The Best Mexican Restaurants in Greater San Antonio
No matter where you go in Greater San Antonio you won’t have to look far for a Mexican restaurant. There are hundreds spread around the eighth largest city in the United States.
You’ll find them in shopping malls. You’ll find them in a single building with appropriate atmosphere. You’ll find them offering outdoor dining with a view. And there are quite a few good restaurants that are inexpensive and offer specials.
El Chaparral
15103 Bandera Rd.
Helotes, TX 78023
Phone: 210-695-8302
www.elchaparral.com
Hardly a well-kept secret in the northwest suburbs, El Chaparral offers some of the best Mexican food in the mid-price level around the San Antonio area. With an extremely extensive menu and pleasant service, lunch and dinner items range from the standard chalupas, tamales and tacos, to specialties like filet tampiqueno and carne asada. There are more than 20 enchilada plates, plus numerous steak and seafood options, including a great fish and shrimp combo. Fresh, crispy tortilla chips and a spicy bean soup are the prelude to every meal. You can dine on the patio when the weather is right.
Original Mexican Restaurant
528 River Walk St.
San Antonio, TX 78205
Phone: 210-224-9951
www.originalmexican.com
Open around-the-clock on weekends, it pays homage to the oldest Mexican restaurant located across the San Antonio River that closed in 1960. Featured traditional dishes range from cabrito (young goat) served in a mild ranchero sauce to tamales. Private banquet facilities in two rooms can accommodate from 45 to 100 while patrons can dine under an umbrella-shaded patio. Strolling Mariachis provide music most evenings. Drink specials are rotated.
Reservations required for parties of six and up.
Paloma Riverwalk
215 Losoya St
San Antonio, TX 78205
210-212-0566
The family-owned restaurant features Mexican and American cuisine served in a quaint atmosphere with a view of the beautiful River Walk. You can dine inside where Mexican d�©cor includes colored walls decorated with paintings by one of the owners or enjoy a meal in the patio with shady trees galore overlooking the San Antonio River. Management says its most popular dish is New York tenderloin steak in a spicy red sauce topped with cheese and mushrooms. Also well liked: shrimp saut�©ed in crushed garlic and a butter-black pepper sauce.
Pericos Bar & Grill
10820 Bandera Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78250
Phone: 210-684-5376
www.pericosgrill.com
Traditional Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes, based on family recipes, are served in a colorful dining room and on a tree-shaded veranda in the northern section of the city. The establishment, which can host parties up to 50 outside, offers daily specials, including various enchiladas. The menu features dishes like Sombrero de Fajita, beef or chicken cooked with onion and bell peppers, topped with Monterey Jack cheese and covered with homemade tortillas. Steak a la Mexicana is composed of spicy thin strips of beef topped with the house picante sauce. Many entrees, including children’s plates, come with rice and beans. Bar drinks feature margaritas.
Salsalito Cantina
11523 Bandera Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78250
210-520-2500
A Mexican dinning experience without leaving town features savory authentic dishes and continuous recorded music in a comfortable setting. The South-of-the-Border d�©cor is colorfully cantina. The main dining room features four-seat tables spaciously arranged that can be doubled-up for larger parties. There are several semi-private areas and a back room that can be reserved for private functions. The full service bar is quaint, where some patrons dine and are served by the bartenders. Crispy chips and hot salsa are brought pronto. A tasty appetizer for three is Queso Marisco, a dozen small saut�©ed shrimp floating in meltingly soft Monterey Jack cheese with a ranchero sauce. Beef and chicken enchiladas are popular, but the seafood version filled with cheese, topped with shrimp, crawfish and sliced avocado in a white wine cream sauce is heavenly. The flan is addictive.
