San Antonio's greatest bites: What we loved in 2024
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios
San Antonio's dining scene is dynamic, and it's our joy to share with you the great restaurants and bars we stumble upon — from the brand new to the classic mainstay.
The big picture: We've covered openings and closings all year. Amid the chaos, some meals stand out.
In no particular order, here are some favorite things we ate in San Antonio in 2024.
Megan's dishes
🍣 Shiro Japanese Bistro: The crispy toro ($25) is maybe the most innovative bite I've had in this city. The fatty tuna is served with karashi aioli, jalopeno, pickled wasabi and ponzu gel on a small bed of extra crispy rice.
- It's a master lesson in balance among flavors and textures.
🥚 Extra Fine: The quiche ($12) at this coffee shop and bakery is the kind of dish you return for again and again. With roasted squash, tomato-honey vinaigrette, arugula and parmesan, it's a satisfying morning meal.
🇯🇵 Hanzo: The agedashi tofu ($10) is the dish I'd like to present to all the tofu doubters out there. This karaage-battered tofu is fried in a housemade ponzu blend sauce and served with nori. It's perfectly crunchy on the outside and creamy on the inside, all while bursting with flavor.
- It will make anyone see the potential in tofu's blank canvas.
Madalyn's dishes
🇲🇽 Mezquite: The Pullman Market's Sonoran-inspired restaurant has quickly become my go-to, and it all started with the pollo a la parilla ($28). Served on a silky butternut squash sauce and paired with rice and beans that would impress my grandma, it offers a taste that's familiar yet refined.
- Don't sleep on the chile relleno ($21) or classic margarita ($13).
🤎 Barrio Dogg: The Xolito ($10) — a Tijuana-style hot dog with a long list of toppings including jalapeño, sour cream, sriracha aioli and cilantro (all my favorites) — immediately won me over. But it's the warm hospitality of co-owner Pablo Rios that had me recommending it to friends all year.
☀️ Tu Asador: The tuna steak ($18) enjoyed lived rent-free in my mind all summer. The juicy, smoky cuts of fish paired with caramelized veggies made it the perfect patio dish.