Best Restaurants in San Marcos

Traveling is an adventure, and sampling the local cuisine is a big part of the fun

 

You'd expect the food in San Marcos to have Southwest or Mexican flavors, but the surprise is how much that influence takes it to the next level. Love barbeque? That's certainly covered—this is Texas beef country after all. What about homemade pizza with a healthy dose of peppers in every bite? Sample tilapia, Cuban sandwiches and dessert quesadillas as you taste your way through San Marcos.


Spicy Eats at Hay's County Bar-B-Que

Are you craving some barbeque with a Texas twist? How about beef brisket rubbed with a combination of spices and smoked over a mesquite and oak wood fire? Or homemade hot sausage links set in a smoker that's longer than a full-size pick-up truck? Hay's County Bar-B-Que has it all and more. Beef, pork, chicken and turkey all spend time in that smoker until pull-apart tender, then sliced or pulled, and served plated or piled high on sandwiches. Choose from homemade beans, potato salad or coleslaw sides. Don't forget the banana pudding for dessert.


Illuminating Pizzas at Pie Society

Walk past the all-seeing eye at Pie Society, and enter a world of creative pizzas, including: the Eternal Flame with Canadian bacon, jalapeno and pineapple; and the Balance of Power, topped with spinach, spicy sausage and a dollop of honey. Traditional pizza lovers, rejoice. Pie Society also features two types of pepperoni with mushrooms, as well as vegetarian offerings that include the Pyramid, topped with fresh spinach, three types of cheese, garlic and extra virgin olive oil. Meatball subs, salads and individual pizza slices are also on the menu. The atmosphere is simple, casual and laid-back, so bring the whole family.


Meal and Brews at The Root Cellar Cafe and Gallery

With its arched brick and adobe facade and a bold red awning, The Root Cellar Café looks just like an eatery out of Old Mexico. Step inside to find a dining room filled with antiques, including quaint table-for-two nooks. Peruse both of the menus to find an assortment of multi-cultural dishes. Sample shepherd's pie or homemade quiche, or go for a traditional Cuban sandwich or lemon-herb tilapia served with wild rice. Seafood, pasta, beef and pork dishes, cooked with an assortment of spices, are staples. Don't forget to check out the ales and stouts, products of the Root Cellar Cafe's on-site brewery.


Tranquil Feasts at Palmer's Restaurant Bar & Courtyard

Make your way through Palmer's Spanish-style, plant-filled courtyard where water cascades down a tiered stone fountain. The laid-back atmosphere continues inside, where the oversized windows let you enjoy the outside garden's greenery. Palmer's serves Texas Hill Country Cuisine, a blend of traditional Southern favorites with a Southwest twist. Try tortilla-crusted catfish served with corn fritters or tacos with spicy blackened salmon. Even the signature Spicy Mary Burger gets a healthy dose of chipotle sauce. Have a sweet tooth? Try the banana quesadillas, warm crispy tortillas filled with bananas and sweet cream cheese sitting atop a dollop of ice cream.


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