Your guide to San Antonio's Cowboy Breakfast

How it works: The breakfast kicks off Bar-B-Que Cook-Off weekend, a precursor to the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo.

• It's held at Frost Bank Center's Lot 4, 5-10am. Free parking is available in surrounding lots.

The vibe: The family-friendly event also includes live music and alcoholic drinks for purchase.

Flashback: The tradition began in 1979 as a sendoff for cowboys headed to the rodeo, later growing into a Guinness World Records–recognized crowd.

• The rodeo took over the event from the Cowboy Breakfast Foundation in 2024 after pandemic disruptions.

The bottom line: Few cities wake up earlier — or more willingly — for free tacos.