OUR PICK: 2M Smokehouse & Catering, 2731 S. W.W. White Road, (210) 885-9352

Though we’re living in the age of instant gratification (instant likes, instant snaps, texting, emails), the old adage of “good things come to those who wait” couldn’t apply more to a visit to our Best of San Antonio barbecue winner. Opened by high school best friends Joe Melig and pitmaster Esaul Ramos, 2M Smokehouse teased out their “barbecue con ganas” last summer with Saturday pop-ups in advance of their December opening. Nowadays, the barbecue is giving San Antonio smoky cred as ‘cue cult members travel far and wide to stand in line for a chance at that buttery brisket, succulent sausage with Serrano chile and Oaxaca cheese and addicting pickles. Get in line now.

WINNER: Bakery Lorraine, 306 Pearl Pkwy., Suite 110, (210) 862-5582, bakerylorraine.com

2. Cake Crumbs, 1218 W. Bitters Road, Suite 108, (210) 906-3783, cakecrumbssa.com

3. Bird Bakery, 5912 Broadway, (210) 804-2473, birdbakery.com

WINNER: Smoke Shack, 3714 Broadway, (210) 957-1430, smokeshacksa.com

2. Rudy’s Country Store & Bar-B-Q, multiple locations, rudysbbq.com

3. 2m Smokehouse & Catering, 2731 S. W. W. White Road, (210) 885-93
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WINNER: Lulu’s Bakery & Cafe, 918 N. Main Ave., (210) 951-2802, luluscafeinsa.com

2. De Wese’s Tip Top Cafe, 2814 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 735-2222

3. MK Davis Restaurant, 1302 N. Flores St., (210) 223-1208, mkdavisrestaurant.com

WINNER: Golden Wok, multiple locations, goldenwoksa.com

2. Ding How, 4531 NW Loop 410, (210) 549-8881, dinghowsa.com

3. Taste of Asia, 300 W. Bitters Road, Suite 120, (210) 496-6266

WINNER: Local Coffee, multiple locations, localcoffeesa.com

2. Barrio Barista, 3735 Culebra Road, (210) 519-5403, barriobarista.coffee

3. Rosella Coffee Co., 203 E. Jones Ave., Suite 101, (210) 277-8574, rosellacoffee.com

WINNER: Blanco Cafe, 1720 Blanco Road, (210) 732-6480

2. Taco Libre, 6511 Ingram Road, Suite 101, (210) 592-6288, facebook.com/vivatacolibre

3. Rosario’s, multiple locations, rosariossa.com

WINNER: Justin’s Ice Cream, 245 E. Commerce, (210) 222-2707, facebook.com/Justinsicecreamsanantonioriverwalk

2. Lick Honest Ice Creams, 312 Pearl Pkwy., Suite 2101, (210) 314-8166, ilikelick.com

3. Amy’s Ice Creams, 255 E. Basse Road, Suite 430, (210) 832-8886, amysicecreams.com

WINNER: Nectar Wine Bar & Ale House, 214 Broadway, (210) 375-4082, nectarsa.com

2. Snociopa, 6423 Babcock Road, Suite 104 , (210) 455 -8638, snopioca.com

3. Bar Louie, multiple locations, barlouie.com

WINNER: Sweet Yams, 218 N. Cherry St., (210) 229-9267, facebook.com/sweetyamsorganic

2. Green Vegetarian Cuisine, multiple locations, eatatgreen.com

3. Viva Vegeria, 1422 Nogalitos St., (210) 465-9233, myvegeria.com

WINNER: Sea Island Shrimp House, multiple locations, shrimphouse.com

2. El Bucanero, multiple locations, bucanerosanantonio.com

3. Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, 76 North East Loop 410, (210) 340-7143, pappadeaux.com