Best San Antonio Mexican Food (Pasadena, San Marcos: restaurants, health, hot)

[yodi711]

El Mirador near King William, Los Barrios & Janitzios on Walzem.

No one has mentioned La Fonda yet and I am suprised. I have heard alot of good things about that restaurant and when I finally went I was SOOO disappointed that they didn't make their own flour tortillas. Never again for me!

[Big Guy]

I was born on the banks of the San Antonio River and there is no one best spot for Mexican Food.

Many people use enchiladas as the test, but that ignores fabulous soft tacos, fajitas, chile rellenos and, last but not least, carne guisada. Most restaurants will be good at one, but not the others.

BUT, I think everybody should go one last time to Karam's at the corner of Zarzamora and Houston St. It is closing soon after about 70 years. NOTE: This was the hangout for Jimmy Doolittle and the Raiders while training to bomb Tokyo. Don't miss it. I hope they are still open.

Garcia's on Fredericksburg Road at Woodlawn is one of the best (only open for breakfast and lunch) and is relatively inexpensive.

I think the biggest mistake folks make is to go to the big factories. Don't be afraid to try the little place in the old house that looks like it may fall down. You may be very very surprised. I just tried one on a whim on Hildebrand, on the north side of the street just west of I10...(not Cristan's...which is where I was going, but they were closed) a white house just past Cristan's. FABULOUS! CHEAP!

Enjoy the variety!

[SanAntoQT]

Mmmmmm....carne guisada! I need to have me some good carne guisada!

[rd2007]

heck yeah, I love most of the little dives and there's plenty to choose from around Lackland.. my only issue is consistency. Sometimes they're great and other days they're just nasty..
I don't have a personal favorite and mostly just love eating Mexican food, but with TOMATOES.. hopefully that issue will be over soon enough. and there is a really good place behind Burlington Coat Factory at the Crossroads. I think it's Nicaraguan, so not technically Mexican, but it sure is good

[TXtrkgrl]

What do y'all eat at El Chaparrel? I just haven't been happy with anything I have eaten there. It is close to us (or as close as close gets) but we don't go there because we have been disappointed.
I think the food was better before they remodeled it. But now it just seems commercialized or else I am ordering the wrong thing .
I like the Mamacita's in Frederickburg, yummy!!!

I agree with RD, I work over on the west side and there are some pretty good little dives. We used to go to Lisa's alot and then they moved.

Has anyone been to Lisa's? I think her new location is Bandera and 36th St.

[NurseDana]

At El Chaparral our favorite is Carlos' Special. All of our adult children order Valerie's Special! My hubby and I share Carlos' Special-it's that big! Only I sub the whole beans for their amazing, greasy refried beans!!!!!!! Oh, I'm getting hungry already! They also have the best queso!

[GoTexan]

Originally Posted by TXtrkgrl

What do y'all eat at El Chaparrel? I just haven't been happy with anything I have eaten there. It is close to us (or as close as close gets) but we don't go there because we have been disappointed.
I think the food was better before they remodeled it. But now it just seems commercialized or else I am ordering the wrong thing .
I like the Mamacita's in Frederickburg, yummy!!!

I agree with RD, I work over on the west side and there are some pretty good little dives. We used to go to Lisa's alot and then they moved.

Has anyone been to Lisa's? I think her new location is Bandera and 36th St.

I'm with you. I went to Mashall High School and El Chap used to be the place to work at when we were in high school. We called it the 'grease pit'.

No offense to those who love it, there are plenty of Mex restaurants to satisfy everyone's tastebuds!

I think my preference depends on the dish ex. tamales, tortillas, MARGARITAS, etc.

Overall, Casa Rio on the Riverwalk has never failed me and La Fonda off Fredericksburg Rd hits a special spot with me as well.

And the green guac at Mammacita's (they have one in San Marcos and off IH10 near Callaghan) is addictive...must be the sour cream!

[SnappyBob]

Herbert's in San Marcos is really good. It's been around since the early 70's. The hot sauce is the best I have ever had in a restaurant.

[mamatotex97]

Rio Rio on the Riverwalk, Saulsalitos, and we alos love Henrys Puffy Tacos. We liked Los Barrios but not really convenient to go to. Hubby has been looking for the hole in the wall place to eat as that's more his thing.

[ok2k]

Can't beat El Jarro (281 and Bittters) margaritas!