Dining at a chain restaurant might seem like turning your back on locally based businesses. However, many of the chains with locations spread across San Antonio are actually based in Texas — plus they employ local workers and sometimes are even operated by a local franchisee.

Not to mention, many of those Texas-based chains serve up tasty and consistent food and set a high bar for service. All these restaurants have headquarters in the Lone Star State, and at least one location — usually more — in San Antonio. And we can vouch for the quality of the dining experience. 

Luby’s Multiple Locations, lubys.com Originally founded in San Antonio by Bob Luby in 1947, this cafeteria-style restaurant is a beloved Texas staple. Despite the brand ownership changing hands back in 2021, the chain continues to operate out of its Houston-based headquarters. Credit: Photo via Instagram / sanantoniostephanie
The County Line Multiple Locations, countyline.com The County Line is proof that Texas has a knack for good barbecue. This Austin-founded chain has two San Antonio locations, where they serve up top-notch meats and sides to match for a Texas-inspired meal that will definitely have you salivating. Credit: Shutterstock / JustPixs
Bill Miller Bar-B-Q Multiple Locations, billmillerbbq.com Originally a Corpus Christi creation, the now San Antonio-based barbecue chain is a favorite for locals. Folks can stop in for fried chicken and barbecue meats, or pick up a BBQ lunch at the drive-thru. And the sweet tea? It doesn’t get much better than that. Credit: Photo via Instagram / billmillerbarbq
Texas de Brazil 313 E. Houston St., (210) 299-1600, texasdebrazil.com Ever wonder where the “Texas” in Texas de Brazil comes from? The fact is that this chain is based in Dallas, and in turn offers a dose of Texan hospitality. Add the fact that this steakhouse is a churrascaria and you’re pretty much set for a dining experience that could only be found in Texas. Credit: Photo via Instagram / texasdebrazil
Taco Cabana Multiple Locations, tacocabana.com Whether you’re part of the camp that thinks Taco Cabana’s eats are the best, or that the San Antonio-based chain wouldn’t know good Mexican food if it hit them in the face, we can all agree on one thing: TC remains a go-to spot for late-night munchies, which makes it an automatic favorite for many locals. Credit: Shutterstock / Philip Lange
Amy’s Ice Creams 255 E. Basse Rd., (210) 832-8886, amysicecreams.com Established in Austin in the mid-80s, Amy’s offers handmade artisan ice creams perfect for a summer day – or really anytime for that matter. With more than 350 flavors in rotation, you can definitely find something you’ll love. Credit: Photo via Instagram / amysicecreams
Jason’s Deli Multiple Locations, jasonsdeli.com Founded in Beaumont, where headquarters remain today, Jason’s Deli serves up a menu of quick sandwiches and soups. Prized for its delicious unlimited salad bar, the deli delivers a dining experience you can feel good about. Credit: Photo via Instagram / jasonsdeli
Bob’s Steak & Chop House 5815 Rim Pass, (210) 222-2627, bobs-steakandchop.com After opening its doors in Dallas in 1993, Bob’s Steak & Chop House had gone on to open locations throughout Texas and in a few select states such as California and Arizona. Fun fact: the San Antonio location houses the most expansive collection of historic flags to be displayed at any Bob’s location. Credit: Photo via Instagram / bobs_steakandchop
Freebird’s World Burrito Multiple Locations, freebirds.com Although originally founded in 1987 in Santa Barbara, CA, in 2015, Freebirds moved its official HQ down to Austin. Now with over 60 Texas locations and the slogan “Texas’s #1 Burrito,” it appears Freebird’s has made the lone star state its permanent residence. Credit: Shutterstock / JHVEPhoto
Whataburger Multiple Locations, whataburger.com Though Texans joke that Chicago now owns Whataburger (which is true, in a sense), the chain remains headquartered in San Antonio. Reliable for late-night eats as well as simple, yet tasty burgers and all-time favorites like the patty melt, Whataburger remains a favorite for many. Credit: Shutterstock / Moab Republic
Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q Multiple Locations, rudysbbq.com While Texas has no shortage of one-of-a-kind barbecue outposts, Rudy’s remains a favorite for many locals. Founded in nearby Leon Springs, the secret for this Texas-based chain is all in the “sause.” Slather your meats in this flavorful juice and you’ll be licking your fingers endlessly. Credit: Shutterstock / ​​RicoPatagonia
Via313 8435 Wurzbach Rd. #213, (210) 985-1313, via313.com Austin-based Via 313 specializes in Detroit Style pizzas. Characterized by its squared edges, deep dish-style crust, and saucy top layer, this gives pizza lovers something a little different to try. Credit: Photo via Instagram / happydance_foodie
Jim’s Restaurants Multiple Locations, jimsrestaurants.com Specializing in American bites with some Mexican dishes on the menu, Jim’s is a San Antonio staple, with its headquarters in Alamo City. This dining chain’s tagline, “There’s Always Jim’s,” is a fitting slogan, as many of its locations are open 24/7. Credit: Nina Rangel
Hopdoddy Burger Bar Multiple Locations, hopdoddy.com Founded in Austin by four friends back in 2010, Hopdoddy has expanded across Texas and as far North as Denver, Colorado, with its craft beer and burger bar concept. Hopdoddy has a vibe inspired by supporting local music scenes, inventive burger concepts and shareable fries, to boot. Credit: Photo via Instagram / thealamotoast
P. Terry’s Burger Stand Multiple Locations, pterrys.com Founded in Austin in 2005, this distinctive fast food chain has outposts in both Austin and San Antonio. With a simplified menu, fresh-baked banana bread and monthly shake flavors, P. Terry’s is worth a stop the next time you spot one of their characteristic giant, slanted roofs on your commute. Credit: Shutterstock / Moab Republic
Maggiano’s Little Italy 17603 W. I-10, (210) 451-6000, maggianos.com Founded in 1991, Dallas-based Maggiano’s Little Italy brings Italian-American bites to San Antonians at its location at the Rim. Invite a group of fellow foodies for your visit as the semi-upscale chain does things family-style. Credit: Photo via Instagram / maggianoslittleitaly
Lick Honest Ice Creams Multiple Locations, ilikelick.com With three San Antonio locations — at the Pearl, the Rim and at Hemisfair — Austin’s Lick Honest Ice Creams brings Texas-inspired flavors using ingredients from regional sources. How much more Texas can this place get? Credit: Photo by therealfoodiecouple via Instagram / lickicecreams
Pei Wei Asian Kitchen Multiple Locations, peiwei.com Foodies who enjoy fast-casual Chinese bites with a take more elevated than strip mall take-out restaurants can rest easy with Pei Wei. Headquartered in Irving, this Asian kitchen chain brings all the classic dishes you know and love. Credit: Shutterstock / JHVEPhoto
Torchy’s Tacos Multiple Locations, torchystacos.com While Torchy’s Tacos may not be every San Antonians cup of tea, it is loved by many local folks who enjoy their unique takes on classic tacos. If you’re part of that camp, you can enjoy what this Austin-based chain has to offer, especially with more locations popping up around the Alamo City. Credit: Shutterstock / Josiah True
Wingstop Multiple Locations, wingstop.com This Dallas-based wing chain boasts over 1,500 locations, serving up a variety of flavors in a casual setting. With a plethora of San Antonio locations to choose from, it makes a convenient stop for hungry customers. Credit: Shutterstock / JHVEPhoto
Chuy’s Multiple Locations, chuys.com Founded by Mike Young and John Zapp in 1982, this Austin-based chain boasts locations in several U.S. states. With a few San Antonio outposts, locals can get their fill of Austin’s take on Tex-Mex bites like enchiladas and burritos. Credit: Photo via Instagram / chuysrestaurant
Pizza Patron Multiple Locations, pizzapatron.com First opened in Dallas in 1986, Pizza Patron aims to combine bold Latin flavors with classic Italian pizza. Credit: Photo via Instagram / pizzapatron
Lupe Tortilla Multiple Locations, tex-mex.com Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Houston, Lupe Tortilla operates Tex-Mex locations across Texas, and is known for their fajitas and corn tortillas. Credit: Shutterstock / JHVEPhoto
Pluckers Multiple Locations, pluckers.com This Austin-based chicken wing delivery chain started as a dream shared by two UT Austin students. Now, there are three San Antonio area locations where guests can enjoy a variety of flavorful wings and, of course, the Holy Macaroni. Credit: Photo via Instagram / pluckerswingsbar
Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille 15900 La Cantera Pkwy. #22200, (210) 558-6161, perryssteakhouse.com What started in 1979 as a Houston-based restaurant and meat market called Perry’s Butcher Shop and Deli, has now become a renowned and upscale steakhouse chain with locations across Texas and the US. Credit: Photo via Google Maps
Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen Multiple Locations, pappadeaux.com Founded by members of the Pappas family, this chain — which has two locations in the San Antonio area — offers quality and tasty seafood dishes. Pappadeaux is part of the Pappas family restaurants, headquartered in Houston, and has a sibling in Pappasito’s Cantina, which also has a San Antonio outpost. Credit: Photo via Google Maps
Taco Palenque Multiple Locations, tacopalenque.com San Antonio has lots of taquerias, Mexican restaurants and other types of places to get your fill of tacos. One of them is Taco Palenque, a chain based in Laredo. Established in 1987, the chain brings the spirit of South Texas with a menu full of tacos, enchiladas and burritos. Credit: Photo via Google Maps
La Madeleine Multiple Locations, lamadeleine.com The French bakery-inspired chain La Madeleine now has over 80 locations across the U.S., but it all started in 1983 in Dallas, TX. The chain’s headquarters remains in Dallas to this day. Credit: Shutterstock / Trong Nguyen
Chili’s Multiple Locations, chilis.com Chili’s was founded in 1975 in Dallas by Larry Lavine. It has since grown into an international chain with over 1,500 restaurants, although the chain’s headquarters remain in the DFW area. Credit: Shutterstock / Brett Hondow