Zinc Bistro & Wine Bar's two-alarm hummus (Courtesy Photo)
The food lineup at my first comic con was definitely bleak. Unless I’m at a Missions game or maybe a Spurs game (but really, there’s Whataburger in the arena, so we all know what I’m getting), the idea of a boat of nachos with coagulated Ricos cheese just makes me sad. For the cosplayer with the discerning palate, or the sci-fi nerd that knows they’ll get heartburn after eating chili cheese nachos, I’m here to help with a few suggestions on expanding your noshing options while getting your nerd on at Alamo City Comic Con (September 25-28).
Walking Distance
You’re downtown, you’ve already paid for parking, so why not visit Schilo’s Delicatessen (424 E Commerce), which stays open until 8:30 p.m. with fresh bowls of their signature split pea soup with a side of pumpernickel bread. The quintessential German pub, Schilo’s service is usually fast and sassy. Don’t forget to check out the cheap lunch specials and definitely spring for the house-made root beer. 5 minutes
If your appetite is bigger than the Hulk (get it, cause it’s comic con), Zinc Bistro & Wine Bar (207 N Presa) is all about large bites at decent prices. There’s always the Zinc Burger with smoky cheddar, parmesan tuiles, spicy tomato aioli, Bibb lettuce and home fries for $10. Keep it light with a Texas chopped salad, which combines colorful presentation with tasty ingredients for $12. There’s also a two-alarm hummus with your name on it. 6 minutes
If you’re willing to burn some shoe leather and head just south of César Chávez, you’ll find Alamo Street Eat Bar (609 S Alamo), which opens at 5 p.m. with burgers via Cullum’s Attaboy Airstream trailer and New Orleans-inspired po’boys and gumbo. Pick it up or take it to go. 5 minutes
Delivery
Now if you refuse to leave the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center (and if you’ve already scored great seats for the next panel, I can’t blame you), there are a few businesses that will deliver within the downtown area. Mark’s Outing (1624 E Commerce) delivers for orders of $25 or more, with the delivery fee varying by location. If you’re not feeling burgers, you could also go through the Bike Waiter, which delivers grub out of more than 30 restaurants of wildly different cuisines. Choose Italian out of Tribeca di Olmos, lighter comfort food via Sweet Yams, pad Thai out of Thai Lao Orchid or barbecue out of the Smoke Shack. Shane Broussard, owner of the Bike Waiter, recommends scheduling your food order online by choosing the “Deliver to Me Later” option. Orders typically take anywhere from 40 to 50 minutes, so you can schedule the drop around that particularly juicy panel or photo op you’re waiting for, and make sure to use discount code CC2014 for free delivery.
