3 for 3 to Please Any Palate

I recently made trips into three local mainstay establishments here in San Angelo or the surrounding area and had a really hard time figuring out which one I wanted to make a formal blog feature from. Each one turned out so unique and rich with history, people, food and drink, that I could not pick one and cut the other two. So I got crazy and made a bold executive decision…include all three of them in one blog post. Insane right? Good because you would be insane to miss any of these three hotspots. Be it craft beer, wine, and charcuterie pairing, or beastly burgers and wings. One of these if not all of them will tantalize your taste buds and your eyes as well. Read on and see what awaits you in this here town…

Grill-A-Burger (N. Chadbourne St)

This is an epic diner-style drive up and sit down joint that’s as old school as they come. The grill aroma alone lets you know you made a good life decision as you walk up to the joint. Retro 50s interior, music, memorabilia, all of it. The massive smash style burgers are the star here but do not overlook the famous (also massive) onions rings, huge steak fingers, meaty lemon pepper wings, or the crazy good homemade banana cream poke cake! Oh, and owner Katherine Martinez and her longtime sidekick “sister” Rose, are two people you better hope you get to meet on your visit. Trust me on this! November this year the business turns 5 years old and it ain’t going no place with grub like this to feed all of us hungry locals. Picture + video gallery.

Raw 1899 (Downtown)

This was actually my third time coming in here and each time it never fails to lead me to random engagements and stimulating conversation with other people at the bar and the staff members alike. Maybe it’s the carefully picked global wine list, the meticulously developed charcuterie boards for 2 to 6 people, the sophisticated decor from wall to wall. But maybe it’s just the two amazing woman business partners who own and run the dual art gallery/wine bar. Lisa and Thana. I knew I found something really different as soon as I met them and got the backstory on how this two for one wine bar + art gallery ever came to be what it is today. It’s named for the year the only surviving deed for the original building was constructed. The RAW comes from the Lisa and Thana’s concept to keep the art and wine bar vibe very 100% raw in principle. Meaning you see it, experience it, and feel it just as it is. I highly suggest trying the Opolo Zinfandel for a unique and amazing red wine. You will have 8 unique kinds of cheese and 9 types of cured meat to build your charcuterie board from so happy pairing with that! Oh and do not miss the mixed olives or Ken’s Pickles either! Picture gallery

Horny Toad Brewing Co. (Rowena, TX)

I nearly missed my once a month shot to get up here to Rowena (25 mintues drive from downtown) this month if not for a local friend gave me a 24-hour reminder that it was the first Saturday Open-House event they do here. from 12-6pm you have your one sole shot to come up and grab a pint (or two) or a flight of 6 craft beers made by head brewer and partner Michael McNeill. He and his wife have been at the helm since 2012 and at least as far as I know, since Covid matters first began, they have dropped to the once per month, first Saturday business operations. Even with the reduced days and hours of operation, it did not seem to keep the people from swarming in for some good local craft beer suds. A former gas/service station now converted to the brewery attracts many from San Angelo every month and I got to be part of it this time. Almost all the seating is outside with just a few inside tables and seats available. Of the 8 beers on tap, I tried all of them…do not judge me! I loved 2 of them, disliked 2 of them, and was so-so on the other 4. Chocolate cherry stout and Raspberry Sour are my favs! They have a food truck on-site every Saturday as well as live music playing the whole time as well. A way cool place to spend part of Saturday if you ask me. Picture and video gallery.

One last reminder…if you are not aware, I now have a Facebook group for San Angelo area foodies and drink fans (Tom Green County more so) which anyone in the area can join. Business owners, chefs, cooks, pizza tossers, brewmasters & pitmasters, food lovers, winos, beer-nuts…all of the above are welcome to join. We stand over 800 strong and welcome new faces and suggestions of where to eat and drink all around town.