Tex Mex Dining

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I really love good Tex-Mex food. Here in San Antonio practically every corner has a Tex-Mex restaurant or Taqueria. Quantity, however, is an entirely different subject than quality. This page is going to be Big Bubba's, and the little Senorita Big Bubbette's excuse to see how many of San Antonio's Tex-Mex eateries two people can visit and evaluate. Those evaluations will appear here.

When I sit at my table I expect a waitress to quickly appear with tostados and salsa. Are the tostados fresh and properly prepared? Are there too many scrap pieces? Are they trying to slip Big Bubba yesterday's stale chips? Is the salsa freshly prepared on site? Trying to slip Big Bubba Pace Picante is a huge no-no. Good salsa is important not just for the meal, but, also for tostado snacking while waiting for the meal.

The little Senorita Big Bubbette, and I, decided long ago that a good Tex-Mex restaurant had to have a No. 2 Mexican Plate. What's that? It is our little joke because many restaurants have their menu items numbered. We want our restaurant's mythical No. 2 plate to have rice, beans, two enchiladas and a taco. That is the basics when it comes to Tex-Mex. I am fond of other things like chili relleno or enchiladas verdes, however, the No. 2 is what I eat most often. If a restaurant does not have a similar plate I will not return.

The most critical part of the meal is that the food be steaming hot and the plate hot to the touch. Anything less is insulting. On your plate you will find an important clue to the quality of what has been placed before you. It is called frijoles, or beans. If they taste fresh from the can run. Properly prepared, tasty frijoles are a thing of joy to be discussed and relished. Many times that is what Big Bubba and the little Senorita Bubbette are discussing on our way to eat out.

When the food is served it will be with tortillas. Are the flour tortillas hand made. Are they fresh, tender and hot to the touch. I personally prefer corn tortillas. Unfortunately, most of the time, you will be served machine made, store bought corn tortillas. There are many restaurants that do serve hand made, traditional corn tortillas. They are especially appreciated with a good menudo. I love those places!

Enjoy your meal, get some leche quemado (like fudge), or maybe a piedras (Mexican cookie - "rock"), on your way out of there and you are done. I am going to give you a list of my current favorites, for now, and in the future ratings for these and many others.

Apetitos Mexican Restaurant

(210) 675-8020

9019 Marbach Rd, San Antonio, TX 78245

El Mirador

(210) 225-9444