Savory barbacoa and weekly Volkswagon hangouts at Rios Barbacoa - Southtown

SAN ANTONIO - Rios Barbacoa - Southtown is the recipient of News 4's April Blue Plate Award with mouth-watering barbacoa and a perfect health inspection score.

Located at 2316 S. Flores, Rios Barbacoa - Southtown has become a neighborhood favorite since its opening in 2019.

"I tell my friends, I don't need to go all the way to Mexico anymore for good barbacoa, I can just go down the street," said a proclaimed regular as I was setting up my camera. "We come here all the time."

Viva banners mark the outside of the building, with a warming welcome sign by the front door. Once inside, you'll find eye-popping, eclectic wall art, a photo-worthy metal sculpture saying "Southtown," and a collection of Volkswagon paraphilia, which the owners, Lenny Ann and Beto Chavez, happily collect.

Lenny Ann and Beto opened Rios Barbacoa - Southtown in 2019, right before COVID-19 hit the nation. They moved from their original location, off Probandt, to their current location late last year. After a few months of construction, which the family did themselves, they reopened their doors in January of 2024.

Rios Barbacoa has a longstanding family history with San Antonio. Lenny Ann's grandparents started the business in the 1970s. Since then, multiple locations have opened around San Antonio, each owned by members of the family, with their own flare.

The Chavez's menu features delicious, perfectly cooked barbacoa, tamales, menudo, beans, and Beto's chicharrones en salsa. The family typically spends their Friday night prepping and cooking meat, and the time and love they put into their product is evident in every bite. You'll have to get there early to enjoy it though, they typically sell out, especially on Sundays.

In their free time, Lenny-Ann and Beto enjoy collecting and restoring Volkswagons and memorabilia.On Sundays, they host a Volkswagon get-together. Members gather for lunch and cruise around Southtown once the restaurant closes.

Rios Barbacoa -Southtown is open Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.