Where to Find San Antonio's Hidden Convenience Store & Market Restaurants
By San Antonio Current Staff
Convenience store food may not sound appetizing, but there's exceptions to every rule. These hidden gem restaurants prove that you should never judge a book by its cover. Covering a wide variety of cuisines, these spots are worth a trip.
Chas Market & Kitchen 1431 N Pine Street, (210) 227-1521
Your visit to Chas won’t be complete without devouring some Korean BBQ beef short ribs, or perhaps the teriyaki if you don’t want something so messy.
Photo via jesselizarraras / Instagram
ChockDee 115 E Lindbergh Road, (210) 566-2210
Not only does ChockDee serve up delicious Filipino food, but it does so buffet style. The food is fresh and the staff is friendly, so you’ll be making trips out to Universal City without any hesitation.
Photo via rainelda_ / Instagram
Sari-Sari Filipino Restaurant, Market & Bakery 5700 Wurzbach Road, (210) 647-7274, sari-sari-satx.com
For nearly 20 years, the shop has served up with hand-rolled lumpia rolls, adobo chicken and crispy pata (marinated, deep-fried pork shoulder), house-baked pan de sal, all-day breakfast, and for those with a sweet tooth, halo-halo.
Photo via jesselizarraras / Instagram
Tabares' Philippine Restaurant & Market 912 Pat Booker Road, Universal City, (210) 314-6330
Universal City is blessed to be so close to the Randolph Air Force Base, where there’s a number of community members with Filipino roots. This market stocks authentic ingredients while the cafe whips up hot entrees like crispy pata (fried ham hocks) and cold treats like halo-halo (sweetened tropical fruits with crushed ice and leche flan).
Photo via Dave S. / Yelp
Gino’s Deli @ Stop & Buy 13210 Huebner Road, (210) 764-0602, myginosdeli.com
This hidden gem is probably one of the best low-key eateries. Take your pick from delectable burgers and sandwiches, just do yourself a solid and order the Philly cheesesteak. And pick up a few scratch-offs while you’re there.
Photo via ginosdeli / Instagram
Korean Market 6210 Fairdale Drive, (210) 646-7005
This hole-in-the-wall restaurant is not one to be ignored when on the prowl for delicious Korean food. Although nowhere near as flashy as upscale sushi bars, this low-key market/cafe is a must-try for adventurous eaters and Korean fare lovers alike.
Photo via s.a.vory / Instagram
Fratellos Deli Multiple locations, fratellosdeli.com
Fratellos is both a deli and a market, bringing some major NYC vibes while you’re munching on an authentic sandwich – or maybe you’re more of a pizza person. Either way, this joint’s food is so good you’ll be tempted to buy some ingredients and try to create such a masterpiece on your own.
Photo via jesselizarraras / Instagram
Seoul Asian Market & Cafe 1027 Rittiman Road, (210) 822-1529
The sizzling bibimbap stone pot should come with a warning sign, but instead the cooks make sure you’re using a sturdy tray. Bigger appetites should order beef bulgogi, which comes piled atop delicately sliced white onions and with as much banchan as you can handle. Take some chapchae to go — trust us.
Photo via jesselizarraras / Instagram
Niki’s Tokyo Inn / Tokyo Mart 825 W Hildebrand Ave., (210) 736-2111, facebook.com
Early customers according to the staff included war brides and Japanese researchers that lived in San Antonio in the ’80s looking for ingredients they couldn’t find in their new homes. As with the restaurant, which is now seeing generations of families rolling in for a sushi fix, the shop, located behind Niki’s is seeing older women and grandkids coming in for their groceries.
Photo via dirtandnail / Instagram
La Michoacana Multiple locations, lamichoacanameatmarket.com
Buy fresh meat and groceries here for some authentic Hispanic foods, and a full-size taqueria and panaderia. Enjoy good eats like mini tacos, pozole, or menudo, or indulge in a smaller snack like a concha or churro.
Photo via berryunique77 / Instagram
