By Joe Sanchez Follow on Instagram @the_local_Foodie
and Hermes Jimenez follow @hermz_sa_food_dude
If you’ve found yourself in this page seeking those dishes to help you survive the front, then you’ve stumbled into the right spot. My fellow foodies, we have amassed a collection of essential winter warmers that are sure to get you through those cold days that are upon us. Old man winter himself would bend the knee at the sight of these warm comforting dishes. That is why this must be the list to keep in your back pocket to survive any cold & blustery day.
KUNG FU NOODLE: SPICY LAMB BOWL W/ THICK NOODLES
Kung Fu Noodle is a traditional Chinese hot broth and hand made noodle shop. Their bowls allow you to choose your protein & level of spice from 1-5 with 5 being the hottest. Located on Bandera Rd just outside the 410 loop, this bowl will bring warmth & comfort with loads of Asian spices and seasonings. No matter how cold the temperature is outside, the frost doesn’t stand a chance when your face hovers over one of these bowls. All noodles and dumplings are made in house and with larger than average portions for the price. Kung Fu Noodle is high on this survival list and an essential winter warmer in these cold times.
Location 6733 Bandera rd. Leon Valley TX, 78238 Hours: Tue - Sun 11am - 9pm
SAZON MEXICAN CAFE: TORTILLA SOUP
Sazon is a family owned local tex-mex joint that flourishes for many of their dishes. One that stands out is their award winning tortilla soup. This delicious soup packs a lot of shredded chicken, a nice homey broth and is topped with chips, avocado and cheese. This caldito is sure to melt even the coldest winter blast this year! Sazon is open 7 days a week!
Monday -Thursday 8am-2:30 pm Friday 8am-8pm and Sunday 8:30am-2:30pm They also have their own app and deliver!
9822 Potranco Rd Ste 110, San Antonio, TX 78251 Call them at 210-256-1500
Follow them on facebook and instagram @sazonmexicancafe
ASIA KITCHEN: TOMYUM SOUP
Asia Kitchen is a little hidden spot in a shopping center just off 410/Marbach. This is a mostly Thai centered place that offers the usual suspects when it comes to Thai cuisine. The frost killer that is housed in this little spot is their Tom Yum Soup. It’s a hot and sour soup that allows you to choose your spice level from 1-10 and pick either chicken or shrimp. This soup is herby and savory with tons of bits of green onion, mushrooms, and with the added spice it’s a broth that revitalizes and keeps you warm to the core. I once had this soup when I was as sick as a dog, with the heat level on 6, this thing opened me up and had me feeling like myself the very next day. I don’t very much care for cold weather, but having this bowl as an option in my survival kit, definitely makes a cold day a lot more tolerable.
Location: 1739 SW Loop 410 #201-204, San Antonio, TX 78227
Hours: Wed, Thur, Sun, Mon 11 - 9pm
Fri & Sat 11 - 10pm http://www.asia-kitchen.com/
CULEBRA MEAT MARKET (Babcock): MENUDO
The Culebra Meat Market on babcock has some of the city's best menudo. You can always count on that authentic Mexican flavor and is always fresh! This menudo has just the right amount of oregano and they always give you cilantro and onion on the side just in case you're feeling a little wild and want to add more flavor. Their salsas range from mild to spicy and VERY SPICY which is their avocado salsa. Go for the menudo and barbacoa and pick up some fajitas for the carne asada while you're there! This locations kitchen is currently open from Thursday to Sunday and they stop serving food at 4pm while the rest of the carniceria remains open. You can reach them at 210-877-5230 Located at 5500 Babcock Rd #109, San Antonio, TX 78240
TLAHCO: CONCHAS CON CHOCOLATE Y NATA
Tlahco is a traditional Mexican kitchen that offers traditional fare from the mother land. Up until this point the dishes have all been savory, but this kitchen houses one of the most comforting pastries and accompaniments that you can find in the city. The Conchas con Chocolate y Nata (with hot chocolate and house made whip cream). These Conchas come out fresh and warm and expel small subtle clouds of vapor as you tear into one. The key is to dip them in the Mexican hot chocolate and dollop a spoonful of that house made whip. What you have is a sweet hug of comfort that cares not of the weather outside. It’s warm, sweet solace that is sure to help you get through these bitter low temperatures.
Locations 2: 6702 San Pedro Ave, San Antonio TX, 78216 and 1662 Encino Rio, Suite 100
Hours: 7 days a week 8am - 8pm https://www.tlahcokitchen.com/
WOK THIS WAY: PHO
The Vietnamese PHO from local restaurant, Wok This Way, is made with a delicate and savory broth that takes 48 hours to make! This Asian cuisine joint takes the time on the details and that is what separates this place from many others. The soup can be made with shrimp, beef or chicken and even pork and tofu! Dine in, take out or have it delivered during this winter and I guarantee you this will not only keep you warm but it will also make you happy! Wok this can is located at 2411 NE Interstate 410 Loop #102, San Antonio, TX 78217 and you can place your order at wok-this-way.com or call them at 210-657-6666 @wokthiswaysa
CURRY BOYS: BRISKET SMOKE SHOW
Curry Boys BBQ is located in the strip off N.St Mary’s street. Their perfect pairing of South East Asian Curry meets Texas Style BBQ has garnered them tons of local love as well as national attention. The curry is a smooth velvety broth that highlights flavors of coconut milk and lemon grass. Perfectly cooked jasmine rice and Post Oak smoked proteins complete this flawless pairing. Listen, Texans love their Q, and this is a warm comforting way to get your fix while still keeping your bones warm. Add this one to your survival list, you won’t regret it.
Location: 2334 N. St Mary’s st. San Antonio TX, 78212
Hours: Wednesday- Sunday 11am - 9pm https://www.curryboysbbq.com/
Did your favorite Soup or go to winter dish make it? Let us know what we should have added to the list! Until next time, stay tuned for our foodie and local blogs!