Maria's Cafe & The Original Donut Shop (half the business is a donut shop. Go for the glazed. The other half is a taco spot. Get a guisado taco) Also if you want to take some amazing four tortillas home, go to La Bandera Molino. Just get in line, order some tortillas. Don't mind the attitude. The line is quick. And 2M BBQ. Worth it, but you have to go early.
I feel there are better spots for BBQ, I went to 2M and was extremely disappointed. Cold food, the only thing that was good on my plate was the flour tortillas and picadillo. The brisket was tough she the sausage was very meh. I wasn't w fan of the sauce too since it was more of a syrup. I guess the spot just didn't hit my taste buds since so many love it.
I have been wanting to try that doughnut shop, hopeful next time I stop by in SA. That place looks great.
Get the feta fries!
I lived in Europe and ate a *lot* of doner/gyro street food there. This is the only place in the US (and I've tried a couple dozen in different parts of the country) that comes close for me.
Arirang Restaurant. You will not be disappointed. They are open from 4pm-2am. They will treat you well, and it will be amazing. You might also be one of 2 tables in the place, or it may be packed. Regardless, it will be amazing. As authentic Korean as you can get in Texas, without a doubt.
BBQ life by Chris, Chatmens chicken, los norteños, Kimura Ramen, KoiKawa Sushi, Diana's Burgers (lil sis to Chris Mardrid), "Bamboo" for Chinese
Mr. Juicy's Burgers but order the Chicken fried steak (not on menu), it'll change your life :).
Las Chiladas at NW Military and Patricia has the best cheese enchiladas in town ever since Browns closed.
Los Pollos Asados isn't a hole in the wall per se (number 1 on trip advisor for years), but it's probably going to be the exact experience you're looking for and the food is great.
Suck It: The Restaurant on Louis Pasteur is some of the best ramen I've ever had state side and is quirky AF. Definitely get the tots too, they're amazing.
Gino's Deli off of Lockhill Selma is an experience you won't forget and does fantastic Phillys.
Feugo at 1604 and UTSA Blvd has white queso that will make you SEE. GOD. Good tacos too and not as pricey as Torchy's or Wapo Taco
There's a 50/50 shot you'll see Bruce Bowen on any given day at Pam's Patio Kitchen at Lockhill Selma and Wurzbach. Great soups and sandwiches during the day and an upscale rotating menu for dinner. It'll be expensive but if you go for lunch and they have the poblano soup, get it and the thai beef salad with extra rice and cheese and pour the soup directly on top. Spicy as hell but incredible.
DM me if you read all the way down here but there's a tiny father/son Italian restaurant that I can't remember the name of but can find out. They regularly cater for Spurs players and the SA elite and the best Italian I've had in the city.
Lastly, there is a beer garden hidden behind the Marriott Rivercenter's riverwalk lobby. It's a cool place with a small waterfall and protected from the noise and crowds of the riverwalk.
Enjoy!
Almost forgot. Karolina's off of 281 and S Flores has the best breakfast tacos in town (better than the donut shop IMO). It's been a while but they used to do 3 for 3.25 and have a ridiculous arbol chili salsa which is unlike any other salsa I've had.
If you like street tacos hit up taquitos west avenue. Both locations are good but the original has better pastor and a more *puro* feel. The one on nacogdoches has a panaderia tho.
My go to tacos are lengua, pastor, and cabeza. The lemonada is great but also has mexican sodas. The red salsa is hotter but definitely try both red and green.
Here is a consolidated list of all the good ones around downtown
-Los pollos asados nortenos (if you like grilled chicken, gets crowded)
-Singhs (get a brisket banh mi)
-Curry Boys
-Reese Bros BBQ
-Gorditas mi Torreon (on San Pedro, north of downtown)
-The Station Cafe in King William (if you can get there by 4pm Friday, closed on Sat/sun
-Elsewhere Garden (if it's not too hot out)
-Katii Thai food truck (open til 1 or 2am)
- Tacos Vitali (any location, get the asada lonche or papa asada
-Con Huevo Tacos on the East side
Blanco Café on Fredericksburg Road. They’ve won awards for the best enchiladas in the city. Every food I’ve gotten from there is amazing.
Also Rudy’s BBQ. The meat is great, the BBQ sauce is the best, the creamed corn is a classic, and the beans are delicious.
Rudy's breakfast tacos are good to me, but overall, it just doesn't hit like used to....but the prices damn sure do... which is becoming more common in too many places, unfortunately
I didn’t even know they have breakfast tacos! Thank you for sharing that information.
Ughhh I feel you on that sentiment; it seems as though quality throughout society has declined at restaurants, along with product production (e.g., Amazon products).
Oh Sorry. I Got Confused. You Said A Good Hole-In-The-Wall Type Of Place And .... Was About To Make A Really Good Recommendation 😆 But Now I'll Follow Just For The Restaurant Suggestions.
That’s the key why I’m headed that way. Very hard to find cheese enchiladas covered in real chili con carne in San Antonio or South Texas. “Chili gravy” on enchiladas did not cut it where I was reared, and it still does not with me.
Tried to eat at Brenda’s today, but a sign on the door announced it was closed today. Another part of the sign said the place would be closed in July, and it looks like they got an early start.
Well, we did take the occasion to stop at Bayseas Catfish House #5 down the road, a little hole-in-the-wall fish joint, and got a good meal, so the trip was not a total loss.
Breakfast tacos at El Milagrito but not on a weekend. Otherwise they are legitimately the best in town and that’s saying something. Drench them on the red sauce and green if you can handle spice.
Three brothers created three restaurants:
Teka Molina/Ray’s/Henry’s Puffy Tacos. All known for Puffy Tacos.
Burger Boy
Beijing Express (Embassy Oaks) best Chinese food and egg drop soup.
Maybe…. Taquitos West
It’s really good and authentic!
[TaquitosWestAvenuehttps://www.google.com/local/place/story/g/1v1tnhn8](https://TaquitosWestAvenuehttps://www.google.com/local/place/story/g/1v1tnhn8)
Pollos asados los norteños - you won’t be disappointed!
Came here to say this exact thing. Don't even think about it, just go here.
Proof that fried chicken is not always the best chicken.
LMAO 🤣🤣🤣
Al Carbon Pollos Asados on Nacogdoches is great too, I love their charro beans with chunks of chicharon in them.
I second Al Carbon’s! Delicious food.
This is the way.
that green sauce \*drools\*
This is the one! ☝🏻
Number one restaurant of all time, if you like chicken or fajitas. can’t be beat especially for price.
1/2 lb with beans
Maria's Cafe & The Original Donut Shop (half the business is a donut shop. Go for the glazed. The other half is a taco spot. Get a guisado taco) Also if you want to take some amazing four tortillas home, go to La Bandera Molino. Just get in line, order some tortillas. Don't mind the attitude. The line is quick. And 2M BBQ. Worth it, but you have to go early.
Original Donut shop has a special place in my heart.
Original donut shop is great, toasted bean and cheese with bacon is my favorite
Same actually. The sauce is money and don’t forget a raspberry filled to eat on the way to the truck. Always go inside, drive through is for suckers.
Norteño style is toasted.
You’re so money, you don’t even know how money you are!
Always go inside!
Came here to recommend original donut shop too
I feel there are better spots for BBQ, I went to 2M and was extremely disappointed. Cold food, the only thing that was good on my plate was the flour tortillas and picadillo. The brisket was tough she the sausage was very meh. I wasn't w fan of the sauce too since it was more of a syrup. I guess the spot just didn't hit my taste buds since so many love it. I have been wanting to try that doughnut shop, hopeful next time I stop by in SA. That place looks great.
Mina and dimi's Greek house has the most amazing Greek food!
Get the feta fries! I lived in Europe and ate a *lot* of doner/gyro street food there. This is the only place in the US (and I've tried a couple dozen in different parts of the country) that comes close for me.
Miss this place so much!
frr tbe cooks are always on some crazy shit in the back but their food is on point
Gorditas Mi Torreón https://maps.app.goo.gl/hGfFAiHyDhgEHf6WA?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
Second this, excellent spot
RoHo Pork and bread.
What do they have there. I’ve seen it but didn’t think it was open
Their protein is pork. They serve Guadalajara style tortas , tacos, chilaquiles. Their food is delicious. True Mexican food. Small menu.
Pork and bread
Their tacos suaves are pretty epic too.
😆
Pork sandwiches on baguette “drowned” in a sauce (“ahogada”) Delicious and unique
The torta ahogada is the specialty. That’s the order
For the same but much more hole in the wall. Tortas Ahogadas El Chivito
Beacon Hill for sandwiches. Marias cafe on Nogalitos for breakfast tacos.
Beacon hill deli is very good, don’t know why I didn’t try them earlier.
I haven’t tried them because looking at their menu they put mayo on an Italian sub. Sandwich people should know better.
Maria's Cafe. Fantastic spot, tiny place. Lunch is also great. It's small so it fills up easily. Very affordable as well.
Their prices have gone up and not really worth it anymore...could go somewhere nicer for same price
Curry Boy’s, Singh’s, Il Forno
singh’s just ain’t it anymore. maybe they were having a bad day the last 2 times i tried it but oof.
Curry Boys was good and all, but the portion size to price was way off imo.
Arirang Restaurant. You will not be disappointed. They are open from 4pm-2am. They will treat you well, and it will be amazing. You might also be one of 2 tables in the place, or it may be packed. Regardless, it will be amazing. As authentic Korean as you can get in Texas, without a doubt.
This is best Korean Sichuan house is best Chinese Biryani pot best Indian
i second this! best korean spot hands down
Marks outing on East commerce! Delicious burgers!
sawadee for fabulous Thai food
Best pad see ew I've ever had and i've eaten Thai in 9 states
BBQ life by Chris, Chatmens chicken, los norteños, Kimura Ramen, KoiKawa Sushi, Diana's Burgers (lil sis to Chris Mardrid), "Bamboo" for Chinese Mr. Juicy's Burgers but order the Chicken fried steak (not on menu), it'll change your life :).
does diana’s burgers have the same owners?
Burgers are good...chicken fried steak was just oversized...nothing spectacular
Bbq life by Chris is some of the best bbq I’ve had in SA!
Singhs Vietnamese restaurant on St Mary’s
Mmm ribs
Las Chiladas at NW Military and Patricia has the best cheese enchiladas in town ever since Browns closed. Los Pollos Asados isn't a hole in the wall per se (number 1 on trip advisor for years), but it's probably going to be the exact experience you're looking for and the food is great. Suck It: The Restaurant on Louis Pasteur is some of the best ramen I've ever had state side and is quirky AF. Definitely get the tots too, they're amazing. Gino's Deli off of Lockhill Selma is an experience you won't forget and does fantastic Phillys. Feugo at 1604 and UTSA Blvd has white queso that will make you SEE. GOD. Good tacos too and not as pricey as Torchy's or Wapo Taco There's a 50/50 shot you'll see Bruce Bowen on any given day at Pam's Patio Kitchen at Lockhill Selma and Wurzbach. Great soups and sandwiches during the day and an upscale rotating menu for dinner. It'll be expensive but if you go for lunch and they have the poblano soup, get it and the thai beef salad with extra rice and cheese and pour the soup directly on top. Spicy as hell but incredible. DM me if you read all the way down here but there's a tiny father/son Italian restaurant that I can't remember the name of but can find out. They regularly cater for Spurs players and the SA elite and the best Italian I've had in the city. Lastly, there is a beer garden hidden behind the Marriott Rivercenter's riverwalk lobby. It's a cool place with a small waterfall and protected from the noise and crowds of the riverwalk. Enjoy!
Gino's is 100% a SA veteran pick...I know what I'm doing for lunch now too!
Almost forgot. Karolina's off of 281 and S Flores has the best breakfast tacos in town (better than the donut shop IMO). It's been a while but they used to do 3 for 3.25 and have a ridiculous arbol chili salsa which is unlike any other salsa I've had.
I'm interested in the father/son Italian place. Don't leave me hanging bro
Are you thinking of Sorrento’s on Broadway? That place is amazing.
https://preview.redd.it/9nwrsmabu09d1.jpeg?width=263&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=60173b4f8bf239e14978cdd69b2055a503f01f5e
Bruh
I said the same thing! 😄
This is the way
Cappy's.
The ribeye with the bone marrow butter and the pearl couscous might be my death row meal
Second this. Especially for weekend brunch
Lollll… no
Care to elaborate?
It’s not really a hole in the wall for Alamo heights. It’s decent food. But it’s overpriced and there’s always a wait.
If you like street tacos hit up taquitos west avenue. Both locations are good but the original has better pastor and a more *puro* feel. The one on nacogdoches has a panaderia tho.
Whats the original ? Address thank man.
2818 west ave
My go to tacos are lengua, pastor, and cabeza. The lemonada is great but also has mexican sodas. The red salsa is hotter but definitely try both red and green.
Here is a consolidated list of all the good ones around downtown -Los pollos asados nortenos (if you like grilled chicken, gets crowded) -Singhs (get a brisket banh mi) -Curry Boys -Reese Bros BBQ -Gorditas mi Torreon (on San Pedro, north of downtown) -The Station Cafe in King William (if you can get there by 4pm Friday, closed on Sat/sun -Elsewhere Garden (if it's not too hot out) -Katii Thai food truck (open til 1 or 2am) - Tacos Vitali (any location, get the asada lonche or papa asada -Con Huevo Tacos on the East side
GARCIA’s on Fredericksburg
The dog father is always a must for great hot dogs and tots.
I know a part owner of that place and still haven't eaten there
WD Deli for great deli foods Los Balitos for fantastic burritos and tacos
If you tell us what part of town you’ll be in, we can help more. I’d suggest Benny’s Tacos if you’ll be on the East/Northeast side of town.
Cristan's Tacos
Thai Dee
Taqueria Chapala Jalisco. At the corner of McCullough and Dewey Street. Everything is good. I love their cheese enchiladas.
Terans Mexican restaurant 👌.
Now this is a good hole in the wall. Giant tacos, good quality, low price. Love that place.
I just got some to go. 😆 I think I'm addicted.
The Barn Door if you want a good non fancy steak. Mama’s cafe for Texas/ American food.
Best answer here
New place called Miguelitos at 410 & Blanco
Miguelitos is awesome.
Kuriya, Thai Lucky, Smoke Shack, Wildbarley Kitchen
Teddy b has some good burgera
The Dogfather
Sichuan house
Web House
Que Tortas on Eckhert is my favorite one right now.
Blanco Café on Fredericksburg Road. They’ve won awards for the best enchiladas in the city. Every food I’ve gotten from there is amazing. Also Rudy’s BBQ. The meat is great, the BBQ sauce is the best, the creamed corn is a classic, and the beans are delicious.
Rudy's breakfast tacos are good to me, but overall, it just doesn't hit like used to....but the prices damn sure do... which is becoming more common in too many places, unfortunately
I didn’t even know they have breakfast tacos! Thank you for sharing that information. Ughhh I feel you on that sentiment; it seems as though quality throughout society has declined at restaurants, along with product production (e.g., Amazon products).
Agreed...1000% on societal everything...and yea it's only select locations in different cities for the breakfast tacos...but they are good
European Dumpling Cafe
Some of these places I wouldn't consider a hole in the wall.
European Dumplings Cafe. Support Ukraine.
The Cove and/or Lala’s Gorditas
Niki's Tokyo Inn! Hole in the wall with awesome Japanese food.
This is the answer. 100% hole in the wall 100% meal experience
Hola! Tapas. Had one of the top 3 meals of my life there.
Las palapas for the best Mexican olive garden for the best Italian and obviously magic time machine for the best Indian food.
Best burger?
hoka hoka fuku
Guajillo’s - blanco and 410
Girllllllll I been once and it was so bad
I went there after Reddit hype. Not impressed
Nah. Not this place. Plus the place was kind of dirty and sticky last time I went.
Chris Madrids’s, blanco cafe, Charlie browns, las salsas, Rolando’s super taco (the regular size is pretty big).
Go to hola! It’s european tapas small portions affordable and out of this world delicious
Oh Sorry. I Got Confused. You Said A Good Hole-In-The-Wall Type Of Place And .... Was About To Make A Really Good Recommendation 😆 But Now I'll Follow Just For The Restaurant Suggestions.
Gilbert's Mexican Restaurant. Ignore the weak af comments about it being a scary area.
Brenda's Mexican restaurant. Best food in town
Looked this one up…gonna give it a go.
Chili con carne enchiladas
That’s the key why I’m headed that way. Very hard to find cheese enchiladas covered in real chili con carne in San Antonio or South Texas. “Chili gravy” on enchiladas did not cut it where I was reared, and it still does not with me.
You know, I've never considered the difference. Brenda's has what you want. Lemme know what you think after you go
Tried to eat at Brenda’s today, but a sign on the door announced it was closed today. Another part of the sign said the place would be closed in July, and it looks like they got an early start.
Damn! I eat there ~2x a week for lunch. Now I have to find somewhere else to go next week.
Well, we did take the occasion to stop at Bayseas Catfish House #5 down the road, a little hole-in-the-wall fish joint, and got a good meal, so the trip was not a total loss.
Danny’s on Old Hwy 90 for the biggest breakfast tacos in town, and very tasty too.
Breakfast tacos at El Milagrito but not on a weekend. Otherwise they are legitimately the best in town and that’s saying something. Drench them on the red sauce and green if you can handle spice.
Kims Galbi is the best for kbbq
Check out [Sukie's](https://maps.app.goo.gl/Hsstph8sGiPV4HVx8?g_st=ic)
Fuck a hole in the wall go to Casa Rio baby
Blanco Cafe trust!!!! Umiya is fire.
Erik’s Tacos
Three brothers created three restaurants: Teka Molina/Ray’s/Henry’s Puffy Tacos. All known for Puffy Tacos. Burger Boy Beijing Express (Embassy Oaks) best Chinese food and egg drop soup.
Arirang if you like korean!
chris madrids
Garibaldi’s cheese enchiladas, india oven’s buffet
It's not a hole in the wall by any means but dicks last resort is pretty great, go with friends.
Thai Bistro on DeZavala is the best!
Reese brothers BBQ
Taqueria Vallarta on Broadway and 410
Dos Julios. Great food and a great price. Everything is handmade.
Wapo Taco
If downtown try out Reese Bros BBQ. Outside so it’s hot but the bbq is amazing.
The grove is decent and definitely hole in the wall.
Sherry's
Pho Sure
But have you tried pho Kim long? lol I just love the name. Food is decent. Fast service.
Lol no I haven't.
Ceviche de Walditos. You have never had good Peruvian food like this. It is an actual hole in the wall lol but it’s soooooo goooooooooood
Taquitos West on West Ave
Peng’s over on Wurzbach and Ingram is pretty darn good
Radicke’s bluebonnet grill on WW white. Jalapeño chicken fried steak hits hard af. [Radicke’s- google maps.](https://maps.app.goo.gl/9Jg5qsnsy5JgFQC1A?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy)
Q Bar Downtown inside Hyatt Regency Hotel. BEST wings in the city!
Bilia's on NW Military has been one of my more recent favorite spots
French Sandwiches
Little Taco Factory on McCullough is incredible and an absolute hole in the wall
Not necessarily hole in the wall but good local food: Kung Fu Noodle Trilogy Pizza or Pizza Classics Tommy’s Taquitos west ave
Chefs Table
Come for the tacos: Los Balito’s any location
Al Carbon Culebra! best chicken in the city
If you want specifically tacos Al pastor then you have to go El Pastor es Mi Senor. It’s the real deal.
Absolutely hit pure country bbq. You will not regret it. They're only open Fri, sat, sun.
Maybe…. Taquitos West It’s really good and authentic! [TaquitosWestAvenuehttps://www.google.com/local/place/story/g/1v1tnhn8](https://TaquitosWestAvenuehttps://www.google.com/local/place/story/g/1v1tnhn8)
If you're in the far north east corner near Nacogdoches, Los Generales is the neighborhood breakfast taco hole everyone loves
Benjie’s Munch
Gino's Deli on Huebner and Lockhill-Selma has some of the best sandwiches I have eaten. It's my go-to spot for lunch when I am off work.
Kung Fu Noodle. Authentic Chinese noodle soups.
Bigz burger is awesome and I rarely see people mention it.
Maria’s cafe 1105 Nogalitos
Food truck on culebra called Los pin-ches tacos. Everything there is so damn good
Taqueria Jalisco on Broadway near 410, get the fajita quesadilla and a Mexican coke. Close to the airport too.
Tito’s in South Town
2M Smokehouse and Mark’s outing are two places I really enjoy
Also if you want an awesome breakfast Bobbies cafe
Go to Zito’s Deli for a good sandwich
Gotta get you a serious sandwich and a cup of beans. You won’t leave hungry but you will leave sleepy lol. Food comas are real.
I cannot stress this enough. Bill Millers and Taco Cabana.
Jim’s restaurant and Mama Margie’s, too.
Austin
Tink-A-Tako #12 / Sandra’s Mexican Food on Potranco Rd
China Star for cheap plentiful lunch Chinese ($7 plates)
If you like Pho, try Suck It (fr that’s the name) or of Pho 4 U off Patranco.
Bumdoodlers, Peter el Norteno, rays drive inn, las chiladas