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Ida Claire

4.3 (1.7k reviews)
ModerateSouthern
Closed • 8:00 am - 10:00 pm

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IDA CLAIRE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Trendy
Outdoor seating

Recommended Reviews - Ida Claire

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Spurs and OF
Emily A.

I had the opportunity to enjoy an evening at Ida Claire while a great friend was in town. We spent the night catching up over a delicious dinner and a selection of fine whiskey. As the weather unexpectedly turned and heavy rain began to pour, we decided to settle into the bar area and continue the conversation. Adding to the experience, a Spurs game happened to be on, creating an energetic atmosphere throughout the restaurant. While we were reconnecting, the excitement and intensity of the game had everyone's attention, making for a memorable and uniquely San Antonio evening. Ida Claire continues to be one of my favorite restaurants in San Antonio. The food, ambiance, and consistently exceptional service keep me coming back. Every visit delivers a welcoming and enjoyable experience, and this occasion was no exception.

Jennifer D.

Such a great restaurant, to enjoy brunch with friends or family. I really loved the atmosphere. The food is delicious and generously portioned. I loved that each person at the table received their own kettle for coffee refills.

Seasonal french toast
Darlene K.

Ida Claire absolutely lives up to the hype! Even on a Tuesday around noon, the parking lot was completely packed--which is always a good sign. Despite the crowd, the service was fantastic. Our server was training someone, and they both did an excellent job--attentive, friendly, and on point the whole time. The carajillo was clearly made with care (and a little love), and it showed in every sip. As for the food, wow--the fried green tomatoes were incredible, and the fried chicken stole the show. It was so dang juicy and full of flavor that I'm already thinking about when I can go back. It's definitely in my top five and is juicier than Thomas Keller's. Bonus excitement: Chef Marylou was there too! Huge fan moment and really cool seeing her run the show. The staff looked genuinely happy. Great food, great drinks, great service, and a little sprinkle of star power--easy 5 stars!

Check please
Doretta W.

Popped in for brunch. Decided to sit at the bar and take in a college hockey game at the same time. The bartender was nice .. somewhat helpful .. he was new. Love French press coffee .. refills on me. The grits are old fashioned ... yum and cooked right! The Monte Cristo was a little off today ... heavy handed on the ham, the bacon was barely cooked.

Frose', Refreshingly delightful!!!
Kassie B.

Started with the biscuit appetizer & they were just the right size cooked w/a nice outer crunch & the jam/honey the Perfect condiments. The Wine was Just right, and the entrees shrimp salad nice, fresh. The roasted chicken was so fantastic!!! Precision in regard to, the seasoning with just the right amount of salt. Yay! What a fabulous date night! Thanks Ida Claire! We'll be back!

Spicy fried cauliflower
Catherine L.

Repeat customer. Dine with a large group that made a table reservation in advance for a Saturday, 12 noon in January. The spicy cauliflower dish posted online was not on the table menu. The server arranged for the cauliflower appetizer. Delicious. I highly recommend. Great service. Parking is extremely limited so arrive early so you have time to park across the street at nearby lots and walk over. Prices in line with full service restaurant.

Ribs and cornbread
Zai A.

I've always heard about this place and was excited to try it. The decor was very different, cute in a quirky kinda way. The customer service was great. Our waitress was all smiles and bee very polite. she made some recommendations. most of the time I lean to the waiter/escorted recommendation of I don't already have something in mind. The presentation was great, however I was not impressed with the food. I got ribs abs cornbread . The ribs lacked seasoning and it was tough, the cornbread was so bland. I really wanted to love it but I had a few bites and didn't even bother to take a to go plate. I'm open to trying the restaurant again, hoping for a different result.

Your plate, cloth napkin and water
Tamara C.

Sorry I have not completed a review as this is my third time eating here....so one of the coolest ambiance in SA. You can table scan their menu or ask for a real menu.

Chicken & Waffles
Maya B.

A little over a year ago, I came here for dinner which left much to be desired. I was told brunch was better so I gave it a second chance. We came on a busy Saturday afternoon. Parking was scarce so I would make sure you arrive a few minutes prior to your reservation so you can secure a spot. We were seated a few minutes after checking in and then immediately greeted by our waiter, Zach. Zach was very informative about the menu and gave amazing recommendations (ex: adding and egg to the shrimp and grits). I was hesitant to get the steak and eggs because the old photo online didn't look very appetizing but he reassured me that the menu is updated yearly and the dish has greatly improved. As a coconut water lover, I had to try the hangover cure which was fresh and delicious. It was quite sweet so I added a little water to balance it out. The blueberry biscuit took me back to NC. They reminded me of an upgraded version of Bojangles Bo'berry biscuits. Delish! Lastly the steak and eggs were amazing. Steak was well cooked and seasoned. Grits were very decedent and creamy topped with goat cheese. Of course, the sunny side eggs were great too. This time, I did not experience any problems with long waits for my food or service. The restaurant was very clean and the music was at a decent volume. I highly recommend checking Ida Claire out for brunch.

Toilet with a metal chain that flushes the toilet.
Delores L.

When in San Antonio I try to visit family. Today I met my eldest brother for brunch at Ida Claire in the Quarry. My brother ordered the breakfast plate (bacon, scrambled eggs, hash browns and banana bread) and I ordered shareable biscuits (6 small biscuits) and Parmesan grits. We were both very pleased with our meals. My brother thought his eggs were soft scrambled perfectly, and bacon crisp and flavorful. His banana bread was delicious and flavorful as he shared some with me. He also commented how well seasoned the hash browns were cooked. My biscuits (only had two) were buttery and flaky...so delicious. They came with gravy, butter and strawberry jelly. My Parmesan grits were grainy and substantial with the Parmesan cheese giving a balanced flavor. One word for Ida Claire's is ecclectic - from table dividers with interesting statements and ceiling art and mirrors to plate walls to interesting wall art. You could actually experience sensory overload, in the most pleasant way. Alex, general manager, came over to check on us. This interaction was welcomed and appreciated. We were very fortunate to have Jack as our server. He was accommodating and attentive. He suggestions were spot on. My brother and I had not been to Ida Claire before today. However, we will definitely be back.

Shakshuka
Melissa B.

The food was amazing. I had the Shakshuka and my friend had the chicken and waffles. The plates were sever hot and had amazing flavor. Service was friendly and explained the menu. Can't wait to go back.

Ida's Biscuits
Sandra D.

Ida Claire never disappoints! First, make sure you have a reservation, because this restaurant is so good that it is always busy. Parking can be a little tricky, but you will find a spot, note: there is no valet. They have a beautiful patio for the cooler days, and you can even bring your puppies (Love that!) The have a bar, tables and high top tables, and the kitchen is open, so you can see the kitchen action. The food is definitely Southern Comfort Food, with biscuits made from scratch to chicken and waffles, everything feels like home. Their cocktail list has something for everyone. Our server was nice. Come and enjoy delicious food and have a great time!

Strawberry Matcha
Kaylee P.

Deja makes THE best strawberry matcha in the city hands down. No grit, no grassy flavor, not overly sweet, not stingy with the strawberry syrup. Just perfect. That's it that's the whole review :). -- Anyways the food was bomb, they're definitely back there using their seasoning. Service wasn't the fastest only bc we came during their breakfast to lunch transition. Other than that plenty of seating, super cute menus, theme is also neat. Went for bachelorette brunch & exceeded our expectations

Jalapeno Margaritas

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24 days ago

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2 months ago

Food was good, service was slow. Restaurant was very hot. Uncomfortable hot to the point of nausea while trying to enjoy a meal.

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Thank you for the excellent five star review!

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5 days ago

Amazing service and delicious brunch! Love that you can reserve in advance. Fun vibe.

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Ida Claire Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Ida Claire

Are the high top tables communal tables? :). Thanks :)

No, the high top tables are normally for larger parties 6 to 8 people.

Is this wheel chair friendly?

Yes, there is a wheelchair ramp to get to the entrance. They have a spacious outdoor dining area. Indoors, most of the aisles are wide enough for a wheelchair and there are a few family size tables that are easily accessible.

Do they have children's menus or kid options by any chance?

Yes!

Is the outside patio dog friendly?

I saw dogs on the patio the last time I sat outside. Of course the folks with dogs sat further away from the door as I think so no one has a tripping incident. Bob appetite.

I've never been and I see outdoor seating is available. I assume there is also indoor seating?

There is plenty of indoor seating. Nice atmosphere.

Can we reserve the airstream trailer for a party of 12?

I know you can reserve but not sure how many. You can call them to check to make sure. Cheers

Is the patio seating open for friendly pups?

Yes

Is it ok for kids?

Yah, there are always kids there My 9yr old love the food there!

Is there brunch on the weekdays?

Brunch is not served during week days although some brunch-like menu items are available.

Thank you for the helpful tips but there's no waitlist nor are they accepting reservations?

You can join the waitlist from Yelp

Do you have any Vegan options?

I called yesterday and they told me currently there are no vegan/vegetarian options

Looking to take a large group maybe 10 or more. Will they be able to sit us all together?

It might be a bit tricky, but I believe they would try. I would call ahead.

Has anyone been around 11am Sunday morning? Is it really busy?

That's a great time! They have inside sitting and outside. Great food!

Do they have vegan options?

Their menu is seasonal, so this answer may change, but YES, do they do have vegan options! The breakfast menu has a Superseed Granola plate. The lunch and dinner menus have a plethora of options including a sharable hummus plate, fried green… Read more

Do they have gluten-free options?

Yes they do.

How long does Vinyl Hour last?

3-6pm

View All 19 Questions

Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery

Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery

4.1
(1.9k reviews)
3.8 mi
•$$

This was my husbands choice for Father's Day and we celebrated on Saturday - ended up being a great…read morechoice! Always love the cool interior and service was fast and friendly throughout! We enjoyed some of their IPAs and began with grilled oysters which were delicious with quite the kick and their chilled cucumbers which were nice but would have been better if they were cut into smaller pieces as each piece was an entire spiral from the length of a cucumber - but they were still delicious! I got the snapper throats which is my absolute standout dish off their menu, my husband had the pork and my kids enjoyed the calamari and their pressure cooked chicken with biscuits - with their delicious house salad as a side as one is more than enough for 4! Perfect spot for Father's Day!

Had such a nice dinner here. The pearl area is so cute, there's lots of people spending time on the…read morelawn, the architecture is nice, etc. we were able to make a reservation for 5 people on the same day on a Tuesday, during a recent large conference in San Antonio many people were in town for. We walked thru the entire restaurant looking for the host stand (missed the main door) and it's so cool and historic inside, they have a long history there and are now Michelin rated. We sat outside, the little seating area is shaded. We started with drinks, i had the frozen pearlita which was so refreshing during the hot sticky weather. We also tried the seafood platter which was awesome. I had the snapper throat and crab Mac and cheese as my meal, it was so much food and so good. Such a bomb meal, had no room for dessert but would def come back

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Inside
Inside
Seafood Salad
Seafood Salad
House margarita

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House margarita
Southerleigh Haute South

Southerleigh Haute South

4.1
(591 reviews)
10.6 mi
•$$

We went back to Southerleigh for Restaurant Week last weekend. For $30, you got an appetizer,…read morechoice of main course, and a dessert. In my experience, Restaurant Week dishes were normally smaller portions, but not at Southerleigh! We ordered 3 Dinners and had enough for another two meals, and every bite was incredible. Chicken Cracklins: How these were not in a pool of grease and were perfectly crispy and seasoned was impressive but not a surprise, because Southerleigh knows how to fry chicken! Deviled Eggs: They're the devil because I could eat 12 of them and have no regrets. Creamy, nice bit of bacon on top, and absolutely delicious. Fried Pickles (GF): Y'all. I've never had fried pickles like these before. Perfectly crispy and not even a little greasy. Ranch was delicious, special sauce excellent. I could eat those fried pickles every day - my doctor would love it. Half Chicken (GF): Outstanding. I'm forever amazed but how good this GF chicken is. Unreal. 10/10. Chicken Wings: Fried Catfish: If you have a friend whose faces squishes up in disgust when you suggest fried catfish, take them here and get them this fish. Remoulade was perfect. But the crust on that fry and how light it was + how non-greasy or heavy that fried catfish was...there are no words. I could have eaten that catfish all day. What a treat! Top it off with great, friendly service amidst being sat with multiple tables at once, a wonderfully clean restaurant, and just another top notch experience, and I have decided that I'll need to bar myself from Southerleigh for a minute because I can only buy so many new pairs of bigger pants. Go and enjoy this comfort food, GF or not!

Unfortunately this was a no for us due to dry chicken, bland coleslaw, a salty greasy biscuit with…read moreraw spots, and an interior that amplifies noise. The flavor in the chicken batter was good and the coleslaw dressing was ok but there wasn't enough of it. The cocktail flights looked fantastic. Deviled eggs were ok. Service was weirdly inconsistent so maybe there was an issue today?

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Southerleigh Haute South
Deviled Eggs
Deviled Eggs
Exterior

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Exterior
Four Brothers

Four Brothers

4.2
(231 reviews)
5.0 mi
•$$$

Another great meal! Our server Brahim provided the perfect service: attentive, thoughtful, kind…read more Really enhanced our meal. For a starter we shared the cornbread with another couple and it was plenty for 4 people. If you are from out of town and looking for some Texas-shaped vittles or just want something substantial to stretch your meal I recommend it! Very tasty and filling. For my main I had the scallops with creamed corn risotto. It was a dainty portion but the flavors were nice. My husband had the short rib tagliatelle which he loved. It was very rich and filling. We had the buttermilk pie again for dessert and this time it tasted sweeter than I remembered. It was good but we couldn't finish it. Idk if it was my tastebuds or if it was different. Anyways still a great meal overall and we will be back!

We arrived in San Antonio after an 11+ hour road trip from New Orleans. By 7 pm hubs wanted dinner…read moreas soon as we checked into our hotel. Checked Yelp for dinner suggestions so Doc drove us to the paid lot next to where all the Cinderella lit up carriages drawn by horses were lined up. It seemed the boats going up and down the River portion of the Walk were busier. While we were walking I had my eyes open for a table with a view. We stopped at Four Brothers. The receptionist went over suggestions on the menu on her outdoor podium. Cornbread in the shape of Texas, shareable items like Dino ribs for $82, plus Pork Shank and ice tea completed our order. Everyone was very friendly. We had an exceptional view and we had more than enough food that we had to ask for take out boxes. My favorite was the Mac & cheese though I'm usually not a fan. This dish used cork screw shaped pasta and it was moist and not stuck together. I had to share a photo of it with Sweetie who is in Tokyo right now. Doc liked the pimento for the cornbread. As it was almost 9 pm we decided to pass on the boat ride but just walk on the other side with shops and more eateries. We're back on the road again tomorrow to Arizona.

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Four Brothers
Four Brothers
Four Brothers

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Carriqui

Carriqui

4.4
(751 reviews)
3.7 mi
•$$

I uploaded the pictures of these restaurant last year but somehow didn't write a review. Wow …read more. So where do I begin. I still remember how tasteful everything was. It was probably our most favorite place that we ate while in San Antonio. The ambiance was great, beautifully decorated restaurant with great service. The cocktails were delicious so we had a few. The food was flavorful and unique. We had a wonderful dinner with my family at Carriqui.

Great restaurant located near the Pearl and I love the fact that they have their own private…read moreparking lot. Y'know it's impossible to find street parking especially on the weekends normally. I had made reservations to meet some friends here for brunch/lunch 1145 am on a Sunday. This place is bigger than it looks! There's seating at the main building, plus a huge outdoor patio seating area, and an entire other building beautifully decorated. The hostess was welcoming and friendly and our server was excellent. We were seated in the other building near the windows. The menu wasn't huge, but just right with a few lunch and brunch items. After debating for a while of what to order, I decided on the Texas Gulf Shrimp plate. Agua Fresca of the day per our server was strawberry pineapple. Our server was able to water mine down slightly- since it was very sweet, but love knowing that it was freshly made. Complimentary chips and salsa always a plus, and we were able to order some spicy salsa to accompany at no charge. My shrimp plate was delicious! 2 skewers of nicely cooked and seasoned shrimp atop salsa with perfectly cooked cilantro rice and a fresh leaf salad. A half slices avocado accompanied my plate. Oh how I love avocados. I thoroughly enjoyed my plate. The chicken al carbon was also a good choice - half a chicken that was juicy, not dry. The avocado toast was beautiful and the pecan salsa was quite interesting. The female performers during our brunch in the room, made it very hard for all of us to have conversations. The volume echoed loudly in the room, so it was very hard to speak and understand each other. Although a great idea, maybe outdoor patio area might be more suitable. Beautiful space, great service, good food.

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The interior atrium above the Carriqui Bar brings fills the space with natural sunlight.
The interior atrium above the Carriqui Bar brings fills the space with natural sunlight.
Carriqui's award winning margaritas are perfect for good times and great stories.
Carriqui's award winning margaritas are perfect for good times and great stories.
Guacamole - simple, fresh, and perfect for getting started.

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Guacamole - simple, fresh, and perfect for getting started.
Pinkerton's Barbecue

Pinkerton's Barbecue

4.4
(1.2k reviews)
5.0 mi
•$$

My family and I recently visited Pinkerton's Barbecue, and it was an outstanding experience from…read morestart to finish. The employees were incredibly friendly and went out of their way to make us feel welcome. Great customer service like that really makes a difference. The food was absolutely delicious. The jalapeño cheddar sausage was a 10/10--full of flavor with a nice spicy kick that wasn't overwhelming. The regular sausage was also a 10/10 and just as impressive. The brisket was juicy, tender, and loaded with flavor in every bite. For sides, we tried the macaroni and cheese with bacon, and it was phenomenal. Rich, creamy, and easily one of the best sides I've had. The jalapeño rice was something I've never had before, and it was surprisingly unique and incredibly good. Overall, Pinkerton's Barbecue delivered amazing food and exceptional service. I'll definitely be coming back and highly recommend it to anyone looking for great barbecue.

Without a doubt, this is the BEST brisket and pork (glazed) ribs I've ever had! 10/10!! It melts in…read moreyour mouth and has incredible flavor!! The coleslaw was meh 2/10 - none of my friends liked it either. The potato salad and Texas beans were fantastic, but the bananas foster pudding was also disappointing. It was worth the wait (80 min) for the meat (they ran out of their beef ribs at 3:45pm). I would recommend calling in your order and skipping the line. You can pick up your meal and eat at one of the many available picnic tables! We were envious of the people who walked right in and got their food!

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Kitchen carving area
Kitchen carving area
IG: tonylameats | Sliced turkey, sliced brisket, pork rib, jalapeno sausage, mac n cheese, aunt may blueberry cobbler!
IG: tonylameats | Sliced turkey, sliced brisket, pork rib, jalapeno sausage, mac n cheese, aunt may blueberry cobbler!
Hot sides

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Hot sides
Snow Island Soul Food & Daqs

Snow Island Soul Food & Daqs

4.5
(73 reviews)
6.0 mi

Today we got the 3 plate meal (2 huge pork chops, 6 wings and meatloaf that could easily feed 2,…read morejust itself. Pur sides were brocc; oli cheese casserole and sweet potatoes!! Again, everything was on POINT!!!!! Will definitely coming back!!!

You can smell the aroma outside in the parking lot yall! Oooo I knew it was about to be good!…read more The establishment isn't very big so as you walk in you may just hit the line. I'd say maybe 8 tabletops. Chill ambiance and as we waited for our food, we all talked amongst ourselves. "Light skinned" took our order and was very easy going and friendly. Young fella was serving everyone's orders and is the cutest and responsible at his young age. Wait time will depend as your food is made to order, so it'll be fresh and piping hot! NOW the Big Backtivities begin as we are trying EVERYTHING we got! PLENTIFUL portions! All was SEASONED well as we had a party in our mouths! We left full WITH leftovers. I ordered a 3 meat plate - pork chop, fish, and meatloaf with dirty rice and greens, and cornbread! Added a side of yams. My wife ordered a 1 meat plate - wings with dirty rice and greens, and cornbread! All washed down with some Red Koolaid (which was sweetened to perfection)! Our second visit (2:/13) we happened to be in the area and had to stop by! "Light skinned" recognized this Big Back and welcomed us back! Young fella even recognized us too and was like you're back! Knowing how filling and portions being huge, we decided to share a 1 plate - wings extra lemon pepper, yams, broccoli cheese casserole, and cornbread. And of course the kool aid! 10/10 recommend! Thank you "Light Skinned" Melvin and the Young Fella "Nephew" for y'all's hospitality - we definitely are repeat customers!

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Menu
Menu
Chicken fried steak, mac and mash and corn bread
Chicken fried steak, mac and mash and corn bread
3 meat 2 sides plate..

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3 meat 2 sides plate..
The Smoke Shack

The Smoke Shack

4.0
(1.7k reviews)
2.6 mi
•$$

Great BBQ Before or After Sightseeing…read more Smoke Shack has become one of our go to spots whenever we have guests visiting. It is the perfect stop after showing friends and family the Alamo and the River Walk before heading back home. Just be prepared for a line because every time we have gone, there is usually one. It moves, but it is definitely part of the experience. Our go to items are always the lip smacking brisket. We order a pound of regular and a quarter pound of lean. Both are tender and flavorful. The ribs and sausage are also solid choices. For sides, we rotate between the well seasoned green beans, mac and cheese, beans and okra. All of them are excellent and you really cannot go wrong. Side note. I am not a fan of their corn. I prefer corn that leans sweet rather than spicy, so it is not my favorite. Next time I go, I already know what I want to try. Either the Brisket Sandy or the Brisket Grilled Cheese. Both look incredible. Smoke Shack is always a reliable stop for good Texas BBQ and a great place to bring visitors for an authentic taste of San Antonio.

Food: Brisket, fried okra, Mac and Cheese filled with…read morebrisket, and ribs . EVERYTHING I just mentioned was fresh, delicious, and ON POINT and I had enough food left over for dinner and a little leftover for the next day. I definitely got my money's worth. I went there after reading the reviews and having a taste for barbecue chicken. Unfortunately, there was no barbecue chicken or anything I planned to purchase while checking out the menu at the airport. However, I have no regrets and I will be back when I'm in the area. Service: I called while at the airport to make sure they had chicken and I was told yes. I immediately headed straight to the restaurant from the airport. It was my first visit to this restaurant and to be honest, I was a bit disappointed with the service. I wasn't immediately acknowledged. They ran out of everything I planned to purchase between the time I called and drove to the restaurant from the airport (short ride). The area where the condiments are stored was not as clean or organized as it should have been for a restaurant. There seemed to be enough staff to take care of it while I was there. Staff I came in contact with were nice and acknowledged with a smile when I was at my table. There is an area before arriving to the restroom that was not as clean as it should have been. The garbage can was running over with trash. Atmosphere: Loud, joyful, and family friendly environment. I met a family who were looking for a place to sit. I invited them to sit with me and it was great! I will be back the next time I am in the San Antonio area. I'm thinking positively . If you're in the area, check them out and give them a try. I did and I don't regret it. My next visit will be better.

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Menu Mar 2026
Menu Mar 2026
Potato Salad
Potato Salad
The Smoke Shack

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The Pigpen

The Pigpen

4.2
(339 reviews)
2.7 mi
•$$

If you're looking for a spot that balances a laid-back "neighborhood bar" vibe with an environment…read morethat actually welcomes the whole family. ​The bartenders are exceptionally efficient and friendly. Despite the crowd, they kept the rounds coming without breaking a sweat. ​The standout feature for parents is undoubtedly the children's play area. It transforms the outing from a "quick drink" into a genuine family get-together where the adults can actually relax and converse while the kids stay entertained. ​The food is served via on-site truck options, and the quality is impressive. Even with a large order, everything was served quickly and arrived hot. Here's the breakdown of what we tried: ​Brisket Nachos: Heavy on the brisket and perfectly layered. ​Chicken Tenders: Crispy, juicy, and a hit with both the kids and the adults. ​Tacos: Fresh flavors and great portions. ​Fried Okra: The perfect salty snack to pair with a cold beer.

The service left a lot to be desired. We were there for a late lunch so maybe we caught a between…read moreshifts... The ambiance is exactly what you'd expect for a kind of seedy but welcoming bar (if that makes sense). The food was good. Asian chicken slider was the best. Had a great flavor and was a big tender. The brisket quesadilla was okay - the brisket wasn't as flavorful as I would like and the cheese wasn't fully melted. The wings were good, but I still can't rationalize $12 for 6 tiny wings... but again good flavor and well cooked. And the fries were solid - crispy and hot and well seasoned. Would go back again and get the slider and fries and try more stuff.

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The outdoor bar!
The outdoor bar!
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Outside bar

Ida Claire - southern - Updated June 2026

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