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August 01, 2019 Slideshows » Food & Drink

25 Texas-based restaurant chains that don't suck

By San Antonio Current Staff

        
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San Antonio has lots of places to eat. If you're the type that isn't picky about only dining at one-of-a-kind eateries, then you're probably more than familiar with the abundance of chain restaurants. Although these places are far from mom-and-pop shops, these restaurants are headquartered somewhere in Texas and have at least one location right here in the Alamo City.

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Hopdoddy Burger Bar
17623 La Cantera Pkwy Ste 101, (210) 434-2337, hopdoddy.com
When searching for a delicious burger that breaks the mold, you can trust Hopdoddy, based in Austin, to hit the spot. The names of the burgers are just as inventive as the ingredients used, plus your meal will be extra yummy with the shareable fries.
Photo via Instagram / hopdoddy

Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille
15900 La Cantera Pkwy #22200, (210) 558-6161, perryssteakhouse.com
When considering where to go for a fancy dinner, local foodies can take comfort in knowing that Perry’s is Texas-based, in Houston specifically. With locations in other states, the lone San Antonio outpost serves nine different types of steaks and additions like bacon, crab and lobster.
Photo via Instagram / perryssteakhouse

Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen
Multiple locations,
Founded by members of the Pappas family, this chain – which has two locations in the San Antonio area – offers quality and super tasty seafood dishes. The Pappas family restaurants, headquartered in Houston, are part of one of the largest family-owned and -operated restaurant companies in the U.S.
Photo via Instagram / pappadeaux

Luby's
Multiple locations, lubys.com
Though the cafeteria-style restaurant has seen trouble in recent year, the Houston-headquarted chain remains a go-to for homecooked goodness. Originally founded in San anAntonio in 1947, the chain is prized for its fried fish and macaroni & cheese, both of which you can find in the freezer section at H-E-B.
Photo via Instagram / lubys

Fuddruckers
Multiple locations, fuddruckers.com
Originally founded in San Antonio in 1979, Fudduckers has since moved its headquarters to Houston. Still, we’re able to score huge, customizable burgers accompanied by fries or your side of choice. Thank goodness for that.
Photo via Instagram / fuddruckers

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 that this chain is based in Dallas, and in turn offers dose of Texan hospitality. Add the fact that this steakhouse is a churrascaria and you’re pretty much set for a memorable dining experience.
Photo via Instagram / texasdebrazil

Pluckers
Multiple locations, pluckers.com
We don’t have to tell San Antonio that Pluckers doesn’t suck. With folks lining up and waiting hours just to enjoy the excitement of opening day at both area locations, it’s no secret that San Antonians love the variety of flavorful wings and, of course, Holy Macaroni from this Austin-based chain.
Photo via Instagram / guacotacogirl

Maggiano's Little Italy
17603 IH 10W, (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.
Photo via Instagram / maggianoslittleitaly

Lick Honest Ice Creams
312 Pearl Pkwy #2101, (210) 314-8166, ilikelick.com
With a second San Antonio location in the works, Austin’s Lick Honest Ice Creams brings Texas-inspired flavors using ingredients from regional sources. How much more Texas can this place get?!
Photo via Instagram / lickicecreams

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 one a favorite for many locals. The secret for this -based chain is all in the “sause.” Slather your meats in this flavorful juice and you’ll be licking your fingers endlessly thanks to this Lakeway-based chain.
Photo via Instagram / rudysbbq

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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.
Photo via Instagram / taco.palenque

Bill Miller Bar-B-Q
Multiple locations, billmillerbbq.com
Originally a Corpus Christi creation, the now San Antonio-based chain is a favorite for locals. When fried chicken and barbecue meats are readily available, of course that chain is a hit. And the sweet tea? It doesn’t get much better than that.
Photo via Instagram / billmillerbarbq

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. With one outpost in San Antonio, the steakhouse offers high-end meats with sides to match.
Photo via Instagram / bobssteakandchop_sa

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… different 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.
Photo by foodforfoster via Instagram / torchystacos

The County Line
Multiple locations, countyline.com
County Line is proof that Austin isn’t full of hipster, vegan-living people. Based out of the capitol, this barbecue chain serves up top-notch meats and sides to match for a Texas-inspired meal that will definitely have you salivating.
Photo via Instagram / countylinebbqsa

Jason's Deli
Multiple locations, jasonsdeli.com
Founded in Beaumont, where the headquarters remains today, Jason’s Deli brings the vibe of quick sandwiches and soups to Texas. Prized for its delicious unlimited salad bar, the deli delivers a dining experience you can feel good about.
Photo via Instagram / jasonsdeli

Fahrenheit 32
Multiple locations, facebook.com/fahrenheit32
With two locations in San Antonio, the El Paso-based Fahrenheit 32 satisfies locals’ antojo for hand-rolled, Thai-style ice cream. Whether you go for something traditional or cater to your puro taste buds, you will quickly devour whatever you order.
Photo via Instagram / fahrenheit32sa

Chuy's
Multiple locations, chuys.com
Founded by Mike Young and John Zapp in 1982, this Austin-based chain has more than 100 locations and continues to grow. With a few San Antonio outposts, locals can get their fill of Austin’s take on Tex-Mex bites like enchiladas and burritos.
Photo via Instagram / chuysrestaurant

Wingstop
Multiple locations, wingstop.com
With an aviation theme to offer minimal decor, Wingstop offers flavorful wings, available classic style or boneless. The Dallas-based chain has also expanded its menu recently, adding flavored fries, seasonal flavors and new sides like Cajun Fried Corn. And those fries? They’re the cherry on top, most definitely.
Photo via Instagram / wingstop

Amy’s Ice Creams
255 East Basse Road Ste 430, (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.
Photo via Instagram / amysicecreams

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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 – at least at this point. 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.
Photo via Instagram / whataburger

Sushi Zushi
Multiple locations, sushizushi.com
A favorite for sushi-lovers across San Antonio, the locally-based chain shares the flavorful dishes with Austin and Dallas, where it also has locations. Don’t let the chain status fool you, expect quality and flavor here.
Photo via Instagram / sushizushi

Taco Cabana
Multiple locations, tacocabana.com
Whether you’re part of the camp that thinks Taco Cabana tacos 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 booziness, which makes it an automatic favorite for many locals.
Photo via Instagram / tacocabana

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 the Alamo City. Whether you love the food or just stop by ‘cause some of the locations are open 24/7 (the “There’s Always Jim’s” tagline is especially fitting in such cases), Jim’s has earned recognition as a place that definitely doesn’t suck.
Photo via Instagram / jimsrestaurants

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. Based in Irving, this Asian kitchen chain brings all the classic dishes you know and love.
Photo via Instagram / peiweiasiankitchen

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