Let's Eat: The Best Bites in San Antonio

Imagine having only 12 hours to taste a dozen of the best bites in a city you don’t live in. That’s the premise of Amazing America TV’s “Let’s Eat”. It’s also my reality 24 hours after landing in San Antonio, Texas armed with just my phone and my boss’s American Express company card.

My name’s Monti Carlo, and I’m obsessed with trying the best bites in America. My sidekick/cameraman, Brandon Kong, and I only have 12 hours to taste the most recommended dishes in the Alamo city, but we’re up for the challenge.

Our list consists of a dozen menu items nominated by local food folks and industry insiders. I don’t shy away from checking out popular spots (let’s face it, they’re popular for a reason), but I also love the hidden gems, the spaces where chefs are pushing boundaries, and the mom-and-pop operations that are local culinary institutions.

One of the true stand outs in San Antonio is Curry Boys BBQ. I'm a meat and potatoes person to the core, and I’ve eaten a lot of good BBQ. But the Thai-Texan fusion showcased in the "Brisket Smoke Show” was mind-blowingly good. The brisket was perfect: smoky and tender with a vibrant bark. The coconut milk-based green curry was delicately floral yet powerful enough to cut through the fattiness of the beef. In short, a total revelation. For me, some of the most exciting food happens when cultures collide.

Southerleigh in the Pearl District also gave us some unforgettable dishes. The vibe was a little more refined than many of the other places we visited, but still authentically San Antonio. The award-winning restaurant is housed in the historic Pearl Brewery building and showcases coastal Texan dishes like “Snapper Throats”. These delicately battered fried snapper collars were executed with the kind of finesse that leaves you with thunderously crunchy results. The deviled eggs, prepared with a velvety bacon jam and tangy pickled mustard seeds, brought a hush over our table. They were literally too good for words.

But then, as always, some of the real magic happened at the smaller spots. La Fogata's Birria? Forget about it. The generations-old recipe is served in a giant bowl with warm corn tortillas and a side of pure, unadulterated love. Every bite connects you to the family that created it.

Then there was Ro-Ho Pork and Bread’s Torta Ahogada, one of the best sandwiches I've ever had, period. It was messy, it was flavorful, and it was a testament to the power of simple ingredients prepared with excellence and a chef's dedication to showcasing his heritage. What I love the most about "Let's Eat" is that it’s more than a list of amazing dishes. It’s a look behind the food and the people who make it. It’s about the communities they build and the cultures they celebrate. The show is chock full of perfect bites, shared laughs, and the feeling of belonging that comes from tapping into a city's food culture.

We're hitting a new town every month and you don't want to miss it. Subscribe to @AmazingAmericaTV on YouTube, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok @amazingamericatv. Get ready to see America through the lens of its hyper-local cuisine. Trust me, it's a deliciously wild ride.