Best Homestyle Restaurants in San Antonio

For a relaxed atmosphere with great gluten-free food, including burgers, and great entertainment, The Cove has become one of the most popular places in town to grab a drink and a meal. This one-of-a-kind restaurant, beer garden, live music venue is also, strangely, a Laundromat and carwash. The picnic-style seating, both inside and out, make for a very casual yet intimate atmosphere that is both family-friendly and dive bar-esque at the same time. Expect to hear some great local bands every night of the week (except for when they're closed on Mondays), including big jazz bands, folk music, country and more. The menu is exceptional with a care for using local, organic ingredients, grass-feed beef and the like.

Jim's has been a staple in San Antonio for longer than most people can remember. It's the place to go to find good, simple American food that's affordable. This member of Jim's Restaurant chain brews premium coffees. If you need a little something to nibble on with your cup of gourmet java, baked goods ably satisfy your sweet tooth. Folks a bit resistant to change can also rest easy: old favorites from Jim's other locations are still here. You can find most traditional American classics here from burgers to chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes. This is the kind of place you might settle in for a long evening with friends.

Cascabel's is one of the best-kept secrets in San Antonio and sports a wonderful outdoor patio with umbrella-covered tables. It's different than every other Mexican food restaurant in the city because it features regional specialties from interior Mexico. You won't find the ubiquitous refried pinto beans here or even flour tortillas. Cascabel's serves everything with thick yet soft homemade corn tortillas and refried black beans that have an exceptional amount of flavor. If you want to try something unique, order the Birria, which is a rustic goat stew. If you want to play it safe, order the Huaraches, which are corn tortillas smothered in refried black beans, shredded cabbage, your choice of meat, a spicy red chile sauce and sour cream. Cascabel's will stimulate your palette without over-stimulating your bank account!

Earl Abel's has been serving the San Antonio locals for nearly 80 years. There's a reason why this place is still around. Their breakfast menu includes homemade biscuits, omelets and fresh-squeezed orange and grapefruit juice. Fresh and home style foods please all appetites. The children are offered strawberries and cream with their pancakes and even an omelet. The atmosphere is pleasant and welcoming. Earl Abel's is a San Antonio tradition so if you are looking for a great breakfast in a great setting, this is the place! They also offer lunch and dinner, so stop by anytime for a classic homestyle meal.

If you're feeling homesick for some home cooking, then head straight to Lulu's for a bit of take out (or stay in) and they'll get you fixed right up! All of their portions are giant-sized and completely economical, homemade and, well, just fantastic down home cookin'! You may have seen them on TV as they've been featured on Man vs. Food. Their cinnamon rolls, which are decadent delights, cover an entire plate. Don't plan on eating one on your own. One of the most popular dishes is the Chicken Fried Steak which can come with fluffy mashed potatoes and fried okra or your choice of any of their multiple side dishes.

Panchos and Gringos is an unexpected delight. Don't be put off by the dim surroundings. This family-owned and operated restaurant is truly a hidden gem. They offer a large menu of primarily breakfast foods and sandwiches. The food is inexpensive and always fresh and hot and the staff is extremely nice and attentive. For breakfast, you can enjoy a variety of omelets, pancakes, grits and scrumptious breakfast sandwiches, such as the Frenchie, HOBO, SOBO and BOBO. For lunch, enjoy their also creatively named and deliciously sandwiches such as the Brooklyn, which consists of hot grilled pastrami, hot grilled roast beef, melted cheese and house-made coleslaw on a lightly-toasted 12" bun from New York. You won't find breakfast potatoes this fantastic anywhere else in the city. The fries are also spot on. Enjoy!

Sausage, biscuits, eggs, pancakes, waffles with sweet cream and a San Antonio mainstay: breakfast tacos. It is all at The Guenther House! Like so much of San Antonio, this restaurant has history behind it. The building is nearly 100 years old and even holds a museum and gift shop. It is a popular stop in the down town area. Whether you are in the mood for a full traditional breakfast or prefer a small plate of fresh and seasonal fruit, you are sure to find something to suit your breakfast attitude at The Guenther House.

Dignowity Meats is a smoked meat sandwich shop located in San Antonio's Eastside historical neighborhood of Dignowity Hill. The name may be hard to pronounce, but by the time you're done with your meal, you won't forget it. They offer elevated deli eats, sandwiches and sides, such as their incredibe sharp cheddar mac-n-cheese. Their menu includes KC Brisket Burnt Ends, Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Pulled Pork, St. Louis Ribs and specialties such as their Dignowity Pie, which is brisket burnt ends or pulled pork with mac, served over fries and sliced jalapenos. This is not the place to go when you're on a diet, but you probably already figured that out! Owners Andrew Samia and Shane Reed grew up in the Northeast and Midwest and are the visionaries of Dignowity Meats. Having developed a strong appreciation for old school mom and pop deli's that smoked and cooked all of their products on site, they wanted to bring the same flavors and authenticity to the Alamo city... and they have!

The Cookhouse just opened their doors in early September of 2014 but is already the talk of the town, which comes as no surprise as it's the only restaurant in San Antonio that showcases traditional New Orleans cuisine, the kind you might find at some fine dining establishment in the French Quarter. The roasted Duck and Dumplings made with an exceptional marjoram potato gnocchi and served with tomato confit and a red wine demi-glace is utterly divine. Other favorites include the Tomato Artichoke Canoli, made with house-made pasta, goat cheese, tomato confit, artichoke hearts and marjoram, not to mention the Grilled Trout Amandine with muniere butter, toasted almonds and fresh green beans. If you adore fresh seafood, you can bet The Cookhouse serves up some of the freshest gulf oysters and shrimp from here to the coast. The New Orleans Barbecue Shrimp is served in a pool of savory spicy garlic butter and beer sauce (a secret recipe!) and charred French bread that is ideal for dunking. So addictively delicious, you may find yourself wanting to drink it. It's okay, nobody's looking!

Hotel Emma showcases its culinary prowess in multiple ways, but it's on-site restaurant, Supper; located along the northern extension of the San Antonio river walk, is their best representation of what good food is all about. This farm-to-table restaurant almost dares you to not like veggies. Their menu is largely vegetarian, but each dish is so flavorful you don't miss the meat. Of course, that's not to say they don't also feature some amazing proteins, but they certainly don't rely on them. When they do feature dishes like their Duck Confit, it's balanced with a refreshing herb salad that accentuates the duck but doesn't weigh you down. A meal at Supper is an utter delight, not only because of the food and clear spirits cocktails, but also because of the stellar staff, beautiful views of the river from their outdoor patio, and the simple feeling that you're somewhere special. In truth, you are and all of San Antonio knows it!