MICHELINOS CAFE OLE' - SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

MICHELINOS CAFE OLE'

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas is one of the best places to eat and visit in all of Texas.  The city has done a terrific job landscaping and designing the Riverwalk.  The area is clean, safe and beautiful.  It is like being transformed out of the city and into the canals of venice.  The canals are lined on both sides with a variety of bars and restaurants.  Lucky for me there were  lots of Mexican restaurants to choose from.  I didn't do any research on which one was best.  Just did a quick eye review of the ambiance, seating and menu.  As I took a quiet early evening stroll along the river, I saw a nice shady area with people eating and drinking.  Since I was running solo, I decided to try the place just because there was a semi secluded dining area that allowed you to see all the activity on the river without being right out on the river.  Boy was I lucky.  This place was great.  I ordered the combination platter that included a chicken enchilada, beef taco and chicken chalupa.  The price including rice and beans was $12.99.  Throw in a few Coor's Light brews and I was out of the place for $25.  The chicken was probably one of the best I have ever tasted.  It was marinated in tomatos and green chili's and spices.  The chalupa turned out to be a tostada with beans, chicken, lettuce and tomato.  This was the best I have had in ages.  Loaded with great flavor.  Like Los Barrios, the beef taco was ground beef that was a bit wet.  In fact, the taco bottom fell out when I tried to eat it.  The waitress came by several times to see if I was finished.  I kept telling her no because I wanted to take my time and enjoy the food and scenery on the river.  After finishing almost everything on the plate including the beans and rice, I finally gave up my plate.  

MICHELINOS CAFE IS LOCATED ON THE RIVER WALK IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

LOS BARRIOS - SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

LOS BARRIOS 

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

After seeing the Battle of the Puffy Taco's on The Food Network, I had to visit Los Barrios when I visited San Antonio, Texas.  Los Barrios won the competition versus Bobby Flay.  I did my research, wrote down the address and phone number and ventured from my hotel to find a cab driver who could find the place.  I told the first cab driver to take me to Los Barrios and without hesitation he said o.k. and told me the food was great there.  I had no idea where we were going  or how far it was.  We got on the freeway and traveled a few miles towards the airport.  Then we took an exit that led into a not so great neighborhood and traveled through a residential/light commercial neighborhood in the middle of what to me was nowhere.  There was a paint store on one corner a auto mechanic across the street and then the huge sign that announced we had arrived at Los Barrios.  The cab drive one way was $15.  I asked the cab driver if it would be easy to catch a cab back to the hotel after lunch.  He said that he would wait for me without charge.  I arrived just before 11:00 a.m. and thought that the place would be closed until 11:00.  To my surprise the place was open and already filling up on one side of the restaurant.  The reception area of the restaurant was turned into a shrine of flowers and photographs of the founder of the restaurant.  Sadly, she was murdered just a few days before my visit.  You could tell the staff was in grief, but they proudly and efficiently kept the business going despite their great loss.  I was quickly served hot chips and a hot salsa that kept me drinking water and thirsting for more of the heat.  The menu at Los Barrios has all the Mexican favorites; tacos, enchiladas, chalupa's, burritos, fajitas, tamales as well as continental cuisine that includes steaks, fish, shrimp and chicken dishes with a Mexican flare.  I opted for the lunch special which included a chicken enchilada, chicken puffy taco and beans and rice.  All for $5.25.  That is it $5.25.  My cab fare was more expensive than the meal.  The enchilada was great.  The chicken puffy taco was also terrific.  The taco was served on a deep fried corn  tortilla then topped with seasoned shredded chicken, lettuce and tomato.  Simple and delicious.  I could not leave without trying the beef puffy taco so I ordered one on the side for $2.50.   I was expecting shredded beef but was surprised to see ground beef in the taco.  The beef was a little watery but had some taste.  I would suggest the chicken puffy taco over the beef.  All in all I loved Los Barrios and can't wait to return someday.  

MY FIRST EVER PUFFY TACO AT LOS BARRIOS

LOS BARRIOS MEXICAN CUISINE IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS IS HOME TO THE PUFFY TACO