Top Three Restaurants (Houston, Alamo, Van: lenders, house, landscaping)

[RichmondTeacher]

to truly have the SA experience, what restaurants do locals recommend? My folks are still new to the area and haven't figured that out yet, and I am visiting and want to have the best texas/sa experience. thanks for all the other recommendations

[cabs1982]

Grady's BBQ... OTHER THAN THAT, TRY DOWNTOWN AREA.

[wCat]

Boudro's on the River Walk is really nice and not too pricey. Be sure to try their guacamole. They make it fresh at your table! Awesome. It's a nice eclectic upscale cuisine.

Either Paisano's (on the River Walk or near the Quarry Market) is good for Italian....they have different owners and vary a little on what they offer.

La Fonda on Main is great Tex Mex and an old established Mexican Restaraunt. Also, La Fogata.....great margaritas and not too touristy.

Paloma Blanca is another great Mexican....but with less "Tex" mixed in. The chef is from Monterrey and the food is awesome but a little different from a lot of the local Tex Mex food.

Steaks.....downtown would be Morton's or the Palm on Houston St. Pricey but good. Ruth's Chris and Flemings are very pricey but awesome!

Chinese.....PF Changs at the Quarry...it's a chain but still great...very nice atmosphere.

Eclectic on the river.....Biga's on the Bank. Very upscale, kind of pricey but a great dining experience.

Keep in mind that dressing to eat is not a big priority in SA. Being in a warmer client and lots of tourists expect people to be dressed from flip flops to cocktail attire.....

I'm sure there are plenty that other will offer. Any particular part of town you might want to know about other than the river walk? When is your trip?
You will want to avoid downtown during Fiesta week!

[smuboy86]

Paesano's at the Quarry... the downtown location isn't as good.
Ez's...various locations through out the city, great casual dining, brick oven pizza, burgers, salads, and a fantastic dish called the Alamo Bowl
Cappy's...Fine New American Cuisine

[montroc]

El Mirador on S. St. Mary's is a wonderful SA Mexican food experience. Le Reve is the finest restaurant in the state of Texas according to the NY Times and Gourmet. Bourdo's or Biga are the only places on the river.

[wCat]

Originally Posted by montroc

El Mirador on S. St. Mary's is a wonderful SA Mexican food experience. Le Reve is the finest restaurant in the state of Texas according to the NY Times and Gourmet. Bourdo's or Biga are the only places on the river.

I have never been to Le Reve, but it has held that honor for some time! I've heard that it's also very romantic. Anyone been there? It's on my list!

[Torrey]

Tx/SA experience..... Tex Mex cooking-

Los Barrios, La Fogata, La Fonda, Los Patios

Other good places to go:

Ruths Chris Steak House

Marie Callenders

For oriental food, I would mention the Vietnam Restaurant on Broadway. Vans Vietnamese is next door and is good too, but I prefer the former.

Mortons Steak House

[Eily71]

I always have to eat at the Alamo Cafe when I am in town.....love their fajitas...and the chicken fried steak is yummy.....and they bring fresh tortillas as fast as we can eat them. Nice decor and landscaping, go at off hours to avoid circling the parking lot like a vulture and to minimise your wait time.

I second the vote for EZ's....pizza, roasted chicken, milkshakes.....yummmm.

I miss Bill Miller's BBQ.....it's not spectacular as BBQ goes, but there isn't one where I live and sometimes I just miss that familiarity.

[MPinSC]

Originally Posted by wCat

I have never been to Le Reve, but it has held that honor for some time! I've heard that it's also very romantic. Anyone been there? It's on my list!

It's on mine, too. We are dying to go. Hubby flies into SA for the new job today, but I won't get there til school's out.

[neddy]

Bob's bbq downtown. Great little dive lots of people go there. IF you do go you will come out smelling like bbq even if its just to order but it is so worth it!