Critics pick the best San Antonio brunches

The brunch at Grayze is part of our baker’s dozen of the best brunches in San Antonio. Click through the slideshows to see more.

The brunch at Grayze is part of our baker’s dozen of the best brunches in San Antonio. Click through the slideshows to see more.

Critics pick 13 of San Antonio’s best brunches

Critics pick 13 of San Antonio’s best brunches

18 Oaks

23808 Resort Parkway at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, 210-491-5825, marriott.com

Brunch hours: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday

The JW Marriott stands alone on a hilltop, surrounded by fairways. In that capacity, 18 Oaks looks like a golf clubhouse until you step inside, where a wall of windows sheds warm morning light on the $49 Sunday brunch buffet. Desserts hold down the foyer: tea cakes, trifles, oatmeal bars, brittle and custard. Along the bar: endless mimosas. On the opposite wall: breakfast breads, cheese, prosciutto, salads, fruit and a trinity of boiled shrimp, fresh oysters and split crab legs. In the middle: pork hash, fat sausages, thick bacon, kolaches and mac and cheese. They’ll slice prime rib that speaks to 18 Oaks’ steakhouse pedigree, and you can request short-rib Benedict, a lobster omelet, fresh pancakes and more from a made-to-order menu included in the buffet price.

(Pictured: Crab claws, shrimp and oysters from the Sunday brunch buffet at 18 Oaks at the JW Marriott in San Antonio.)

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18 Oaks

23808 Resort Parkway at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, 210-491-5825, marriott.com

Brunch hours: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday

The JW Marriott stands alone on a hilltop,

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2720 McCullough Ave., 210-320-2261, barbarosanantonio.comBrunch hours: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday Brunch menu and pizzas price range: $5-$14

This brick cathedral of an Italian restaurant in Monte Vista hosts a Saturday-Sunday brunch that leaves the showboat bloody marys to the sliders-on-a-stick crowd. The grownups are having what we’re having: tomato juice, salty-hot spice, lemon, olives, vodka and a shot of dignity.

(Pictured: Parmesan biscuits and grits carbonara.)

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2720 McCullough Ave., 210-320-2261, barbarosanantonio.comBrunch hours: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday Brunch menu and pizzas price range: $5-$14

This brick cathedral of an Italian restaurant in Monte

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Boiler House Texas Grill & Wine Garden

312 Pearl Parkway, Building 3, at The Pearl, 210-354-4644, boilerhousesa.com

Brunch hours: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday

This is the menu where executive chef Jeff White holds back any pretense of restraint. On this menu, more is more and really, it’s never enough. We’re talking about dishes such as green chili on top of rich buttery polenta, buttery walnut pancakes with a boozy bourbon sauce and the glorious excess of the “David Lee Roth” Krispy Kreme Burger. True to its name, it uses a glazed doughnut as a bun and stuffs it with a house-ground burger patty, melted American cheese, a fried egg, two slices of bacon and a lemon chive aioli. Pair it with a slightly spicy and nicely balanced bloody mary or a fancy mimosa with blood orange juice. And block out time for a post-brunch nap.

(Pictured: The “David Lee Roth” Krispy Kreme burger at Boiler House.)

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Boiler House Texas Grill & Wine Garden

312 Pearl Parkway, Building 3, at The Pearl, 210-354-4644, boilerhousesa.com

Brunch hours: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday

This is the menu where executive chef Jeff

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Botika

303 Pearl Parkway, Suite 111, at The Pearl, 210-670-7684, botikapearl.com

Brunch hours: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday

Botika calls its Sunday thing a Dim Sum Brunch, even though it’s not, really. The closest this Peruvian-Japanese house of hybrids comes to dim sum is gyoza dumplings and steamed buns. But whatever you call it, brunch here means a Sunday ceviche of flounder, scallops and shrimp in a sharp citrus tiger’s milk with bloody mary spice, a trio of Chinese-style char siu ribs as sweet and shiny red as glazed candy pork and Japanese-style fried boneless chicken over waffles spiked with teardrop peppers, puffed quinoa and sweet-and-sour syrup. A Kim Wu cocktail made with sake, Topo Chico and macerated berries is an eastward-facing alternative to a mimosa.

(Pictured: Fried takoyaki octopus balls from the Sunday brunch menu at Botika restaurant at The Pearl in San Antonio.)

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Botika

303 Pearl Parkway, Suite 111, at The Pearl, 210-670-7684, botikapearl.com

Brunch hours: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday

Botika calls its Sunday thing a Dim Sum Brunch, even though it’s not, really. The

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Cured

306 Pearl Parkway, Suite 101, at The Pearl, 210-314-3929, curedatpearl.com

Brunch hours: 10 a.m.-3 p.m Saturday

Cured really caters to the proudly carnivorous with its unrivaled selection of house-cured charcuterie and its love of animal parts many would look down on. That sentiment continues at brunch, but the standout dishes are all about sweet flavors. Chicken and waffles becomes chicken and doughnuts, with a lemon sugar glaze and a so-mild-I-couldn’t-taste-it jalapeño syrup. The French toast comes topped with bananas foster and praline bacon that would be censured by any sensible dentist. The eye-openers here are a Mountain Mary with moonshine, house-pickled okra and a shot of pickle juice in a glass on the side and a Champagne service with fresh-squeezed orange juice for $30.

(Pictured: Cured’s take on chicken and waffles: Chicken and doughnuts with lemon sugar and jalapeno syrup.)

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Cured

306 Pearl Parkway, Suite 101, at The Pearl, 210-314-3929, curedatpearl.com

Brunch hours: 10 a.m.-3 p.m Saturday

Cured really caters to the proudly carnivorous with its unrivaled selection of

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Grayze

521 E. Grayson St., 210-481-8776, grayzeongrayson.com

Brunch hours: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday

Announce that you’ve come to this bright, happy, crowded little house for barbacoa Benedict and they’ll treat you like a Sunday brunch regular. It’s tender shredded cheek meat over fresh gordita masa like a sope gone wild, topped with fried eggs and chile-spiked hollandaise. French toast changes on the whim of the kitchen every week, but that whimsy is responsible for things like glazed Cinnamon Toast Crunch French toast with bananas and berries. Pimp out your bloody mary with shrimp and candied bacon.

(Pictured: Dishes from the Sunday brunch menu at Grayze restaurant in San Antonio. From left: Cinnamon Toast Crunch French toast, a loaded bloody mary and barbacoa Benedict.)

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Grayze

521 E. Grayson St., 210-481-8776, grayzeongrayson.com

Brunch hours: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday

Announce that you’ve come to this bright, happy, crowded little house for barbacoa Benedict and they’ll

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La Fonda on Main

2415 N. Main Ave., 210-733-0621, lafondaonmain.com

Brunch hours: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday; 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday

Spinach omelet, barbacoa enchiladas or chipotle shrimp omelet? Oh yes, the best brunch options at one of the city’s oldest restaurants are anything but old school. Brunch is offered Saturday and Sunday, so there’s no excuse to miss these dishes. If you’re looking for old-school Tex-Mex, the Old No. 7 combo plate is always an option, among others. But the real attraction is enjoying these flavorful dishes on the outdoor patio when the weather cooperates. Then, it’s always time for a cool sangria or margarita.

(Pictured: An omelet at La Fonda on Main)

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La Fonda on Main

2415 N. Main Ave., 210-733-0621, lafondaonmain.com

Brunch hours: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday; 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday

Spinach omelet, barbacoa enchiladas or chipotle shrimp omelet? Oh yes, the

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Las Canarias

112 College St. at the Omni La Mansión del Rio hotel, 210-518-1063, omnihotels.com

Brunch hours: 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Sunday

Weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, quinceañeras. This grande dame of San Antonio Sunday brunch buffets has borne witness to them all. You get a River Walk view, endless mimosas, crab claws and shrimp, made-to-order omelets and flaming bananas foster, plus prime rib, bread pudding and pans of steaming eggs and housemade sausage. The buffet is $42.95; the memories are priceless.

(Pictured: Desserts from the Sunday buffet brunch at Las Canarias at the Omni La Mansión del Rio hotel in San Antonio, including bread pudding, chocolate mousse and red velvet cake.)

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Las Canarias

112 College St. at the Omni La Mansión del Rio hotel, 210-518-1063, omnihotels.com

Brunch hours: 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Sunday

Weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, quinceañeras. This

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Paloma Blanca

5800 Broadway, Suite 300, 210-822-6151, palomablanca.net

Brunch hours: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday

Every day feels like the weekend in this elegant hacienda setting. But on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., they roll out a brunch menu that showcases chilaquiles made with fresh fried tortilla strips in a range of styles — with scrambled eggs, with roasted pork, or best of all, with a well-seasoned, fork tender rib-eye steak and tomatillo salsa with queso fresco and sour cream. Whether you prefer the comfort of a short stack of pancakes and mixed fruit or the comfort of a Strait Mule cocktail made with George Strait’s Codigo 1530 tequila and ginger syrup, Paloma Blanca has you covered.

(Pictured: Food and drinks from the Saturday-Sunday brunch menu at Paloma Blanca restaurant in San Antonio.From left: Pancakes, a Strait Mule cocktail, a margarita, chips and a plate of Chilaquiles Distrito Federal with a rib-eye steak.)

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Paloma Blanca

5800 Broadway, Suite 300, 210-822-6151, palomablanca.net

Brunch hours: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday

Every day feels like the weekend in this elegant hacienda setting. But on Saturdays and

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Peggy’s on the Green

128 W. Blanco Road, Boerne, 830-572-5000, peggysonthegreen.com

Brunch hours: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday

The genteel charms of Southern cooking meet the precise execution and service of a city steakhouse at Peggy’s, an extension of chef Mark Bohanan’s San Antonio brand. Sip a sharp and creamy bourbon milk punch on the shaded veranda and enjoy a well-fried airline chicken breast with “waffles” made from macaroni and cheese with sweet-hot syrup. Peggy’s golden biscuits form the base of a rich short-rib Benedict, and cornmeal Johnny cakes put a country spin on flapjacks.

(Pictured: Fried chicken and a waffle made from macaroni and cheese from the Sunday brunch menu at Peggy’s on the Green in Boerne.)

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Peggy’s on the Green

128 W. Blanco Road, Boerne, 830-572-5000, peggysonthegreen.com

Brunch hours: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday

The genteel charms of Southern cooking meet the precise execution and service of a

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Rebelle

300 E. Travis St. at the St. Anthony hotel, 210-352-3171, rebellesa.com

Brunch hours: 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Sunday

The dance music pulses, there’s a lion sculpted from disco-ball mirrors and the bar beckons like a crystalline cathedral. The team behind Feast and the new Battalion knows how to throw a party. Start the party with a Sinner cocktail of bourbon, apple cider and ginger, then follow with biscuits as delicate as toasted croissants with green tomato jam. From there, maybe a “Benedictine” with poached eggs, prosciutto and hollandaise electrified with fennel. Or baked eggs in a resolute tomato sauce over creamy polenta, buried in fresh herbs. But it’s not really a brunch party until the French toast shows up, drunk on blueberry coulis and covered in caramelized Rice Krispies like stripper glitter.

(Pictured: The Benedictine from the Sunday brunch menu at Rebelle in the St. Anthony Hotel in San Antonio is made with prosciutto and hollandaise sauce spiked with fennel.)

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Rebelle

300 E. Travis St. at the St. Anthony hotel, 210-352-3171, rebellesa.com

Brunch hours: 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Sunday

The dance music pulses, there’s a lion sculpted from disco-ball mirrors and the

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Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery

136 E. Grayson St., Suite 120, at The Pearl, 210-455-5701, southerleigh.com

Brunch hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday

Of all the different variations of an eggs Benedict, few satisfy as much as Southerleigh’s version with country ham, jalapeño cornbread in place of English muffins and hollandaise infused with Crystal hot sauce. The contrast of flavors and textures, with a touch of tangy heat in the rich sauce, add up to a taste that merits looking forward to the weekend. Fan of chicken and waffles? The version here is a good one, and the micheladas are worth ordering, too. This place gets crowded during brunch hours, but well-trained servers and cooks maintain their cool and their consistency.

(Pictured: Chicken and waffles at Southerleigh)

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Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery

136 E. Grayson St., Suite 120, at The Pearl, 210-455-5701, southerleigh.com

Brunch hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday

Of all the different variations of an eggs Benedict, few

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Click through for a compilation of some of the best spots to brunch in the Alamo City.

Click through for a compilation of some of the best spots to brunch in the Alamo City.

Address: 2720 McCullough Ave., 210-320-2261Read a review of Barbaro

Address: 2720 McCullough Ave., 210-320-2261Read a review of Barbaro

Address: 303 Pearl Parkway, Suite 111, 210-670-7684Read a review of Botika

Address: 303 Pearl Parkway, Suite 111, 210-670-7684Read a review of Botika

Address: 555 E. Basse Road, 210-822-2665 Read a review of Cafe Dijon

Address: 555 E. Basse Road, 210-822-2665 Read a review of Cafe Dijon

Address: 5011 Broadway, 210-828-9669Read a review of Cappy’s

Address: 5011 Broadway, 210-828-9669Read a review of Cappy’s

Address: 2403 N. St. Mary’s St., 210-530-4236Read a review of Chisme

Address: 2403 N. St. Mary’s St., 210-530-4236Read a review of Chisme

Address: 118 Davis Court, 210-560-2955Read a review of CommonWealth Coffeehouse & Bakery

Address: 118 Davis Court, 210-560-2955Read a review of CommonWealth Coffeehouse & Bakery

Address: 1806 N. Loop 1604 W., 210-479-9700 Read a review of Cover 3

Address: 1806 N. Loop 1604 W., 210-479-9700 Read a review of Cover 3

Address: 3920 Harry Wurzbach Road, 210-821-5600Read more about Crumpets

Address: 3920 Harry Wurzbach Road, 210-821-5600Read more about Crumpets

Address: 306 Pearl Parkway, Suite 101, 210-314-3929Read a review of Cured

Address: 306 Pearl Parkway, Suite 101, 210-314-3929Read a review of Cured

Address: 1815 Fredericksburg Road, 210-732-3326Read a review of Deco Pizzeria

Address: 1815 Fredericksburg Road, 210-732-3326Read a review of Deco Pizzeria

Address: 402 N. Loop 1604 W., 210-545-3199Read a review of Eggspectation

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Address: 402 N. Loop 1604 W., 210-545-3199Read a review of

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Address: 13421 San Pedro Ave., 210-494-5084Read a review of El Jarro de Arturo

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Address: 13421 San Pedro Ave., 210-494-5084Read a review of El Jarro de

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Address: 1024 S. Alamo St., 210-354-1024Read a review of Feast

Address: 1024 S. Alamo St., 210-354-1024Read a review of Feast

Address: 849 E. Commerce St., Suite 393, 210-227-1700

Address: 849 E. Commerce St., Suite 393, 210-227-1700

Address: 2503 Broadway, 210-444-0277Read a review of Fratello’s

Address: 2503 Broadway, 210-444-0277Read a review of Fratello’s

Address: 1401 S. Flores St., Suite 102, 210-251-3104Read a review of The Frutería-Botanero

Address: 1401 S. Flores St., Suite 102, 210-251-3104Read a review of The Frutería-Botanero

Address: 17619 La Cantera Parkway, Suite. 102 in The Rim shopping center, 210-920-1101Read a review of The General Public

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Address: 17619 La Cantera Parkway, Suite. 102 in The Rim shopping center, 210-920-1101Read a review of

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Address: 521 E. Grayson St., 210-481-8776Read a review of Grayze

Address: 521 E. Grayson St., 210-481-8776Read a review of Grayze

Address: 24116 Interstate 10 W., 210-698-8797 Read a review of The Grill at Leon Springs

Address: 24116 Interstate 10 W., 210-698-8797 Read a review of The Grill at Leon Springs

Address: 1414 S. Alamo St., Suite 101, in the Blue Star complex, 210-277-7045Read a review of Halcyon

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Address: 1414 S. Alamo St., Suite 101, in the Blue Star complex, 210-277-7045Read a review of

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Address: 5619 W. Loop 1604 N., Suite 109, 210-878-4071Read a review of Hop & Vine The Hop & Vine Benedict

Address: 5619 W. Loop 1604 N., Suite 109, 210-878-4071Read a review of Hop & Vine The Hop & Vine Benedict

Address: 1010 N. Loop 1604 E., 210-545-3330Read a review of The Hoppy Monk

Address: 1010 N. Loop 1604 E., 210-545-3330Read a review of The Hoppy Monk

Address: 2415 N. Main Ave., 210-733-0621

Address: 2415 N. Main Ave., 210-733-0621

Address: 112 College St., in the Omni La Mansión del Rio, 210-518-1063Read about Las Canarias

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Address: 112 College St., in the Omni La Mansión del Rio, 210-518-1063

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Address: 6417 Evers Road, 210-520-0706Read a review of Leon Valley Cafe

Address: 6417 Evers Road, 210-520-0706Read a review of Leon Valley Cafe

Address: 1111 S. Alamo St., 210-227-1187Read a review of Liberty Bar

Address: 1111 S. Alamo St., 210-227-1187Read a review of Liberty Bar

Address: 518 River Road, Boerne, 830-331-1368Read a review of Little Gretel

Address: 518 River Road, Boerne, 830-331-1368Read a review of Little Gretel

Address: 320 Beauregard, 210-212-4832

Address: 320 Beauregard, 210-212-4832

Address: 17623 La Cantera Parkway at The Rim, 210-538-5833Read a review of Mash’d

Address: 17623 La Cantera Parkway at The Rim, 210-538-5833Read a review of Mash’d

Address: 340 E. Basse Road, Suite 101, 210-444-9547Read a review of Max’s Wine Dive

Address: 340 E. Basse Road, Suite 101, 210-444-9547Read a review of Max’s Wine Dive

Address: 14415 Blanco Road, Suite 105, 210-408-2670

Address: 14415 Blanco Road, Suite 105, 210-408-2670

Address: 111 Kings Court, 210-320-1572 Read a review of NOLA Brunch & Beignets here

Address: 111 Kings Court, 210-320-1572Read a review of NOLA Brunch & Beignets here

Address: 27315 Natural Bridge Caverns Road, 830-980-8033Read a review of Oak Valley Vineyards

Address: 27315 Natural Bridge Caverns Road, 830-980-8033Read a review of Oak Valley Vineyards

Address: 5800 Broadway, Suite 300, 210-822-6151

Address: 5800 Broadway, Suite 300, 210-822-6151

Address: 128 W. Blanco Road at the Ye Kendall Inn in Boerne, 830-572-5000Read a review of Peggy’s on the Green

Address: 128 W. Blanco Road at the Ye Kendall Inn in Boerne, 830-572-5000Read a review of Peggy’s on the Green

Address: 106 Pershing Ave., 210-267-9136Read a review of The Pigpen

Address: 106 Pershing Ave., 210-267-9136Read a review of The Pigpen

Address: 300 E. Travis St. in the St. Anthony hotel, 210-352-3171Read a review of Rebelle

Address: 300 E. Travis St. in the St. Anthony hotel, 210-352-3171Read a review of Rebelle

Address: 25615 Boerne Stage Road, 210-687-1818

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Address: 25615 Boerne Stage Road, 210-687-1818

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Schilo’s Delicatessen Read more about Schilo’s here.

Schilo’s DelicatessenRead more about Schilo’s here.

Address: 1133 Austin Highway, 210-824-8686 Silo 1604

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Address: 1133 Austin Highway, 210-824-8686Silo 1604

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Address: 255 E. Basse Road, Suite 160, 210-937-1063Read a review of Snooze

Address: 255 E. Basse Road, Suite 160, 210-937-1063Read a review of Snooze

Address: 136 E. Grayson St., Suite 120, 210-455-570Read a review of Southerleigh here

Address: 136 E. Grayson St., Suite 120, 210-455-570Read a review of Southerleigh here

Address: 1414 S. Alamo, in the Blue Star Arts Complex, 210-277-7047Read a review of Stella Public House

Address: 1414 S. Alamo, in the Blue Star Arts Complex, 210-277-7047Read a review of Stella Public House

Address: 3 locations

Address: 3 locations

Address: 119 Heiman St. in St. Paul Square, 210-451-1234Read a review of Tony G’s Soul Food

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Address: 119 Heiman St. in St. Paul Square, 210-451-1234Read a review of Tony G’s Soul

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Address: 115 N. Loop 1604 E., Suite 1105, 210-592-1075

Address: 115 N. Loop 1604 E., Suite 1105, 210-592-1075

Address: 555 W. Bitters Road, in The Alley on Bitters, 210-496-0555Read a review of Tre Enoteca

Address: 555 W. Bitters Road, in The Alley on Bitters, 210-496-0555Read a review of Tre Enoteca

Address: 4331 McCullough Ave., 210-320-0698Read a review of Tribeca

Address: 4331 McCullough Ave., 210-320-0698Read a review of Tribeca

Address: 1338 E. Houston St., 210-320-2192, Facebook: @tuckerskozykorner1948   

Address: 1338 E. Houston St., 210-320-2192, Facebook: @tuckerskozykorner1948   

Address: 109 Waterview Parkway, Suite 105, Boerne, 830-331-1393Read a review of Valeria Farm to Table Restaurant

Address: 109 Waterview Parkway, Suite 105, Boerne, 830-331-1393Read a review of Valeria Farm to Table Restaurant

Address: 1422 Nogalitos, 210-465-9233Read a review of ¡Viva Vegeria!

Address: 1422 Nogalitos, 210-465-9233Read a review of ¡Viva Vegeria!