say it's not far off. Outside the downtown/Southtown/Pearl area, the vast majority of restaurants are chains with a few exceptions. I left 10% out there for those exceptions.

Given the cost and hassle of parking at the convention center, unless the OP *needs* a car for his or her other required activities while in San Antonio, I don't think it's worth it to visit a chain restaurant they could visit in any other city. And I'm not trying to bash chains, I just can't imagine going to the expense of hiring a car/parking etc to have the option of visiting one when there are so many good options within a short walk.

90% is a random figure thrown out there, maybe it's 85% or 92%, but I'd challenge you to name as many restaurants outside the area that would match the quality, style, and uniqueness of those mentioned in this thread.

Clarification - if your vision of "walking distance" is not having to go outside or no more than 10 steps, then no, there's not much that close to the Convention Center, but you also won't be able to park that close to the convention center. By the time you walk the few blocks to/from your car for which you've paid $18+ to park, you may as well walk to a restaurant in Southtown.

Silo/Nosh
Silo
El Mirsol
Soluna
Dough
Cappy's
Frederick's Bistro
Tre
Trilogy Pizza
Bankok Thai
Bar-B-Que Station
Texas Pride
Chez Vatel
Piatti (limited chain)
20 Nine
18 Oaks
Florios
Fralo's
Tribeca Olmos Park
Perrys Steak House
Ounce
Cover 3

I could go on. I do agree that in the area the OP is in has the best "concentrated" eateries of the city.

[unintentionallyfunny]

Originally Posted by Chaka

Right, it's my opinion, but given all the suggestions on this thread which are in walking distance (including the Pearl - easily accessible via public transport if walking a mile is too challenging) I'd say it's not far off. Outside the downtown/Southtown/Pearl area, the vast majority of restaurants are chains with a few exceptions. I left 10% out there for those exceptions.

Given the cost and hassle of parking at the convention center, unless the OP *needs* a car for his or her other required activities while in San Antonio, I don't think it's worth it to visit a chain restaurant they could visit in any other city. And I'm not trying to bash chains, I just can't imagine going to the expense of hiring a car/parking etc to have the option of visiting one when there are so many good options within a short walk.

90% is a random figure thrown out there, maybe it's 85% or 92%, but I'd challenge you to name as many restaurants outside the area that would match the quality, style, and uniqueness of those mentioned in this thread.

Clarification - if your vision of "walking distance" is not having to go outside or no more than 10 steps, then no, there's not much that close to the Convention Center, but you also won't be able to park that close to the convention center. By the time you walk the few blocks to/from your car for which you've paid $18+ to park, you may as well walk to a restaurant in Southtown.

Maybe it's 60% or 38%.

[Azure110]

Originally Posted by Chaka

Right, it's my opinion, but given all the suggestions on this thread which are in walking distance (including the Pearl - easily accessible via public transport if walking a mile is too challenging) I'd say it's not far off. Outside the downtown/Southtown/Pearl area, the vast majority of restaurants are chains with a few exceptions. I left 10% out there for those exceptions.

Given the cost and hassle of parking at the convention center, unless the OP *needs* a car for his or her other required activities while in San Antonio, I don't think it's worth it to visit a chain restaurant they could visit in any other city. And I'm not trying to bash chains, I just can't imagine going to the expense of hiring a car/parking etc to have the option of visiting one when there are so many good options within a short walk.

90% is a random figure thrown out there, maybe it's 85% or 92%, but I'd challenge you to name as many restaurants outside the area that would match the quality, style, and uniqueness of those mentioned in this thread.

Clarification - if your vision of "walking distance" is not having to go outside or no more than 10 steps, then no, there's not much that close to the Convention Center, but you also won't be able to park that close to the convention center. By the time you walk the few blocks to/from your car for which you've paid $18+ to park, you may as well walk to a restaurant in Southtown.

Rynetwo beat me to the chase here, but I will add some of my own.

B&B Smokehouse
El Bucanero (I know, it is somewhat texmex but not all of it is spicey)
Tip Top Cafe
Little Italy
Tong's Thai
Thai Taste

I could go on.......but I was never talking about chain restaurants. I am not a huge fan of them myself either.