San Antonio is one of eight U.S. cities lauded in the latest Food & Wine magazine as up-and-coming culinary destinations New York- and LA-focused foodies may have overlooked.
The article “These 8 under-the-radar destinations are America’s next great food cities” extols the virtue of metros that are generating plenty of culinary sparks even if they’re not yet among the nation’s heaviest hitters. The Alamo City lands on the list alongside seafood bastion Providence, Rhode Island; fresh-from-the-farm Sacramento, California; and hip Southern locale Durham, North Carolina.
The Alamo City earned its place via its ever-evolving food scene and history of culinary fusion, writer Regan Stephens notes. As evidence of this delicious synthesis, she cites the Asia-meet-South Texas creations of Best Quality Daughter and Curry Boys BBQ along with the contributions of Chinese Mexican American chefs Leo Davila (the St. Anthony Hotel’s Anacacho Coffee & Cantina) and Jaime Gonzalez (food truck Wok Wey).
Stephens also praises the Pearl’s Pullman Market and its four restaurant concepts for showcasing SA’s “commitment to sustainability and local sourcing.” She also gives a thumbs up to Re:Rooted 210 Urban Winery for promoting fine vino produced in the Lone Star State.
“There’s a palpable excitement in the air when a city’s food scene starts to take off, when locals proudly whisper about their favorite hidden gems to friends from bigger cities,” Stephens writes. “And that energy begets more energy. More chefs and makers are drawn to the destination, and the momentum fuels the confidence to experiment, collaborate, and push beyond the status quo.”
We’re all for energy begetting in energy. Still, here’s hoping our rep as a great food city doesn’t beget menu prices more befitting of New York and LA.
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This article appears in Jul 10-23, 2025.
