February 9, 20205 yr I'm pretty familiar with the town from frequent trips, but I'd like to hear from the locals. Food/drink/entertainment recs would be appreciated. Places I already know about: Grins Taproom Mochas and Javas Dos Gatos Kolaches Palmer's Herbert's
February 9, 20205 yr The taco drive through place by the car wash for breakfast, Lolitas I think is the name. Gill’s Fried ChickenAlvin Ords - Sandwiches Over the last 5 years it’s really become nothing but chain restaurants.
February 9, 20205 yr Author 7 minutes ago, Bevo VIII said: The taco drive through place by the car wash for breakfast, Lolitas I think is the name. Gill’s Fried Chicken Alvin Ords - Sandwiches Over the last 5 years it’s really become nothing but chain restaurants. This is what I was afraid of, but expected. Let's expand the recs to New Braunfels/Buda/Kyle/Far south Austin.
February 9, 20205 yr 1 hour ago, After irth said: Is Palmer’s worthwhile? Taking an old friend to dinner there next week. Palmers is alright new Cajun spot: OMG Seafood is a hole in the wall but puts out some damn good food. BYOB with a Twins next door. Cody’s. Nicer place, great bar. Sean P’s, Aquabrew and Industry around the square. Taproom is excellent bar food. Twin Peaks just opened
February 9, 20205 yr Go to Mana’s in the Barrio for Mexican. You’ll be shitting before you make it back to the highway, which means it’s good.
February 9, 20205 yr Hays Co. BBQ and Garcia's should make the list. I was going to say Valentino's but i just learned they closed permanently after 40 years. If you end up in New Braunfels i never not stop at Naegelin's Bakery. Edited February 9, 20205 yr by RollLeft
February 9, 20205 yr Hays Co. BBQ and Garcia's should make the list. I was going to say Valentino's but i just learned they closed permanently after 40 years. If you end up in New Braunfels i never not stop at Naegelin's Bakery. Damn Valentino’s shut down? Place slammed after a night at the square.
February 9, 20205 yr Hays Co. BBQ and Garcia's should make the list. I was going to say Valentino's but i just learned they closed permanently after 40 years. If you end up in New Braunfels i never not stop at Naegelin's Bakery. Damn Valentino’s shut down? Place slammed after a night at the square.
February 9, 20205 yr Hays Co. BBQ and Garcia's should make the list. I was going to say Valentino's but i just learned they closed permanently after 40 years. If you end up in New Braunfels i never not stop at Naegelin's Bakery. Damn Valentino’s shut down? Place slammed after a night at the square.
February 12, 20205 yr Mi Ranchito in Manchaca is great. They have really good tortas and tamales. Texas Keeper Cidery is also in Manchaca. Fantastic dry cider and really beautiful grounds, especially in the spring time. There's a Taco Palenque in New Braunfels. It's nice to get a pirata on your way up to Austin. The Root Cellar Cafe in San Marcos is pretty decent too.
February 12, 20205 yr Was pretty impressed with Aquabrew last time I was in town. Never thought I'd see a legit brewery/restaurant right off the square, especially one that clearly had some serious $$$ pumped into it. A place like that would have never got off the ground back before SM hit its growth spurt of the past decade and was just a town filled with college kids and lower-income locals. I spent 02-07 there and other than a few long-running local institutions, it was mostly just cheap hole in the wall joints and college bars. Every time I go back (usually 1 weekend a year), there's something fresh and new and some old bar or restaurant I used to go has been torn down or converted. Edited February 12, 20205 yr by Storm the Field
February 12, 20205 yr Author 6 minutes ago, Storm the Field said: Was pretty impressed with Aquabrew last time I was in town. Never thought I'd see a legit brewery/restaurant right off the square, especially one that clearly had some serious $$$ pumped into it. A place like that would have never got off the ground back before SM hit its growth spurt of the past decade and was just a town filled with college kids and lower-income locals. I spent 02-07 there and other than a few long-running local institutions, it was mostly just cheap hole in the wall joints and college bars. Every time I go back (usually 1 weekend a year), there's something fresh and new and some old bar or restaurant I used to go has been torn down or converted. Old Austin thread? Just kidding. I attribute much of San Marco’s growth to the outlet malls. Does that sound accurate to everybody?
February 12, 20205 yr not to eat at but granzin's meat market in NB is amazing Edited February 12, 20205 yr by elfenix
February 12, 20205 yr 45 minutes ago, billfromlaketravis said: Old Austin thread? Just kidding. I attribute much of San Marco’s growth to the outlet malls. Does that sound accurate to everybody? Not sure if serious but absolutely not. It’s becoming another suburb of Austin. Affordability in Austin is driving the growth. Also Texas State’s enrollment has grown by over 1000 students over the last decade.
February 12, 20205 yr 34 minutes ago, billfromlaketravis said: I attribute much of San Marco’s growth to the outlet malls. Does that sound accurate to everybody? I always have just assumed it's been part of the entire region's massive growth over the past 10 years combined with housing cost inflation in the big cities on I-35. Population numbers for 2010 vs 2018 (latest year available) for what I consider to constitute the "suburbs" between San Antonio and Austin. San Marcos: 45K/64K. New Braunfels: 57K/85K Kyle: 28K/46K Buda: 7K/16.5K
February 12, 20205 yr While Texas State is still the sine qua non in San Marcos, with all the outgrowth from Austin, for the first time you're really seeing people move there to live, not just attend or work for the university. That's why there are finally restaurants and bars that cater to middle-income adults vs. just what broke college kids can afford.
February 12, 20205 yr Was pretty impressed with Aquabrew last time I was in town. Never thought I'd see a legit brewery/restaurant right off the square, especially one that clearly had some serious $$$ pumped into it. A place like that would have never got off the ground back before SM hit its growth spurt of the past decade and was just a town filled with college kids and lower-income locals. I spent 02-07 there and other than a few long-running local institutions, it was mostly just cheap hole in the wall joints and college bars. Every time I go back (usually 1 weekend a year), there's something fresh and new and some old bar or restaurant I used to go has been torn down or converted. The biggest problem bars used to have in SM was that they had to close at midnight or 1am on Saturday. I worked at Cafe on the Square when they had a brew pub. It was operated by two old burned out hippies that drank about half of what they brewed and called it quality control. One of them looked like Jesus and the other like Jerry Garcia. They did make some decent beer though.
February 12, 20205 yr 36 minutes ago, Hate said: It was operated by two old burned out hippies that drank about half of what they brewed and called it quality control. life goals
February 14, 20205 yr On 2/12/2020 at 11:39 AM, Storm the Field said: Was pretty impressed with Aquabrew last time I was in town. Never thought I'd see a legit brewery/restaurant right off the square, especially one that clearly had some serious $$$ pumped into it. A place like that would have never got off the ground back before SM hit its growth spurt of the past decade and was just a town filled with college kids and lower-income locals. I spent 02-07 there and other than a few long-running local institutions, it was mostly just cheap hole in the wall joints and college bars. Every time I go back (usually 1 weekend a year), there's something fresh and new and some old bar or restaurant I used to go has been torn down or converted. Had some brews there last night. They have a good food menu and the beers are tasty. On 2/12/2020 at 11:48 AM, billfromlaketravis said: Old Austin thread? Just kidding. I attribute much of San Marco’s growth to the outlet malls. Does that sound accurate to everybody? No it is the school enrollment has skyrocketed to 39,000 and growth along the 35 corridor On 2/12/2020 at 12:12 PM, Underdog said: Jr loved Valentino's but the wife and I thought it was terrible. Valentino’s was average at best the best pie for miles is at Pie Society. Their “78666” is awesome
February 14, 20205 yr There is a place called Thai Thai I just remembered over by Treffs tavern that has a pretty dang good curry for San Marcos
February 14, 20205 yr Valentino’s was average at best the best pie for miles is at Pie Society. Their “78666” is awesome Pizza Classics was the answer to all of your prayers at midnight in San Marcos.
February 14, 20205 yr Pizza Classics was the answer to all of your prayers at midnight in San Marcos.Gumby’s stoner pie
February 16, 20205 yr Author Thus far: Mana’s was great for the price. Gumby’s remains really good. Grin’s remains a better version of Pat’s Place. Italian Garden is better than scores of Italian restaurants in Houston and it’s about half the price. An oh yeah, it’s BYOB. Alvin Ord’a tomorrow.
February 16, 20205 yr Had a lovely dinner date at Cody’s tonight. Every single member of their staff was sweet as hell. Cute, too No joke. No punchline. Just a nice place for a quiet dinner. Edited February 16, 20205 yr by After irth
February 19, 20205 yr Author Black’s BBQ was alright. Brisket was better than Rudy’s. Ribs were worse. Beef and jalapeño beef sausage were much better than Rudy’s and stole the show. Thai Thai wasn’t very good and it was expensive for a hole in the wall Thai place. Alvin Ord’s and San Marcos BBQ are on the menu this weekend.
February 19, 20205 yr Alvin Ord's used to be the best sandwich shop I had ever been to, but I haven't eaten there in over 20 years.
February 19, 20205 yr On 2/15/2020 at 8:58 PM, billfromlaketravis said: Thus far: Mana’s was great for the price. Gumby’s remains really good. Grin’s remains a better version of Pat’s Place. Italian Garden is better than scores of Italian restaurants in Houston and it’s about half the price. An oh yeah, it’s BYOB. Alvin Ord’a tomorrow. Italian Garden is great, it is so cheap and BYOB, we always bring beer and wine and get out of there for under $30 including tip On 2/16/2020 at 12:13 AM, After irth said: Had a lovely dinner date at Cody’s tonight. Every single member of their staff was sweet as hell. Cute, too No joke. No punchline. Just a nice place for a quiet dinner. Cody's is good. Cody is a good dude. Often has some high end bourbons behind the bar.... he will hook me up with WLW, OFBB, Pappy from time to time 14 minutes ago, billfromlaketravis said: Black’s BBQ was alright. Brisket was better than Rudy’s. Ribs were worse. Beef and jalapeño beef sausage were much better than Rudy’s and stole the show. Thai Thai wasn’t very good and it was expensive for a hole in the wall Thai place. Alvin Ord’s and San Marcos BBQ are on the menu this weekend. Hays Co BBQ. Skip SMBBQ 7 minutes ago, Hate said: Alvin Ord's used to be the best sandwich shop I had ever been to, but I haven't eaten there in over 20 years. Alvin Ord's is still a damn fine sandwich
February 19, 20205 yr Can't believe no one has mentioned Gil's Broiler yet. Can't go wrong with a burger (although not as good as the Tap Room) and/or a Mankse roll.
December 20, 20232 yr Doing a day trip to check our SWT, err Texas State with a kid tomorrow - any good lunch recommendations?
December 21, 20232 yr On 12/20/2023 at 5:57 AM, LebongJames said: If the weather is nice I would look at going to Ivar’s River Pub. Thanks- kid wanted a Dino rib so we headed to Lockheart…
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