my Guidebook for San Marcos
Food Scene
WHATABURGER
https://locations.whataburger.com/tx/san-marcos.html
I started Palmers in 1985, and sold it (thank goodness) in 1988.. still going strong and the nicest place in town. Great outdoor patio and bar
54 locals recommend
Palmer's Restaurant Bar & Courtyard
218 Moore StI started Palmers in 1985, and sold it (thank goodness) in 1988.. still going strong and the nicest place in town. Great outdoor patio and bar
Shoot, Herberts is the BEST mex-food in town. Don't expect to wait more than about 5 minutes for your food, they are fast. Also, don't expect fancy. But do expect yummy.
25 locals recommend
Herbert's Taco Hut
419 Riverside DrShoot, Herberts is the BEST mex-food in town. Don't expect to wait more than about 5 minutes for your food, they are fast. Also, don't expect fancy. But do expect yummy.
if you have a kid at the University, this is probably one of the places all your money is going to. Good music (which my company installed btw) and good value on food and bar. Nice
6 locals recommend
Chimys
217 TX-80if you have a kid at the University, this is probably one of the places all your money is going to. Good music (which my company installed btw) and good value on food and bar. Nice
Jack in the Box
1200 Barton Springs Rdwhat can i say. It's Jack.
Red Lobster
3815 S Lamar Blvdmore blah blah blah (seafood)
Ok, this is my other favorite mex-eaterie, and where i get my migas, everytime. Good food and authentic.
The Palm Cafe 2
504 Broadway StOk, this is my other favorite mex-eaterie, and where i get my migas, everytime. Good food and authentic.
Starbucks
601 University Drivecaffine
My favorite italian place in town. Bring a wine with you, they can't have it there, so close to campus. best prices in town.
17 locals recommend
Italian Garden
415 N LBJ DrMy favorite italian place in town. Bring a wine with you, they can't have it there, so close to campus. best prices in town.
Johnny Carino's
5601 Brodie Lnnice, bar, food is decent. blah blah blah
McDonald's
1001 TX-123i don't recommned it, cause it's mcdonalds
My 'go to restaurant' for all things wonderful: food, service, ambience, price, and quality. I can't imagine someone not liking this place, in downtown New Braunfels. You can walk downtown too. wheee
101 locals recommend
Huisache Grill
303 W San Antonio StMy 'go to restaurant' for all things wonderful: food, service, ambience, price, and quality. I can't imagine someone not liking this place, in downtown New Braunfels. You can walk downtown too. wheee
McAdoo's Seafood Company
196 N Castell AveLand ho--seafood ahead. Good stuff
oh lord--this is catfish heaven. Big onion rings, decent shrimp, good prices.. if you fry it--they will buy it, kinda place. Historic old building just a bit outside of N.B.
35 locals recommend
Clear Springs Restaurant
1692 TX-46oh lord--this is catfish heaven. Big onion rings, decent shrimp, good prices.. if you fry it--they will buy it, kinda place. Historic old building just a bit outside of N.B.
Baja BBQ Shack, overlooks the marina and Canyon Lake. You'll feel like a yachter-dude-person. Decent food too; a nice drive in the country and just right down Hunter Road a bit.
81 locals recommend
Canyon Lake Marina
280 MarinaBaja BBQ Shack, overlooks the marina and Canyon Lake. You'll feel like a yachter-dude-person. Decent food too; a nice drive in the country and just right down Hunter Road a bit.
everyone likes this little hole in the wall, with a gourmet touch from the kitchen. Yumgood
62 locals recommend
The Root Cellar Cafe & Brewery
215 N LBJ Dreveryone likes this little hole in the wall, with a gourmet touch from the kitchen. Yumgood
Wake the Dead Coffee House
1432 Ranch Rd 12have some coffee here. It's different.
My favorite BBQ in all of texas. Be sure to get the pinto beans with lots of brisket in them, oh my god they are so good. Brisket and smoked turkey to die for. EAT HERE for sure.
11 locals recommend
Hays County Barbeque Restaurant
1612 S Interstate 35My favorite BBQ in all of texas. Be sure to get the pinto beans with lots of brisket in them, oh my god they are so good. Brisket and smoked turkey to die for. EAT HERE for sure.
It's just down the street from Turkey Grove (where you are staying). as good as Starbucks and closer/cheaper/local owned. I like it. There is a bakery in the same little center that will make you sigh
Mochas & Javas
102 Wonder World DrIt's just down the street from Turkey Grove (where you are staying). as good as Starbucks and closer/cheaper/local owned. I like it. There is a bakery in the same little center that will make you sigh
they deliver too, there is one closer to me, just behind LOWES. This one is down town on the square, if you are in town though.
20 locals recommend
Jimmy John's
3203 Red River Stthey deliver too, there is one closer to me, just behind LOWES. This one is down town on the square, if you are in town though.
authentic hippy/skater/moon-doggie style whatchamacallit. See to appreciate. Just two blocks from Zellicks, which you must see too.. HEB is next door for your groceries and snacks.
11 locals recommend
Tantra
217 W Hopkins Stauthentic hippy/skater/moon-doggie style whatchamacallit. See to appreciate. Just two blocks from Zellicks, which you must see too.. HEB is next door for your groceries and snacks.
eat like a king for maybe $3 to $4. Great chili-dogs. Americana at its cheapest. THere's a Dairy Queen next door where you can get an ice cream.
Chili Dog Stand
1140 Invasion Steat like a king for maybe $3 to $4. Great chili-dogs. Americana at its cheapest. THere's a Dairy Queen next door where you can get an ice cream.
it's a Deli, what could go wrong? be hungry. I like the muffalata. Big salad bar if your feeling green.
Jason's Deli
901 TX-80it's a Deli, what could go wrong? be hungry. I like the muffalata. Big salad bar if your feeling green.
I eat here a lot and most always get the six ounce SIRLOIN. it's as good as their filet but half the price. It's all good. The Salmon is superb. The brews cold. Football and baseball TV place.
20 locals recommend
Texas Roadhouse
9300 S I- 35 Service RdI eat here a lot and most always get the six ounce SIRLOIN. it's as good as their filet but half the price. It's all good. The Salmon is superb. The brews cold. Football and baseball TV place.
Gills Fried Chicken
714 E Hopkins Stdammed good chicken. Try the corn thingys...
all the locals have breakfast here and read the paper. Old-timey place on the square. Know what a flat grill is? that's what they cook on...
13 locals recommend
Cafe on the Square
126 N LBJ Drall the locals have breakfast here and read the paper. Old-timey place on the square. Know what a flat grill is? that's what they cook on...
Near campus, cheap delicious chinese foods with chopsticks. NOT FANCY, but the food is delish.
Asian Garden
302 University DrNear campus, cheap delicious chinese foods with chopsticks. NOT FANCY, but the food is delish.
good burgers and cinnamin rolls, next to the outlet malls , but on the opposite side of the freeway. You'll go by it on your way to the mall. Neat things to buy inside too.
Center Point Road
Center Point Roadgood burgers and cinnamin rolls, next to the outlet malls , but on the opposite side of the freeway. You'll go by it on your way to the mall. Neat things to buy inside too.
Dixie Cream
201 S L B J Drhave a donut or other thing they have. Been here forever--must be good.
In-N-Out Burger
1437 N Interstate 35inexpensive and tasty. period.
Shopping
big a big car and a bunch of boxes to hold the feeds 45 people selections. Cheap flowers for the house.
Sam's Club
1350 Leah Avebig a big car and a bunch of boxes to hold the feeds 45 people selections. Cheap flowers for the house.
Franks Automotive Inc
328 S Guadalupe Stgood car fixer
good schlotzsky's style sandwich (probably better). They've been here 40 years or more. Across from campus. Same tiny spot. Take you kid there and impress the heck out of him, by how cool you are. :)
6 locals recommend
Alvin Ord's
204 University Drgood schlotzsky's style sandwich (probably better). They've been here 40 years or more. Across from campus. Same tiny spot. Take you kid there and impress the heck out of him, by how cool you are. :)
Drinks & Nightlife
Chili's Grill & Bar
102 Interstate 35 North Frontage Roadthey are everywhere.
blah blah blah
Chances R
138 South L B J Driveauthentic 60's style bar. Popcorn, jukebox.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/chances-r-san-marcos
HUGE ULTRA COOL restaurant overlooking the guadalupe river; and next door to Texas OLDEST dance hall (live entertainment all weekend).
211 locals recommend
Gristmill River Restaurant & Bar
1287 Gruene RdHUGE ULTRA COOL restaurant overlooking the guadalupe river; and next door to Texas OLDEST dance hall (live entertainment all weekend).
The Phoenix Saloon
193 W San Antonio Stcool old-timey bar on the downtown drag. Great CHILI too.
everyone who is someone (and not necessarily a student) hangs here. Authentic 1950's ice house. NO AIR CONDITIONING--but who needs it. Open air seating-with fans and misters when it's hot. ON the way.
33 locals recommend
Zelicks Icehouse
336 W Hopkins Steveryone who is someone (and not necessarily a student) hangs here. Authentic 1950's ice house. NO AIR CONDITIONING--but who needs it. Open air seating-with fans and misters when it's hot. ON the way.
Bar and Good RIBS and burgers, and one million beers on tap. Kids love it and so does everyone else, except some old fogies who hate dogs too.
19 locals recommend
Taproom
129 E Hopkins StBar and Good RIBS and burgers, and one million beers on tap. Kids love it and so does everyone else, except some old fogies who hate dogs too.
Everything Else
there is a sak n' pak ice house for that late night ice cream bar you may be craving. You could walk there in about 20 minutes or drive in 2, if you go fast. Sam's Club or HEB has the least expensive gasoline to buy.
7 locals recommend
Exxon
1320 E Oltorf Stthere is a sak n' pak ice house for that late night ice cream bar you may be craving. You could walk there in about 20 minutes or drive in 2, if you go fast. Sam's Club or HEB has the least expensive gasoline to buy.
The University of Texas at Austin
2515 Speedwaywhere i went to school
Texas State University
601 University Drwhere you kid goes to school, probably.
Sewell Park
601 University DrUniversity based river park area
public river spot for swimming in the 72 degree San Marcos crystal clear water. Bring a tube and float. (rentals are all around)
24 locals recommend
Rio Vista Park
555 Cheatham Stpublic river spot for swimming in the 72 degree San Marcos crystal clear water. Bring a tube and float. (rentals are all around)
Five Guys
3208 B Guadalupe Stbig french fries.
First Baptist Church
325 W McCarty LnJust across the street, in walking distance. i like it.
A classic church in a classic 100 year old sanctuary, good place to give thanks. (i'm a member here)
First United Methodist Church - San Marcos
129 W Hutchison StA classic church in a classic 100 year old sanctuary, good place to give thanks. (i'm a member here)
Arts & Culture
THE SPOT is a year or two old and the best place to watch a movie, sonically and visually. They serve good food and alcoholic beverages. Bowling is within the building as is a nice bar and other areas. It's cool.
EVO Cinemas Starplex 12
1250 Wonder World DrGo see a movie, 12 screens, bound to be something on that's good.
City advice
Don't miss
The link below offers historic and eating advice.
http://www.toursanmarcos.com/dining/index.html