Multiple locations, osakasteaknsushi.com
If you’re looking to enjoy some authentic sushi but not drop all your money on it, Osaka has a great sushi roll deal. You can order two rolls for $15 or three rolls for $20. Their menu gives you the option of choosing from 18 different rolls in this special deal.
Pro Tip: Try the spider roll.
Pho Cong Ly
300 W. Bitters Road, (210) 499-5572
Pho Cong Ly has mastered the pho bowl and their most commonly ordered item is the P2 ($7.65), which combines the rich broth with eye round steak and a fresh batch of accouterments to put in your bowl, including a giant pile of bean sprouts, cilantro, basil, jalapenos and lemons.
Pro Tip: Try the Vietnamese spring rolls.
Florio’s Pizza
7701 Broadway, (210) 805-8646, floriospizza.com
They are known for their New York-style pizza and laid-back atmosphere but the sandwiches are just as savory. Their “Cold Italian” is a gourmet sandwich stuffed with everything you could want in an Italian sub. For only $7.95, you can enjoy some thin-sliced genoa salami, ham, pepperoni, provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato and onion between a perfectly toasted roll, along with some oil and vinegar dressing.
Pro Tip: Don’t skip the homemade desserts.
1014 S. Alamo St., (210) 368-9324, hotjoysa.com
What’s better than twice-fried chicken wings on “Wingsday?” Not a whole lot. Hot Joy features their killer wings on Wednesday for just $5 and you can choose from lemon pepper curry, Sichuan crunch and original crab fat caramel.
Pro Tip: Branch outside of the house wings if you’re looking for something new.
El Gallito De Jalisco
9226 Wurzbach Road, (210) 614-7114
Mini tacos are perfect for any day of the week and any meal of the day and El Gallito serves up their five mini tacos and a soda all for $6.50 every week. Not only is this a cheap deal, but they offer variety – you can also choose two different meats for your five mini taco plate.
Pro Tip: Don’t miss the burritos for $4.50
Capos Pizza
17676 Blanco Road, #400, (210) 362-1901
A hidden gem in San Antonio is serving up giant slices of pizza. This New York-style pizza is a can’t-miss and so is their lunch special. You can order two slices of pizza and a soda for only $4.50. One piece will be enough to fill you but getting the special won’t hurt.
Pro Tip: Pick up some cannoli while there.
Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille
15900 La Cantera Pkwy., (210) 558-6161, perryssteakhouse.com
Known for their Flinstonian pork chops and other high-roller menu items, Perry’s has a Friday lunch special you cannot pass up. Their infamous pork chop is only $13.95 during lunch and features potatoes and applesauce to boot.
Pro Tip: Get there early.
Burger Boy
2323 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 735-1955
Burger Boy is a classic spot in San Antonio. Their great burgers at even better prices is one of the many reasons you should try it — another reason is the orange freeze. Their Bates Special includes a famous burger boy with crinkle-cut fries and a regular drink for $4.95.
Pro Tip: Upgrade to a milkshake!
Guillermo’s
618 McCullough Ave., (210) 223-5587, guillermosdowntown.com
Guillermo’s is a bumpin’ hot spot for lunch and their Tony’s Special is to blame. One of their best-selling items on the menu, the special includes a gourmet sandwich, such as the Italian ham and pepperoni, meatball or the delicious turkey, bacon and avocado paired with a classic side salad or their signature bow-tie pasta salad. All this can be yours for $12. You cannot pass this up.
Pro Tip: Get there early to avoid the lunch rush.
Augie’s Barbed Wire Smoke House
3709 N. St. Marys St., (210) 735-0088, augiesbbq.com
Augie’s is definitely the place for authentic barbecue, but it’s also the place to indulge in a good burger. For $8.99 you can get a half-pound smoked patty cheeseburger and rough-cut fries. The restaurant offers more than just the classic burger — stop in for a chili cheeseburger, chili cheese Frito burger or the brisket burger, all under $12.
Pro Tip: Go even cheaper with the chopped barbecue sandwich for $5.99
2347 NW Military Hwy., (210) 525-8118, sichuansa.com
Sichuan Cuisine is a great location for a delicious and adventurous lunch special. Start your lunch off with an appetizer of eight pot stickers for $4.95 and order one of their lunch plates such as lemon chicken, beef and broccoli, or the sweet and sour chicken, served with a side of fried or steamed rice, egg roll and a soup for $6.95.
Pro Tip: Try the shredded pork with bamboo shoots.
Ray’s Drive Inn
822 SW. 19th St., (210) 432-7171, raysdriveinn.net
Iconic Ray’s Drive Inn, home of the “Original Puffy Taco,” also boasts some puro menu items at insanely affordable prices. You can enjoy three cheese enchiladas, rice, beans and two homemade flour tortillas for $6. If you’re craving more than just melty cheese, Ray’s chicken and beef enchilada plates are $7.25.
Pro Tip: You can also never go wrong with the puffy tacos.
Kolache Stop
11703 Huebner Road, Suite 200, (210) 558-3900
If you’re looking for a place to grab a fresh homemade kolache for lunch, the Kolache Stop is your place. They offer a tasty variety of lunch kolaches including pulled pork, brisket beef, chicken club, meatball and more. You can get one for under $3. Don’t forget to add a large, fresh-baked triple chocolate chunk or oatmeal raisin cookie for $1.95.
Pro Tip: Call ahead to make sure they can fill your kolache order.
Pho Sure
741 W. Ashy Pl., (210) 733-8473, pho-sure.com
Obviously known for their pho bowls, Pho Sure also carries a traditional California roll for only $4.75, which you can always get as an app and then order a pho steak slice and chicken bowl for $7.25. You “Pho Sure” have to give this place a try.
Pro Tip: This is a hot spot for San Antonio College students.
108 King William St., (210) 444-2200, thestationsa.com
Pizza, soup and salad is one of the simplest lunch combos you can have. But the combination doesn’t have to be boring. Head to The Station Cafe and grab a combo for $6.95. They offer traditional cheese, pepperoni and supreme pies. Soup options change daily and you can take your pick of garden vegetable salad or Greek salad.
Pro Tip: You can’t go wrong with any of the sandwiches, either.
El Milagrito Cafe
521 E. Woodlawn Ave., (210) 737-8646, elmilagritocafe.com
Enjoy a delicious breakfast special from El Milagrito Cafe for $5.79. On Tuesdays they offer a migas plate or a huevos rancheros with ham plate. Each plate is served with two handmade tortillas, refried beans and papas con chorizo. Papas con chorizo on every plate is like having two plates in one.
Pro Tip: Load up on the spicy green salsa.
Lüke San Antonio
125 E. Houston St., (210) 960-1854, lukesanantonio.com
Turns out you can enjoy an upscale lunch without dropping an arm and a leg. Lüke offers daily express lunch plates for $10 with your choice between red beans and rice or breaded pork chops on Monday, or the shrimp Creole served with rice on Fridays.
Pro Tip: This is where you want to have your power lunches.
Tito’s Mexican Restaurant
955 S. Alamo St., (210) 212-8226, titosrestaurant.com
Tito’s is your place if you’d like to have a little bit of everything at this Southtown Tex-Mex fave without busting your budget. You can choose from 16 different express lunch menu plates, including the cilantro cream enchilada and crispy beef taco plate, or the enchilada verde and crispy beef taco plate. Each plate is served with rice, beans and two tortillas. Don’t forget to go back for round two during their happy hour specials.
Pro Tip: The tortas aren’t too shabby.
623 Urban Loop, (210) 800-3487, ro-hoporkandbread.com
Stack up on paper napkins for this lunchtime excursion. Drown your torta in the rich tomato salsa, but tread lightly when it comes to their hot sauce — they’re not messing around with that heat. These babies will most definitely hold you over until dinner time. At Ro-Ho you can enjoy a generous pork torta ahogada and a Mexican coke for under $10.
Pro Tip: Grab an order of the $5 Chila Killers.
Rudy’s Seafood
4122 S. Flores St., (210) 532-1315, rudysseafood.com
A hidden gem in the heart of San Antonio, Rudy’s Seafood is filled with must-have plates. The fish and shrimp combo (which is huge) includes fish, shrimp, fries, coleslaw, tartar sauce and two slices of bread for under $12.
Pro Tip: Get the daily special of two pieces of fish and three jumbo shrimp.
Fratellos Deli
2503 Broadway, (210) 444-0277, fratellosdeli.com
Your go-to sandwich stop options should include Fratellos, because they serve up cold and hot sandwiches on fresh-baked breads. For under $11 you can scarf down one of their hot sandwiches like the Italian sausage, eggplant or classic meatball parmigiana. Bonus: All sammies come with the house-made potato chips.
Pro Tip: The pizza and soup special is a must.
Multiple locations, eatatgreen.com
Don’t miss the breakfast at Green. Both locations offer variety when it comes to the day’s most important meal. Choose from either a short stack for $6 or a tall stack for $7, with your choice of either regular or sweet potato pancakes. Add blueberries, pecans, oatmeal and raisins or chocolate chips for extra flavor.
Pro Tips: The vegan breakfast bowl is made with tofu and will fill you up until lunchtime.
Cerroni’s Purple Garlic
1017 Austin Hwy., (210) 822-2300, cerronispurplegarlic.com
Cerroni’s Purple Garlic delivers on the cheap with their Greek salad, which includes romaine lettuce, roma tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, feta cheese and an Italian vinaigrette eaters rave about. This huge salad, topped with grilled chicken, is yours for under $10.
Pro Tip: You should really try dessert.
Thai Spice and Sushi
8327 Agora Pwky., Schertz, (210) 658-1665, thaispicesushisa.com
Specials at Thai Spice (available Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and noon to 3 p.m. on the weekends) mean you can choose from 24 different menu items. Choose from either beef, chicken, pork or tofu, steamed or fried rice, and enjoy a spring roll and the soup of the day for $7. If you’d like more than one meat, a combination of any of the above (or seafood) is just $1 more.
Pro Tip: Get the pad Thai.
Lulu’s Bakery and Cafe
918 N. Main Ave., (210) 222-9422, lulusbakeryandcafe.com
Big appetites only. Divide and conquer the Deputy Special, which includes the chicken-fried steak, served with your choice of two sides and dinner roll for $10.49.
Pro Tip: No, really, get the cinnamon roll.
This article appears in Tamales/Winter Flavor 2015 and Flavor Issue (2015).