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Guide to San Antonio

Tamales and salsa

You know that a tamale is only as good as the salsa paired with it, and you refuse to settle for anything less than a proper match.

Based on 665 Opinions
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Updated May 2026
01
Morenita Barbacoa image 1
Morenita Barbacoa image 2
Morenita Barbacoa image 3
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Mexican restaurant

Small, cluttered space with a cramped dining area and a casual, homey vibe. Cash-only spot known for authentic barbacoa, huge tamales, and flavorful menudo. Quiet early mornings with plenty of parking, often overlooked due to lack of signage.

Tamales come huge and very filling with lots of meat that is not blended. They offer a flavor and size close to homemade versions and provide good value for the price.

Two big salsas come with the tortillas, both known for being fire. The hottest salsa is hot but good, complementing the fresh ingredients like meat and avocados.

People are saying

"These tamales are flavorful and packed with meat."

"I thought the salsa was the best I had."

"The tortillas here are fresh and delicious."

Good to know

1

The restaurant is cash only, so stop at an ATM beforehand.

2

They are only open on weekends, so plan your visit accordingly.

3

Expect a late-night option as they stay open after 1pm.

02
La Calavera Garbancera image 1
Mexican restaurant

Mexican restaurant with colorful, vibrant decor and authentic atmosphere reminiscent of Mexico City and traditional kitchens. Music adds to the lively, welcoming vibe that feels like stepping into a scene from a Coco movie. Regulars enjoy refreshing micheladas and delicious, authentic dishes like tacos and pozole.

House-made tamales stand out with red pork and green tamale options. They come with a variety of salsas and are served in generous portions.

Salsas come in three types: mild green, hot orange, and very hot red. They offer a perfect blend of heat and tanginess that pairs well with juicy meat and tamales.

People are saying

"The food here is amazing, especially the tacos and tamales."

"The house-made salsas are full of flavor with varying spice levels."

"The tamales here are amazing and made in-house."

Good to know

1

Karaoke starts at 5 PM and runs until closing.

2

Mixed drinks are available after 5 PM.

3

The restaurant offers authentic Mexican food made from scratch.

03
Rios Southtown Barbacoa image 1

Cozy space with artsy decor and a welcoming atmosphere feels like a family gathering spot. The place serves moist, flavorful barbacoa and fresh tortillas, often running out of popular items early. Limited seating encourages quick visits or takeout, with a separate area offering coffee and drinks.

Tamales come with tasty flavor and pair well with barbacoa. Availability can vary, sometimes limiting orders to one portion.

Two kinds of salsa offer a lot of flavor. The green salsa stands out as highly recommended and pairs well with menudo.

People are saying

"The Mexican food here, especially the barbacoa, is outstanding and not greasy."

"The barbacoa here is amazing, not too fatty or greasy."

"The barbacoa tamales are outstanding, not greasy, and have great flavor."

Good to know

1

A pound of barbacoa costs over $20, which some may find expensive.

2

No corn tortillas or salsa come with the order; they cost extra.

3

Barbacoa and menudo often run out by 10:30 A.M., so arrive early.

04
Victoria Tortilla & Tamales Factory image 1

Spacious takeout spot with a few tables and a small parking lot, often crowded with a fast-moving line. Atmosphere is busy and efficient, with a dedicated pickup line that eases wait times. Known for affordable prices, exceptional tamales and barbacoa, and a clean, well-organized environment.

Pork tamales stand out for their excellent flavor and quality. The tamales consistently pair well with barbacoa and flour tortillas, making them a popular choice for breakfast or any meal.

Salsas here come in green and a unique one that looks like guacamole. They are consistently just right in flavor and often come in generous portions with orders.

People are saying

"These tamales taste homemade and are delicious."

"The salsa here is delicious and well-seasoned."

"I found the carnitas to be the best in the city."

Good to know

1

The place is a stop-and-go spot without a seating area to dine in.

2

The price of $11.50 a dozen is very affordable.

3

Pickup is easy with a dedicated line and no wait.

05
Tacos El Jarocho Veracruzano image 1

Mexican taco stand offers authentic flavors with juicy, well-seasoned tacos and homemade salsas. Family-run setup has a friendly atmosphere but no seating, focusing on takeout. Prices stay affordable while serving traditional Veracruzano dishes like birria and tamales.

Tamales veracruzanos come with rich flavors and sometimes include Acuyo leaves for extra taste. They pair well with street tacos and offer a solid, flavorful option.

Homemade green and orange salsas offer phenomenal flavor. The green salsa stands out as delicious, paired with friendly service.

People are saying

"The Birria tacos here are delicious and packed with flavor."

"The homemade salsas here have phenomenal flavor."

"I found the tamales with Acuyo leaves to be very flavorful."

Good to know

1

Prices for tacos are around $14.99 for five with charro beans.

2

There is no seating available; it's primarily a takeout option.

3

They offer a variety of authentic Mexican flavors, including birria.

06
Pepe's Molino image 1
Tamale shop

Barbacoa stands out with exceptional flavor and is served hot alongside fresh tamales rich in meat. Green salsa adds a distinctive complement to dishes, while menudo offers a hearty, traditional taste. Prices remain affordable for the quality provided.

Tamales come fresh and flavorful with pork and chicarron options standing out. They are not greasy and have balanced seasoning, making them enjoyable alongside barbacoa.

Green salsa stands out with its exceptional flavor and perfect complement to dishes. It often becomes the favorite choice for many.

People are saying

"The barbacoa and tamales here are so fresh and flavorful."

"The tamales here are so good and fresh."

"I thought the green salsa was our favorite."

Good to know

1

Reservations are recommended during peak dining hours to avoid long waits.

2

The restaurant offers a daily happy hour from 4-6pm with discounted drinks.

3

Parking is available on-site, but fills up quickly during weekends.

07
La Monita Tortilleria image 1
Mexican restaurant

Small, mom-and-pop Mexican spot offers authentic tamales and barbacoa with a clean, immaculate environment. Lines form early, especially on Sundays, but move quickly in this pickup-only setup. A lively vibe includes staff singing, adding a personal touch to the experience.

Tamales have a balanced amount of meat and are not overly salted. They taste best when hot and fresh, with excellent seasoning and consistent quality across visits.

Salsas come in green and big red varieties, with the toxica salsa offering a spicy kick. Small cups of green salsa accompany dishes like tamales and barbacoa, enhancing their flavor.

People are saying

"I highly recommend the tamales here; they're the best in town."

"The barbacoa here melts in your mouth with fresh corn tortillas."

"The salsa here is excellent, just like the tamales."

Good to know

1

Expect a 45-minute to one-hour wait on Sundays due to high demand.

2

La Monita Tortilleria is a pickup-only place with no seating available.

3

Arrive early to avoid selling out of popular items.

08
Con Amor Cocina image 1
Mexican restaurant

Mexican restaurant offers a homey atmosphere with cozy decor and a family-oriented vibe. The space feels quiet and welcoming, with ceiling fans helping to keep it comfortable despite some warmth. Self-seating and fast casual setup create a relaxed, unpretentious environment.

Pork tamales come with rich filling and pair well with coffee. They often arrive alongside stuffed chilaquiles, making a hearty combo.

Fresh, house made salsa comes with thick, perfect chips. Options include a hot salsa de chime de arbol and a generous serving of queso en salsa.

People are saying

"The food here is really good and amazing."

"The salsa here is thick and house-made."

"I found the tamales here to be delicious."

Good to know

1

Parking is available in front of the restaurant and along the side street.

2

They charge a fee for credit card payments.

3

All food is made fresh daily, so expect some wait time for orders.

09
Del Rio Tortilla Factory. image 1

Tamale shop with authentic Mexican flavor and spotless, orderly setting. Energy builds early as products sell out quickly, attracting a steady flow of customers. Known for best tamales and tortillas in the area, it operates as a takeout-only tortilleria with great parking nearby.

Pork tamales stay consistent and very tasty with a no-nonsense style. Prices come in better than most places while delivering delicious flavor that competes with any others.

Fresh, really good salsa comes with tamales and corn tortillas. Green salsa pairs well with barbacoa and jalapenos.

People are saying

"I thought the tamales here were the best in San Antonio."

"The tortillas here are soft and tasty."

"Their salsa was so fresh and really good."

Good to know

1

The restaurant is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

2

Reservations are not required, but calling ahead is recommended.

3

Expect to arrive early as they sell out of products quickly.

10
Martinez Barbacoa Y Tamales image 1
Mexican restaurant

Cozy Mexican restaurant offers authentic barbacoa and tamales with generous portions at affordable prices. The atmosphere is quiet and welcoming, with no English spoken, emphasizing a traditional experience. It operates only on weekends and attracts early crowds due to fast sales.

Tamales come fresh and packed with flavor, often served alongside barbacoa and chicharrones. Options include pork and beans, and they pair well with corn and flour tortillas.

Salsa comes in red and green varieties and tastes very good. It often accompanies barbacoa deals with tortillas and soda.

People are saying

"These tamales are some of the best I've had in years."

"I got a great deal with my barbacoa, including salsa."

"I loved the barbacoa tacos; they were the best."

Good to know

1

The restaurant is only open on weekends.

2

Martinez Barbacoa Y Tamales opens early on Sundays.

3

Parking is available in the back with security cameras.

11
Tortilleria La Grande image 1
Mexican restaurant

Mexican eatery offers homemade tortillas and large, flavorful tamales with generous meat portions. Atmosphere feels like visiting family, with affordable prices and specials that support budgets. It operates as a takeout spot, known for exceptional barbacoa and authentic pairings like Big Red soda.

Tamales here are large and meaty with a flavor that stands out. They come with green salsa that complements the taste well, and the price is reasonable for the quality and size.

Green salsa offers a spicy kick that pairs well with tamales and barbacoa. Fresh salsas and pico de gallo come with meals, with red salsa complementing spicy beans nicely.

People are saying

"I found the tamales here to be pretty delicious."

"The green salsa was a bit spicy and complemented the tamales."

"I loved the barbacoa and salsa with the tortillas."

Good to know

1

This place is not a dine-in restaurant.

2

The fresh batch of corn tortillas is only available on Thursdays.

3

The price for a dozen tamales is $17.

12
Tamalitos image 1
Restaurant

Small restaurant with a cozy atmosphere and beautiful interior offers a relaxing vibe enhanced by music. It serves authentic Mexican food with large portions and reasonable prices. The place stays clean and well kept, creating a comfortable dining experience.

Tamales here are big, moist, and flavorful, not the typical skinny style. Bean tamales stand out as fantastic and delicious, often served in a plate with cheese enchilada, rice, and beans.

Green salsa stands out for its mild flavor and freshness. Both salsas served with chips are flavorful and consistently delicious.

People are saying

"I found the tamales here to be delicious and flavorful."

"The homemade tortillas are soft and fluffy."

"I found the green salsa to be wonderful."

Good to know

1

Parking at Tamalitos is limited, which may be a drawback during busy hours.

2

Tamalitos offers daily specials that are posted on a board.

3

The restaurant has a reputation for cleanliness, including well-maintained bathrooms.

13
Pepe's Barbacoa image 1
Tamale shop

Small take-out spot with a family-owned and homey atmosphere. Known for fresh barbacoa and tamales served with corn tortillas and hot sauce. Cash-only and accessible, it draws those seeking authentic flavors in modest portions.

Tamales come out delicious and on point here, especially the barbacoa tamales. Many find them the best compared to other spots.

Salsa comes with the all-meat Barbacoa and corn tortillas. It complements the limited menu focused on barbacoa, chicharrones, and taco toppings.

People are saying

"I thought the barbacoa was the best Mexican food I'd had in years."

"The barbacoa, corn tortillas, and salsa were on point."

"I thought the tamales here were the best."

Good to know

1

Pepe's Barbacoa accepts only cash; ATMs are available nearby.

2

They open as early as 6:50 AM on weekends.

3

The price is $10 for half a pound and $17.95 for 1 pound.

14
TAQUERIA ELRANCHERO DE JALISCO image 1

Tex-Mex restaurant offers quiet, family-friendly atmosphere with creative table artwork enhancing the dining space. Food arrives quickly and features generously filled tacos and an extensive menu from breakfast to dinner. Cleanliness and bilingual staff contribute to a well-kept, welcoming environment.

Tamales come with pork or chicken fillings and hold up well in flavor. They taste better than many other options and stay delicious even after some time.

Tasty salsa stands out here, especially the green salsa which is fire. La Puntada on Goliad Street shows how a proper ranchera salsa is made.

People are saying

"I thought the food here was genuinely authentic and tasty."

"I heard the tamales here are delicious."

"I thought the green salsa was fire."

Good to know

1

Plenty of parking is available, but the area can be congested.

2

Food arrives quickly after ordering.

3

The menu features a wide variety of options from breakfast to dinner.

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