(05-08-2014 12:05 AM)WWDog Wrote: The NT guy is right about the BBQ in SA. Lulling and more towards Austin for BBQ. As for Mexican, there are many and many varieties. If you want some awesome Mex, try El Mira Sol on Blanco Rd inside Anderson (loop 1604). Parking could be a problem if you get there late. The margaritas are IMHO the best as they are hand made with fresh squeezed limes. Careful, one margarita and you WILL be feeling the buzz. If you are looking for authentic Mexican, the same family that does El Mira Sol also has La Fogota. I haven't been there in quite some time and it is a little out of the way from where you are interviewing. Another of my favorites is Cha Cha's just inside of Loop 410 at Bandera Rd. on the right across from the HEB and behind Gumba's pizza. Everything I have had there is superb. I really like the Texas style enchiladas. There so papilla's are unique and to dream for. By the way, the Tres Lechese at El Mira Sol is really good and you probably have never had this desert. Stay away from the Mexican restaurants on the River Walk, they are bad!
Places to go:
River Walk is always the place I take out of town visitors - you can take a river cruise and get some history of SA along with a pleasant ride. It does get hot here and particularly on the river walk unless you are in the shade. You can spend a whole afternoon there just seeing the sights. The Alamo is just a stones throw from the River Center Mall which has an entrance off of the River Walk. Just outside of that entrance there is usually group from Peru playing pan flutes which is quite different from what most people have listened to. The Alamo is quite historic but not a lot to look at. If you are a history buff then that is a great stop but you won't be wowed by the size of it.
There are many more things to see but it is dependent on your interests. The hall of horns at the brewery is nice and not far from the River Walk.
Hope your interview goes well. Who are you interviewing with?
Agree with this post, except for the food part of Cha Cha's; Margarita's are terrific though. Something else you should know, it's not Gumba's anymore, that restaurant is now called Malibu's Shack, just so there's no confusion in case you do decide to try Cha Cha's. I would suggest going to the Cha Cha's on Babcock in the Medical Center, it is less of a drive from were you will be staying, not by much but it is.
Most of the places suggested here are also very commercialized and kind of up scale, if you really want authenticity then you will have to look in some of the most unsuspecting places (not much of these places exist in the area you are staying).
If you are looking for really good street vendor style tacos try Taquitos on West Ave about 6 miles NW of Downtown. I warn you, you will not be going there for the ambiance, it is strictly for some great food.
Another restuarant is Guajillo's in the Park Northe area. There are plenty of smaller taqueria type restuarants all over San Antonio, just take your pick.
Mi Tierra as a lot of people have suggested is probably as good as you'll get Downtown.
As far as area's to visit, I have been hearing a lot about Souttown, this seems to be the new hip spot downtown. There's plenty of Bars and Clubs in and around Stone Oak close to were you will staying(if your into that kind of thing).