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    Iron Cactus San Antonio

    3.4 (2.3k reviews)
    ModerateMexican, Bars, American
    Closed 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

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    IRON CACTUS SAN ANTONIO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Touristy
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Iron Cactus San Antonio

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    Tableside Guacamole
    Chriss N.

    Wife and stopped in for dinner. Loved the atmosphere with a more date night feel. Service was phenomenal! The table side guacamole is hands down the best along the Riverwalk! Stop in and give it a try, you will not be disappointed!

    Shrimp and Steak Fajitas
    Rich J.

    This was our first time in San Antonio. This was also our first Mexican fusion restaurant that we have been to. WOW was this place cool, and fun to be at. Michael the manager was amazing and treated my wife and I like locals. Genesis, our waitress was outstanding! Both Micheal and Genesis were friendly, accommodating, and helped us select choices on their menu that were fantastic. We will be back thats for sure. Iron Cactus is a must see and if you're hungry even better. We loved it.

    Pollo Relleno
    Julie K.

    I'm from out of town and came here on many recommendations. I was sadly disappointed. We got the lobster stuffed jalapeños. 3 for $18. Not worth it. I got the pollo relleno. The flavor was really good but my chicken was very overcooked. Service and atmosphere were great! Nice that it was right in the riverwalk. Is it worth the drive?...no

    Marisa M.

    My date and I came here hungry looking for some good Mexican food and well unfortunately the food wasn't good especially for the price we paid. Let me just start off ... our server Rick was stellar and he made a great table side guacamole right in front of us. He was very attentive. I ordered the fajitas and they were not what I'm use to back in El Paso. The meat was so tough and not tender at all. And don't be surprised at not getting salsa because they don't bring you any and DO NOT bother on getting extra tostada chips for your guacamole because it's an extra $2 every chip bowl. We should've known better then to eat at place next to the river walk... we thought it would be great but the food was mediocre. Oh and my husbands burger was horrible it had no flavor at all. Overall we were super disappointed with the food but happy with our server.

    Picadillo Purses
    Rose E.

    This is just a good, solid Tex-Mex restaurant on the Riverwalk...and this was our second time here! We started with this appetizer, Picadillo Purses...and we loved it! Filled solid with beef, corn and carrots, they were quite good. For our entree, I had the Shrimp Tacos and my husband had the Pollo Relleno...and we both thought our dish was quite satisfying. I also really enjoyed their Pina Colada...small, but very strong and tasty! We sat on their patio, and it was comfortable...and the service was good. I wouldn't say this is THE best Tex-Mex or Mexican foods we've had, but the foods were solid...and the ambiance was nice enough to merit at least 4 stars.

    Genie M.

    A waitress from another restaurant highly recommended this place and so glad she did! It is on the riverwalk. Great view from inside and outside. The hostess was welcoming and accommodating! Our server/ bartender was awesome and amazing! Steven provided great customer carrier. He explained how the food was prepared. He made suggestions and gave great tips so that we all were satisfied with our meals. The decor inside is warm and inviting! The food was five stars. Everything I ate and tasted was fresh and felt as if it was made with love! Would definitely come back if im in the San Antonio area!

    My hand is larger than the $2 serving of chips!!! The waiter told me since COVID it's been like this!!!  5 thumbsdown!!!
    John D.

    The food is ok!!! They chips and salsa must be ordered and charged for? WTH? Service sucks!!! You gotta wave down a person to get anything!!! This ain't cool!!! The atmosphere and feeling is ok but not fabulous!!! I'm gonna get changed an arm and leg for some crappy service!!! Oh well!! I'm hungry!! Not a recommended place!!! Chip refills are $2!!! This place is straight garbage!!! Don't go here!!! I'm surprised that don't charge to use their restrooms!!!

    Paella
    Vanessa A.

    The service was super nice and we ate outside on a beautiful day on the riverwalk. The paella was perfect and even better the next day! They give military discount and extra discount if you show up to eat in uniform!

    Drinks - strawberry mocktail and mezcal margarita
    Molly L.

    We came here on a weeknight and there was walk-in seating available. We tried quite a few different things - the guacamole, queso, cheese quesadilla, veggie fajitas, paella, and some drinks. The paella had good flavor but was a little more wet than my partner would have liked. The cheese quesadilla was also pretty good, filled with Monterey Jack cheese. The veggie fajitas were very small and not as sizzling as we would have liked. The dips were delicious - our waiter made the guacamole in front of us and the queso was in a cast iron pan so it stayed warm throughout the duration of the meal. Overall we enjoyed our food and the ambiance was nice, though there are some dishes they can work on.

    Cilantro-Lime Shrimp Salad
    Melody C.

    An insanely good experience! The food at the Iron Cactus is delicious. Everything was incredibly flavorful and felt like the perfect mix of traditional and modern adaptions of Mexican food. All the food was so fresh and bursting with unique flavors. You must try the Tableside Guacamole - it was such a fun experience and was absolutely delicious. Our waitress let us know that Iron Cactus is one of the top 10 tequila bars in the US, and it sure does seem like it! With over 100 different tequilas on the menu, you are sure to find one you like. You have to grab a margarita here - they were delightful! The service here is incredible. Our waitress was super attentive, helpful, and spirited. I noticed the other tables nearby getting great service as well! There were also two mariachis going around offering to play songs for each table and they were super talented! There is both indoor and patio seating. Inside it is dark and moody. The patio has a great view of River Walk and is perfect for people watching. I definitely recommend the Iron Cactus!

    Stuffed Avocado
    John W.

    Situated right along the river walk with indoor and outdoor seating, we made a stop at the Iron Cactus for a delicious lunch! The host was extremely friendly and accommodating; something you don't get too often. Our waitress was also helpful when making suggestions and attentive. The table side guacamole was definitely a highlight for my family; I don't even care for guacamole and I couldn't stop eating it. We loved the view of the riverwalk from our table. My son loved the stuffed avocado; I don't think he even came for air once he dug into it.

    Ivayana L.

    Great drinks, good food, & great service! This restaurant is located right along the Riverwalk so if you can get a table outside, do it! Also do not miss out on tableside guacamole, it was so good and worth it! Everyone enjoyed their food & we were a group from all across the US in town for a conference so that's saying something! I ordered the fajitas and i was stuffed for at least 24 hours! Their drinks were also delicious and the servers are seriously knowledgeable when it comes to the menu. They know exactly what to respond with if you don't know what to order!

    Avocado & Portabella Fries
    Victor H.

    Sunday evening walking on the Riverwalk, we were looking for tex-mex and this was close to our hotel. Fortunately people were clearing out when we arrived so we could get seated inside. The margaritas are pretty good; we did the blood orange and prickly pear on the rocks and both were tasty. As for food, my girlfriend ordered the brisket enchiladas while I ordered a trio of appetizers (avocado/portabello fries, brisket quesadillas, pork tamale pops). The food was alright, the enchiladas are smoothered in the adobo sauce with some cheese and are filling although they needed more seasoning. The quesadillas were probably my favorite of the appetizers. The avocado/portabello fries are crispy but again, need more seasoning. And the pork tamale pops are tasty but if it wasn't for the sauces, probably wouldn't have much flavor. For the prices you pay, you're paying tourist prices for a basic tex-mex experience. But they do good margaritas and we had a good server in Eric who was attentive and helpful. We'll probably come back again but just for drinks and maybe for the tableside guac which people raved about.

    Pollo Relleno, Grilled Ahi Salad and table-made guacamole

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    Iron Cactus San Antonio Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Iron Cactus San Antonio

    Are there vegan options?

    I don't know about vegan, you'd have to ask. My SIL and niece are vegetarians and they had the veggie enchiladas. I'm sure there things to eat that are vegan but probably not too many options to be honest.

    Can I make reservations?

    They do not take reservations. It's all on a first come first serve basis. They do not answer the phone. I did send a message from their website and received an email reply with the above info about no reservations.

    Are dogs allowed on the patio?

    Yes!

    View All 4 Questions

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    The Bang Bang Bar

    The Bang Bang Bar

    4.4
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    4.8 mi
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    Recently we hosted our Morrissey After Party at Bang Bang Bar, following the former Smiths…read morefrontman's sold-out January 10th performance at the Boeing Center at Tech Port and honestly, we couldn't have written a better script. Morrissey hadn't graced San Antonio in over 10 years, with past cancellations and postponements haunting fans along the way. So when he finally returned, San Antonio Moz fans showed up and showed out. Despite multiple after-party options across the city, fans from Brazil, the UK, Canada, Japan, and all across the U.S. chose Bang Bang Bar as the place to be on a cold Saturday night. Hosted by local emcee Ricardo Moz and Apollo DJ, the night turned into one for the history books. Bang Bang Bar is easily one of Texas' best dive-lounge bars...the perfect blend of gritty and cozy. Great cocktail program, solid beer selection, and a vibe that just works. The décor leans heavy into a 1950s-60s lounge aesthetic, with intimate spaces like the Blue Room and Yellow Room, perfect for groups of 7-10. Low lighting, warm atmosphere, and zero pretension exactly what you want for a night like this. Bang Bang Bar consistently supports local and touring acts, spanning punk, alternative, and DJ-driven nights, and this Moz Smiths Disco was no exception. It was wall-to-wall classics all night long. Major credit to Phanie and the Bang Bang Bar management they rolled up their sleeves, brought in extra bar staff, and handled an overwhelming crowd like pros. Fans waited up to 45 minutes in the cold, with a line wrapping around the building, and the energy inside never dipped. As the host of Panic On The Streets, I'm incredibly thankful to Bang Bang Bar for helping us pull off one of the best after-parties we've done in years. Fittingly, 2026 marks the 10-year anniversary of both Bang Bang Bar and Panic On The Streets of San Antonio and what a way to celebrate. Bang Bang Bar has long been one of my favorite bars in town, and after this night, that reputation is more than earned. Can't wait to do another Moz Smiths Disco here. -- Panic On The Streets of San Antonio

    I've been here a couple of times and have always had a great time. The server/waitress was very…read morefriendly and knowledgeable on what they offered. They were happy to answer my questions and I was never made to feel rushed. The bar itself has an awesome vibe. It's divey but offer fancy drinks. The bar has a stage (we've seen FEA perform there) and they have ample seating (tables, couches, stools, etc). I also enjoy how each couch area is its own living room setup (think of what you see when shopping for couches/coffee tables) and feel/vibe. I make it a point to come and visit this bar any time I'm in San Antonio. We love supporting Phanie and her bands in any way possible. Girl in a Coma and FEA 4ever!

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    More Moz Fam dancing!
    More Moz Fam dancing!
    Frozen irish coffees!
    Frozen irish coffees!
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    The Esquire Tavern

    The Esquire Tavern

    4.1
    (3.6k reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Update to first review below, rating updated from a 3 to a 5 star (drinks & bartender would get 10+…read morestars if we could rate that high): Saturday night: Went back for after dinner drinks at the Downstairs (a "speakeasy" throwback, look up the history of the place to see why). Drinks were AMAZING! Bartender Rob made the best Negroni I've ever had. I asked him to use whatever gin he thought best--result was an artistic smooooooth full-bodied drink. Told him when I was done I'd lick the glass if it wasn't considered so uncouth for a 'mature' lady like myself to do so Hubby's Buffalo Trace bourbon old fashioned was also outstanding. Rob was the bartender last night who did such a great job, and his work was even better tonight. We highly recommend The EsquireTavern for excellent cocktails. We love the long wood bar and high copper ceiling upstairs, but love the intimate speakeasy atmosphere downstairs even more. We'll definitely be back every time we're in San Antonio! First review, Friday night: Drinks were great (Manhattan and Bourbon Old Fashioned). REAL drinks, no complaints at all about those. And the bartenders were very friendly and helpful. Those aspects of the Esquire get 5+ stars from us. But the appetizers were not good, close to inedible. It was about 8:30pm or so, so maybe they were getting ready to close out the kitchen but the chalupitas with chicken tasted like rubber, and no flavor at all. The seafood platter had something in it that was breading with shell inside, but no meat of any kind. We couldn't figure out what it was supposed to be. The shrimp was good and the fish was good but those other things... We'll always love the drinks, the long wooden bar, and the ambiance at the Esquire Tavern, but we'll eat somewhere else and come here for before or after dinner drinks. (See update above to this review for when we returned the next night for after dinner drinks.)

    Drinks good price but nothing special. Super sweet on the bexar hug and French 75…read more Food was overcooked and mediocre. Au just super salty. Service slow and lacking. Riverwalk restaurants pretty much suck, and for sucker tourists maybe. Haven't had a good experience yet.

    Photos
    Rum for the Hills
 
 dominican republic rum, piña amaro, gentian amaro,
 pamplemousse, pineapple, lime, demerara
 SERVED ON CRUSHED ICE
    Rum for the Hills dominican republic rum, piña amaro, gentian amaro, pamplemousse, pineapple, lime, demerara SERVED ON CRUSHED ICE
    Chili Salt Fries
    Chili Salt Fries
    Chicken Fried Steak

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    Chicken Fried Steak
    Double Standard

    Double Standard

    4.0
    (215 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Great place for drinks. They really live up to their name -- "where doubles are standard." The only…read morething to keep in mind is that you have to order at the designated lines at the bar, which helps keep things moving once you get the hang of it. Their Steak Friday specials are excellent, and I'm pretty sure the steaks are cooked sous vide, which makes them consistently tender. The oysters are also a standout at $1.50 during happy hour. It can get a little loud when the place fills up, but overall it's a very comfortable spot to enjoy drinks. They validate two hours of parking at the Rand Garage behind the bar, but be aware that the validation is exactly two hours. Even one minute over triggers the three‑hour minimum charge, which is standard for that garage. Always look forward to stopping in whenever I can.

    The majority of the tables were dirty and still had dishes on them when we arrived. There was also…read morefood, crumbs, and napkins on the floor underneath many of the tables. We asked for someone to clean a table for our party and waited quite a while before anyone came over. My party even asked if we could just clean it ourselves. When a staff member finally came over, she didn't seem happy about having to do it. She didn't greet us or say a word. She quickly sprayed the table, wiped it down, and flopped the food around with the rag instead of actually cleaning it. She didn't bother to pick up or sweep the food and crumbs off the floor either. I had already ordered food and drinks for my party, expecting the table would be cleaned quickly. We ordered two alcoholic drinks and two soda-based drinks, but the sodas were flat. The food came out one plate at a time, with the quicker dishes served first while the rest of our party waited. We didn't want to start eating until everyone had their food. Food was decent. We had an event to attend at the Majestic and didn't have enough time to go somewhere else, so we stayed. We've eaten here several times before and always had good service, which is why we chose to come back. I haven't been to a restaurant in a long time where the staff dragged their feet this much just clearing tables for the next guests. You're in a busy downtown area with venues and events nearby bringing in customers. Keeping tables clean and turning them over promptly should be a priority. This visit was a huge disappointment, and we won't be back.

    Photos
    Burger & French fries.
    Burger & French fries.
    Negroni Week Cocktail
    Negroni Week Cocktail
    East Coast Oysters.

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    East Coast Oysters.

    Iron Cactus San Antonio - mexican - Updated August 2026

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