I didn’t like the refried beans. At least it wasn’t until I visited San Antonio, Texas.
The beans there were a revelation. Hearty, smoky and flavorful, they tasted like they were made by a bunch of grandmas, with tender love in every restaurant where the staple was served.
And beans were just the beginning. Every time we dine at Alamo City, we prove that Alamo City is one of the best gastronomic cities in America, and even more so, with a world-class reputation.
world class dining
San Antonio is one of two U.S. cities recognized as a Creative Gastronomic City by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The other is Tuscon, Arizona.
“Gastronomy is not only about celebrating local culinary traditions and culture, but also how we preserve, share, and fuse them with new influences,” the City of San Antonio states on its website. are.
San Antonio has Mexican, Spanish, and German roots, but its vibrant food scene reflects the many other cultures and communities that have come to call this city home.
This blend of tradition and innovation has caught the attention of Michelin, which has chosen San Antonio and four other cities to be featured in the first-ever Michelin Guide Texas, which launches on November 11th. The other cities are Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston.
Disney restaurant becomes first Michelin restaurant: What you can expect at Victoria & Alberts
local taste
The first thing I ate in San Antonio set the bar for the entire trip. It was a breakfast taco from Eddie’s Taco House. The restaurant, with its colorful murals, is a family-run restaurant with a commitment to “quality food and great service, always at affordable prices.” According to the website.
These were nothing like the tacos I had for breakfast before. First, there were so many options, from beans and rice to crispy chicharrones and eggs to carne guisada, a beef stew with gravy that was also served at the breakfast buffet at my hotel, the Hotel Gibbs. Second, the flour tortillas were thick and pillowy soft. I later learned that homegrown quality is the norm in San Antonio, just like the jaw-dropping beans. Third, the tacos are huge, confirming the adage that everything is big in Texas. I couldn’t even finish mine. Finally, they were delicious and cheap, ranging from $1.69 to $5.99 each.
For three days, I roamed the city, trying everything from Texas BBQ at Pinkerton’s to modern Mexican cuisine at Rosario’s. I sampled all the flavors of concharol at La Panaderia and realized why Rita’s on the River is known as “the place to bring friends from out of town.” The menu will be familiar to fans of Mexican restaurants everywhere.
One place I kept coming back to was Historic Pearl. Once a more than 100-year-old brewery, the complex now boasts the elegant Hotel Emma, numerous shops and dining options including a food hall and Bakery Lorraine, and one of America’s top restaurants, according to USA magazine. It is home to one of the top 10 farmers markets. Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards. It is also home to the Culinary Institute of America Texas.
culinary incubator
April Guess, managing director of the campus and a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, told USA TODAY that the CIA chose San Antonio as its third U.S. location primarily because of its rich culture. He said the culinary scene has a strong heritage and Latin American influence.
Since opening in 2008, the prestigious culinary school has further enhanced the city’s culinary reputation and played a pivotal role in the city’s designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, which is about more than just food, Guess points out.
“This designation also recognizes San Antonio’s commitment to sustainability and inclusivity in its culinary practices,” she said. “The city actively promotes sustainable food systems, supports local farmers, and fosters community engagement through a variety of food-related initiatives and events.”
He said the CIA’s Texas campus hosts many such activities throughout the year, including the annual paella challenge with CIA alumnus and local restaurateur chef Johnny Hernandez.
“CIA San Antonio graduates often reside in the city of San Antonio, bringing their skills and knowledge to local restaurants and food businesses, thereby enriching the food world,” she said.
Some alumni have gone on to open restaurants in the Pearl District at a variety of price points, such as six-time James Beard Award finalist Chef Steve McHugh’s restaurant Cured. James Beard-nominated chef Nicola Black runs Freight Fried Chicken at Pearl and The Jerk Shack on the city’s west side. Award-winning chef Susan Rigg’s River Whey Creamery Cheese is available at numerous Pearl restaurants, including Pullman Market at the Pearl and Pearl’s Winter Holiday Night Market. It is sold at. In addition to La Gloria at the Pearl, Hernandez has many restaurants throughout the city. CIA also has student-run restaurants, Saber and Bakery Café, located in Pearl.
How to spend 3 days in San Antonio?
Of course, there’s more to do in San Antonio than just food.
Free entertainment options include strolling along the River Walk, visiting each of the four missions in San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, and participating in seasonal celebrations such as Fiesta.
The San Antonio CityPass gives you one-rate access to some of the city’s most popular sites, including the Alamo Exhibits and Church, Witte Museum, San Antonio Zoo, and Tower of the Americas.
Families with kids will love the nearly 100-plus attractions featuring small pay-as-you-go rides, an expansive playground at Hemisfair, immersive art exhibits at Hopscotch, and Morgan’s Wonderland, the world’s first highly accessible theme park. Enjoy the 100-year-old Kiddie Park.
I thoroughly enjoyed them all during my three days in this city. However, I particularly enjoyed the food.
The reporter for this article received access from Visit San Antonio. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of reviews.