San Antonio, a city brimming with vibrant culture and rich history, holds a special place in the hearts of food enthusiasts, particularly those in search of authentic Mexican cuisine. Living in a place where truly great Mexican food is scarce, the opportunity to explore San Antonio’s taco scene felt like answering a culinary calling. Armed with a recommendation from a renowned Texas food magazine, the mission was clear: to eat tacos, and to eat them all day long, in pursuit of the Best Mexican Food San Antonio had to offer.
Part 1: El Mercado – A Dive into San Antonio Street Food and Market Flavors
Our introduction to San Antonio’s Mexican food scene began at El Mercado, the city’s bustling Market Square. Even before diving into restaurants, the vibrant atmosphere immediately hinted at the culinary adventures to come. It’s a place where the spirit of Mexico is palpable, though as local vendors playfully warned against tourist clichés, we were there for a genuine experience, driven by a desire to taste authentic flavors, not just wear the hat.
The quest for the best Mexican food San Antonio quickly led us to Mi Tierra Cafe & Bakery, a landmark restaurant in Market Square and a recommendation from our taxi driver and Texas Monthly’s list. Listed as #16 for their fajita taco, Mi Tierra is known for being both a tourist hotspot and a consistently delicious option. Stepping inside is like entering a perpetual fiesta, with dazzling decorations that create a celebratory ambiance any time of day.
Navigating through displays of tempting Mexican pastries, we put our name in, but the allure of street food was strong. Right outside Mi Tierra, unassuming stands boasted signs for “GORDITAS” and “FAJITA TACOS.” For anyone seeking truly authentic flavors, street food often holds the key.
Trusting our instincts, we ventured to these sidewalk gems first.
We ordered a bean and cheese gordita, a San Antonio specialty, and a beef fajita taco in a homemade flour tortilla. The gordita, with its deep-fried corn tortilla puff, was a delightful introduction to local flavors. The fajita taco was equally impressive.
Both were so unexpectedly good – perhaps heightened by our anticipation – that we effusively thanked the gordita and fajita vendors, who seemed both pleased and slightly bewildered by our enthusiasm. The gordita beans were rich and savory, while the fajita meat, perfectly shredded and seasoned, was complemented by fresh toppings and a vibrant red salsa. When our pager for Mi Tierra finally buzzed, we almost hesitated to leave the street food behind.
Inside the lively Mi Tierra, serenaded by mariachis, we sampled their renowned pork and beef fajita tacos. The pork, marinated in an orange-based glaze, offered a unique sweetness, while the beef was grilled in a more traditional fajita style.
The verdict? Mi Tierra delivers quality. The beef was incredibly tender, though perhaps sacrificing some of the robust flavor of cuts like skirt or flank steak. The pork was flavorful but could have used a bit more spice. Ultimately, Mi Tierra excels at providing a high-quality, crowd-pleasing Mexican food experience, though perhaps lacking a touch of adventurous originality for those seeking the absolute best Mexican food San Antonio has to offer.
Part II: Trolley to Taco Heaven – Rosario’s and Beyond
To continue our San Antonio food adventure, we hopped on one of the city’s trolley-style buses. Our Blue-line driver, a friendly local, immediately recognized Rosario’s Mexican Cafe & Cantina as an “authentic” choice and guided us on when to disembark. Leaving the downtown core, the city began to spread out, revealing more culinary destinations.
Rosario’s held a particular allure, being home to Texas Monthly’s second-best taco in Texas: the fish taco. Arriving around 3 pm, we thankfully avoided a long wait and settled into the bright, airy restaurant. The salsa that arrived at our table was a revelation.
Made from tomatoes and jalapenos roasted to near blackness, yet without any bitter burnt taste, it was an enigma of flavor. An appetizer of beans with chorizo atop small bready disks with queso fresco was enjoyable but paled in comparison to the salsa and what was to come.
The main event: Rosario’s famed tilapia tacos and a grilled shrimp version, both adorned with the same enticing accompaniments.
These tacos were divine. Perfectly ripe avocado chunks, expertly seasoned tilapia, crisp cabbage and cilantro slaw, zesty chipotle mayo, and a generous squeeze of lime – a harmonious blend of fresh, light, yet deeply satisfying flavors. It sparked a debate: how did these compare to our own Baja-style fish tacos? Both shared the principle of spicy mayo, crunchy cabbage, and tilapia, but Rosario’s grilled approach offered a different, equally compelling experience. These were undoubtedly among the best tacos encountered on our quest for the best Mexican food San Antonio could offer.
Following such a high, we walked to another local recommendation, Tito’s Mexican Restaurant, known for its incredibly affordable prices. The atmosphere at Tito’s was casual and welcoming, with a sprawling menu promising endless combinations of beans, meat, and cheese.
By this point, taco fatigue was setting in. The thought of another bite felt almost daunting. Yet, duty called, and we ordered a bean taco.
Perhaps it was palate fatigue, but the bean taco at Tito’s didn’t quite resonate. While the beans were tasty and the guacamole standard, the tortilla felt thick and overly floury. Texas Monthly suggested a strategy for Tito’s: combine a chicken and guacamole taco for a custom culinary creation. However, ordering two more tacos was simply beyond our capacity.
Instead, we opted for Mexican hot chocolate and Mexican coffee. These warm beverages were delightful, striking that perfect balance of rich chocolate and subtle chile spice – a comforting and flavorful end to our taco marathon.
Exhausted and content, we returned to our hotel. We had to forgo another tempting option, the fried oyster tacos at Acenar on the River Walk. Countless other taco destinations remained unexplored, promising even more culinary discoveries had we more time, or a car. But in the end, the pursuit of the best Mexican food San Antonio became a wonderful way to explore the city, venturing beyond tourist paths and gaining a true taste of San Antonio’s vibrant spirit.
