For San Antonians who spend their workweek at the office, it’s easy to get in a lunchtime rut. During that hour-long respite from the 9-to-5 workday, we often find ourselves eating the same thing over and over out of convenience.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

San Antonio has plenty of great restaurants that are perfect for weekday lunches — whether you’re looking for a quick bite, affordable specials or a good spot for a working lunch with colleagues. These 27 dining spots are worth a visit on your lunch break.

Box Street All Day 623 Hemisfair Blvd., Ste. 108, (210) 476-5705, theboxstreetsocial.com This casual, chef-driven concept features an all-day brunch menu, signature cocktails and an espresso bar, and the zero-proof drink menu makes it a great spot to stop for a fancy tipple, no matter the hour. Photo by s.a.foodie, courtesy of Box Street All Day Credit: Photo by s.a.foodie, courtesy of Box Street All Day
Best Quality Daughter 602 Avenue A, (210) 819-4236, bestqualitydaughter.com This self-proclaimed “New Asian-American” spot boasts custom wallpaper — one featuring Alamo City landmarks in punchy colors — panda pinatas and neon signs, making it a trendy lunch spot to impress your coworkers or clients. Their weekday lunch menu also features a variety of gluten free and vegan options. Photo via Instagram / bestqualitydaughter
Dignowity Meats 1701 E. Houston St., (210) 462-1496, dignowitymeats.com Whether you’re stopping by for one of their smoked meat sandwiches (all $12 and under) or taking advantage of their by-the-pound pricing – the brisket burnt ends ($5.50 for 1/4 pound), buttermilk fried chicken quarters ($4), pulled pork ($4.50 for 1/4 pound) or St. Louis ribs for $2.50 each — you’ll also have extra bills to make your meal complete with a side or two! Photo via Instagram / dignowitymeats Credit: Photo via Instagram / dignowitymeats
Maria’s Cafe 1105 Nogalitos St. This mom-and-pop spot offers tasty Mexican food in a homey, eclectically decorated venue. The restaurant’s affordable lunch plates are a no-brainer when you’re looking for a quick, low-budget bite. Photo via Instagram / thundercat280
Ming’s 914 E. Elmira St., (210) 600-4083, mingsthing.com Open Tuesday-Sunday, Ming’s provides classic Chinese dishes such as ma-la noodles and orange chicken, adding to the diversity of the Alamo City’s palate. Not to mention the restaurant’s steamed buns, which make the perfect midday snack. Photo via Instagram / mingsthing
The Good Kind Southtown 1127 S. St. Mary’s St., (210) 801-5892, eatgoodkind.com The Good Kind’s picturesque outdoor garden is perfect for grabbing a bite to eat and catching some rays on lunch break. Open for weekday lunch Tuesday-Sunday, the restaurant serves up a variety of shareable bites, salads and sandwiches with a farm-to-table ethos. Photo via Instagram / goodkindsouthtown
Curry Boys BBQ 2334 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 320-0555, curryboysbbq.com Open Wednesday through Sunday, this spot blends Southeast Asian curry with classic Texas BBQ to create their rice bowls. This window-service restaurant has plenty of patio seating for patrons to enjoy lunch on a nice day. Photo via Instagram / curryboysbbq
Chilaquil 312 Pearl Pkwy. Building 6, Suite 6109, (210) 267-1125 eatchilaquil.com Chilaquil is known for super fresh, vibrant eats such as tacos, tortas and their signature namesake chilaquiles. Post up to enjoy the Pearl scenery — and people watch — while you eat. Photo via Instagram / eatchilaquil
Full Goods Diner 200 E. Grayson St., Suite 120, (210) 819-4226, fullgoodsdiner.com Newly-opened Full Goods Diner serves up breakfast and lunch items packed with seasonal and local ingredients in the Pearl Brewery space that formerly housed Green Vegetarian Cuisine. The eatery also boasts a full coffee bar for afternoon pick-me-ups. Photo via Instagram / fullgoodsdiner
La Panadería Multiple Locations, lapanaderia.com La Panaderia’s three San Antonio locations often have lines out the door on weekends, but those looking for a weekday lunch spot can post up here for a long midday break, then snag a couple dozen pan dulce to bring back to the office. No one will even realize you were gone for two hours if you return with sweets. Photo via Instagram / lapanaderia
Wild Goji Restaurant & Bar 7115 Blanco Rd., #110, (210) 277-0638, wildgojisatx.com This north central SA joint offers multiple sushi and bento box lunch specials that you can wash down with the restaurant’s complimentary goji berry water. Remember to check the hours before heading over, as this spot is closed on Tuesdays. Photo via Instagram / wildgoji_sat
W.D. Deli 3123 Broadway, (210) 828-2322, wddeli.com All of W.D. Deli’s sandwiches cost under $15, with classic sandwich options ringing up under $10 and their signature options only a couple of bucks more. After an ownership change in March 2022, the restaurant expanded their hours to include Saturdays, giving hungry San Antonians more opportunity to stop in for an affordable bite. Photo via Instagram / wddeli

21. Mark’s Outing

Multiple Locations
“Food was so good. I ordered the 1/4 mushroom burger. Patty was very flavorful. Nice atmosphere, people were friendly.” – Imelda G. Credit: Photo via Instagram / marksouting
Guillermo’s Multiple Locations, guillermosdowntown.com Serving San Antonio for more than two decades out of a humble yellow shack in the heart of downtown, Guillermo’s serves what some locals consider the city’s best Italian food. In late 2021, the restaurant opened a second location near Pearl. Photo via Instagram / guillermosaustinstreet
Tank’s Pizza 902 N. New Braunfels Ave., (210) 405-4853, tankspizzamenu.com Open Thursday through Monday, Tank’s Pizza isn’t a midweek lunch option, but it’s worth making a trek on one of the three weekdays it’s in operation. With regular specials offered on their social media, Tank’s is a great option for folks who look for lunch made with quality ingredients that won’t break the bank. Photo via Instagram / tankspizza
Beto’s Alt-Mex Multiple Locations, betosaltmex.com Beto’s modern take on empanadas, which come in over ten different varieties, is more than worth the trip down Broadway. This spot has a signature alt-mex flavor that seeks to innovate on beloved Mexican street food dishes. Those on the North Side can now grab food at the restaurant’s Rapido location. Photo via Instagram / betosaltmex Credit: Photo via Instagram / betosaltmex
Gold Feather 834 NW Loop 410, Suite 106, (210) 342-2473, goldfeatherbb.com Located near SA’s North Star Mall, Gold Feather offers chicken in every form and fashion, including the restaurant’s signature chicken and waffles, chicken sandwiches and chicken wings paired with original sauces. Photo via Instagram / goldfeatherbb
Taco House 6307 San Pedro Ave., (210) 341-3136, facebook.com/tacohousesa This casual homemade Mexican food joint serves up simple breakfast and lunch options, as well as drive-thru service, to accommodate those with less than an hour to refuel. Photo via Instagram / corazoncreativa
Mr. Juicy 3910 McCullough Ave., (210) 994-9838 instagram.com/mrjuicyburger Snag a cheeseburger combo and a shake for dessert and you won’t walk away hungry. For those on the move, swing by the drive-through for your Juicy burger fix. Photo via Instagram / mrjuicyburger

15. The Dogfather

6211 San Pedro Ave
“Another solid spot for burgers and Hot Dogs. PLUS, you can order from your seat at the Bar next door and get delivered to your seat! Amazing! Perfect late night munchie spot as well. Their APP is easy to use.” – Jason D. Credit: Photo via The Dogfather SA/Instagram
Down on Grayson 303 E. Grayson St., (210) 248-9244, downongrayson.com Located on the outskirts of Pearl, Down on Grayson is a slightly more upscale American food restaurant with a huge patio dining area under the shade of an oak tree. Photo via Instagram / down_on_grayson
Guajillo’s The Shortcut to Mexico 1001 Northwest Loop 410, (210) 344-4119, guajillos.com Guajillo’s is the spot to go to for both traditional Mexican fare and creative twists on classic dishes. Oh, and you can also indulge in a Margarita Lunch:any lunch special paired with a margarita. Photo via Instagram / poncetime
Blue Moon Mexican Restaurant 3228 S. Flores St., (210) 531-0093, bluemoonmexicanrestaurant.com Known for fideo con carne and enchiladas, Blue Moon Cafe is a family-owned lunch spot off of South Flores. Peep the restaurant’s social media for daily lunch specials. Photo via Facebook / Blue Moon Cafe
Mina & Dimi’s Greek House 7159 W. Hwy. 90, (210) 674-3464, agreekhouse.com Open Tuesday through Saturday, this Greek house has options for everyone, from pita to gyros. This longtime St. Mary’s Street eatery is a lunchtime fave for many downtowners. Photo via Instagram, jezebellatrix
The Hayden 4025 Broadway, (210) 437-4306, thehaydensa.com Somewhere between a deli and a diner, The Hayden offers breakfast, brunch and, of course, lunch. Craft cocktails, beer and wine are also available all day, for those who don’t let a silly thing like afternoon tasks keep them from wetting their whistles. Photo via Instagram / thehayden_sa
Charlie Brown’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill 11888 Starcrest Dr. #101, (210) 496-7092, charlie-browns.com Lunch deals and daily specials make this spot a no-brainer for folks who work in the area. Whatever you do, don’t skip the cherry chipotle wings. Made with fresh fruit, these wings offer a sweet and spicy approach to the beloved bar snack. Photo by San Antonio Current Staff
El Cevichero 1023 Cupples Rd., facebook.com/cevichero1 Simply put, El Cevichero’s two locations — and $3 lunch special Wednesday through Friday — can’t be missed. As the name suggests, this joint specializes in serving up ceviche and birria, which you can enjoy on an idyllic patio at the Cupples Road location. Photo via Instagram / el_cevichero1