TIE: The Big Bib
104 Lanark, (210) 654-8400, thebigbib.com
The Granary (pictured)
602 Avenue A, (210) 228-0124, thegranarysa.com
After relocating from its original spot, Big Bib still garners impressive lines. There are several reasons why, but not all of them fit on your plate. Sure, the brisket is thick and flavorful, the turkey tender and moist, and the beef tips are out of this fucking world, but the attentive and friendly service is as sweet as that buttery peach cobbler. The sweet potato casserole really does taste like heaven, but the baked potato casserole is what dreams are made of.
Brothers Alex and Tim Rattray are doing barbecue their way, by both honoring Texan ‘cue during lunchtime service and knocking smoked meats out of the park at dinner. Everything, from the buttermilk bread to the sweet and crunchy pickles, is made in-house with care—and it shows. Get there early for the best selection as The Granary is known to sell out while trying to keep Pearl visitors and locals fed.
1. Bakery Lorraine
511 E Grayson, (210) 862-5582, bakerylorraine.com
2. Bird Bakery
5912 Broadway, (210) 804-2473, birdbakery.com
3. Broadway Daily Bread
Multiple locations, broadwaydailybread.net
What makes them so special? Comment below.
1. Taco Taco Café
145 E Hildebrand, (210) 822-9533, tacotacosa.com
2. Tellez Tamales & Barbacoa
1737 S General McMullen, (210) 433-1367
3. Rio’s Barbacoa
Multiple locations
What makes them so special? Comment below.
1. Rudy’s Country Store
Multiple locations, rudysbbq.com
2. Two Bros BBQ
12656 West, (210) 496-0222, twobrosbbqmarket.com
3. The Granary
602 Avenue A, (210) 228-0124, thegranarysa.com
What makes them so special? Comment below.
1. Taco Taco Café
145 E Hildebrand, (210) 822-9533, tacotacosa.com
2. Taco Haven
Multiple locations, tacohaven.info
3.Bill Miller Bar-B-Q
Multiple locations, billmillerbbq.com
What makes them so special? Comment below.
1. Candlelight
3011 N St. Mary’s, (210) 738-0099, candlelightsa.com
2. Magnolia Pancake Haus
Multiple locations, magnoliapancakehaus.com
3. Feast
1024 S Alamo, (210) 354-1024, feastsa.com
What makes them so special? Comment below.
1. Chris Madrid’s
1900 Blanco, (210) 735-3552, chrismadrids.com
A San Antonio favorite, Chris Madrid’s has been dishing out massive burgers with some serious fries since 1977. The famous tostada bean burger proves memorable, combining a juicy burger patty, beans and crisp chips with a whole lot of cheese. Madrid’s sweet mango margarita is a perfect pairing for any of the burgers, chalupas or nachos on the menu.
2. Chester’s Hamburger Company
Multiple locations
3. Big’z Burger Joint
2303 N Loop 1604 W, (210) 408-2029, bigz-burgerjoint.com
1. DeWeses’s Tip Top Café
2814 Fredericksburg, (210) 732-0191, tiptopcafe.com
2. Lulu’s Bakery and Cafe
918 N Main, (210) 224-5001, luluscafeinsa.com
3. Good Time Charlie’s
2922 Broadway, (210) 828-5392, gtcsatx.com
What makes them so special? Comment below.
1. Golden Wok
Multiple locations, golden-wok.com
2. Hsiu Yu
8338 Broadway, (210) 828-2273, hsiuyu.com
3.Formosa Garden
1011 NE Loop 410, (210) 828-9988, formosagarden.com
What makes them so special? Comment below.
1. Local Coffee
Multiple locations, localcoffeesa.com
Serious about coffee, the neighborhood java brewmasters at Local treat bean roasting like an art. Self-admittedly “obsessed” with crafting the best cup of joe, baristas offer a rotating lineup of new coffee from different roasters around the country on a weekly basis. The sleek, modern space and relaxed ambience of all three locations, including the most recent (and much anticipated) spot at the Pearl, is perfect for catching up with friends or weeding through your inbox—this year Local was rightfully named “best place to work on your laptop,” too. Readers salute Local for keeping them not just caffeinated with damn good coffee, but with the direct-trade, organic kind of black gold we can all get behind.
2. Olmos Perk Coffee
5223 McCullough, (210) 858-2956, olmosperk.com
3. Halcyon Southtown
1414 S Alamo, (210) 277-7045, halcyonsouthtown.com
1. Bakery Lorraine
511 E Grayson, (210) 862-5582, bakerylorraine.com
2. Bird Bakery
5912 Broadway, (210) 804-2473, birdbakery.com
3. Cupcake Couture
Multiple locations, cupcakecouturebakeries.com
What makes them so special? Comment below.
