I'm headed out to San Antonio for a 4-day work trip next month and want to hit up some of the best beer/food that the area has to offer. Did a little digging on this forum and found some recommendations for Freetail brewing, Stella Public House, and The Friendly Spot, so those are already on my list. I may be able to take a ride up to Austin one day but I don't think it will be possible to do so on Friday/Saturday when Jester King is open. Slim chance for Friday night just to pick up some bottles and head back down to SA. Any recommendations for good BBQ in SA? I've been up to Franklin BBQ in Austin and loved it, so I'm considering a trip up there but if there's anything comparable in SA, I'd be open to that too. Also looking for any insight on beer bars beyond what I mentioned above. Right now, my agenda looks something like this: Day 1: Fly in to SA, spend some time checking out the city including touristy things like the Alamo and the missions. Good dinner and check out the River Walk at night Day 2: Early drive up to Austin. Franklin BBQ for lunch. Hang around town for the day (what should I do?) and head back at night Day 3: Work meetings most of the day. More SA dinner/beer at night Day 4: Work meetings most of the day. Possibly drive up to Jester King at night to grab bottles and do a tasting. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
For Day 2, check the new Visiting Austin thread. I'd probably hit the east side stuff including Live Oak. Live Oak, Blue Owl, Hops & Grain, Zilker Brewing. You'll already be close if you're at Franklin's (there are other great east side BBQ places as well). East 1st Grocery is the bottle shop that will be convenient. It's a gas station/convenience store, but they have a ton of stuff. Check those dates on things where it might matter.
As far as BBQ in Antonio goes, there is nothing that really compares to Franklin's. The Granary is actually very good, but I wouldn't recommend it for dinner, just lunch. If you're going to be in Austin I recommend Craft Pride if you're planning on going to Franklin's since it's close by. Depending on when you're at JK, I highly recommend skipping eating at Stanley's and going to Pieous. If you're looking for food recommendations in SA and are not restricting your choices to beer places I can provide some places.
Thanks, guys. I'm definitely looking for SA food outside of good beer places. I can eat and then hit other places for beer. Really appreciate the help thus far!
Hit Chris Madrid's. Big greasy burgers and fries. Best in town IMO. I take most of my out of town guests there and they always want to go back. Not too far outside of downtown. Hit Pieous for pastrami if you go to JK.
For SA, If it is about seeing stuff and not just drinking, walk the riverwalk loop where all the hotels and restaurants are, then start walking the other section of the river walk to the Pearl Brewery, do it kind of earlier so you can stop at the Luxury (which is a little over halfway to the Pearl Brewery) and have happy hour and sit in the swings, then finish the trip and eat at either the Granary, Cured (my favorite) or the Southerleigh Brewery (great food, beers not too bad). The trip back will be nice because under one of the bridges (here: Camden Street) they have large fish that are lit up hanging from one of the bridges, coolest thing I have ever seen. Nice thing about this trek is you will burn off some of the calories. I personally avoid most of the places around the riverwalk, Boudro's used to be my favorite, but it has become somewhat hit or miss, they do (along with Zinc Wine Bar, sister restaurant) have the best prickly pear margarita.
Cured is amazing. I also recommend Cookhouse, Liberty bar (more restaurant than bar), and if you like sushi Niki's Tokyo Inn. For beer and food there is always the Cove
I really like the food (and beer) at Southerleigh. I've been hearing some very good things about Hops & Vines out by Alamo Ranch as well.
In Austin, go to Freedmans for BBQ. They have badass brisket and a killer whiskey selection. Super chill atmosphere. Oasis homes the Oasis brewery which is fun with a stunning view of Lake Travis. OH and for fun, beer, and amazing food check out Easy Tiger on 6th. Not super expensive, laid back atmosphere.
Don't forget about branchline brewery in SA. Freetail is sometimes crowded, branchline is small with some nice beers on tap. The hoppy monk has a lot of beers on tap and a nice menu with some interesting dishes. And while you're in SA, visiting the Alamo is a nice way to see where the greatest country in the world got it start.
