DK Travel : San Antonio and Austin : Editor's choice

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Barbeque

Often spelled Bar-B-Que, or just B-B-Q, a good barbeque place will have stacks of oak, hickory, or mesquite wood to smoke-cook the meat. Sliced beef brisket is the traditional B-B-Q fare, but sausage, pork-ribs, and chicken are also available.
Beer and Wine

Breweries were established in San Antonio in the mid-1800s by German immigrants. Shiner Beer, a local favorite, is still brewed at the Spoetzl Brewery in nearby Shiner. Several former Texan Hill Country ranches grow French and German grape varieties, producing fine wines with labels such as Fall Creek and Slaughter-Leftwich Vineyards.
Chili

San Antonio claims to be the inventor of the state dish of Texas. Chili was once sold in Military Plaza by the legendary Chili Queens (see Military Plaza ). Traditionally, chili is a spicy stew with equal amounts of beef and peppers, and is known locally as a “Bowl of Red”. It is sometimes called chili con carne, meaning chili with meat. Traditional chili has no beans.
Enchilada

Corn or flour tortillas are wrapped around a filling of beef, chicken, cheese, or shrimp, and are served hot, smothered with a spicy-hot chili or mild gravy sauce. Enchiladas are often served with sour cream or guacamole. When ordered as a platter, they are usually accompanied by beans and rice.
Fajita

Fajitas are traditionally made with beef skirt steak, a very flavorsome cut of beef. Grilled strips of steak are generally served sizzling hot on a metal platter with flour tortillas, grilled onions and peppers, and condiments such as pico de gallo, sour cream, and cheese.
German Food

The German influence is evident in the cuisine in San Antonio. Sausage, sauerkraut, and potato salad are favorites. Sausage, or wurst, is as popular as Tex-Mex food at any local festival. New Braunfels holds an annual Wurstfest .
Kiddie Park

Young children laugh with delight on these 1920s-style original amusement park rides. The musical calliope trills as the 1918 antique merry-go-round spins, and the Little Dipper rollercoaster roars up and down the track. Cotton candy, popcorn, and hot dogs are aplenty see Kiddie Park ).
Magik Children’s Theatre

This outstanding repertory theater group produces performances especially for children and families, with 7 to 10 shows each year. Original plays as well as adaptations are performed.
Natural Bridge Caverns

Children love the whimsical cavern names, including the 350-ft 108-m long Hall Of The Mountain King and the stalagmite-filled Sher-wood Forest. Parents appreciate the wide, well-lit walkways on this tour. Above ground, they pan for bits of opal, amethyst, and other gems in the sluiceways of the Natural Bridge Mining Company, and for a fee get to keep the stones they find (see Natural Bridge Caverns ).
Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch

Feed animals, including ostriches, zebras, and llamas through the car windows and see many animals up-close. Come early in the day when there are fewer visitors and the animals will stay longer at your car, as they quickly move on to the newest car that comes along. There is also a petting zoo with small animals (see Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch ).