06 May 2026 We usually try a place a couple of times before I write a review, but... It took me reading a Facebook post about Ernesto's and how it's a small family-owned restaurant. Oh and it's very good. So we went this evening. No reservation as I think is suggested. There was a large group of people, a table of four, and a table of two on the main floor. We were seated in the upper area, not on the main floor. We're OK with that. There are about four two-seaters on this level. Ernesto Jr. came by and explained the three specials offered this evening. The menu lists about a dozen different sauces that can top the dish you order. They all sound delicious. I had the Steak San Antonio. This is a filet of tenderloin covered in avocado butter (so good) with an enchilada of your choice, rice and beans. Served with a basket of freshly baked French bread. The husband had a seafood combo: shrimp, lobster, snapper stuffed with lump crab served with rice. His was topped with the Veracruz sauce and another selected by Ernesto. Fabulous. The food has flavor. Tons of flavor. The service is spot on. Ernesto comes by first, talks to you, makes suggestions and then takes your order. The rest of the staff takes over from here. Delivers your food, keeps up with refills, clears the table, brings the bill. This is a well-run process. We had ceviche to start. The husband is not a big fan, so I ate the majority. I enjoyed it very much. When we left, Ernesto came outside to thank us for coming. That doesn't happen at most places. The truly personal touch. Give this restaurant a try if you haven't already. read more

Ernesto's Mexican Specialties - May 2026 seafood combo - Mexican Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

See all

What a gem!! 5 We had a wonderful evening! I was pleasantly delighted by the meal I was served this evening. This intimate, locally owned establishment had a warm welcoming atmosphere with attentive staff. The food was well balanced with soft deep flavors combining Ernesto's smooth, savory signature sauces over perfect portions of meat and vegetables. I decided on the surf and turf special in a light buttery citrus sauce. It was fabulous! I didn't want to finish because then it would be gone. I had to try a desert after dinner was such a success and, oh am I glad I did. I ordered Ernesto's desert which this evening was a crepe in a delicate caramel sauce with fresh almond slivers garnish. We also tried the fresh cinnamon ice cream recommended by Chef. You can tell from the food, to the service, to the owner greeting the patron name, these owners care!! Definitely one of the most enjoyable meals I have has in a while! read more

See all

This is a Diamond A restaurant !! The best food and service ever . I would highly recommend this place to anyone !! HANDS DOEN THEY KNOW WHAT THEIR DOING !! read more

The quality of services from the second we walked in was top tier Ernesto himself treated us so kindly and went over all his specialties!! Every detail was on point the sauces the food was made to order making it a great food experience definitely recommend the atmosphere was nice soft music playing in the background, I had a sangria which was fantastic. If you like, top tier service you will love it here. read more

See all

The food, the service along with the white table cloth ambience is old style fantastic! We love this place! All six of us got different specials and they were all excellent. The lunch menu is to doe for and it was not crowded. The wait staff is family and they are the best. Try this place and u will always go back. Thnx to the Ernesto's family and team. You are the best! read more

See all

The food was delicious and I especially liked the ambient atmosphere. We were a table of six and we could hear each other. This a hidden gem. read more

All of the food was spectacular!! My wife's and friend's steak San Antonios were tender and flavorful and the accompanying enchilada was great!! I had the snapper special was just delicious with the Veracruz/garlic sauce, and the grilled shrimp was perfect. My daughter's chicken taquitos were also amazing. The only thing better than the food was the service. Ernesto seated and greeted us, accommodated a slight dietary request with a smile, and the waiter was a borderline white glove level server. Extremely attentive and kind. We are definitely adding Ernesto's to our regular rotation!! Thanks for a great evening!! read more

Best dining experience I have had in such a long time! My husband chose this restaurant on a whim and it was definitely a surprise find. We were greeted by Mr. Ernesto himself. We were unsure what to order so we let him choose our dishes and he was not joking when he said he had psychic power and knew what we would like. It was fantastic! The food was absolutely delicious and the service was amazing! From the outside you would not expect it but this place is an absolute MUST GO! read more

My spouse and I make it a point to go to every restaurant we can. Here in SA and beyond. This is a hidden gem! It's hiding in plain site. Why, bc when I saw the name, Ernesto's Mexican....., the first thing I thought was I was not in the mood for Mexican food. When I saw some of the photos they had, the foods the cook, at the number of reviews they had (500+ reviews) and the 4.5 out of 5 star ratings, figured it was worth trying. Should be named, "Ernesto's Gourmet Cuisine". Why? Bc that is exactly what it serves. The quality is exactly what it is, GOURMET quality. We ordered the Camarones De la Plancha in Veracruz sauce And the Crabmeat & Shrimp Veracruz which were both fantastic! We loved both of them. The atmosphere was great. Waiters were nice and enjoyable to order and talk to. They know their stuff. Place is a nice, quiet and enjoyable atmosphere to be with your friends & family. Overall, We give it a 11 out of 10. Why. Not just because of all I said but bc the value for the quality of the food was great!! They've been in business for over 40+ yrs now! You know they have to doing something right. We give it a "Big Thumbs Up" It is worth your time and money, hands down. You'll be happy you went. Rene read more

LOVE Ernesto's! A true family business with at least three generations of influence. Such pride in the food and the experience. Every meal I've had here is a joyful experience. read more

OMG! This was so delicious! Have you ever heard of avocado butter sauce? Well I will never forget it it was soooo good! My steak was so tender I cut it with my fork! My husband had the shrimp and red fish stuffed with lobster and Veracruz sauce. Not one drop was left on his plate. The tres leches and flan were to die for. Please go, you won't regret it. Our bill was about $50 plus tip. read more

Ernesto's Mexican Specialties - Steak San Antonio - Mexican Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

See all

Hadn't been in a couple year. I was glad to see the Resturant completely full. There is no finer service in any restaurant in San Antonio. I miss Ernesto but his sons do him proud. I've been a fan for over 40 years read more

Ernesto's Mexican Specialties - Ernesto's coffee. It had tequila and kaluia in it topped with whipped cream. Perfect ending to a perfect dining experience. - Mexican Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

Ernesto, the Owner, is a lovely person came to great use and tell us about the menu. They had the best mojito I've ever had with delicious queso and Ceviche. My friends had seafood dishes and ate every bite. The menu is unique and not the run of the mill Tex-Mex. A must try when in the area! read more

Ernesto's Mexican Specialties - Queso with Chorizo and Verde Ceviche were excellent! - Mexican Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

5-stars go to the kindest staff in the city's restaurant scene! They make you feel like family the moment you walk in, and their passion for sharing their specialty dishes and creating a great dining experience for guests is unmatched. The food, for us, was not quite the same level, but it was good. Maybe our expectations were too high based on all the reviews. Ceviche to start was tasty, but served on top of a pile of lettuce. We've never had ceviche served that way, but it created a nice illusion of a bigger portion of ceviche that was, in reality, fairly small. Shrimp and crab nachos were next, and they were just ok. The "lump" crab was a bunch of shreds and they were on the fishy side of flavor. DH ordered the special recommended by the owner- a chicken breast with a ground beef (picadillo) enchilada, and it included rice and beans. DH thought the enchilada was on the dry side and lacked flavor. He felt the chicken was also lacking seasoning even though it was covered in cheese or sauce or something. For me, the owner recommended a fish dish with "lump" crab (shreds again) and shrimp, rice, and veggies. The veggies were two small mushrooms and one skinned tomato that still had its hard core inside. Everything on the plate was covered in a buttery lemony sauce. The sauce was delicious, but I feel like covering EVERYTHING in sauce is like covering everything in ketchup. Some things, if they are truly good, should be able to shine on their own. Plating could definitely be better. The restaurant is super clean, even though there's an unusual smell to it when you walk in. Maybe it's a cleaner, maybe not, but it's definitely striking. Value for money... I don't really think it's there. We've had far better seafood and Mexican dishes at some of the city's best, but only our bill at Ernesto's was on par with those places. Again, 5-stars for the service, 3-stars for the food, so I averaged it out to 4 overall. We'll go back for the service but with more reasonable expectations for the food now that we experienced it for ourselves. read more

Ernesto's Mexican Specialties - The entry to the famous Ernesto's!! - Mexican Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

I don't know how I have never been to Ernesto's. It is close to my home, has been around for over 40 years, and has amazing food, so I'm surprised this was my first visit. I came here to meet friends and I am really glad I did. Ernesto's is a Mexican seafood place with a French twist. From the beginning, we knew this was a different place. The owner greeted us and gave us a summary of his menu and food. He was very charming, friendly and helpful. Service was equally outstanding. Although, we were a fairly large group, food, drinks and meals came out seamlessly. It was almost artistic to see the waitress take our bills, separately, I might add, and bring them back error free. And although we were almost ten at the table, there was no gratuity added, which we would have gladly accepted, given our number. I ordered the crabmeat and shrimp Veracruzana, which came with rice and a baked tomato. It was unbelievably good. Along with the French bread, which is baked at Ernesto's, the food was rich and tasty. Even the dessert was delicious. I can say, after sampling some of their cinnamon ice cream, that the sweet was as delicious as the savory. Prices for the seafood were not cheap. However, given the make and quality of the food, I felt prices were better than I thought they would be. What was surprising about Ernesto's was that it had some very affordable Mexican dishes, appetizers and soups, as well. The menu really encompasses a variety of prices. Ernesto's is a little spot off Jackson Keller, hidden amongst an outside mall of businesses, but now that I know where it is, I can say this will not be the last time I visit. read more

See all

Elegance you don't have dress up for! This little neighborhood strip center gem takes care of you like family, if your family were expert seafood chefs. Great classic Mexican butter sauces. Inspired desserts. Put yourself in Ernesto's hands and he'll craft an experience to remember, tailored just for you! read more

This is a true San Antonio hidden gem. I have been here twice and highly recommend this restaurant. Ernesto prides himself in his personal service to his customers and the excellent food he prepares. If you have not had the chance to go make it a destination to try immediately. read more

My husband and I ordered the shrimp enchiladas and Steak San Antonio, both perfectly executed and packed with flavor. What really stood out were the house-made specialty sauces--so many to choose from, each one unique and clearly crafted with care. We both cleaned our plates! We finished with a house-made dark chocolate mousse cake and cinnamon ice cream--rich, balanced, and the perfect end to the meal. To top it off we had a chance to meet the owner who is genuinely kind and passionate about the food. Honestly one of those meals you think "I could die happy now." We can't wait to bring our family and friends. read more

The restaurant is small and cozy. The tables are covered with nice cloth tablecloths. I had the Red Snapper Veracruz dish. The fish was so moist and melted in my mouth. It did come with a couple of grilled shrimp. The shrimp were split open, and unfortunately, they were over- cooked. Our waiter was very professional and efficient. We do want to go back and try more of their seafood dishes. read more

OMG, we went to Ernesto's for dinner last night and were amazed by their service and seafood items. My husband had the red snapper with the Veracruz sauce. I had the simpler pollo con arroz soup. Finishing touch with an amazingly light desert crepe. The music playlist adds to a dinner club atmosphere. Ernesto was an impeccable host. They have carved a very unique niche in San Antonio! We have found our very special date night place! read more

In town for the first time. We found this amazing Mexican restaurant was hands down one of the best Mexican restaurant we have been to in a long time. We are from Las Vegas Nevada, where we have a lot of great chiefs. We will definitely be back. Both brothers were brilliant at their job! Family owned businessess two brothers are keeping it going. I love it!! The Kirks read more

The food was delicious but the service was not that great. We ordered the soup and the salad for starters and never got them! They brought our entrees and then were like oh yeah sorry I forgot! We will make it up for your with dessert for free. Sorry but no! And to boot when we arrived we had to get up and get a menu as they never brought us one! read more

Was visiting a friend in San Antonio and asked her if there was somewhere we should check out, so we decided to give Ernesto's a try. We didn't have a wait, sat down and ordered margaritas (very good!), chips were brought out and we started perusing the menu. Ernesto's is Mexican with a heavy seafood influence. The owner, Ernesto, came out and after telling us about Ernesto's and the specials said "Let me choose dinner for you", so of course we did! We had an amazing dinner, starting with an appetizer, main course, dessert and then a Mexican coffee..would you believe we forgot to take pictures of dinner? it was that good!!! We did have a pic of dessert (a crepe drenched in caramel sauce with almonds), and the coffee... Can't say enough good things, the meal was wonderful and the service very attentive, we will be back! read more

Ernesto's Mexican Specialties - Mexican coffee and ice cream! - Mexican Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

See all

A great place for a special occasion. A rare restaurant that you can carry on a conversation, listen to pleasant background music, have good and caring service, and have really good food. read more

My first time here. It was slow (only a few tables) around 1230, which was nice. I had seen this restaurant a few times and was wondering if it was good so since I had an appointment in the area, I decided to go ahead and try it and I'm glad I did when I entered the restaurant owner Ernesto Jr greeted me and reviewed the menu and the history of the restaurant. He also pointed out all the special sauces they offered (makes me want to go back and try them all). I decided on the cod with a butter garlic sauce. It did not disappoint. It was cooked to perfection and the rice went so well with a cod. The rice seemed to have a slight buttery taste. It balanced out the meal. I had to sop up the butter sauce with the bread they brought out. It was so good. I'm glad I popped in for lunch and beat the crowd. It seems a bunch of regulars entered because it seemed he was familiar with the people coming in like they were repeat customers. I posted a picture of the menu which shows how affordable it is to eat here as well. I will definitely be back with friends. read more

See all

We read great reviews about this restaurant, so we were excited to try it. Service was a bit slow, but the family was friendly who are the owners. My wife had the seafood special and we both loved it. I had the Acapulco Kabobs and it had zero seasoning. I asked about it and owner said they only use the sauce...seemed odd and I completely hated my meal, as well as the response from ownership to being another sauce. Maybe it was an off day for the kitchen read more

Great service, delicious plates, and they were happy to push some tables together for our large party. Highly recommended.

Everything is perfect - food, service & great memories of when Ernesto (the father) was alive. His son is doing a great job.

This family restaurant offers fine service, very fresh seafood and a varied menu. This charming restaurant is tucked into the corner of a small center conveniently located near 410. I love this place as much for the people as for the food. Please save room for dessert! read more

This is what my dad's favorite places, he always talks about. How delicious is how awesome Ernesto is. So he took the whole family out for a special celebratory dinner. It was everything he said it was. The food was amazing, delicious, and very fresh. Because it's a Fusion place, there was a choice, different seafood sauces that he makes specially there on the premises. And all the ingredients were wonderful and very very fresh. I think Service was also amazing. I swear my waiter was psychic, I was just about to finish my tea. I looked over my shoulder and he was standing there with the pitcher ready to refill it. I had the Mexican special, which was that was steak so tender almost didn't need knife topped with avocado sauce. It also came with an enchilada and you could get a choice of green chili with chicken, which is what my father got and he really enjoyed it and I got the shrimp enchilada, which was very very delicious. It was filled with shrimp. Came with rice and beans and the rice was really tasty. For dessert I had the freshly made crêpes that morning. They came with a splash of Lacour and caramel sauce. They were so tender and light. They literally melted on your tongue. Really enjoyed them. I would highly recommend you coming to this amazing restaurant. It's super cute and they have a very nice intimate restaurant. read more

If you're looking for something unique and special, boy is this the place. I am one of these people that do not dine in chain, restaurants, or fast food, restaurants, Ernesto's is a cut above the rest. Fresh food from a scratch kitchen. No matter how many times I go to Ernesto's, the quality is the same, excellent, excellent, and excellent. Not only is the food delicious but also his fusion of French sauces with regional chilies makes for some of the best eats I have ever had. When I make such a sweeping statement, I'm including restaurants in New Orleans, Chicago, New York and other major cities in the mix. This is gourmet cooking at its finest. read more

Ernesto's is not just a restaurant -- it's an experience. From the moment we walked in, the warm hospitality made us feel like we were guests in someone's home. I ordered the Steak San Antonio with a shrimp enchilada. The steak was perfectly cooked, incredibly tender, and packed with bold flavors. The shrimp enchilada was the perfect complement delicate savory. Top-notch service and food that delivers on every level. Ernesto's is a must-visit. read more

I have to admit that I have been wanting to try this place for quite some time and decided Saturday night was the perfect opportunity. We walked in and were immediately greeted by staff (great first impression) . The lighting was dim but there were candles at each table really setting the mood for the environment of a relaxing dining experience. We were seated and provided with drink options (full bar). We had complimentary chips with green salsa and our waiter ESTEBAN was absolutely out of this world AMAZING . I am not sure where Esteban has worked in the past but I was blown away with his presentation and his ability to make you feel like you are the most important people in the world, he is wonderful! We were provided with the evening specials inclusive of the steak SanAntonio and we were then provided with menus to review. We decided to go with the steak SanAntonio and the other steak option on the specials for the evening. You can seriously cut into the steak with a butter knife!The steaks are tender and flavorful. We wrapped it up with a slice of chocolate cake drizzled in brandy (melts in your mouth...soooooo good!) I was truly impressed with Ernesto as he walked around greeting everyone really giving that personalized touch that is missing from most dining experiences these days...Ernesto was so polite and kind and he told us that we made the right choice by coming thru his doors tonight because he was going to make sure our dining experience was memorable. The food was outstanding from beginning to end! The flavors are unique and impressionable. The restaurant is perfect for a date night or any other reason you may have to eat great quality food with impeccable service. I haven't had a dining experience like this since I was in New York at a very expensive steak house so to say they are up there with with that level of service is a well deserved compliment. Trust me, get to this restaurant and enjoy every second, it is worth it! read more

See all

I have dined at Ernesto's for years! Before infusion restaurants were popular, there was Ernesto's. An infusion of French and Mexican foods with their 9 Butter Sauces. Ernesto Jr. is usually there to greet you and explain his menu. I took a group of retired colleagues there for lunch. We started with an appetizer of Shrimp Tropicana. Must of us ordered the shrimp enchiladas. If you are not sure of which sauce you want, Ernesto will know. Try this restaurant that has served San Antonio for over 30 years. It is a San Antonio treasure and their food cannot be found anywhere else. read more

Ernesto's Mexican Specialties - Shrimp Tropicana - Mexican Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

See all

Delicious from beginning to end!!!! When entering Ernesto's, we were warmly greeted and felt the love in the food!!!! This is not your typical run of the mill Mexican food--you really need to try it to believe how tasty it is!!!! I cannot rave enough about my entire dining experience!!!!! Try it -- you will not be disappointed!!!!! read more

So we drove by and found in a little retail strip a Mexican French fusion restaurant. There are no places like this in San Antonio, I have experienced this in Mexico City only. The difference is the sauce and the lighter touch on the staples( beans& rice). If you're looking for a colorful booze place with cheap eats this is Not your place. This experience is for a special occasion or that special someone, a celebration even. The meat is very tender and your choice of sauce will make the food a personal experience. The menu can be changed based on your preference so ask and you shall receive. The reviews on the staff are all true so no need to go over that. It's all excellent be prepared to be amazed and pleasured like never before. Ernesto's you are Amazing!!!!! read more

See all

It's ok. Very Nice people ...but talk too much about their history.. constantly .. food is ok. read more

This place was a real delight. Go here for the experience and good food is just an added bonus. We were surprised upon arriving and they did not start serving until 530pm on a Friday. Friends told us to go in and not worry too much about the menu but have a conversation with Ernesto. According to him it has been in business for 37 years. It is run by the son but formerly the father who was there enjoying himself and mingling with customers. There was live music from a long time friend of the owner. They sung, dance and enjoyed the experience. We did too. We completely trusted their recommendation. The food was really good. I would not call it amazing but the experience, company and pride they take in their product cant be matched. I had the Ernesto enchilada with the steak San Antonio. As an appetizer we had a crab crepe loaded with cheese and sabor. Experience and ambiance 5 stars Food was closer to 4. We will definitely return. The meal for the two of us which had two great meals, appetizers, music, tip and an experience was about $84. In my opinion it was money well spent for what we got in return. read more

Ernesto's Mexican Specialties - Steak San Antonio and Ernesto Enchilada - Mexican Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

See all

Ernesto learned to make sauces in Paris and used his French chef skills to create seafood dishes from Mexico's Baja Peninsula. You must eat at this hidden and unpretentious gem before you die. These dishes have nothing to do with Tex Mex. I first tasted Ernesto's food about forty years ago at another location. It was astonishingly served on a Styrofoam plate and was the absolute best meal I could afford at the time. read more

I first walked up and seen the sign also reads Ernesto Seafood Specialties and was like, 'Oh no'. I don't do seafood. I walked in and was greeted by Ernesto, and again I was like, 'What'd I get myself into?' Ernesto got me a beer and then a waiter got my order, not much on the menu that wasn't seafood. I ordered the steak San Antonio....WOW!! The food was amazing!! The steak cut without a knife and was so tender and delicious!! It comes with a green chicken enchilada, it too was really good! Don't let this little hole in the wall think you should keep going. The food was awesome and the service was too. Wasn't busy in there, but felt like I had the place to myself. Then Ernesto offered me their homemade Mango ice cream, I passed as I was full and not much of a mango guy. I would strongly recommend that you visit Ernesto! read more

Ernesto's Mexican Specialties - Steak San Antonio - Mexican Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

See all