San Antonio’s cuisine: innovative and multicultural
Spanish colonists, Mexicans, Germans and others who came to San Antonio created a multicultural legacy that extends to its cuisine. It seems appropriate that when Spanish explorers arrived on June 13, 1691 they named this area San Antonio since it was the feast day of St. Anthony of Padua. A holiday breakfast might include café con leche with Mexican tamales and German stollen.
The range of San Antonio’s culinary scene goes so far beyond the ever-popular Tex-Mex, steaks and Whataburger that it was named a UNESCO Creative Culinary City of Gastronomy in 2017. It is one of only two U.S. cities to earn this honor.
The Culinary Institute of America has infused the city with creative talent and an inventive range of cuisine and restaurants. The CIA is in Pearl, on the site of a former German brewery. This hip 22 acre area with a neighborhood feel is known for its chef-owned restaurants, independent specialty shops, residential units, a weekend farmer’s market.
Chef Elizabeth Johnson, a former instructor at the Culinary Institute of America, opened Pharm Table next to the Tobin Center for Performing Arts. She sources food from local farms and ranches for her culinary medicine. Her anti-inflammatory cuisine utilizes plants and herbs with health and healing in mind. Pharm Table was named “Healthiest Organic Food Restaurant in San Antonio” by USA Today.
La Panaderia, a Pan Americano concept bakery, is another local gem. There are two locations — 301 E Houston Street, near the Alamo, and the original at 8305 Broadway. La Panaderia serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It is popular with locals for the light and flaky handmade pan dulce, or Mexican pastries, the freshly-baked breads used in its tortas, or sandwiches, coffee and hot chocolate.
Proprietors David and José Cáceres’ tequila almond croissant is the result of some creative inspiration when the steam oven was not available and they added tequila instead. It became the best seller the next day.
Breakfast, lunch, and delectable desserts are served at Guenther House, the former home of Carl Hilmar Guenther.
Mr. Guenther immigrated from Germany in the 1840s and founded the Pioneer Flour Mills, which continues today.
The house is also a museum and has a popular gift shop featuring the mill’s products.
Guenther House was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 2006. It overlooks the river in the King William Historic District, an area of 19th century bungalows and mansions that outsiders once called “Sauerkraut Bend.”
Water taxis and river barge tours are an enjoyable way to learn about the city and to see it from a different perspective. Better yet, try a narrated river barge dinner cruise.
Dinner cruises are especially festive during the holiday season when 20 bridges and about 200 trees are decorated with lights. Over 6,000 luminarias line the walkways.