Alamo Cafe

What a great restaurant. We had server Shelby. She was very nice to our big group and she got us everything we needed. Food was terrific. I recommend the patio. Perfect service and food.

Pleasantly surprised by my lunch here! The service was fast and there wasn’t too much of a wait. I got the chicken Laredo and was stuffed! Definitely a me alto be split!
The margarita was great, not too sweet like some places. I also could not get enough of the tortillas! They were so fluffy and easy to eat too many. I left stuffed.

Nice atmosphere and decent food at a reasonable price. The kitchen is open until midnight.

I love Mexican food and trying new places. Right when we walk in I notice how dirty and outdated this place is. It even had a stench to it and the bathroom was nasty. I don’t even understand how there are any good reviews for this place.
We arrived around 7 and were seated right away, that is what the one star is for. My wife and I always split the shrimp fajitas for one (always fills us up) everytime we eat out for Mexican. I wish I would’ve taken a picture because I almost laughed when they sat it down in front of us. The shrimp were tiny and I don’t even know how that would feed one person. I ordered a mangorita… horrible as well. Tasted like it came out of a machine with no liquor in it. The chips tasted stale. Waste of money and waste of a night of good Mexican food.

Food is great but this restaurant is severely understaffed. There is a lot of traffic in here during the times of 11am-​2pm and they had one server working 12 tables, I felt very sorry for her. Management needs to train their hostesses to seat tables properly and the managers need to be more involved. Our server did great for the cards she was dealt. Shame on you, management, for putting your staff in this kind of position.

As always. Not much more I can add. New renovation construction looks like it may be pretty cool once it’s done. I had the chicken fried stake which was really good.

Coming from Houston we had high expectations for San Antonio texmex. Unfortunately fell for this place because of the ratings on Unilocal.
The chips were so hard it cuts your gums. The fajita meat looks like ground beef but with bad flavor. Overall we have no idea why this place is so popular.
Suggestions for the owners: get fresh chips, don’t ground up your fajitas… Find new seasoning,

This place was amazing! The décor was awesome, and the food was even better. I got to try «puffy tacos» for the first time (would recommend!) and the mango margaritas were delicioius! They were super friendly to our daughter and searched for extra crayons so she’d have more color options. It’s not that special hole-​in-​the-​wall Tex Mex that we all love and hold dear, but for consistency and variety I would definitely go again.

Great location for the airport, if staying at the Comfort Inn North. Short walk through rear gate.
Food good, with wide selection. Service at the bar was excellent and also looked to continue into the dining area (which is large)
Over a good choice for the travel warrior.

I love Mexican food … I mean look at the number of Mexican restaurants I review as opposed to other restaurants! Been eating at Mexican restaurants for as long as I can remember. But on to today’s review of Alamo Café.
So, arrived @ 1pm and the parking lot was completely full and folks were circling the building looking for parking. It is a big parking lot, although due to the lot layout most of the parking is a bit of a walk — but that wasn’t stopping anyone from walking. The building front area is currently under some remodeling — looks like they are adding a outside wait area with a full bar. Good idea. Went through the doors and was immediately impressed with the condition and upgrades of the building. Ceilings were painted to resemble a cloudless sky — really well painted too.
Immediately greeted and taken to a table in the lower area, while walking along a flowing river of sorts — nice touch. Upon arrival, was greeted immediately by server. Very personable and very knowledgeable as to the menu offering. I ordered a #1 Combo and a ½&1/2 Tea. Food arrived quickly and was well presented. A very large plate of food I might add to the description.
Food was great — particularly the queso chalupa, cheese enchilada, the green chicken enchilada (amazing flavor, recommend by server), beef crispy taco (filled with unadulterated BEEF) and the fresh guacamole. I didn’t eat most of my rice/​beans … they were fine — nothing wrong with them, but nothing special and with all the other food, who could?
Love the flour tortillas, some of the best I have had in a while. The Salsa was good, but not hot (spicy) enough for me. The corn tortilla chips are a bit of an issue. Here is the deal — when I came in the front doors there must have been over 100 baskets of chips sitting under heat lamps for the hostess to take to the tables with them. The chips tasted stale and likely were … had they not been hot, it would have been much more obvious. Also, they are made from some fairly thick corn tortillas … this isn’t helpful to the perception of stale chips.
Anyway, server did a great job throughout, refilling my drink, prebussing, suggesting a specific dessert, etc. I really didn’t want dessert, but since she did a great job doing her job, I bought one! The sopapillas are also made fresh and it was a great addition to the meal.
Next time I am in San Antonio, I will make a point of coming back and also recommend Alamo Café to anyone visiting San Antonio. With the volume of business they were doing, they delivered!
Oh … something else — when I was finding a parking spot, a manager (likely a FOH or General) was out picking up discarded trash near the front entrance. Not sure why folks throw their trash into a well landscaped area, but impressed that the manager was keeping an eye on the business flow and also recognized that trash near the entrance doors is not a good thing. So many restaurants do not ever seem to look outside their front doors to see what trash accumulates in just a few short hours.

Been coming here for at least once monthly for 30 years, started when they had their humble beginnings down by the airport. There’s a reason this place is near capacity most, if not all the time. Spring break or Summer break, you’ll find this monster jam-​packed with every walk of life, munching and chattering and having a grand olé time. The food is fast, hot and tasty. Won’t win any awards, but consistently well above average, and the place is fun. I call it the Walmart of Tex-​Mex.
Funny, going thru life I have not always known what’s good for me. But here I do. And it’s usually the Combo #2. Was there last night and thank God, they are expanding the front. I’m gonna see if I can get a chair outside with my name on it. Would be nice.
Scott H.

On a recent visit to San Antonio and after two days of Mexican food and margaritas I was really craving a chicken fried steak on our way out of town. I had fond memories of Alamo Café from my childhood, but haven’t been back in 20+ years. We were sat with no wait, just before the lunch rush. The first batch of chips we had were broken into small pieces, but the second bowl we got were good size. I thought the salsa was great! They also offered fresh tortillas, which were fantastic. The waiter was quiet, but good. I ordered the chicken friend steak and my girlfriend ordered the tortilla soup and salad. Our order came out right. It wasn’t the best I’ve had, but for a place that’s more of a Mexican restaurant, it hit the spot. My girlfriend ordered the tortilla soup, which she was not a fan of. She said it was something different about the broth from the versions other places that she preferred.
I would recommend this restaurant if in the area.

I also find it rather interesting that the GM takes the time to thank the individuals that provide good reviews but skips right over the ones that comment on what they didn’t approve of. Seems he is perfectly happy with his current customer base and no open to negative feedback.
I have been to Alamo Café on several occasions let me point out it was never for the food. The food is just ok but the part we enjoyed was sitting outside and enjoying the weather. Well a couple weeks ago on a beautiful Sunday we went there are was told by the hostess that the manager has advised not to seat anyone outside because it was too busy… so we left. We decided to go today so we called to make sure we could sit outside and they advised we could. So we sat outside and waited for you 10 mins then a manager comes out and asks if we have been helped. we advised no. he didn’t offer to take our drink order and walked away. We sat for another 10 mins before Nick came out to see if we had been helped we advised no and he offered to take our order even though his tables were inside and was not scheduled outside. Nick wad great in helping us even though he had several tables inside. this is why they got 2 stars. Another table got sat outside and they waited a while until yet again the manager comes out and guess what. takes their drink order and offers them queso at no charge. Well there you have it. food is less than good and now I can’t even go there to enjoy eating outside. Marked off of my places to eat.

Ordered a order of Beef Fajitas’s — I was a little disappointed. First off the chips were ok but not quiet fresh. Just ok but borderline stale.
Fajita meat was good but there was only one sliver of bell pepper. Lots of onions. Beans & rice was good but not great. I use to the iced tea but it’s way too weak.
When Alamo Café was on San Pedro in the late 80’s it was just awesome.
I cannot put my finger on what it is exactly but it’s just not what it was. Also the food came out extremely fast. So fast that it was like it had to be previously prepared. The Fajitas’s were not sizzling on the skillet and the onions looked as if they had been cooked for awhile.
I put the food right up there with Luby’s Cafeteria… good but left overs or cooked and reheated.

I was working down the street and one of the guys said Alamo Café was good. We show up and get a table right away regardless that it was pretty packed. Chips and salsa were OK but the tortillas they bring out were great. Now, I’m not one to really write reviews but, this just had me pretty mad throughout the day the more I thought about it. The chicken fried steak is anything but a steak. It’s a battered hamburger patty. No doubt about it and A very poorly seasoned one at that. It was greasy and tasted just like hamburger meat AND I could cut it with a fork because, well, it’s HAMBURGER. I really can’t stop thinking about it because I feel robbed. Robbed of every thing that is American. The gravy was bland and the fries were nothing notable, either. The green beans are OK.
I’ll never be back.

We went here one Tuesday after picking up my mother and father-​in-​law at the Airport. Many of the places I would have rather taken them were closed, and the others we were not in any mood to fight traffic to get to. So Alamo Café became the default choice. Is it good — well it isn’t bad. Its definitely Tex-​Mex and I will say for the price you get a goodly amount of food. I went with one of the dinner plates — my eyes were definitely bigger than my stomach. It consisted of a crisp taco, a chalupa and two enchiladas. They even let me get one beef and one cheese on request (big plus). The cheese enchilada was actually better than the beef enchilada in this instance. For me the beef needed more seasoning (same for the beef in the taco). Thank goodness for salsa to spoon over everything.
Tortillas — they are good here, and they do not skimp on them, so another plus!
Service — absolutely superb! A+++, kept water glass filled and came around several times to make sure we didn’t need anything else.

It’s a good Mexican restaurant to go to, but not one of the best. Some plates are better than others though.
The tortillas are great — what they are known for. Very fresh and flavorful. Salsa & queso good too.
The meals were decent. I had the vegetable enchiladas, which were loaded with vegetables — great for a veggie lover. Not much cheese though. Other enchiladas were most likely different.
It was my French girlfriend’s first time in San Antonio, so I reccommended her the puffy tacos. She liked them.
The food was decent, however, the sides were extremely salty.
The service was good and fast. Atmosphere is great. You can sit inside, outside, or on the patio too. Prices were also fair.
Yes, it’s a good restaurant, but food wise there are definitely better Mexican places.

This was our first time at Alamo Café. We arrived late afternoon and waited probably about 10 minutes at the door while several staff members passed by without acknowledging the crowd that had accumulated. Just seemed like nobody cared to have a sense of urgency. It wasn’t busy at all either. The staff members that did actually notice appeared inconvenienced and had a look on their face like «ugh, people are coming in»
Our server was Brandon was excellent. We were a party of 7 and he had a couple other larger tables. He never missed a beat and we never went without. We were extremely pleased by that.
Every single server, however, walked around with a dirty rag tucked in their pant pocket or apron strap which just made the establishment seem unsanitary. Many servers just stood around, were outside smoking etc. so it just seemed like standards for excellence were low.
The best part of the meal was the homemade tortillas. They were fabulous! The rest of the meal was below average. We had enchiladas and carne guisada and the sauces didn’t taste authentic but instead like it was out of a can.
All in all, tortilla and our service was the best part but we do not feel inspired to go back.

Had dinner here Monday night. I was starving so everything sounded good but I went with a healthy option since they bring you warm tortillas, and butter to your table. So not good for anyone’s diet but so delish.
My husband ordered: Chicken Fried Steak. I had a bite, it was ok. not the best definitely. But I’m pretty picky. It really didnt have much of a crunch. Too soft.
I had the Cobb salad. It was perfect. It was charbroilled chicken so no extra grease on the chicken. 2 kinds of cheese, avo and blk olives, and fresh tomatoes on mixed greens.
we both asked for Blue cheese dressing… we both got Ranch. Yuck. oh well saved those cals b/​c they went toward a flour tortilla with butter!
Chips/​salsa: definitely no heat but it had a good flavor :)

Today was my first visit ever to Alamo Café. It’s hard to believe I’ve been here as long as I have and this is the first time. We were here for lunch.
CHIPS
Not bagged, which is always a plus, especially in San Antonio. They were; however, just a tad stale.
SALSA
Meh. It was simple tomato purée with no seasoning. It was kind of strange tasting. They could do a lot for it by adding some spices. My mom used to make a tomato salsa that was nothing more than tomato sauce, chiles, and some oregano.
GRILLED SHRIMP FAJITAS
Very tasty, but a little on the tiny side.
FLOUR TORTILLAS
Not too shabby. I enjoyed them.
CHICKEN QUESADILLAS
Very good. Not overly cheesy, and not underly-​chickeny.
MARGARITA
Pretty good.
SERVICE
Excellent