Mexican street food$$pearlLunch and dinner daily
La Gloria brings Mexican street food to the Pearl's River Walk patio, where a shared spread of tacos, ceviche and elotes beats ordering individual entrees.
Order: Street tacos, ceviche and elotes on the River Walk patio.
Tip: The patio is the seat to want on a warm evening. Order a spread of antojitos rather than entrees and share.
Caribbean$$west-sideLunch and dinner, closed Sun-Mon
The Jerk Shack is a Bib Gourmand Caribbean spot on the West Side where jerk chicken is the signature and the curry goat sells out; the lunch lines build fast.
Order: Jerk chicken, curry goat and festival dumplings.
Tip: Lines build at lunch. The jerk chicken is the signature, but the curry goat sells out, so go early if it is what you want.
Diner and burgers$$alamo-heightsDaily, breakfast and lunch
Cullum's Attaboy is chef Chris Cullum's retro diner near Alamo Heights, serving breakfast, a champagne brunch, and one of the best burgers in town.
Order: The smash burger, champagne brunch and a malt.
Tip: Weekend brunch fills the small room fast. The smash burger and the champagne brunch are the reasons to come.
Seafood$$$southtownDinner, closed Monday
Little Em's Oyster Bar brings a proper raw bar to Southtown, with Gulf and East Coast oysters, a seafood tower, and Louisiana-leaning plates.
Order: Gulf and East Coast oysters, the seafood tower and gumbo.
Tip: Happy hour is the value play for oysters. The gumbo and the seafood tower are the kitchen's standouts.
Texas BBQ$$downtownLunch until sold out, closed Monday
Pinkerton's Barbecue brought Texas brisket downtown; get there at opening before the beef rib and brisket sell out, and order by the pound to a nearby bench.
Order: Brisket, beef rib and jalapeno cheese sausage.
Tip: Get there at opening; the beef rib and brisket sell out. Order by the pound and take it to a downtown bench.
Texas BBQ$$south-sideLunch until sold out, Thu-Sun
2M Smokehouse on the South Side smokes brisket and chicken with Mexican-influenced sides, a Michelin-recommended pit open Thursday to Sunday until sold out.
Order: Brisket, the smoked chicken and Mexican-influenced sides.
Tip: Open Thursday to Sunday only, and it sells out. Arrive within the first hour for the best of the brisket and ribs.