There’s nothing like fall weather to trigger cravings for comfort food, whether that be gravy-smothered chicken fried steak, homey and warming fideo or Italian-American lasagna in red sauce. Hey, they all fit the bill.

Whatever your craving, San Antonio’s got plenty of neighborhood spots that serve up cozy, comforting food and get it right. Consider these 24 dependable spots go-tos when you need stick-to-your-ribs fare to nourish both body and soul. 

Tony G’s Soul Food 915 S Hackberry, (210) 451-1234, tonygssoulfood.com It’s hard to find a Sunday brunch that beats authentic Southern comfort food accompanied by live jazz music. Tony G’s is a crowd favorite for a reason, after all. Photo via Instagram / tonygssoulfood
Earl Abel’s 1639 Broadway, (210) 444-9424, earlabelssa.com It’s nearly impossible to say “no” to Earl Able’s award-winning fried chicken and desserts, so be ready to leave feeling stuffed. Photo via Instagram / earlabelssa
Fidelo’s Mexican Restaurant 10929 Nacogdoches Rd, (210) 655-8737, facebook.com/pages/Fidelos-Mexican-Restaurant Although you can’t go wrong with just about anything on the menu, Fidelo’s breakfast tacos are a crowd favorite for locals and visitors alike. Photo via Instagam / this.is.sanantonio
Fratello’s Deli & Market Multiple locations, fratellosdeli.com Sometimes, nothing warms the heart better than freshly-made lasagna. Fratello’s also has extensive pasta and sandwich menus sure to satiate any diner. Photo via Instagram / fratellos_satx
Three Star Bar 521 E. Grayson St., okayestbar.com Good food, drinks, arcade games, and dad jokes – what could make the “okayest bar on Grayson St” any better? Spend the evening out on their advertised average-size deck as you sip on your drink of choice and indulge in great bar food. Photo via Instagram / s.a.foodie
Melvin’s 226 W. Bitters Rd Max & Louie’s Diner owner Drew Glick announced the restaurant will expand to free up space to grow the original restaurant’s in-store bakery. Melvin’s will specialize in baked goods, ice cream and coffee. The new operation will launch in early October. Credit: Photo via Instagram / s.a.foodie
Garcia’s Mexican Food 842 Fredericksburg Rd, (210) 735-5686, facebook.com/Garcias-Mexican-Food In search of Mexican comfort food? Look no further than Garcia’s, whose enchiladas and fideo loco are sure to hit the spot. Photo via Instagram / eatdrinkandberichard
De Wese’s Tip Top Cafe 2814 Fredericksburg Rd, (210) 732-0191, tiptopcafe.takeout7.com Open since 1938, De Wese’s has perfected their menu over three generations of serving San Antonians. Grab a seat in their old-school diner, enjoy some classic comfort food and prepare to finish off the meal with one of their irresistible pies. Photo via Instagram / binkilee30
Dashi Sichuan Kitchen & Bar 2895 Thousand Oaks Dr., (210) 509-9999 sichuandashi.com After just opening this July as a second culinary venture by Sichuan House owner Kristina Zhao, Dashi Sichuan Kitchen has already made its mark as a local favorite for wining and dining. Stop by for happy hour drinks, or bring the family along for family-style dishes made to share. Photo via Instagram / sichuaneats
Magnolia Pancake Haus Multiple locations, magnoliapancakehaus.com Magnolia Pancake Haus is a first-choice breakfast destination for locals, and one trip there will be convincing enough. You can’t go wrong with their titular pancakes, but their menu is full of gems to keep you coming back for more. Photo via Instagram / timdisaster
Mama’s Cafe 2442 Nacogdoches Rd, (210) 826-8303, mamasrestaurants.com Mama’s Cafe offers classic Southern comfort food in an old-fashioned diner setting Wednesday-Sunday. Stop by for a brunch of biscuits and gravy, or relax over a dinner of their Texas Meat Loaf. Photo via Instagram / 2hungrygals
Bar Loretta 320 Beauregard St. This new Southtown spot will take over longtime SA fixture Madhatter’s Tea House, offering modern takes on classic Texas dishes, and the space will also host a small market, inspired by restaurants that reopened as small grocery stores when the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic forced dining rooms to close. Opening 2021. Photo via Instagram / pumpkinspicemamii
Chatman’s Chicken 1747 S WW White Rd, (210) 359-0245, facebook.com/Chatmans-Chicken Who would’ve known that getting to fried food heaven meant looking no further than the East side? A quick glance at Yelp is enough to tell you that there’s no wrong choice from the menu, so you’re bound to head back for more. Photo via Instagram / mt.calories
Guajillo’s Pozole 1001 Northwest Loop 410, (210) 344-4119, guajillos.com Guajillo’s may be known for their bomb salsa, but their red and green pozole are legitimate things of beauty. Tender hominy thickens the broth slightly as it sits, giving Guajillo’s pozole a uniquely velvety texture. Photo via Instagram / agave_monster
Bobbie’s Cafe 6728 S Flores St, (210) 923-1158, bobbiescafe.com Now operated by his son, Bobbie’s Cafe has been “cookin’ with love” since 1972. Their homestyle meals are sure to make you feel, well, at home, with a range from Tex-Mex dishes to killer burgers and fish plates. Photo via Instagram / bobbiescafe
Ma Harper’s Creole Kitchen 1816 N New Braunfels Ave, (210) 226-2200, facebook.com/maharperscreolekitchen Look no further for authentic New Orleans creole cooking than Ma’s, whose gumbo is a hit for New Orleaners and Texans alike. Ma’s is only open Friday-Sunday, so plan your trip accordingly — you may even meet the 92 year-old Ma herself, if you’re lucky. Photo via Instagram / datzitdatzall
Biff Buzby’s Burgers Dine-in and Pick-up, 12702 Toepperwein Road, Live Oak, (210) 590-2040, biffbuzbys.com Biff Buzby’s is known for hand-formed beef patties, sweetened sourdough buns and family-friendly classic car shows every Friday. Snag a burger and take a gander at a lot full of classic rides while you digest. Photo courtesy of Biff Buzby’s Burgers
Armadillo’s Texas Style Burgers Multiple locations, armadilloburger.com Known for their specialty Texas-sized 1 ½ pound and 3 pound burgers, Armadillo’s is sure to satisfy even the biggest of appetites. Don’t worry, they have regular-sized burgers too. Photo via Instagram / bexarbites.sa
Ida Claire 7300 Jones Maltsberger Rd, (210) 667-2145, ida-claire.com Ida Claire dishes out Southern-inspired cuisine with a modern twist, from the classic chicken and waffles to pecan smoked pork chops and duck nachos. Plus, they make their own gin. What’s not to love? Photo via Instagram / idaclairesa
B & B Tamales’ Tamales 866 W Mayfield Blvd, (210) 921-0847, facebook.com/pages/B-B-Tamales-Food-to-Go As Yelper Rex W. says, “Nothing tells you everything is going to be alright like enjoying the perfect tamal.” You may be a devoted pork or chicken tamale eater, but give the bean and jalapeño from B & B a try… just trust us on this. Photo via Instagram / eatdrinkandberichard
Josephine Street 400 East Josephine St, (210) 224-6169, josephinestreet.com Walking distance from the Pearl, Josephine Street’s mouthwatering menu offers options that satiate any diet. You can’t go wrong with a basket of their iconic cornmeal-based onion rings or, as their sign suggests, steak and whiskey. Photo via Instagram / josephine_street
M.K. Davis Restaurant 1302 N Flores St, (210) 223-1208, mkdavisrestaurant.com Nothing warms the soul quite like some hot gravy. What started in 1956 as some picnic tables and ice-cold beers is now a San Antonio classic whose food and atmosphere remain true to their family roots. Photo via Instagram / adamicecold3000
NOLA Brunch & Beignets 720 E Mistletoe, (210) 320-1572, eatatnola.com Chef Pieter Sypesteyn brings his love for his hometown’s cuisine to San Antonio, a love that’s shared by the weekend rush that’s willing to wait for a seat. Enjoy beignets, cajun boudin chilaquiles and other modern takes on New Orleans and breakfast favorites. Photo via Instagram / nola_brunchsa
La Sorrentina 3330 Culebra Road, (210) 549-0889, lasorrentinasa.com This hidden gem on the West side is well worth the wait. Get your Italian food fix with lasagna and pasta dishes that’ll keep you full for days — just be sure to save some room for the tiramisu. Photo via Instagram / la_sorrentina_