I have lived in San Antonio all my life and I had never heard of some those restaurants, maybe because I'm not a foodie. Still, I need to explore my hometown some more.
Lol I was going to say the same thing 😂 aside from mi terra and the pearl I've never been to any of those places and I've lived here my whole life. Then again I rarely go downtown because of the prices and the parking but it's definitely cool to see places I've never seen in my own hometown. Really opens my eyes that I don't really ever explore my own city much
Hi! SA Local here, and SA and even the surrounding counties have so many mom and pop places that I am sure I will probably not have been to all of these, especially if you stuck around Downtown that much lol. Fun fact about Kiddie Park- Walt Disney himself visited this place (at its original location on Broadway Road) for research when he was getting ready to create Disney Land. So yeah there's some historical significance to it! Okay for places to eat, yeah the only place I ever ate out of the ones listed was Mi Tierra, and I'll be honest, there are better places to eat in my opinion. If I had to pick a downtown location, it be Casa Rio (it's along the River Walk), but my fav Tex Mex places are outside of the Downtown area- Northeast side of town has Salsalito Cantina. If you like seafood, I recommend their Seafood Enchilada (my mom loves this meal, she always gets it lol). In the Southeast side of SA there's a family fav (that even my grandparents went to), called El Tipico, it does have the puffy tacos you should have lol. Now, this next place is not Tex-Mex, but it's near El Tipico so I am going to mention it for it's an Italian Mom and Pop joint, it's called Big Lou's. Fair warning, the food is amazing, but they make everything from scratch, so expect a long wait. Best plan your day around it. It even got featured on both the Food Network and Travel Channel. But yeah I would wait for your son to be older before going to this particular place due to the long wait. If you find yourself back downtown, there's an amazing German restaurant that's above Casa Rio (they have the same owner fyi). It's called Schilo's. It's been around for over 100 years now. They got classical stuff, my fav being the Schnitzel. Sorry to hear about the Chinese joint, I got a much better option and it's my fav restaurant in the city (but Asian food is fav type so yeah a lot of bias here lol). This place is north of downtown (like a 5 minute drive) and it's closer to the Pearl actually. It's called Hung Fong and it's still owned by the same family that founded it and they're prices are still low (you can get a full meal for under $10 because of their daily lunch specials). This place is the oldest Chinese restaurant in Texas. Original owners came from China prior to WWII (there's a neon USA flag on the ceiling with only 48 stars lol). Food is amazing and they still use the same family recipe that comes straight from China. My mom had been coming there since she was a kid. Now the downside for all the places I mentioned is they don't have an area for a toddler to run around. As for the attractions you've been to, I've been to all of them lol. As far as other nice places to visit, I also recommend the SA Children's Museum (called the DoSeum). It's near Brackenridge Park (where the Zoo is). There's the SA Botanical Gardens that's in the same area. Another kid friendly museum is the Witte Museum that's north of SA Botanical Gardens. SA has amazing art museums, but I won't recommend taking a kid to them lol. There are different theme parks in SA- Morgan's Wonderland is one-of-a-kind, it's the first theme park geared to anyone with special needs from physical to developmental. Those with special needs and their families are allowed in for free actually. You also have Six Flags Fiesta Texas and Sea World on the northwest sides of town. Be careful both can cost a pretty penny since you have to pay for a ticket and parking. However both places have things kids can enjoy. Now, there is one huge water park, but it's outside of SA, it's in New Braunfels, but it's one of the best water parks in the nation, it's called Schlitterbahn. As for times to come to SA, we have events and festivals all year around. Our 2 biggest events happen early in the year though, in February we have SA Stockshow and Rodeo, there's loads to do, especially for kids. You have vendors, a carnival, great food stalls, and you can see different livestock being shown, there is a petting area for kids. Rodeo itself is a blast to watch and at the end of it is a concert. Mostly you have country artists, but they've had Tejano and the occasional rock group from like the 70s/80s. This event last almost the whole month of February. Our biggest local event has to be Fiesta. It's a few weeks but there's SO much to do. You have everything from parades to different food events, to historical reenactments, and it's one huge charity event too. We have different Royal Courts and they raise money for local charities. I was lucky enough to be on one of the royal courts one year and it was an experience (almost a full year of work lol). Fiesta was also created to honor Texas Independence from Mexico. Most Fiesta events happen Downdown, but it's a citywide celebration. Mind you, the crowds are crazy, especially at night. This happens in April, so if you want to avoid large crowds in downtown SA, don't come during that time lol. Okay I think that's enough from me lol. Hope this helps.
Wowow, thank you for all the suggestions! Great to get some more ideas from an SA local! I’ll be checking this comment many times on my next trip to SA!
@@davechung Yw! I could have listed more, like more outside of SA in the surrounding areas, but I figured that was a start. SA a huge tourist town for sure.
@@rajdantani636 LOL sorry, I don't do that, plus I'll be out of state visiting my brother lol. Hope you enjoy it here, but it's triple digits so please stay hydrated okay?
Favorite bbq place in SA: Dee Willie’s BBQ (in the Northeast Side and in China Grove) and 2M Smokehouse (Southeast Side). Guillermo’s (in northern Downtown) has decent Italian food with a Mexican flair. Best Chinese is Wah Kee in the Stone Oak area. And best breakfast tacos are Guero’s Tacos, also in Stone Oak. Pho Hong Phat, in Leon Valley, has great Vietnamese, and if you’re willing to drive to the suburbs, Gristmill in Gruene (New Braunfels) have the best baby back ribs and onion rings ever.
I really can't wait to go to San Antonio I have visited there I has so much fun😊 one of my favorite things is when I went to six flags add the water park I am looking forward to going there again 👍
This is one of the best travel video about San Antonio and it's unique appeal. Believe or not,I am 63 and still have faint memories kiddie park; a yes the clunkiness (?) of the nostalgic rides.
Native San Antonian here. I worked at the kiddie park in high school, when it was still on Broadway. Worked concessions for $3 an hr. To this day I cannot stomach cotton candy! 😂 But fun rides, lol. I remember visit as a week one myself.
I really can't wait to go to San Antonio I have visited there I has so much fun😊 one of my favorite things is when I went to six flags add the water park I am looking forward to going there again 👍
Very cool review Dave…..my wife and I are in SA for a few days scouting the area to be snowbirds from Michigan thx for the tips we’re gonna head to Pinkerton’s BBQ today!
Breakfast tacos are a must in SA! Original Donut Shop has some great tacos. Of course puffy tacos as well, Im partial to las palapas. Best BBQ is on the south side at 2M. Another really cool True Texas style BBQ spot is Texas Pride southeast of town, the atmosphere is great, go Friday nights for live music.
Good ideas for SA, thanks! We try to go once a year and love it. Favorite restaurant on River Walk is Boudros but we get reservation first thing when we arrive. Our other fav was Little Rhein but it shut down and now another restaurant is there but we have not been there. It has the best outdoor view of the riverwalk. A very expensive restaurant at the Emma Hotel at the Pearl area is another favorite, worth the money if you want to spend it...SUPPER, I think is the name.
Zodia 195 jeez you wrote a novel , but anyway El Tipico is terrible used to eat there in the late 70s early 80s because it was open late after going to the dance halls. Always got to see some drunks getting in fights 😊
Definitely easy to walk before the sun goes down (then it gets CROWDED). For parking, you can use an app to find a paid lot, or there are plenty of paid lots around.
Also to be honest, my family rarely eats out for BBQ since my family does it anyway hahaha. My dad loves to BBQ most of the year on his pit, or if it's too hot, my mom will make it indoors.
Moved to SA a couple years back and I can tell you Hands Down Pinkerton's BBQ is the Best in the city. As for your take on Best Quality Daughter....yeah Asian cuisine is a hard one in SA. I've just about given up looking for a good Chinese restaurant here.
I feel like you definitely have to look outside downtown for the better Asian cuisines. Stay away from chain's as well. North East and north west side of town definitely have some of the best Asian cuisine IMO
I recommend Hung Fong on Broadway north of Downtown. Owned by the same family that opened it prior to WWII. Prices are low compared to other places. My family has been going there for years.
Hi Dave!!! Thank you so much for a review of San Antonio. I’m looking to move here once my daughter is done with high school next year. I want to ask, is the weather here not too bad compared to other parts of Texas?
Thanks so much for watching! I think it feels HOT in the summertime, especially with it being more humid than Dallas and the potential of floods in a big rainstorm. Texas has its own extremes everywhere 😀
San Antonioan here, it is HOT, even for a lifelong South Tx resident. The last few years summers have been really bad. It does make it nice to enjoy lakes and rivers and water fun in the summer but you will get sunburnt quickly and shade is essential to be able to bear it. Sometimes ACs have a hard time keeping up and can’t get as cold as you like and the energy costs in summers are very high.
Humidity can be a bit much, occasional,there may high winds or even a tornado. Temperatures follow (like everywhere) El nino and la nina so weather can vary as some winters(yes we have them) you may be in the low teens; or possibly be walking around in shorts. There's no other way to describe summer than scorching, rainfall minimal with a chance of flooding; at the present time we have been in drought for a long time. If and when we get snow it can accumulate ,back in early 80s we had 12 to 16" of the white stuff, hail and sleet are common (late winter-early spring) Hope I helped.
Sa. was better when I was a kid in the 70s... Especially the river walk at Christmas. Oh and you forget about the obscure Hertzberg Ringling brothers museum. It's pretty much all boutique shee shee but not that great.. 😐 Sorry
I have lived in San Antonio all my life and I had never heard of some those restaurants, maybe because I'm not a foodie. Still, I need to explore my hometown some more.
Lol I was going to say the same thing 😂 aside from mi terra and the pearl I've never been to any of those places and I've lived here my whole life. Then again I rarely go downtown because of the prices and the parking but it's definitely cool to see places I've never seen in my own hometown. Really opens my eyes that I don't really ever explore my own city much
Hi! SA Local here, and SA and even the surrounding counties have so many mom and pop places that I am sure I will probably not have been to all of these, especially if you stuck around Downtown that much lol.
Fun fact about Kiddie Park- Walt Disney himself visited this place (at its original location on Broadway Road) for research when he was getting ready to create Disney Land. So yeah there's some historical significance to it!
Okay for places to eat, yeah the only place I ever ate out of the ones listed was Mi Tierra, and I'll be honest, there are better places to eat in my opinion. If I had to pick a downtown location, it be Casa Rio (it's along the River Walk), but my fav Tex Mex places are outside of the Downtown area- Northeast side of town has Salsalito Cantina. If you like seafood, I recommend their Seafood Enchilada (my mom loves this meal, she always gets it lol). In the Southeast side of SA there's a family fav (that even my grandparents went to), called El Tipico, it does have the puffy tacos you should have lol.
Now, this next place is not Tex-Mex, but it's near El Tipico so I am going to mention it for it's an Italian Mom and Pop joint, it's called Big Lou's. Fair warning, the food is amazing, but they make everything from scratch, so expect a long wait. Best plan your day around it. It even got featured on both the Food Network and Travel Channel. But yeah I would wait for your son to be older before going to this particular place due to the long wait.
If you find yourself back downtown, there's an amazing German restaurant that's above Casa Rio (they have the same owner fyi). It's called Schilo's. It's been around for over 100 years now. They got classical stuff, my fav being the Schnitzel.
Sorry to hear about the Chinese joint, I got a much better option and it's my fav restaurant in the city (but Asian food is fav type so yeah a lot of bias here lol). This place is north of downtown (like a 5 minute drive) and it's closer to the Pearl actually. It's called Hung Fong and it's still owned by the same family that founded it and they're prices are still low (you can get a full meal for under $10 because of their daily lunch specials). This place is the oldest Chinese restaurant in Texas. Original owners came from China prior to WWII (there's a neon USA flag on the ceiling with only 48 stars lol). Food is amazing and they still use the same family recipe that comes straight from China. My mom had been coming there since she was a kid.
Now the downside for all the places I mentioned is they don't have an area for a toddler to run around.
As for the attractions you've been to, I've been to all of them lol. As far as other nice places to visit, I also recommend the SA Children's Museum (called the DoSeum). It's near Brackenridge Park (where the Zoo is). There's the SA Botanical Gardens that's in the same area. Another kid friendly museum is the Witte Museum that's north of SA Botanical Gardens. SA has amazing art museums, but I won't recommend taking a kid to them lol.
There are different theme parks in SA- Morgan's Wonderland is one-of-a-kind, it's the first theme park geared to anyone with special needs from physical to developmental. Those with special needs and their families are allowed in for free actually. You also have Six Flags Fiesta Texas and Sea World on the northwest sides of town. Be careful both can cost a pretty penny since you have to pay for a ticket and parking. However both places have things kids can enjoy. Now, there is one huge water park, but it's outside of SA, it's in New Braunfels, but it's one of the best water parks in the nation, it's called Schlitterbahn.
As for times to come to SA, we have events and festivals all year around. Our 2 biggest events happen early in the year though, in February we have SA Stockshow and Rodeo, there's loads to do, especially for kids. You have vendors, a carnival, great food stalls, and you can see different livestock being shown, there is a petting area for kids. Rodeo itself is a blast to watch and at the end of it is a concert. Mostly you have country artists, but they've had Tejano and the occasional rock group from like the 70s/80s. This event last almost the whole month of February.
Our biggest local event has to be Fiesta. It's a few weeks but there's SO much to do. You have everything from parades to different food events, to historical reenactments, and it's one huge charity event too. We have different Royal Courts and they raise money for local charities. I was lucky enough to be on one of the royal courts one year and it was an experience (almost a full year of work lol). Fiesta was also created to honor Texas Independence from Mexico. Most Fiesta events happen Downdown, but it's a citywide celebration. Mind you, the crowds are crazy, especially at night. This happens in April, so if you want to avoid large crowds in downtown SA, don't come during that time lol.
Okay I think that's enough from me lol. Hope this helps.
Wowow, thank you for all the suggestions! Great to get some more ideas from an SA local! I’ll be checking this comment many times on my next trip to SA!
@@davechung Yw! I could have listed more, like more outside of SA in the surrounding areas, but I figured that was a start. SA a huge tourist town for sure.
Hey!! I am visiting to SA next week. I am coming from LA. Can I book you for my travel buddy or guide? Haha! 😂
@@rajdantani636 LOL sorry, I don't do that, plus I'll be out of state visiting my brother lol. Hope you enjoy it here, but it's triple digits so please stay hydrated okay?
@@Zodia195 Thank you so much!! 😊
Favorite bbq place in SA: Dee Willie’s BBQ (in the Northeast Side and in China Grove) and 2M Smokehouse (Southeast Side). Guillermo’s (in northern Downtown) has decent Italian food with a Mexican flair. Best Chinese is Wah Kee in the Stone Oak area. And best breakfast tacos are Guero’s Tacos, also in Stone Oak. Pho Hong Phat, in Leon Valley, has great Vietnamese, and if you’re willing to drive to the suburbs, Gristmill in Gruene (New Braunfels) have the best baby back ribs and onion rings ever.
Thank you so much, 29! I added all of these to my list!
We just ate at Toro based on your video. 10 out of 10 🙌🏼
Awesome, Giana!! I’m so happy you liked it! I can’t wait to go back!
Hey Dave, planning a trip myself to the Alamo City and this is one of the best reviews I seen on San Antonio.
Thank you so much! One of the best compliments I can get. We had a great time there, and I hope it came through on the video!
I really can't wait to go to San Antonio I have visited there I has so much fun😊 one of my favorite things is when I went to six flags add the water park I am looking forward to going there again 👍
We can’t wait to go back! We are hoping to get back there soon!
This is one of the best travel video about San Antonio and it's unique appeal. Believe or not,I am 63 and still have faint memories kiddie park; a yes the clunkiness (?) of the nostalgic rides.
Thank you so much, John! That’s amazing to hear about Kiddie Park! I hope our son feels the same way one day.
Native San Antonian here. I worked at the kiddie park in high school, when it was still on Broadway. Worked concessions for $3 an hr. To this day I cannot stomach cotton candy! 😂 But fun rides, lol. I remember visit as a week one myself.
I go San Antonio this Thursday stay tell Sunday
It has a sewer running through the city lined with restaurants....enjoy 😋
its just a muddy dirty creek! i live here and avoid it lol
I really can't wait to go to San Antonio I have visited there I has so much fun😊 one of my favorite things is when I went to six flags add the water park I am looking forward to going there again 👍
Very cool review Dave…..my wife and I are in SA for a few days scouting the area to be snowbirds from Michigan thx for the tips we’re gonna head to Pinkerton’s BBQ today!
Thanks so much, Ross! Enjoy Pinkerton’s! Hope you guys have a great trip!
Thank you .. this helps a lot to first timers like me
You’re so welcome! Thanks for watching!
Our family reunion is next week in Sa and we have so much to look forward to doing in two days.
I hope you have a great time!
Breakfast tacos are a must in SA! Original Donut Shop has some great tacos. Of course puffy tacos as well, Im partial to las palapas. Best BBQ is on the south side at 2M. Another really cool True Texas style BBQ spot is Texas Pride southeast of town, the atmosphere is great, go Friday nights for live music.
Adding to my list! Thank you so much, Lauren!
Love the San Antonio zoo! Looked like a fun trip
It’s so nice! Thank you, can’t wait to go back soon!
I hear the San Antonio Zoo is a fun place to visit me and the wife is going.
We coming from Ohio 😀
Thanks for such a great video Dave. I can’t wait to visit San Antonio!
Hi again yes San Antonio have the Best service and Mexican restaurants and food to eat 💖 love you San Antonio Texas love David 🤩🙏🎉
Yesss! Can’t wait to go back!
Good ideas for SA, thanks! We try to go once a year and love it. Favorite restaurant on River Walk is Boudros but we get reservation first thing when we arrive. Our other fav was Little Rhein but it shut down and now another restaurant is there but we have not been there. It has the best outdoor view of the riverwalk. A very expensive restaurant at the Emma Hotel at the Pearl area is another favorite, worth the money if you want to spend it...SUPPER, I think is the name.
Thanks for those tips, Jane! We’ll absolutely check them out!
Thanks for sharing I’ll be there this weekend so I wanted to find some things that I could do
I hope you have a great time, Judy!
Excellent info👍
Thank you!
Honcho's! Love that place.
Zodia 195 jeez you wrote a novel , but anyway El Tipico is terrible used to eat there in the late 70s early 80s because it was open late after going to the dance halls. Always got to see some drunks getting in fights 😊
Posado’s has a special shrimp dish that is great. They have one on the river walk.
Thanks for the tip, Linda! Adding to my list for my next trip!
Looks amazing
Thank you- planning a weekend trip to SA
Enjoy! I hope you have a ton of fun!
San Antonio is a layover for me I hear. The Riverwalk is super crowded at night can't wait I'm only across the street 👍
Hope you are doing well Dave
Hope you’re having a great day, trell!
Is it easy to walk the river walk and find parking 😊
Definitely easy to walk before the sun goes down (then it gets CROWDED). For parking, you can use an app to find a paid lot, or there are plenty of paid lots around.
Also to be honest, my family rarely eats out for BBQ since my family does it anyway hahaha. My dad loves to BBQ most of the year on his pit, or if it's too hot, my mom will make it indoors.
Check out Dee Willie’s bbq is amazing
Thank you! Will check it out for sure!
I heard it's a barbecue buffet is that true?
Moved to SA a couple years back and I can tell you Hands Down Pinkerton's BBQ is the Best in the city. As for your take on Best Quality Daughter....yeah Asian cuisine is a hard one in SA. I've just about given up looking for a good Chinese restaurant here.
Appreciate your insights, Robert! We loved Pinkerton’s!
I feel like you definitely have to look outside downtown for the better Asian cuisines. Stay away from chain's as well. North East and north west side of town definitely have some of the best Asian cuisine IMO
I recommend Hung Fong on Broadway north of Downtown. Owned by the same family that opened it prior to WWII. Prices are low compared to other places. My family has been going there for years.
Came from NY the closest tastings wings I found to be at a restaurant called 30F wings are fried thank me later
Nola… is maaad expensive lol
It wasn’t too bad when I was there, but that was a few years ago!
Are there any black owned BBQ spots?
Yeah! There are a bunch, like 225 Urban Smoke, Ray Harmon’s, B’s, and DeeWillie’s.
Have you eatin at Bill Millers BBQ ?
I haven’t! I see there are a bunch of locations out there! Would you recommend it?
Next time you come take your son to the DoSuem!
Ooh this looks great! Appreciate the suggestion!
Hi Dave!!! Thank you so much for a review of San Antonio. I’m looking to move here once my daughter is done with high school next year. I want to ask, is the weather here not too bad compared to other parts of Texas?
Thanks so much for watching! I think it feels HOT in the summertime, especially with it being more humid than Dallas and the potential of floods in a big rainstorm. Texas has its own extremes everywhere 😀
@@davechung you are so right. Thanks Dave.
San Antonioan here, it is HOT, even for a lifelong South Tx resident. The last few years summers have been really bad. It does make it nice to enjoy lakes and rivers and water fun in the summer but you will get sunburnt quickly and shade is essential to be able to bear it. Sometimes ACs have a hard time keeping up and can’t get as cold as you like and the energy costs in summers are very high.
@@laurencowan7006 Thanks so much for chiming in! I know it gets HOT out there! (we got lucky on our trip!)
Humidity can be a bit much, occasional,there may high winds or even a tornado. Temperatures follow (like everywhere) El nino and la nina so weather can vary as some winters(yes we have them) you may be in the low teens; or possibly be walking around in shorts. There's no other way to describe summer than scorching, rainfall minimal with a chance of flooding; at the present time we have been in drought for a long time. If and when we get snow it can accumulate ,back in early 80s we had 12 to 16" of the white stuff, hail and sleet are common (late winter-early spring) Hope I helped.
Too bad its become a dump lately. With the homeless problem and crime lately its cheaper staying home.
Cool riverwalk.. except for the rats swimming back and forth.
Sa. was better when I was a kid in the 70s... Especially the river walk at Christmas.
Oh and you forget about the obscure Hertzberg Ringling brothers museum.
It's pretty much all boutique shee shee but not that great..
😐 Sorry
Actually, the circus museum isn’t here anymore
@@avriellefrigon4336
Sad ,
Well that figures!
Aztec Theater is run buy a bunch of pee-dough-files beware.
Save your money not worth it
The Alamo. Hell no. Thumbs down.