Our pick: The Cobalt Club, 2022 McCullough Ave., (210) 251-2027

If you’re a heavy drinker or just trying to get your day started with a little bit of stumble in your step, then the Cobalt Club might be the place for you. Nestled on the corner of Ashby and McCullough, the Cobalt Club (better known just “the Cobalt”) might be known to some gays as a spot to cruise for “rough trade.” But gathered around this dimly lit bar is usually quite the motley crew. On any given day of the week, patrons include night shift doctors and nurses, bar owners, musicians, and a host of neighborhood “regulars” that give life to this bizarro-world Cheers. If you’re looking to venture off the beaten path of your normal routine, or just trying to stretch that dollar ‘til payday (drinks are actually quite inexpensive), stop by the Cobalt Club for an experience you may or may not want to tell your momma about.

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