Tito’s, oh Tito’s, how do I love thee Tito’s…
Located in an old grocery store off of the main drag, S. Alamo, in the King William area, Tito’s has been serving me up some great Mexican food since moving to the River City nearly four years ago. If you are a tourist and staying downtown, do yourself a favor and go just a little south (you can even take one of those old trolleys!) to eat at Tito’s. The food is far better than any Mexican food on the River and WAY cheaper. This will mean you will have more money for drinks and dancing afterward!
I order different things depending when I go. If I am going at lunch, I ALWAYS order the Enchilada Tejanas (TAY – han – as) lunch special with a unsweet tea. This is an incredible deal at $5.29 (with tax it is right under $6).
The salsa always has a very fresh flavor too it and is of a very fine texture that is not watery at all. It does have a bite to it, but it is a pleasant one, not one that will make you want to drink from a water hose (for that type of salsa ask for the green, guaranteed to clear up any allergies you might have!).
The enchiladas are of the cheese variety and are truly great; what separates them is the gravy (or sauce to you turistas) on the enchiladas. It is very rich, and often times has chunks of meat in it which gives it a good flavor. The rice and beans are superb too and compliment the meal. I often use the tortillas that are brought out (I think the second best in all of San Antonio) to make a taco to go with the meal.
If you are there for dinner with a friend and both very hungry, I recommend that you get the Pariallada plate and split it. Think fajitas, except it is every possible meat that could be grilled (fajita chicken, fajita beef, tocino, sausage, and shrimp) mixed with green pepper and onions; you will have PLENTY of leftovers.
Wash it down with a michelada which is a beer (go with Carta Blanca) on ice, with lime, Wostershire, Tabasco, and pepper. It has a nice spice to it (if you get Joaquin as your waiter as him to go easy on you!), but if you are a little scared, you can always get a chelada which is just beer, ice, and lime. I would not recommend the margaritas at Tito’s, but this is largely based on my preference for very tart and non-sweet/syrupy margaritas plus for the fact that the micheladas are so good.
Value: 8/10 (lunch is cheap (if you stick with the enchilada tejana special with a tea you are at $6 with tax — the best $6 you will spend in town), but dinner won’t be quite as cheap, but a good value)
Atmosphere: 9/10 (I like that I can sit outside on a chair on the sidewalk if the day is nice; inside often features exhibits from local artists)
Service: 9/10 (I like the service because they are friendly and have become friends; that being said, it may frustrate out-of-towners because it can be slow; just remember you are in the land of mañana)
Salsa: 10/10 (I could make a meal on their chips, salsa, and a michelada)
Taste: 10/10 (one of the better Mexican restaurants in the city)
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