I've been eating at this location for over 30 years and it was my favorite restaurant for the best Tex Mex in the city. Haven't eaten there in a while and was so excited to finally return but was very, very DISAPPOINTED! My Fiancé and I both ordered sweet tea that tasted like it was unsweetened. The refill was much better. The chips & salsa was very good! Her Chilliquiles looked bad and tasted worse. And my Cheese Enchiladas were not good at all. They were smaller in diameter and were very bland. Just like they were at the other Blanco Cafe on Fredicksburg Rd. I, rarely treat myself to eating like that so always look forward to my meal when I do but will not be returning to the original location of the Blanco Cafe. Sad, sad , sad! read more

Total Woman and I happened upon this place after visiting some fun architectural salvage and second-hand stores nearby. We were muy hungry, so even though it was busy, we didn't want to press on to find another option. Blanco Cafe is located in an old diner in a cool old neighborhood. There's one star. Me likee that very much. We sat at the counter. This allowed for quick service and frequent coffee refills. Throw another star on the pile. Food was good and plentiful. We stuck with our tried-and-true breakfast ordering strategy -- one of us gets pancakes, the other gets a omelete or migas, and we go splitsville -- and it turned out to be more brilliant than usual. Again, the food was good. As this is a restaurant and food is its business, that counts for dos stars. Blanco cafe fails to earn the elusive fifth star because this place doesn't handle "ingests" the way restaurants usually do. Rather than give your name to a host or hostess when you arrive, you pretty much just mill around inside the front door and wait for the next open table. The age-old honor system (remember that?) determines who is seated next. I imagine this works just fine most of the time, and because we sat at the counter, this process didn't impact us. But knowing how I think -- and yes, this is my problem, and it may not necessarily be yours -- if I were waiting 30 minutes for a table in the chaotic Thunderdome of the Blanco Cafe honor system, well, those would be 30 stressful and fairly unpleasant minutes. You may be more laissez-faire about something like this, and if so, this is absolutely your kinda place, no matter what time of day. All in all, we dug Blanco Cafe and will likely return. read more

Are you a fan of the no frills dining experience ? Are you a fan of throwback Thursday ? So full disclosure , my family and I are neighborhood folks , so this is my turf . We walked here for dinner some nights . First things first , get past the decor and the noise level . This isn't a chain , local owned , local noise , beans and tortillas . This place is magic with a breakfast taco , bean and cheese with bacon ? Flash bang yes . Papa con huevo . Yes please . Don't get confused try a plate of crispy beef tacos . It is a triumph of simple tex mex. Are you a fan of plate cleaning joy ? Order a cheese enchilada plate , put on some salsa verde and clean that effin plate with your tortillas and thank me later . Bonus : the kitchen never sees the ticket , it gets shouted through a window and comes out hot and correct . Eat it celeb-chefs . Hot tip Bonus : is it cold outside ? Get the Caldo de Res and get right . read more

In the fall of 1996 I went to Blanco for maybe the third time, and I was a bit uninterested. This was going to be my first real meal after major sinus surgery and I was initially thinking I wanted something "more." Instead, I became a Blanco devotee for LIFE. I ordered the cheese enchilada plate with ranchero sauce instead of the chile con carne, double rice, and no beans. All of a sudden, with my newly improved sense of smell and taste, this seemed to be the best meal I'd had in years, if not ever. Since that day I have had that same dish so many times I lost count years ago. They also make such great breakfast tacos, my favorite being the papas rancheras con queso. OMG DROOL! If you live in SA and you haven't been to Blanco, you're missing out. If you're from out of town and you want quick, inexpensive, great Mexican food, GO TO BLANCO! Just don't go expecting bland, homogenized Tex-Mex and you should be happy. read more

I always order the Deluxe Mexican Dinner, oh man..it's some good stuff! It consist of a chalupa, crispy taco, and three enchiladas (I usually order beef) served with rice and beans. It comes with a little bit of everything and you can't get any better than that for the price. The enchiladas are the best, it's worth the drive to this side of town. Hole in the wall places have the best Mexican food. Been coming here since I was a kid, good memories there. I definitely recommend. read more

Blanco Cafe has the best cheese enchiladas on planet earth. There is no use talking about it or even trying to compare them anywhere else, they are simply the best. The are exactly the way my grandmother would have fixed them had she not been a Northside German. The sauce on the enchiladas make you want to pick up the plate and lick until you can only taste paint. The whole beans are also good and the tortillas are right up there with the best of them. There are several locations but the best is the original down on Blanco near Fulton. read more

If I lived in San Antonio, I would be here three or four times a week. This place is not for everybody. It is old school and doesn't care if you are a prince or a pauper. The food is amazing. I could eat anything that they offer breakfast lunch or dinner at dinner breakfast or lunch. If you have a chance to go here, and don't, it's your loss. I guess the folks that are there will be happy that the seat that you could've had will be available sooner. Looking forward to my next breakfast!! read more

Tried this place for my 1st meal on arriving to San Antonio and sad to say I was not impressed, they food was Tex-Mex ( I am from Cali ) and I just do not see it here as being a great restaurant. I do not care what the decor looks like ( charming btw ) love the location ( old school San Antonio ) but I have had much better in my life time. For what you get for the price, it is great, but wish i could have said the same for the food. Decent. Friendly in some way service, parking is small on the street and in the back. Try it for yourself though, my taste is not yours. read more

Nice small neighborhood cafe, which I like. I had a breakfast taco, papas a la mexicana. The chile in the table set it off. I also had a small bowl of fideo, which was good as well. I gave 4/5 stars because the coffee wasn't that good and the bathrooms were gross. Other than that, service was good and both my husband and I enjoyed our food. We'll be back! read more

First time here! Went here for lunch was a small little diner really close together was cute tho. Staff was nice and pretty busy in there. I ordered breakfast was around 11 am and was told that lunch would take longer. I ordered pancakes with bacon n eggs (I prefer sauage but they didn't have it ). All in all breakfast was good. Would return but maybe not during lunch hour peak... read more

Channeling my inner explorer, I took myself to the Blanco Cafe to try out a Tex-Mex place not on the regular tourist beat. While their hearts are in the right place, my experience was so-so. I'm no stranger to Tex-Mex and had the chicken enchilada plate ($6.99). You get three pretty enchiladas with 2 freshly made tortillas, rice, and beans on the plate. Enchiladas had a very satisfying con carne sauce draped over them. Rice was a little dry and beans were very much "traditionally" made with lard (tasty but deadly). The star of the show were the fantastic tortillas. Yum! But, I have to leave the overall review at "bleh" because the tortillas were the backup singers to the enchilada lead. As for decor, think hole-in-the-wall. The back parking lot has deep pits in it, the furniture is well worn, and the decorative posters on the wall are faded. Sometimes, when you read "casual dress", that can mean a wide variety. For the Blanco Cafe, come in your "doing laundry" outfit and you'll be just fine. I came in cargo shorts and a polo shirt (with the requisite fratboy white t-shirt underneath) and I was overdressed. The other clientele was an eclectic mix of local Latinos and old white families. In the Venn diagram, I represented the tourist, Asian, fratboy, and gay contingents all at the same time. :) The staff are friendly, quick, and hussle the orders. They are great and definitely added charm to the place. Decent food, unpretentious environment, and dirt cheap prices. read more

Muy bien! Excellent service, delicious food. Breakfast served all day ...chilaquiles sooo good!

The flour tortillas are the bomb! Let's start there and work our way through. Service was great with the only exception being that all the food did not come out a one time. But was quickly brought on the second trip. Enchiladas rice and beans were fantastic. The original Blanco Cafe read more

As good as it gets. This hole in the wall is the best and FASTEST mexican food ever. The cheese enchiladas are the best in the city, in my opinion. Puffy tacos are EXCELLENT. And like I said, the service is super super quick. Very cheap and great food. Homemade corn and flour tortillas, homemade rice and beans, homemade everything! Don't miss the specials board above the counter for stuff that isn't listed on the menu. And now I'm craving enchiladas. read more

Don't settle for tourist-like Mexican food, come here for a tasteful experience of Mexico in your mouth. The chicken enchilada verses (on corn tortilla) was the waitresses' highest recommendation....and she couldn't have been more right. read more

Blanco Cafe - Mexican Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

See all

Best beef enchiladas ever. Other stuff may be good, but I'm unlikely to ever find out. I can't imagine ordering anything else. The flour tortillas served on the side were outstanding too - excellent for sipping up the beef gravy from the enchiladas. read more

Blanco Cafe - Mexican Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

I am a lifelong Blanco Cafe eater. No joke, my family has been going there even since before I was born! I always get the "Cheese enchilada plate" (3 cheese enchiladas w/ rice & beans) or the "Mexican Dinner" (the cheese enchilada dinner + a beef taco & a chalupa. I will eat at this restaurant for the rest of my LIFE! read more

This place was recommended to me by my boyfriend's co-worker as having the best enchiladas in San Antonio! Instinctively, I checked Yelp, and mostly everyone else thinks so, too! I have now eaten here twice, and am so pleased! Both times I've had the same thing -- the 2 cheese enchiladas plate with beef fajitas, beans, rice and 2 tortillas. I also tried their coffee & it was out of this world! I know that coffee is not really their focal point, but I simply couldn't get enough of it on both days I visited & just feel it was too good to not point out -- it was just fresh, hot, tasty, and strong! Next time I'll hit up their breakfast menu-- 99 cent tacos Monday through Fridays!?! Awesome! A few other things to add: 1. Super quick service! Both times my meals were served in under 3 minutes! Practically magical. 2. The location doesn't have its own parking lot, but there are plenty of spots available either right in front or around neighboring streets so don't be discouraged! Look around! 3. Don't forget to grab a few 35 cent Big Red chewing gums on the way out!! 4. Oh, & visit the antique spots across the streets afterwards and call it a real party! ;) read more

Great food, great service, fast fresh friendly if you want authentic Mexicana food, this is the best place to eat. Will return when in San Antonio read more

Not good. Had breakfast tacos and they used american cheese. Sin.

Usually when we go to downtown with my sister, she always must have blanco cafe. She is usually craving mexican food there, sometimes she requests us to bring food to here all the way from California. Anyways I always want to go to Lulu's instead, but okay you say where is the review. Anyways the food has been always a hit or miss, I usually order a burrito or a nice carne asada steak. Sometimes it has been dry or the other time it been juicy. read more

One of the best places to eat in San Antonio have going here forever. One the must stop spots when we come to visit. We usually come at breakfast the food is yummy! read more

Stopped into the Blanco Cafe today for a little lunch, and I can see why the enchiladas are called the best in town. It's really the sauce that makes the enchilada, and the sauce on these was amazing. Just try them. I also had a puffy taco, which I didn't like, but I don't like puffy tacos (shocking, I know). I'm looking forward to going back to try some of their other offerings. I'm especially interested to try the mole, which is another one of my favorites. The cafe is a little divey but the waitress was nice and the food was fast. The place has a real old school San Antonio feel to it, and is surrounded by a bunch of antique shops perfect for spending a Saturday afternoon in. read more

Went on a Monday after work in the early evening and it was packed. Parking is behind the restaurant. We sat at the front counter area since we were hungry and there was a little bit of a wait. One of us had asada and liked it. Portions were large. The cheese enchiladas were amazing! I got a side of beef fajitas that weren't my favorite. Beans and rice were good. Salsa was a little hot (pica). We'd both definitely return. I would get the enchiladas again. read more

This is the best of all the Blanco Cafe locations. They have the best breakfast tacos and beef enchiladas is San Antonio IMO. Whenever an out-of-towner asks for restaurant recommendations, I always send them here! read more

Great Mexican food! Love going there to get tacos and those tortillas are amazing! read more

Mom and ic are there today. The cheese enchilada plate did not disappoint. The flour tortillas were on point. Fluffy home made tortillas. The gravy on the enchiladas is delicious! Very satisfied read more

5-Star family staple SA eatery. Don't go eat between 11-2 because it's creamy busy!! Also, that's when I go and I don't need more people to get in the way of the delicious cheesy enchiladas!!! read more

I've been coming to this location Blanco/Elsmere for about 25 yrs. Its alwys been great. NOT ANYMORE. Flies are everywhere by windows whr the custmrs are eating. Yuck, yuck. Bad business and POOR SERVICE NOW. We sat down at the bar and they took forver to notice us & help. We sat down at a table & same thing. Their service is the WORST. Lots of new employees. Some waiters/waitresses just flat out ignore you. Foods still good. read more

Yeppers! As good as it gets for an authentic, traditional, breakfast in an old school classic diner atmosphere...complete with stools at the bar. Huevos rancheros, chilequiles, bottomless cups of coffee! The BEST tortillas! Easy on the budget! Great service! Ummm-ummmm, muy bueno!! read more

Blanco Cafe - 1720 Blanco - Mexican Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

Always sooooooo good. The food is always great. The staff is always nice and the food comes out quick. So glad I live four blocks away. Breakfast lunch or dinner. They never disappoint. Homemade tortillas read more

Blanco Cafe - Country sausage and egg plate - Mexican Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

Best TX Mex in town. I know that this great place is for enchiladas and caldo. I enjoyed their chicken and green sauce enchiladas. I like their beans and rice in all their plates. The majority of their customers are local families and college students. There is plenty of parking and services is very friendly. I recommend the 10 minutes from downtown to eat at this establishment. read more

Going with 5 stars here. I have eaten here a few time for lunch and the crowd is very local. The mexican food is very authentic and compared to all the more modern and trendy places around the Riverwalk this has the best lunch. It is cheap too! read more

We went for Saturday lunch. The place is hot & cramped. There was an empty table for 2 when we got there, but for larger parties, you're in for a rather uncomfortable wait. Waiting customers hang around at the front of the restaurant where they end up crowding the door, the registers, and other folks sitting at near by tables. None of the staff keeps track of who is up next for a table, so it's up to the customers to keep track of the queue themselves. They might be better off instituting a wait-a-the-door policy like Taco Taco. The food is fairly cheap ($5.99 for 2 cheese enchiladas & a taco) and gets to your table really quickly. It even tastes halfway decent. As many complaints as I have, I'll be going back at some point to try the breakfast tacos. read more

I think I won't be going back. I remember going here about 6 years ago and really loving the enchiladas. Either my taste has changed or the enchiladas did. I remember them being baked in the oven and looking and tasting delicious. This time there was too much gravy and the processed cheese was not tasty. :( Plus the restaurant was super crowded. read more

Blanco Cafe - $6.99 cheese enchiladas and beef fajita plate. - Mexican Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

Have not been here in years and always liked it. I ordered the fajita plate the beans were room temp at best and the beef fajitas were Luke warm and looked and tasted like it had been sitting in water since it was crumbled up in little water logged pieces. I asked the waitress is this fajita and she said that is the way they serve it.we were in a hurry so I ate most of it. The corn tortillas and the chips and warm salsa was good. read more

Best cheese enchiladas in San Antonio. Had my doubts about it from the outside and area but it's really really good. Cheese enchiladas are everywhere in San Antonio and these are the best. Had the plate and a water plus tip it was only $9 read more

The inside smelled moldy and the AC did not work properly. The seats/tables are ancient and squeak. The food is tasteless especially the enchiladas! The restroom is the worst like a third world country dump! read more

This place is always packed - with good reason. Don't let the full tables & casual environment scare you away. The service is quick & friendly. The food is amazing ... The kind of food that fills your tummy and makes you so happy that even though you're busting at the seams, you still want to keep eating and consider licking the plate!! Every time I come to San Antonio, eating here is a MUST! read more

The service was great and fast. The food was good. Will be back to try something else for sure. A lot better than a lot of the other Mexican restaurants I have tried before. read more

Blanco Cafe - Enchiladas with a chalupa. - Mexican Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

See all