pearlLunch and dinner daily
Chef Johnny Hernandez's La Gloria at the Pearl plates the street antojitos of interior Mexico, from tacos and sopes to ceviche and elotes, on a River Walk patio.
Try: Mexican street antojitos and tacos
Tip: Order a spread of antojitos rather than entrees and share. The patio over the Museum Reach is the seat to want.
market-squareOpen 24 hours daily
Mi Tierra at Market Square runs around the clock, so a 3am plate of enchiladas is a local rite; grab conchas from the front panaderia on the way out.
Try: 24-hour Tex-Mex and pan dulce
Tip: Open around the clock, so a 3am plate of enchiladas is a local rite. Grab conchas from the front bakery to go.
south-sideDaily except Tuesday, 9am-7pm
Fruteria La Mission across from the Mission Drive-In is a South Side fruteria for mangonadas, aguas frescas and large fruit cups loaded with chamoy and tajin.
Try: Mangonadas, aguas frescas and big fruit cups
Tip: Order the large fruit cup with extra chamoy and tajin. A drive-through and walk-up window make it an easy summer stop.
north-sideBreakfast and lunch daily
Tommy's Restaurant on the north side is the spot for the local ritual of barbacoa with a Big Red; weekend mornings draw the longest lines for it.
Try: Barbacoa and Big Red
Tip: Order barbacoa with a Big Red for the full local ritual. Weekend mornings draw the longest lines.
downtownDaily, breakfast and lunch
La Panaderia's downtown bakery is a walkable River Walk stop for breakfast tacos and conchas; pair one with a cafe con leche to start the morning.
Try: Breakfast tacos and conchas
Tip: Pair a breakfast taco with a concha and a cafe con leche. A walkable downtown stop near the River Walk.
north-sideEarly morning to early afternoon daily
The Original Donut Shop on Fredericksburg Road pairs fresh donuts with breakfast tacos, a quintessentially San Antonio combination best understood by eating.
Try: Taco-and-donut combo
Tip: Order both a taco and a donut; that pairing is the whole point. The drive-through line moves fast in the morning.