OUR PICK: El Mirador, 722 S. St. Mary’s St., (210) 225-9444
After closing for a number of months, El Mirador re-opened its doors in late December with a serious makeover that included murals by Garrett Mormando, artwork by Cruz Ortiz that lines the bar and a private dining room with late artist Chuck Ramirez’s work. While there’s plenty to ooh and ahh at inside, the patio helps bridge the gap between old El Mirador and new. Decked out with new tables, bright pink rope chairs, and a new layer of freshly crushed gravel, the patio here also has one of the best views of the Tower of the Americas (the restaurant was built in 1967, a year before the Hemisfair, and then-owners Julian Treviño Sr. and wife Maria made sure diners could see the newest addition to the SA skyline). It’s great for whiling away an afternoon, sippin’ on ginger-filled Diablos, noshing on 50 cent charro beans for happy hour, people watching or hosting a party with your closest friends.
Previous Winners
WINNER: Victory Salon, 4745 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 281-5808, facebook.com/victorysalontx
2. All American Barbershop, 105 Warren St., facebook.com/allamericanbarbershops
3. Traveler Barbershop, 2202 Broadway, (210) 920-4134, travelerbarbershop.com
WINNER: Inn on the Riverwalk, 129 Woodward Pl., (210) 225-6333, innontheriverwalk.com
2. Arbor House, 109 Arciniega St., (210) 472-2005, arborhouse.com
3. King William Manor, 1029 S. Alamo St., (210) 222-0144,
kingwilliammanor.com
WINNER: Brackenridge, 3910 N. St. Mary's St., (210) 207-7275, brackenridgepark.org
2. Hemisfair, 434 S. Alamo St., (210) 709-4750, hemisfair.org
3. Phil Hardberger, 13203 Blanco Road, (210) 492-7472, philhardbergerpark.org
WINNER: Phil Hardberger Park, 13203 Blanco Road, (210) 492-7472, philhardbergerpark.org
2. Bark Park of Alamo Heights, 5150 Broadway, gotdoggetpark.com
3. McAllister Dog Park, 13102 Jones Maltsberger Road, (210) 207-7275
WINNER: Alamo Drafthouse, multiple locations, drafthouse.com
2. Santikos Embassy, 13707 Embassy Row, (210) 496-4957, santikos.com/san-antonio/embassy-14
3. Casa Blanca, 11210 Alamo Ranch Pkwy, (210) 982-0180, santikos.com/san-antonio/casa-blanca
WINNER: Glaze Nail Lounge, 742 NW Loop 410 Suite, Suite 113, facebook.com/glazenaillounge
2. The Opal Office, 6245 Vance Jackson Road, Suite 1, (210) 414-6985, facebook.com/theopalofficesalon
3. The White Orchid, 4079 N. Loop 1604 W., Suite 107, (210) 408-1699, thewhiteorchidsa.com
2. The Opal Office, 6245 Vance Jackson Road, Suite 1, (210) 414-6985, facebook.com/theopalofficesalon
3. The White Orchid, 4079 N. Loop 1604 W., Suite 107, (210) 408-1699, thewhiteorchidsa.com
WINNER: Out in the Park, sixflags.com/fiestatexas/special-events/out-in-the-park
2. Texas Folklife Festival, texasfolklifefestival.org
3. Mexiqueens, facebook.com/mexiqueensa
WINNER: God’s Dogs Rescue, godsdogsrescue.org
2. Project HOT, 722 Isom Road, (210) 393-1981, projecthot.org
3. The Pride Center San Antonio, 1002 N. Flores St., (210) 370-7743, pridecentersa.org
WINNER: God’s Dogs Rescue, godsdogsrescue.org
2. SNIPSA, (210) 237-9400, snipsa.org
3. San Antonio Pets Alive, sanantoniopetsalive.org
