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(From January 2012)

Your blood pressure is bound to drop here; no one seems to be in a rush to leave. Open since 1946, this funky, friendly burger joint also offers chicken-fried steak, and nowadays there’s even grilled chicken on the menu. Our platter of CFS came with a boatload of gravy, a pint of fries, and sliced tomatoes (a healthy touch). The dessert option is still just a candy bar, but at least now you can get something other than Snickers. Beer.

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(From January 2011) The owner of the newest West Side cafe resembles former Dallas Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson and fries anything from the ham that’s tucked into the club sandwich to flour tortilla–wrapped Her-shey bar “chimichangas.” If you lean toward the traditional, try the Philly cheesesteak: thinly sliced lean beef with a smoky, garlicky flavor blending with grilled onions, peppers, and loads of melted jack cheese. Flat-screen TVs, wood paneling, and comfy tables make this a good gathering spot for televised sporting events. BYOB.

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(From November 2011)

For an “only in San Antonio” experience, try downtown lunch at this former convent refectory turned artsy cafeteria, tucked next to the center courtyard (and fab gift shop) at the Southwest School of Art and Craft. A plethora of salads and sandwiches—from grilled cheese and ham to grape-festooned chicken salad—is supplemented with daily specials, usually something homey like beef enchiladas or meat loaf, and the occasional unexpected item, like duck crepes with wild rice. 

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(From February 2012)

Known locally as Hester’s (for new proprietors Hester and Jason Rodriguez), this congenial venue serves up the same kind of fare that made Hester’s at Six Points so popular. We enjoyed the Devonshire quiche, deliciously creamy, with spinach, ricotta, Swiss cheese, and tomato, and the satisfying Swinney Switch salad with black beans, roasted turkey, and corn salsa. As we lingered to watch the tugboats at work, we savored the excellent coffee and a coconut cupcake topped with a glorious crown of meringue. Beer & wine

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(From January 2012)

Sometimes when it’s hard to make up our mind, we go with a vegetable plate. And what better place to order one than at this small Lakewood hangout; it’s got its own garden out back and one of the best alfresco dining areas in Dallas. Divine roasted brussels sprouts, creamy cheese grits, well-seasoned pinto beans, and a house salad with a winning lemon vinaigrette all combined to make a terrific entrée. The kitchen outdid itself with a plum-peach pie (it goes without saying that the crust was homemade) crowned with vanilla ice cream.

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(From February 2012)

Watch for a different special every Wednesday in this old-fashioned soda shop. Combined with a gift shop and a working pharmacy, this place is more about the experience than the food, though the latter is just fine. The turkey pastrami sandwich is just like Grandma’s, with store-bought bread, lettuce, tomatoes, and mayo. The burgers are standard fare, with hand-formed patties and fresh fixings. We finished off our meal with a handmade chocolate and peanut butter malt, which was just the right thickness.

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(From August 2011)

Young professionals and foodies flock to chef Larry Delgado’s domain for irresistible pommes frites, both traditional and sweet potato, and burgers made with locally raised beef. Our favorite is the Swiss and mushroom on ciabatta, a juicy, peppery beauty that’s more like a sandwich than a greasy burger. But the lamb entrée is still our favorite—grilled and seasoned with just salt and pepper and served with a robust blue cheese sauce on a bed of locally grown arugula. The large wine selection and friendly staff round out the experience. Beer & wine.

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(From May 2011) With its exposed brick walls and towering, glass-paned doors, this cheery sandwich shop exudes the essence of the Strand Historic District. The Greek salad, tossed with a creamy, herby dressing, made an ample lunch, as did our friend’s Third Coast Reuben, with turkey pastrami and Swiss cheese piled high with house-made coleslaw. A farmers market of local produce makes an appearance on Sundays.

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(From December 2010) Multitasking as coffee shop, restaurant, and used-book store, Nel’s recalls the slow pace of long-gone rural cafes. Here, the chatty, mostly local crowd comes for sandwiches and handcrafted quiches and pastries. Not to be missed are the seasonal soups and the sandwiches of thin-sliced roast beef or turkey on wheat buns. The menu superstar is the perfectly cooked migas, as authentic and flavorful as any from an urban Mexican restaurant. Note: Busy periods can overwhelm the kitchen.

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(From January 2011) Don’t be put off by the skull and crossbones on the sign: This is a pleasant, spotless neighborhood pub with some of the best sandwiches on the Island (and you don’t have to talk like a pirate to get one). We sighed over the Hot Italian, a classic po’boy of ham, salami, pepperoni, and mozzarella, and the tuna melt with Swiss on grilled rye. Bar.

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