by Aliyah Armstrong | staff writer
So often we find ourselves going to the same restaurants every time we go out to eat. When we keep eating at those chain restaurants, we miss out on all the unique eats that San Antonio has to offer. Instead of going out of town, think about taking a trip around San Antonio and checking out these places:
Henry’s Puffy Tacos
One of San Antonio’s signature dishes is the puffy taco. A puffy taco is not a crispy, crunchy, or soft taco, but rather something all its own. Henry’s Puffy Tacos is one of the best places to get them. They even have an express location so you can enjoy your delicious tacos in the comfort of your own home. If you need to get fresh air after a long day of Netflix binge watching, dine in at the Bandera Rd location.
http://www.henryspuffytacos.com/
Hot Joy
This restaurant is one of those places that you think you’d only see in cities like Austin. At Hot Joy, they serve Asian food with a twist which means you won’t be able to find their food anywhere else. They have a rotating menu which features things like “twice fried chicken wings” fried in crab-fat caramel and peanuts, and Migas fried rice. The cuisine at Hot Joy exceeds that of your typical Asian food delivery place. You can also stop in for “Ramen Monday’s” for Ramen that doesn’t come out of package. Yes, that is actually a thing.
The Cove
If you drive up to The Cove and are a little confused with what you see at first, don’t be alarmed. The Cove has its own laundromat and carwash but there is still an amazing restaurant included, too. It is an eccentric restaurant with a passion for serving sustainable, organic, local American fare. You can’t really go wrong with anything on the menu but some items you definitely don’t want to miss are the sweet potato fries, the vegan burger, and the seafood tacos. The Cove is also kid-friendly with its nice playground, so feel free to bring your little sibling if you need to get them out of the house. I would also like to add that after 5:00 pm, if you purchase one adult entreé you can get one free child’s meal, in case you need more motivation to let your little brother or sister tag along. The Cove is a necessary stop on your food trip because its menu caters to everyone’s taste buds and diet preferences all for a price acceptable for a student’s budget.
Chris Madrid’s
For exceptionally tasty fare that won’t break the bank, head over to Chris Madrid’s on Blanco Rd. Their specialty is the Tostada Burger which embodies San Antonio with its homemade refried beans and salsa. If that’s not your thing, try the Cheddar Cheezy burger which everyone loves. In case you are not craving a burger on your visit, order some cheesy nachos to satisfy your stomach. Chris Madrid’s is a local favorite and if you live in San Antonio and haven’t tried it, you’re missing out.
Roux Cajun Firehouse
Roux Cajun Firehouse allows you to get a taste of New Orleans without the long road trip. They have great seafood, live music, and they pride themselves on being kid-friendly. Any of the seafood dishes are great options (especially the crawfish boil), and the Creole burger and Boudin Balls don’t disappoint either. It’s not the cheapest place on this list but if you don’t have enough money saved from your summer job, make it a family dinner and get your parents to pay for your meal. They’ll get to enjoy live music and good food and you’ll get a free meal out of it.
Radicke’s Bluebonnet Grill
Radicke’s Bluebonnet Grill is a laid back restaurant that serves American comfort food. It was featured on Diner’s, Drive-ins, and Dive’s for it’s jalapeno fried chicken – its signature dish. Now you have to be awake before 12 if you want to eat here though, because it’s only open from 10:30 am-2:30 pm and it’s closed Saturday and Sunday’s. If you can drag yourself out of bed in time, the food will be worth your while.
Mr. and Mrs. G’s
For home-cooked food that reminds you of eating at your Grandma’s house, consider dining at Mr. and Mrs. G’s. Just beware the decor in this restaurant looks like you are at your Grandma’s house. That being said, you will be too focused on the delicious fried chicken and greens to be too worried about the decor. If you can, try to snag a slice of sweet potato or buttermilk pie to finish off your meal. They do run out quickly so strike while the iron is hot.
Mad Hatter Tea House
If cereal isn’t cutting it for breakfast anymore, try branching out and going to the Mad Hatter. They make all your San Antonio breakfast favorites with a Mad Hatter twist. Obviously, the main thing people come for is the tea and that definitely won’t let you down. They have so many types and flavors to choose from for the occasional tea drinker all the way to the person who downs a cup or two everyday.
To maximize your stay-cation this year and stop yourself from getting stuck in a food rut, be sure to check out all these places. If your friends and family are coming to visit from out of town, take them to these places too so they can see what San Antonio has to offer.
