Texas Style Cuisine

Tex-Mex

Extremely popular, the cultural blending of southern Texan and northern Mexican foods is known as Tex-Mex. Tex-Mex dishes are mildly spiced and usually contain a combination of meat and cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese. The Mexican version, on the other hand, often features goat cheese.

Taco

Tacos

A Tex-Mex sandwich, tacos are served both as a snack and as a main dish. Usually made with fried or soft corn tortillas folded over, tacos contain a beef or chicken filling. Additions may include shredded lettuce, pico de gallo (hot salsa), cheese, sour cream, and sometimes guacamole.

Tamale

Especially popular during Christmas and New Year, tamales are made from a moist corn dough called masa wrapped around a seasoned filling, which is usually shredded pork. Washed corn husks, which need to be removed before eating, are wrapped around the outside, forming the tamale which is then steamed.

Chili

Chili con carne

San Antonio claims to be the inventor of the state dish of Texas. Chili was once sold in Military Plaza by the legendary Chili Queens. Traditionally, chili is a spicy stew with equal amounts of beef and peppers, and is known locally as a “Bowl of Red”. It is sometimes called chili con carne, meaning chili with meat. Traditional chili has no beans.

Enchilada

Corn or flour tortillas are wrapped around a filling of beef, chicken, cheese, or shrimp, and are served hot, smothered with a spicy-hot chili or mild gravy sauce. Enchiladas are often served with sour cream or guacamole. When ordered as a platter, they are usually accompanied by beans and rice.

Fajita

Fajitas are traditionally made with beef skirt steak, a very flavorsome cut of beef. Grilled strips of steak are generally served sizzling hot on a metal platter with flour tortillas, grilled onions and peppers, and condiments such as pico de gallo, sour cream, and cheese.

Steaks

The top choice of steak in San Antonio is the Texan sirloin. An aged steak cooked with salt and pepper and other seasonings is a favorite. Chicken-fried steak is also popular.

Barbecue

Often spelled Bar-B-Que, or just B-B-Q, a good barbecue place will have stacks of oak, hickory, or mesquite wood to smoke-cook the meat. Sliced beef brisket is the traditional B-B-Q fare, but sausage, pork-ribs, and chicken are also available.

German Food

The German influence is evident in the cuisine in San Antonio. Sausage, sauerkraut, and potato salad are favorites. Sausage, or wurst, is as popular as Tex-Mex food at any local festival. New Braunfels holds an annual Wurstfest.

Beer and Wine

Breweries were established in San Antonio in the mid-1800s by German immigrants. Shiner Beer, a local favorite, is still brewed at the Spoetzl Brewery in nearby Shiner. Several former Texan Hill Country ranches grow French and German grape varieties, producing fine wines with labels such as Fall Creek and Chisholu Trail Vineyards.

Top 10 Texan Restaurants

Mi Tierra Café & Bakery

Great Tex-Mex restaurant and bakery with a fun atmosphere and strolling mariachi musicians (For further details see Mi Tierra Café & Bakery).

Panchito’s

Known for its big breakfast tacos.

4100 McCullough
210 821 5338
under $20

Casa Rio

Order the excellent Regular Plate.

430 E Commerce St
210 225 6718
$20–40

Aldaco’s

Great for authentic Mexican cuisine and Tex-Mex food.

100 Hoefgen St
210 222 0561
$20–40

Bill Miller Bar-B-Q

Popular barbecue brisket and chicken.

430 S Santa Rosa
210 302 1510
under $20

Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q

Meats are rubbed with spices and slow-cooked over oak.

10623 Westover Hills Blvd
210 520 5552
under $20

Texas Land & Cattle Steakhouse

Known for its pepper-smoked steak.

201 N St. Mary’s St
210 222 2263
$55–80

Bohanan’s

Serves some of the best steaks and seafood in San Antonio (For further details see Bohanan’s Prime Steaks and Seafood).

Little Rhein Steakhouse

Elegant dining on terraces overlooking the river.

231 S. Alamo
210 225 2111
over $80

Schilo’s

This exceptional deli serves hearty German food.

424 E Commerce St
210 223 6692
$20–40