It’s time for lunch and you just don’t want to face the high prices, lack of variety or unappealing lunch specials found in the Palo Alto cafeteria.

"The food is not bad, but it is overpriced," said freshman Rosemarie Pesina, a Graphic Arts major. "Students usually do not have much money so we need something very affordable. I usually end up getting something from the vending machines."

If eating at the cafeteria doesn’t thrill you, your little brown bag isn’t in sight or you just can’t stomach another vending machine lunch, then one of the following mom-and-pop restaurants located within ten minutes of campus might be the answer.

Georgia’s Café
2214 Palo Alto Road
210.923.9313
Tuesday–Sunday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Georgia’s Café is the closest option to campus. Located at the intersection of Palo Alto Road and West Mally Boulevard, the restaurant that used to be a house serves some of the most authentic Mexican food around. The chilaquiles and the enchiladas topped my list of favorites at this small eatery.

Judy’s Food To Go
5510 Roosevelt Avenue
210.627.2707
Monday–Saturday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sunday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Down Loop 410 at Roosevelt Avenue, just one block outside the loop, sits Judy’s Food To Go, a quiet little Mexican restaurant without any flair. The atmosphere is not really inviting, but the food is definitely good. The tacos, served on homemade tortillas and spilling out of the ends, won my stomach and my heart, especially the carne guisada.

BJ’s Tacos
1438 Hutchins Avenue
210.928.2499
Monday–Saturday, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For the best tacos at the best prices, you definitely have to try BJ’s Tacos located on Hutchins Avenue, four blocks north of Zarzamora Street. At two for 99 cents, my expectations were not high, but I was wrong! Getting a sample of the carne guisada, bean and cheese, chorizo con papa, chilaquiles and those oh-so-thick tortillas quickly changed my mind.

Taqueria San Juan
11015 State Highway 16 South
210.628.6322
Sunday–Thursday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Going south on Highway 16 to Kingsride Boulevard, you will find Taqueria San Juan. Do not blink or you might miss it. Located next to a convenience store, do not let its location deceive you. This is another place similar to Georgia’s, with a general Mexican menu like tortas and tacos and much more to choose from.

"The quality of the food makes the trip worthwhile," said sophomore Brandy McMillan, a Human Resource Management major. "And, the three tacos for two dollars special makes it a morning ritual."

If you go, try the horchata, a rice-milk drink that will cool the fiery salsa they serve you.

El Nuevo Milenio
7150 New Laredo Highway
210.923.4555
Monday–Saturday, 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sunday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Of the Mexican restaurants that I tried, El Nuevo Milenio is definitely my favorite. Located on New Laredo Highway, one block south of Southwest Military Drive, the restaurant with the most flair is very warm and inviting and the tacos are the largest I came across. The variety of enchiladas is also very good.

If hamburgers are your food of choice, then here are a few places that I found that will satisfy and make you think twice about the fast food chain restaurants.

Brenda’s Burgers
3837 Southwest Military Drive
210.932.1177
Monday–Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday–Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Two blocks west of the intersection of Southwest Military Drive and Bynum Street, Brenda’s Burgers does not serve much of anything else, but there is a reason the place starts jumping at lunchtime. With hamburgers cooked when you order, you end up with a hot meal that leaves your stomach full and your brain thinking about having another. The chicken burger is also mouth watering.

Uncle Barney’s
7015 South IH 35
210.922.6602
Sunday–Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Friday & Saturday, 11 a.m.-10p.m.

For the best veggie burger this side of downtown, go to Uncle Barney’s located right next to the Hungry Farmer Steakhouse at I-35 and Southwest Military Drive. This local favorite serves everything up just right, including beef and chicken sandwiches.

"My friends and I (my school family) go there at least once a month," said sophomore Bio-Medical major Rosa Gonzalez. "It’s a nice place to just go and hang out."

Tinker’s Grill
7714 Somerset Road
210.928.8840
Monday–Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The most secluded place I found is Tinker’s Grill, located on Somerset Road, eight blocks west of I-35. The building, which houses Tinker’s on one side and a taco house on the other, is bright orange, so just keep your eyes open. Getting a sample of the quarter pounder and the fish burger will be enough to make this small, cramped café come to mind the next time I am in search of lunch.

TJ’s Hamburgers
477 New Laredo Highway
210.927.7331
Monday–Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Sundays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

At the intersection of New Laredo and Southcross lies an old drive-up style building that houses TJ’s Burgers. The cheeseburger and fries are classic for the many students who come from nearby Dwight Middle School.

B&B Smokehouse
2627 Pleasanton Road
210.921.2745
Monday–Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The best place I found was the furthest from campus. Located at the corner of Pleasanton Road and Sunglo Drive, the menu at the B&B Smokehouse tempted every taste bud I have. They serve the usual barbecue items as well as sandwiches, Mexican food and the best sweet tea around. This place has something for everyone.

The best Mexican food in San Antonio is not found along the River Walk or in Market Square but rather west of I-35 and south of US 90. The abundance of these little mom-and-pop dives in the vicinity of campus was very clear, and the lack of many other kinds of foods, such as any Asian or Italian, was even clearer. In fact, besides the one chain restaurant inside of South Park Mall, I could not find one Italian restaurant on this side of town, so forgive me if the variety is lacking but at least some options have been presented. E-mail me at chuckie107@rocketmail.com with your favorites. Enjoy!