Sunday, April 17, 2016

You Ask me What I Like About Texas: San Antonio Edition

Happy Monday, friends!  Summertime is just around the corner, and that means it is time to plan some vacations and road trips.  I started a series a few weeks ago on some of my favorite places in Texas.  In honor of the great Gary P. Nunn, I am calling this series, "You ask me what I like about Texas!"  With the help of my Dad, a San Antonio resident, today I am sharing with you a few of our favorite places in San Antonio.

I added a little commentary in italics, and of course, I added a few pictures.  I even linked the ones that I am especially partial to!  San Antonio is a FABULOUS city!  It's historic, it's entertaining, it's cultural and most important it has amazing food!  Without further adieu, let's get started!

Where to eat:
Pizza—Dough Pizzeria Napoletana on Blanco

Italian—Paesano’s on Loop 1604, the Eggplant Parmesan is the best around!

Tex Mex—El Jarro’s at 281 & Bitters, Tomatillo’s on Broadway, too many to mention in this town!

BurgersChris Madrids on Blanco, must get the Tostado Burger!
(Emily's Note: If you don't take anything else away from this post: YOU MUST GO TO CHRIS MADRID'S!!)

BBQ—Blanco BBQ on Blanco Rd is really good; but, REAL Texas BBQ is the original Black’s in Lockhart and the Luling City Market in Luling.

Date Night—Fredrick’s Bistro or Myron’s Steakhouse, both on NW Military Hwy
(Emily's Note: Mark proposed to me at Grey Moss Inn in Helotes, Texas...it is one of our favorites!)


That's the table where I said YES!

Sushi—Sushihana on NW Military Hwy in Castle Hills

Dessert—Bakery Lorraine at the Pearl, the Parisian Macarons are exquisite! Or Naegelin's Bakery in New Braunfels open since 1868.

Ice CreamAmy's at the Quarry

Best PatioCasa Rio or Mexican Manhattan both on the Riverwalk  
(Emily's Note: Casa Rio is my Riverwalk favorite!)

Local Fast Food Favorite—Jim’s Restaurants and Bill Miller’s

Coffee Shop—Bakery Lorraine at the Pearl is delicious and I have it on good authority that Local Coffee (3 locations) is good, too!

Best Breakfast—the Magnolia Pancake Haus has the BEST pancakes in the world!

Best German Food—the Friesenhaus in New Braunfels and the Auslander in Fredericksburg

Places to See:
Historical/Landmarks: the Alamo, the Riverwalk, the Tower of the Americas


 
My Dad and a little, bitty Jentry on the Riverwalk

Scenery: Hill Country drives up to Comfort, Kerrville, and Fredericksburg
(Emily's Note: Luckenbach!)




Lakes/Recreation: Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Sea World

Look how little my girl was!  She's SIXTEEN now!  Where did the time go?  

Best Photo Opps: Anywhere along the Riverwalk, in front of the Alamo, or from atop the Tower of the America’s


 Kendall & Jess at the Alamo

 
Mark & Kendall on the Riverwalk...ten years ago!

Best Places to take the little buckaroos: the Alamo, the San Antonio Zoo, the Children's Museum

My Dad with Kendall & Jess at the San Antonio Zoo

Kendall & Jess reenacting the Titanic scene at the Children's Museum

Best place NOT to take the little buckaroos: this town is mostly family friendly, be careful along the Riverwalk

Favorite Local Shops, Stores, Shopping Areas: the Riverwalk, the Quarry, the Rim

Favorite Traditions/Festivals: Fiesta in April

Emily's Fun Fact:  The Menger Hotel has been around since the mid 1800's and was known to have the best food west of the Mississippi.  It has had famous guests such as Ulysses S. Grant, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, William Howard Taft, William McKinley, Harry Truman, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Lyndon B. Johnson, George Bush, Bill Clinton, Sam Houston and Robert E. Lee.  In fact, Bill Clinton, loved the mango ice cream so much that he had it flown in for his inauguration.

Photo from Texas Eats

 Be sure to stop by the Menger Hotel, it is beautiful!

Thank you so much to my Dad for helping me put this post together.  The next time you visit San Antonio, I hope you will try some of our suggestions.  Be sure to check out my previous post, You Ask Me What I Like About Texas, DFW Edition, for all of my favorite spots in the Dallas Fort Worth area.  

What are some of your favorite stops in San Antonio?

21 comments:

  1. The Mister and I love Texas so much that San Antonio is #1 on our list for retirement. I especially miss Texas when it is still in the 50's in mid April. Looks like y'all are getting a lot of rain, though. Hope the sun comes out soon.

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    1. I love that area! It would be a great place to retire. There's always something going on down there. I'd send some sunshine your way, but we haven't had any in a few days. I can send you some Texas humidity, though! ;)

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  2. We went to San Antonio a few years back. I liked it! We did the River Walk, The Alamo, and Sea World.

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    1. It sounds like you did s few of the best things there! Hope you ate some good food, too!

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  3. We're going to Houston in May but unfortunately it won't be a long enough time to visit San Antonio. I'll need to come back!

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    1. Yes, definitely! San Antonio, Austin & the Hill Country are worth a visit. You would love it.

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  4. Oh, I love this! Believe it or not, I've never been to Texas. I'm pinning this for future reference. Love your blog!

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    1. Thank you! You should plan a trip here! There's a variety of things to do here. Thanks for stopping by! Have a great week!

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  5. And now I am suddenly starving half to death. That burger looks SO good!

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    1. Yes, that burger is AMAZING! I'm craving one now, too, & I'm five hours away from there!

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  6. I love Amy's ice cream!! I wish we had one close to us. Great post.

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    1. Thank you! I miss Amy's! After I moved they put one in San Marcos. I missed out! I love sweet cream & bananas! Yum!

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  7. We haven't been to San Antonio in forever! I am saving this post for when we decide to visit there again. We are heading to the hill country for Memorial Day weekend and I can't wait. We stay in Mason, TX...but we visit Llano, Luckenbach, Fredericksburg, & Johnson City many times while there. I love that area! Hope you had an amazing weekend.

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    1. Fun! I love the Hill Country. It's so relaxing! I bet Mason thinks it's awesome to stay in Mason!! We have a picture of Kendall next to the Kendall County sign (near Boerne). There's so much to do down there!

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  8. You know I'm moving here, so I am bookmarking this post, thank you!

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  9. I've never been to Texas before, but this post makes me wanna visit their someday :)

    Blessings,
    Edye // Gracefulcoffee.wordpress.com

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  10. This is a fun series!! I've always wanted to visit San Antonio - it looks like such a great city with a ton to do.

    Katie @ Cup of Tea

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  11. You've listed a ton of great things about SA, but I have to add a few! First, the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo for 3 weeks in Feb! Large Indoor Rodeo of the year for 11 years in a row! Amazing concerts every night after the rodeo, very kid friendly grounds with fair and food and rides, etc. Secondly, for breakfast The Guenther House is a MUST! Breakfast in a historic mansion right on the river? Yes! Thirdly, for Mexican Food you have to go to El Machito in The Quarry. The have an amazing Patio and a yard full of hula hoops and even a play structure for the kids! And you can't speak of malls without mentioning La Cantera! A beautiful outdoor mall with tons of shops, great restaurants and a play ground right in the middle of it! Win for everyone!

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    1. My Dad loves the Guenther House; I can't believe we left that off! I haven't heard of El Machito, we'll have to check it out on our next trip. Thanks for stopping by & for your input. Have a great evening!

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  12. Girl after my own heart with all this food! Chris Madrids has been noted!!

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