Veteran-owned restaurants in San Antonio you should've already tried by now

Playland Pizza
400 E Houston St, (210) 908-9362, playlandsa.com
A joint venture from restaurateur Andrew Goodman and chef Stefan Bowers, Playland Pizza brings tasty pizza and cocktails to the heart of downtown. Bowers obviously is about having fun with his food, that much is apparent at Playland, and he’s completely deserving of having a lot of fun after serving in the Navy for five years as a search and rescue swimmer.
Photo via Instagram / playlandpizza

Schilo’s Delicatessen
424 E Commerce St, (210) 223-6692, schilos.com
Not only is Schilo’s one of the oldest restaurants in the Alamo City, it’s also proudly owned by a veteran. Serving German-inspired sandwiches, soups and even homemade root beer, the downtown deli is headed by Bill Lyons, who took over the restaurant from his father in 1977 and served as a captain in the U.S. Army.
Photo via Instagram / kaleidos_life

The Jerk Shack
117 Matyear St, (210) 776-7780, facebook.com/thejerkshacksatx
Not only is Jerk Shack headed by husband-and-wife team Cornelius and Lattoia Massey, it’s also owned by veterans. The culinary couple met while deployed in Iraq, and ended up in SA when Lattoia studied at the Culinary Institute of America-San Antonio. Thank goodness she did, since that means San Antonio gets to enjoy flavorful Jamaican bites.
Photo via Instagram / joeyyeatts

Avocado Cafe & Juice Bar
18771 FM 2252, (210) 441-8338, avocadocafesa.com
While avocados are often attributed to young millennials, this concept cafe, which opened in 2012, is actually headed by retired U.S. Air Force Major Gayle Lynn Goodman-Floyd. The menu comes after the chef’s travels and tasting of flavors from around the world. The restaurant, on top of simple, yet delicious dishes, offers a discount to military personnel every day.
Photo via Instagram / meatlesspig

Casa Rio
430 E Commerce St, (210) 225-6718, casario.com
In 1946, Albert Beyer opened Casa Rio on the River Walk, bringing an option for Mexican fare accompanied by beautiful views. Today, the restaurant is run by Beyer’s grandson, Bill Lyons, who served in the Army.
Photo via Instagram / thistexaslife

The New York Grill Express
Various locations, (516) 884-3828, facebook.com/nygrillexpress
Tracking down this local food truck shouldn’t be too hard, and if it is, it’s totally worth your while. From burgers and wings to other delectable use-your-hands foods, this moving eatery is proudly brought to you by owner a veteran who served in the U.S. Army for three years and was even deployed to Afghanistan.
Photo via Instagram / nygrillexpress

Medina River Coffee
11825 West Ave Suite 101, (210) 802-6155, medinarivercoffee.com
West Avenue is full of plenty of local favorites, and Medina River Coffee is one of them. This local coffee spot is all the more better thanks to the fact that it is in part run by business partner Jim Perkins, a retired U.S. Army Lt. Colonel who served in Afghanistan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Bosnia. So go on and grab a cup of Joe and be thankful for the fact that you’re freedom means you can drink as much coffee as you want.
Photo via Instagram / medinarivercoffee

Crawfish King
15879 I-35 Frontage Road, Selma, (210) 444-9343, facebook.com
Anyone who loves crawfish will want to get acquainted with this Selma spot. Just think of the military background as all the more reason to visit. This food truck, which is also available through Favor, has all sorts of seafood and is brought to you by veterans. Owner Ashley Chanthadara served in the U.S. Army before being medically discharged.
Photo via Instagram / 210culturesa

Battalion
604 S Alamo St, (210) 816-0088, battalionsa.com
Operating out of a former fire station, Battalion has been a respected spot for Italian dishes since opening in 2017. On top of delicious fare, the stylish spot is also regarded for its cocktails. Locals would expect no less from Chef Stefan Bowers, a Navyman.
Photo via Instagram / battalionsa

Flying M Bar-B-Que
Various locations, flyingmbbq.com
Serving San Antonio, La Vernia and Seguin, Flying M is all about being part of the community. Maybe that’s influenced by service, as was the case for owner Mark, who served 22 years in the military.. Whether you’re about honoring a veteran or just want some damn good eats, you’ll be in good hands at Flying M.
Photo via Instagram / flyingmbarbque

JW’s Bracken Saloon
18400 FM 2252, (210) 653-2337
If you love beer and the great outdoors, you’ll feel right at home at this saloon. Owned by Heath and Paris Thomas, the watering hole offers a country feel thanks to lots of mounted heads shot down by Heath, who is a retired Army veteran. The generous drink specials here will seriously have you saying, “God bless America.”
Photo via Google Maps / Meridith Lewis

QuickDraw Coffee
27532 Old Blanco Road, (210) 392-0016, facebook.com/quickdrawcoffee
Folks who need their coffee fix and want to support a retired veteran can enjoy the best of two worlds over at QuickDraw. Owner James DuBois served in the U.S. Air Force for nine years and now works as a firefighter when he’s not brewing up fresh cups of joe. The local concept launched this summer and currently runs out of a tiny food truck.
Photo via Instagram / quickdrawcoffee

Rebelle
300 E Travis St, (210) 352-3171, rebellesa.com
Brought to you by the dynamic duo Andrew Goodman and Stefan Bowers, Rebelle is a solid choice for high-end seafood dishes. Found inside the impeccably beautiful St. Anthony Hotel, the restaurant offers the divine tastes of the sea in a variety of flavorful dishes. Bowers must have a soft spot for the sea since he served in the U.S. Navy for five years as a search and rescue swimmer.
Photo via Instagram / hood_wratten

Anchor Bar
3900 FM3009 Suite 101, Schertz, (210) 463-9064, anchorbar.com
Though the wing spot is technically a chain, owners Joe and Wendy Snyder hold it down in Schertz and really the entire country as the restaurant is headed by a veteran. Joe Snyder is a proud Texas boy and even served in the U.S. Army in the ‘90s. Consider that the cherry on top the next time you’re downing a hefty serving of wings.
Photo via Instagram / jesjoyduf

Grouchy Mama’s
Various locations, instagram.com/grouchymamas
This roaming food truck may pop up around the Alamo City, but the dedication to the U.S. stays true as it is proudly veteran-owned and -operated. If you’re going to support this local food truck, you’ll definitely want to order the Bacon Gouda Burger, or the Cap'n Crunch Fried Chicken if you’re craving something sweet. You’re welcome in advance.
Photo via Instagram / juliebergmann27

Jamaica Jamaica Cuisine
2026 Austin Hwy, (210) 590-0515, jamaicajamaicacuisine.com
A favorite for Jamaican fare, this Austin Highway outpost is known for its rice dishes, plantains and live music. As if you needed another reason to love this spot, owners Dee and Angello, a husband and wife team, both served in the Army and consider San Antonio their military home. Aww!
Photo via Instagram / jamaicajamaicacuisine

The Purple Pig BBQ
Various locations, (210) 442-8246, thepurplepigbbq.com
Specializing in Midwest-style BBQ with a Texas twist, Purple Pig BBQ takes their meats — and specialty sides — very seriously. Honestly though, what else would you expect with veteran ownership and family ties?
Photo via Instagram / thepurplepigbbq

Bella on Houston
204 E Houston St, (210) 404-2355, bellaonhouston.com
Formerly known as Bella on the River, this River Walk restaurant serving Mediterranean fare just keeps getting better and better with age. Such is the case if you didn’t know about its veteran connections. The restaurant is owned by David Snyder, who spent more than two decades in the U.S. Air Force. The last couple of years of his service were filled as the chief of Signature Brand Restaurant Operations.
Photo via Instagram / bellaonhouston

El Chistoso Elotes
451 Sterling Dr, (210) 454-0713, facebook.com/ECElotes
What San Antonian doesn’t love a snack stand? We don’t know of any either. While you’re tasting your way across all the puro places to pig out, consider stopping by El Chistoso, which serves up scrumptious elote and is proudly run by a veteran.
Photo via Facebook / El Chistoso Elotes

Drop Zone Cafe & Bar
1804 E Carson, (210) 314-7590, dropzonecafebar.com
Not too far from Fort Sam Houston you’ll find this local eatery that is all about serving the U.S. The East Side cafe was first opened by by retired Army Command Sgt. Major Ed Fernandez and his wife Hope, though retired Army Sgt. 1st Class Ken Gray has since leased the cafe from the couple. While lot is up for grabs on the menu — from Mexican dishes to American bites — fellow veterans can look forward to SOS (that’s meat in white gravy on biscuits to civilians).
Photo via Instagram / crispinburke