Where you put your money matters.
When you support Black-owned restaurants with your dollars, you’re offering direct support to a vital part of the San Antonio community. And all while trying delicious food that ranges from Southern-style cuisine and barbecue to Jamaican and African cuisine. This is far from an exhaustive list of the Alamo City’s many Black-owned food businesses, but it’s a great start for foodies looking to sample Black excellence.
The Big Bib BBQ
104 Lanark Drive, (210) 654-8400, thebigbib.com.
Serving up meat by the pound and flavor by the mile, The Big Bib’s blend of herbs, spices and smoking woods delivers delectable ‘cue.
Freight Fried Chicken
312 Pearl Parkway, Building 6, instagram.com/freightchicken.
Renowned chef Nicola Blaque of The Jerk Shack runs this fried-chicken concept inside the Pearl’s Bottling Department food hall. The name draws attention to Waiter Carriers — Black women entrepreneurs who sold fried chicken to travelers after the Civil War.
Sauce’s Southern Kitchen
122 W Lindbergh Blvd., (210) 577-6396, saucesa.square.site.
Sauce’s Southern Kitchen has been serving authentic Cajun and Creole cuisine to San Antonio residents since 2015. This mobile food truck serves up classics like gumbo, catfish and jambalaya so good you’d think you’re in the heart of the Big Easy.
Asukar Specialty Cakes
700 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 764-9614, asukar.com.
Asukar is the place for extravagant custom-made cakes. From weddings to birthdays to corporate gifting, Asukar will bake and design a cake with details specific to your needs. The business even offers sandwiches, snacks and sweets in its cafe.
Harmon’s BBQ
102 S. Main St., Cibolo, (210) 658-8889, harmonsbbq.com.
The barbecue may be smoked slowly, but you’ll have a hard time not eating it fast. Harmon’s serves up flavorful ‘cue by the plate, combo, sandwich and more. They offer up all the essential meats and fixin’s you need for a real Texan style meal.
Tank’s Pizza
902 N. New Braunfels Ave., (210) 320-9224, tankspizzas.com.
There’s nothing like dough, tomato and cheese, and Tank’s has it down. Specialty pizzas such as “Maxed Out” and “The Works” offer creative topping combos. Don’t sleep on Tank’s style wings and classic pastas either.
Tony G’s Soul Food
Multiple locations, (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, you can’t go wrong with a place that makes peach cobbler from scratch daily.
DeeWillie’s Bar-B-Que
12130 O’Connor Road, (210) 387-7452, deewilliestxbbq.com.
DeeWillie’s Bar-B-Que is a must-try. This longtime spot offers food made by barbecue lovers for barbecue lovers. This spot has the know-how to do brisket right.
The Jerk Shack
10234 TX-151, (210) 776-7780, thejerkshacksatx.com.
Chef Nicola Blaque’s West Side Jamaican hotspot is a consistent mention in restaurant roundups for its wild flavors, hefty portions and good eating. The jerk chicken is obviously a big seller, but they also offer jerk ribs, plantains and mac and cheese. Just keep in mind, you might want to get there early, because they often sell out!
Manna Reign Chocolates
(207) 756-5728, facebook.com/mannareignchocolates.
From truffles to bonbons to gluten free brownies, Manna Reign Chocolate is a one stop shop for chocoholics. Catch them at a farmer’s market near you, or place a custom order via email.
Mark’s Outing
1624 E. Commerce St., (210) 299-8110, marksouting.com.
Mark’s Outing describes its burgers as big, fat and juicy, but that’s not all the spot offers. The catfish plates and chicken wings are formidable too. If you’re feeling especially insatiable, try the 2-lb. Burger Challenge.
SipIt Daiquiris To-Go
Multiple Locations, (210) 600-3272, drinksipit.com.
SipIt Daiquiris hit the ground running in January 2020. Since then, the drive-thru drink biz has opened 12 locations in San Antonio and beyond. SipIt offers a wide variety of different daiquiri flavors including seasonal specials, combination flavors and virgin drinks.
Sweet Yams
218 N. Cherry St., (210) 229-9267, sweetyamsonlineordering.square.site.
This organic restaurant offers up gluten-free and vegan friendly options to San Antonio diners. From Wednesday through Saturday, patrons can dine on the patio, grab takeout or order online from the website. Try one of their many salads, or tuck into some gluten free mac’n’ cheese.
Chatman’s Chicken
1747 S WW White Rd., (210) 359-0245, facebook.com/p/Chatmans-Chicken-100063501675540/.
This hidden gem serves up some of the best fried chicken in the Alamo City. Owner Eddie Chatman can take all the credit for these authentic bites, seasoned to perfection and served crunchy. This small joint also packs in big flavors with its delicious Southern-style sides.
Wayne’s Wings
Multiple Locations, wayneswingssa.com.
Wayne’s has won awards for these wings, and they’re well deserved. With homemade sauces and rotating flavors, you can definitely find your favorite here. Wayne’s locations also offer up Philly cheesesteaks and chicken and waffles, if you’re feeling extra hungry.
Carmens De La Calle
320 N. Flores St., (210) 281-4349, carmensdelacalle.com.
The food may be the primary draw at this downtown wine and tapas spot, but it also hosts flamenco nights and books jazz and world music. Just check its website to see what’s on the calendar.
Credit: Courtesy Photo / Smashin Crab
Smashin Crab
Multiple locations, smashincrab.com.
Get your seafood fix at one of Smashin Crab’s several locations. Whether you’re in the mood for boiled seafood, po’ boys or Cajun fries, this chain has got you covered.
Southern Roots Vegan Bakery
(210) 279-9414, southernrootsvegan.com.
With free delivery in San Antonio, Southern Roots offers an extensive menu of vegan and gluten-free donuts, cookies and brownies and vegan cinnamon rolls that are to die for, perfect for those who get joy from indulging in sweets.
Chi Chi Birds Hot Chicken
1004 S. Alamo St., chichibirdshotchicken.square.site.
Known as “San Antonio’s original pop up for hot chicken,” Chi Chi Birds Hot Chicken continues to crank out crispy, spicy bird that’s gained a cult following.
Tryst Kitchen + Cocktails
1915 Broadway Suite #111, (210) 233-8809, trystsa.com.
Run by veteran San Antonio restaurateurs, Tryst aims for “Sophisticated Southern.” The Pearl-area eatery focuses on a creative mix of Creole, Cajun and soul food specialties in a stylish setting.
African Village
10918 Wurzbach Road #131, (210) 467-5102.
Whether you’re acquainted with any of the cuisines to come from the continent of Africa or not, you’ll be happy dining at African Village. Specializing in Ethiopian fare, the Wurzbach Road spot serves up flavorful and inviting dishes such as kinche and firfir. The fried sambusa pastries are not to be missed.
Mr. A Ok’s Kitchen
5532 Walzem Road, (210) 642-4181, mraokskitchen.com.
Chef Steven Harris has been active in SA’s food scene for more than two decades, and opened his restaurant in June 2018. Inspired to become a chef after seeing his mother and grandmother make from-scratch Southern fare, Harris today brings the cuisine to San Antonians with Mr. A Ok’s Kitchen, named after his late father. The menu features Southern favorites including chicken fried steak and oxtails.
Amen Cafe Eritrean & Ethiopian Restaurant
5115 Fredericksburg Road, (512) 940-3349.
If you’ve been craving good Ethiopian food, Amen Cafe is the answer to your prayers. The regional cuisine has many delicious options for vegetarians plus plenty for meat eaters as well. Expect large platters with a variety of sauces on a spongy, fermented pancake-like flatbread called injera. Oh and don’t get prissy on us. Here, you eat with your hands.
Bayseas Seafood
Multiple locations, bayseascatfishhouses.com.
This eatery will scratch your itch for spicy and succulent Southern-style seafood. In addition to the fried fish and shrimp, they excel at gumbo, cornbread and more.
BBQ Life by Chris
902 S WW White Road, (210) 359-1511, bbqlifebychris.com.
Since 2016, this family-owned restaurant has focused on finding the key to Texas BBQ. Find classic barbeque dishes, including mac n cheese and potato salad, along with meat by the pound. Not feeling like a full plate of meat? They have lunch specials each day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Ma Harper’s Creole Kitchen
1816 N. New Braunfels Ave., (210) 226-2200, facebook.com/maharperscreolekitchen/.
Alice “Ma” Harper started out as an aircraft mechanic, and now engineers the food in her kitchen. Find classics like gumbo and po boys at this eatery, with every dish made from scratch.
Mrs. Kitchen Soul Food Restaurant
2351 E. Commerce St., Suite 105, (210) 549-4392, facebook.com/mrskitchenrestaurant/.
This casual soul food location is located in the heart of San Antonio, but you’ll feel transported to your mom’s southern cooking. You can try their catfish, friend chicken or even get as Southern as chitterlings.
Momma Luv’s Soul & Caribbean Food
2427 Austin Highway, (210) 977-0060, mommaluvssa.com.
Opened at the start of the pandemic, this family-owned restaurant has endless tastes that have been passed down through generations. Try multiple Caribbean dishes, like oxtails or curry goat, or lean toward the catfish or chicken wings. The choice is yours.
D&N Kitchen
2303 East Commerce St., (210) 560-2202, https://dns-kitchen.com.
From fried chicken and catfish to a Luling sausage sandwiches, this soulful spot knows how to sate big appetites. Don’t skimp on the wide array of tasty Southern sides.
Trices Restaurant Cafe & Lounge
7600 Eckhert Road #3, (210) 806-7770, tricescafeandlounge.com.
Focusing on cuisine Nigeria and its surrounding region, this restaurant offers dishes such suya skewers and jollof rice. They aim to transport you all the way to West Africa. “Come as a guest, leave as a family,” they say.
Real Real Jamaica
6828 San Pedro Ave., (210) 858-3015, real-real-jamaica.menu-world.com.
With Caribbean food nearly all day except for Mondays, you can try your first taste of curry goat or jerk chicken. The family-focused restaurant will even get you to try their macaroni pie.