Picante Grill - San Antonio

The Picante Grill restaurant is located right in front of the Witte Museum, so if you're planning to visit, you have a good reason to eat here. It has received good reviews from magazines, and they serve chiles en nogada; this alone is reason enough for me to go there. By the way, it's not in the city center. To get there, you'll need to drive or take bus lines 8, 9, or 14. When I arrived, the dining room felt familiar: there were few people dining, no music or at least I don't remember any, which is a good sign, soft conversation and low light. They have another room with large windows on one of the walls, and therefore much more light, but I preferred the intimate atmosphere. I had been told that the staff didn't speak much English, and I could see for myself that all the staff were Hispanic. As soon as I sat down, they brought me a basket of warm nacho chips and spicy salsa. The chips were warm and the salsa seemed homemade, very good. I ordered a chile en nogada; it's my favorite dish and very difficult to find outside of Mexico. The service was surprisingly quick, in about 7 minutes I had my food on the table. However, the chile didn't meet my expectations. It was good, but too sweet, and the presentation was nothing special either. That's the downside of having eaten them in Puebla, I know the others will never measure up... On the bright side, it comes with rice, beans, and salad. In addition, they serve it with handmade tortillas, warm and thicker than industrial ones, so you can make some tacos after the chile. The chile en nogada costs $14, but I took a look at the menu and the rest of the dishes are quite affordable, with enchiladas at $8 or $9 as a reference.

This restaurant is a peaceful spot with not many customers. Despite there being only one waiter, he was very friendly and attentive. The cashier was also welcoming. The food was delicious, with a wide selection of enchiladas and sauces. We tried the chicken enchiladas in Verde sauce and the carcerola chipotle, which turned out to be surprisingly delicious. The borracho beans served with the carcerola were tasty as well. The salsa served with the chips was also a hit. We will definitely be returning to this place.

Came for lunch after visiting the Witte. It's walking distance and we were hungry lol. It was almost empty. There seemed to be only one server but he was so helpful and funny and very friendly. The food did take a tiny bit long but we ordered from the grill and there is a warning on the menu that it might take 20 mins. We ordered the chicken fajita nachos for an app and I ordered the Tuesday chicken fajita special for 7.99 for me and my daughter, delicious and plenty of food. My daughter drank a lemonade that took a while to get there but they let us know it was fresh squeezed and it was DELICIOUS! My boyfriend ordered the Bistek a la Mexicana and really really enjoyed it! Overall the service was great and food really good. I regret not getting dessert though they sounded really good.

If you are seeking authentic Mexican cuisine, this place is a little slice of heaven. The atmosphere is peaceful and the menu offers a wide variety of options. The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful, and the meal I had was absolutely delicious. I highly recommend checking it out.