Pappasito's Cantina

210-775-6511

10501 W IH 10 San Antonio, TX 78230

www.pappasitos.com

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A local favorite for affordable Tex-Mex feasts in a festive atmosphere.

Categories:

Catering Companies, Restaurants, Banquet Rooms

Details:

$, Family-Friendly Dining, Group Dining, Live Music, Local Favorite, Lunch Spot, Outdoor Dining, People Watching, Private Rooms

Message from Pappasito's Cantina

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Pappasito's Cantina, a Tex-Mex favorite, has been voted Number One Mexican Restaurant repeatedly in publications across Texas. Pappasito's is famous for Texas-size portions of sizzling fajitas, margaritas and some of the best chips and salsa north of the Rio Grande! We always have great specials at Pappasito's - visit our website to see our current offers http://www.pappasitos.com.

Editorial by Citysearch

In Short
Since the first Pappasito's opened up in Houston, sightings of the restaurant have surged. Locations are airplane hangar-sized and decorated like border-town cantinas. Brace yourself for the noise, circus-like atmosphere and, during peak times, a long wait. But who can fault sizzling platters the size of manhole covers and reliable Tex-Mex fare? Signature dishes include fajitas, pork ribs, mesquite-grilled quail and shrimp diablo. Fair tabs make it a good value and service is indefatigable.

The Inside Scoop

  1. The Extras - Planning a party? Book the 50-person private room and select your party fare from Pappasito's catering menu.
  2. Where to Sit - If strolling mariachis who sing "La Bamba" every five minutes gets tiresome, escape to the pleasant patio.

Editorial and merchant content by Citysearch

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Insider Pages Reviews for Pappasito's Cantina

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Pappasito's Cantina has remarkable fajitas

by Neal R.

I'm Texas born and bred and raised near San Antonio. Tex-Mex is my favorite food and always has been. The Fajitas here are remarkable. They use skirt steak, as is tradtional, but use a special tenderizing process that makes it not only tender, but with a texture of a filet. Very unusual for skirt steak but a treat if you like that texture in your fajita meat. Tortillas are also great here. It can be a little crowded during prime-time and a little more expensive than is typical for Tex-Mex but well worth it just to experience the fajitas. Treat yourself also and get the colossal shrimp (in several optional styles) with them.

Posted 07/26/09 | Report Abuse

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Father's Day Failure

by Wm. B.

Father's Day Failure. For the past six or seven years, my family and I am sure a very substantial number of families have made Pappasito's their Father's Day meal choice. I know that my family and likely all of the other families have looked forward to receiving the unique mug each dad has received for this annual occasion. It was a really, really deflating experience for me and I know from what the waiters and waitresses said many other dads that this small token was discontinued 'supposedly for economic reasons.' Frankly, who or whomever made this decision was quite frankly an idiot. If costs was a factor, then some token increase on this day for margaritas or beers would have covered it. I think it's real tragic that the company obviously did not understand that this token item is a daily tangible reminder of fatherhood and the obvious tie-in to the Pappasito's experience. I just find it amazing that this was not appreciated fully by the organization. Sadly, I, as many dads, may not feel the anticipation and eagerness to make this their full family Father's Day experience. (Incidentally, the extreme lateness of the meal served and the General Manager's voluntary visit to our table, but polite refusal to, at least, rerfresh my wife's wine glass upon her inquiry amid the rest of the table not seeking any additional drink at all was also, from a business perspective, incompetent. Regrets

Posted 06/23/09 | Report Abuse

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Pappasitos

by T. W. | insider_guru Insider Guru | Rank: 217

Pappasitos is always a favorite - relaxed casual atmosphere - I love their enchiladas - the best anywhere. They also have great fajitas. Never had bad food here.

Posted 02/25/08 | Report Abuse

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Excellent Food

by Dawn H. | insider_expert Insider Expert | Rank: 4,536

While Pappasitos is not truly Mexican, it is one of the best Tex-Mex restaurants you will ever eat at. The fajitas are to die for. They are a little more expensive then other restaurants but you get a ton of food. My only complaint is that you get so much food you never have room for one of their fabulous desserts so sometimes you just have to go in ONLY for coffee and dessert so you can sample them. I have never been disapointed in any of the PAPPAS chain restaurants and I think you won't be either.

Posted 12/29/05 | Report Abuse

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Latest reviews from Citysearch.

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If you aren't in a hurry and don't care about the service or the food, this is your restaurant.

by Tward42

We arrived at 6:00 Sat evening. Very busy. We are told 45 minute wait. It was obvious from the start that this was not to be the case. After an 1 1/2 hour we asked about the status of our table. We were told 3 more people in front us. Unfortunately, they told the same thing to the next 3 people that asked. The hostess was flustered and very tired of answering inquiries about the status of customers wait, and didn't care if you knew that. We were finally seated at 7:50. The waiter was extremely friendly and apologetic. The food was just okay. Honestly, at the point we have been at the restaurant for 2 hours and 40 minutes, the food didn't have a chance of tasting good. Absolutely NOT worth the wait or the price. Even after we were seated, it was another 40 minutes before our food arrived. My only regret is the rating system requires me to give ONE star. Otherwise, it would be Zero.

Pros: Very festive.

Cons: You might need an overnight bag.

Posted 05/02/08

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Good Beef Fajitas

by vq13

I have to say, I am very picky with beef fajitas. These are just really, really good. They are not chewy or tough, they are tender and just great. Everytime I go there I always get good service and food. I can honestly say I have never had a bad experience. Even when they are packed! The shrimp enchiladas are GREAT. yum. Ok...its not your typical tex-mex food...but its really good. Its a little pricey but worth it. The tortillas are excellent, the salsa that comes with the chips is not very good but oh well. everything else is.

also for dessert, try the chocolate capirotada (like a chocolate bread pudding in the shape of a brownie)! It comes with mexican chocolate ice cream (has cinnamon in it). It is SO GOOD.

Pros: everything

Cons: too loud sometimes

Posted 10/29/07

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Great fajitas

by buffbabes

The beef fajitas are great. the charro beans are good too. The rice is average. If you get the large fajitas it is a good dinner for two with leftovers. I also had my rehearsal dinner here for my wedding and the food came out when they said it would and was delicious. Even when its slammed (which is always) the service is still stand up. Oh yea also- try the spicy beef queso- yum!

Pros: fajitas, margaritas

Cons: loud

Posted 01/11/07

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Cold Beer, Great Shrimp Brochette & Tortillas and Sopapillas

by rver

Friday dinner hour but excellent service regardless of the large crowd. Yes, portions are large and very tasty. We had a combo (enchiladas, taco, tamale) and fajitas + shrimp (stuffed with cheese, jalapenos and wrapped in bacon) and all were good. The shrimp were super and the weakest item was the beef fajitas. Taco shell was so-so but I prefer other than pre-cooked crispy shells. Good beans, fair rice and very good tortillas. Don't normally eat dessert but opted for some sopapillas and they were fantastic, light and served with 3 sauces. Enjoyed the meal and will go back.

Pros: Shrimp, sopapillas, service

Cons: Taco shell

Posted 09/01/06

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Care, quality & killer food = value

by ceslad

Some say it's not authentic and overpriced. I say, right on the first but dead wrong on the second! First of all, I don't think they're trying to be authentic Mexican - IT'S TEXMEX! Second, have you priced other food lately? I go here very frequently and never go home hungry and am always treated very well by staff and management that has come to know me by name. Everything is made there (supposedly) unlike other restaurants that open up cans. Nothing compares to their mesquite grilled items like quail, fajitas, or shrimp with an ice cold beer or perfect margarita! Your missing out!

Pros: Portions, quality, service

Cons: noise, wait, parking

Posted 11/20/05

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User review by mike550_2

by mike550_2

Tourist Mexican Food and priced accordingly. Only visit when someone else is choosing and buying.

Posted 05/10/05

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Don't Go To Pappasitos

by jan_p

Tex-Mex is always cheap because the ingredients are generally cheap. Pappasitos is expensive and the food is not good. The tortillas are raw most of time-Gross!

Pros: Ambience

Cons: the FOOD, gets very crowded

Posted 05/04/05

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Pappas Strikes Out

by bartbird

Pappas does good seafood with Pappadeaux. Pappas does great steaks with Pappas Brothers. Pappas does not do Mexican food. Stick with the white-bread cooking. Sure the portions are huge, but why would one want to eat more of less-than-authentic Tex-Mex cooking. Eating here is like eating at Alamo Cafe -- Tex-Mex with all the Tex and Mex cooked out. Take all your Yankee friends here.

Pros: Atmosphere

Cons: Food, Tex-Mex? Not.

Posted 12/23/03

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Great food and terric service!

by Tenny

We ate here for the first time tonight. We thought it was great! We had a very early dinner, 4:45pm,
so we didn't have to worry about waiting to be seated. Our waiter, Javier, was terrific! He was by far the best waiter we have ever had! The food was inexpensive and great! Not to mention the large amount of food you get for your buck. Overall we had a very good experience and are looking forward to dining here again!
p.s. the margaritas were fabulous!

Pros: great food, customer service

Cons: none!

Posted 10/18/02

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Pricey, but good value

by serenko

Who cares whether it is "authentic?" This is a good place to eat that is a bit pricey for the genre, but still very good value considering the good taste, the overly generous portions and the wonderful imaginative desserts. One entre is usually enough for 2. Sure, service suffers sometimes, but that is because the place is usually packed, so let the crowds speak for themselves. Nothing but praise for this place.

Posted 10/13/02

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Should change the name 2 Pappaseaturself

by dsvenegas1

In my opinion, If I were the manager at this establishment, I would start with Customer Service Re-Training. The service was poor from the moment we walked in to the moment we got the shaft---I mean the tab. The beer was ice-cold, yes......but so was the food. I ordered the chicken enchiladas.....served 45 minutes later.....cold. My wife ordered the sizzling fajita platter.......served 45 minutes later.......burnt to a crisp. The only thing sizzling and hot in that place was my temper.....with the bad experience at this not-so-mexican eatery. The tab totaled out to approximately 40 dollars......for 1 dollar worth of service.....just because the hostess smiled when she said "Thank You" (for leaving my hard earned money at this lousy service place.)

Pros: lighting

Cons: Service, Food Quality, Price

Posted 08/27/02

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