Let's be honest, people really hate waiting. But with some restaurants, long lines and waiting a long time for a table are just part of getting your grub on. We rounded up some of the most popular restaurants that pretty much guarantee a wait and are totally worth it.
Southerleigh Fine Food and Brewery
136 E Grayson St #120, (210) 455-5701, southerleigh.com
Though there isn’t always a wait, one is all but guaranteed on weekend nights and special holidays. Specializing in Texan cuisine with a focus on the Gulf Coast, this Pearl staple’s eatery and unique location (inside a microbrewery) will distract you from the time you waited for your table.
Photo via Instagram / southerleigh
Guenther House
205 E Guenther St, (210) 227-1061, guentherhouse.com
Nestled along the San Antonio River, the beautiful Guenther House is a classic spot for brunch and Instagram-worthy meals. While this spot often means a wait (usually longer on the weekends), your belly will be happy whether you go the American or Tex-Mex route.
Photo via Instagram / jennyeatssf
Max & Louie’s New York Diner
226 W Bitters Road, (210) 483-7600, maxandlouiesdiner.com
Though not always outrageously packed, this NY-style diner can get pretty crowded during peak times like weekend brunch. Whether you choose to play New Yorker on a late Sunday morning or visit during a less-busy time, these northwestern bites will have you practicing your best Brooklyn accent. But really, you’ll love the food here no matter how long you have to wait.
Photo via Instagram / the.weekend.foodie
Two Bros. BBQ Market
12656 West Avenue, (210) 496-0222, twobrosbbqmarket.com
Plenty of barbecue spots guarantee a long wait time, so you can definitely expect a wait when that barbecue spot is led by the revered Chef Jason Dady. This casual spot is well worth the wait for its cherry glazed baby back ribs (and pretty much everything else on the menu). Oh, and Two Bros. is super kid-friendly with a sizable play yard.
Photo via Instagram / twobrosbbqmarket
Boudro’s
421 E Commerce Street, (210) 224-8484, boudros.com
Having previously been named one of the best restaurants in the country by Esquire, Boudro’s attracts locals and tourists alike. Add the location on the River Walk in to the mix and you’ll be lucky not to have to wait without a reservation. Perfect for special occasions, a night at Boudro’s will be a night to remember even if that means being patient.
Photo via Instagram / boudrostexasbistro
Pollos Asados Los Norteños
4642 Rigsby Avenue, (210) 648-3303, facebook.com/polloslosnortenos
While most busy right after reopening (though the open-close flip-flop has become less frequent), Pollos Asados can still mean a bit of a wait on any old day. Think of it as working up an appetite, because trust us – you’ll forget about how long the line was as soon as you take a bite of that delicious chicken. To make sure you never complain about the wait again, add the green sauce and wait for your life to be changed.
Photo via Instagram / lathoma3
Cured
306 Pearl Pkwy #101, (210) 314-3929, curedatpearl.com
With as busy as the Pearl gets, it goes without saying that staples like Cured receive a lot of hungry visitors. Sure, you’ll have to wait during crazy busy times, but the New American fare and craft cocktails are a solid payoff for waiting. So kick back and enjoy all that this rustic-chic spot has to offer.
Photo via Instagram / curedatpearl
Schilo's Delicatessen
424 E Commerce St, (210) 223-6692, schilos.com
As one of the oldest restaurants in the city, it makes sense that Schilo’s has a lot of fans. Nestled in a 19th-century building, the eatery is all the more sought-out for it’s delicious sandwiches, soups and homemade root beer that’s gotten national attention and masses of tourists. Lunchtime on weekdays is undoubtedly its busiest time, but whenever you go you’ll be satisfied.
Photo via Instagram / schilosdeli
2M Smokehouse
2731 S WW White Road, (210) 885-9352, 2msmokehouse.com
When a local restaurant is named one of the best restaurants in the entire country, foodies will show up in big numbers just for a taste. Expect long lines and sell-outs over at 2M, but know that the wait is wholeheartedly worth it.
Photo via Instagram / 2msmokehouse
Magnolia Pancake Haus
Multiple locations, magnoliapancakehaus.com
While Magnolia has two locations, that hasn’t meant that the local pancake spot is any less busy. Gaining national attention from shoutouts on Food Network shows, Magnolia is a prime spot for brunch – both for its tasteful bites and simply beautiful aesthetic. Unless you reserve your spot on the Nowait app, expect to wait awhile on the weekend.
Photo via Instagram / magnoliapancakehaus
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NOLA Brunch & Beignets
111 Kings Ct, (210) 320-1572, eatatnola.com
Don’t Southern bites and smooth jazz sound like a lovely way to spend your Sunday brunch? Yeah, everyone thinks so and that’s why NOLA gets hella packed on the weekend. Get there early or be prepared to wait, though the payoff is well worth it (especially with an order of beignets).
Photo via Instagram / nola_brunchsa
La Gloria
100 E Grayson St, (210) 267-9040, chefjohnnyhernandez.com
Chef Johnny Hernandez’s restaurants are poppin’ for a reason, and everyone wants to find out (or already knows what’s up and is coming back for more). If you head over to La Gloria, remember to order a margarita, it’ll help you unwind and give you patience for your wait – most notably if you’re dining in on the weekend.
Photo via Instagram / lagloriapearl
Range
125 E Houston Street, (210) 227-4455, rangesa.com
Chef Jason Dady’s steakhouse concept is no exception to his popularity and success. Range is nestled in the heart of downtown, is of course tied to Dady, and is delicious AF – all signs that a lot of people want to eat there. Just think of the blue cotton candy at the end of the meal as a thank you for your patience. But maybe make a reservation to be safe?
Photo via Instagram / rangesanantonio
Gino’s Deli Stop N Buy
13210 Huebner Road, (210) 764-0602, myginosdeli.com
When an eatery is named one of the best restaurants in the country by Yelp users, that means people show up in numbers to see what all the fuss is about. Whether you fall into that category or have been a regular for years, be prepared to see a long line if you go to Gino’s Deli. At least the sandwich (or anything else you order) will be so delicious that you won’t mind.
Photo via Instagram / eat_it_b
Restaurant Gwendolyn
152 E Pecan St #100, (210) 222-1849, restaurantgwendolyn.com
So the wait for a table doesn’t necessarily have to be long since you can reserve a table, but the wait for food is another story. With the concept being that the food is prepared with methods prior to the Industrial Revolution, and most dinners running three or five courses, that usually means the whole dining affair can be upwards of two hours. Be prepared to wait, but you’ll be satisfied.
Photo via Instagram / restgwen
Paesanos
Multiple locations, paesanos.com
Paesanos is a San Antonio institution of sorts, with locations near the Quarry, on the River Walk and Stone Oak. And with many locals turning to Paesanos for their Italian needs, that can mean a bit of a wait – especially on weekend nights and special holidays. Treat yourself to a night of fine dining, but maybe make a reservation if your appetite can’t wait.
Photo via Instagram / paesanossa
Bohanan’s Prime Steak and Seafood
219 E Houston Street, (210) 472-2600, bohanans.com
Complete with an old-world setting, Bohanan’s has it all – sinfully-scrumptious American fare, a chic cocktail lounge, live jazz and a beautiful patio, too. It’s no wonder that lots of folks want to dine here, causing a bit of a wait at times. Don’t fret, because the minutes waited are worth the well-rounded experience.
Photo via Instagram / jason_risner_photography
Rosario’s
910 South Alamo, (210) 223-1806, rosariossa.com
Nestled in the trendy Southtown, Rosario’s is a go-to for delicious Mexican bites, margaritas and a beautiful aesthetic. Weekend nights will always mean a hella long wait, but bring the crew to sip on drinks at the bar while you wait.
Photo via Instagram / rosariossa
La Sorrentina
3330 Culebra Road, (210) 549-0889
With this West Side restaurant being super tiny, that means it’s often a tight squeeze and a bit of a wait. If you’re willing to wait it out, the lasagna is a tasty reward for your patience. And if you need any more convincing, you might as well order the tiramisu.
Photo via Yelp / Teofila R.
Las Nieves
Multiple locations, lasnievesfruitcupssa.com
Sure, SA is packed with plenty of spots that serve up all the hoodrat snacks we know and love. But Las Nieves is definitely one of the more notable snack stands that not only draws a crowd but is puro AF. From nieves to raspas and a whole shitload more, this growing chain is where it’s at – and the lines are proof of just that.
Photo via Instagram / jaswynd
Southerleigh Fine Food and Brewery
136 E Grayson St #120, (210) 455-5701, southerleigh.com
Though there isn’t always a wait, one is all but guaranteed on weekend nights and special holidays. Specializing in Texan cuisine with a focus on the Gulf Coast, this Pearl staple’s eatery and unique location (inside a microbrewery) will distract you from the time you waited for your table.
Photo via Instagram / southerleigh
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