Tejas Steakhouse and Saloon- 401 Obst Road, 78163

Adding this restaurant to our review is bittersweet. We love this place, absolutely love it, it is our diamond in the rough. We are afraid to let people know how great it is because we don't want to fight people to dine here, but because of our love for it, we have decided to share it with the rest of San Antonio. Every time we visit here, it is more than just food, it is an experience and we always leave planning our next visit, belly's full and a smile on our face. I feel like this place is our measuring stick for the rest of the establishments that we eat at, they have set the standard high.

Atmosphere: B

The location of the steakhouse is off the beaten path, but that is one of its attributes. The restaurant is clean and the tables and booths are well kept and have always been spotless. The floors are stained concrete and the walls are nicely decorated in cowboy gear and some great taxidermy, this is a great representation of the Texas feeling and flair that most people relish here. There is a stone fireplace that is lit during the winter months and a small bar that is fully stocked for the adults. We have never waited for a table, but even as they are putting together a table the porch outside is inviting for a small stroll. The highchairs are clean, and they do a great job of setting up families with high chairs properly placed among the adults. The only reason they did not earn an A in this category is because of the parking and path to the restaurant is dirt with pea gravel, and when it is spring time and there is that great Texas rain, it is very muddy, making the trek with the kids can be difficult, and anyone who has a toddler knows they somehow find every puddle.

Service: A+

This is the part of the restaurant that should be the standard that every establishment should abide by. From the moment you are greeted at the door, they see to it that no want or need is not attended to. The drinks are brought out promptly in kids cups, they bring homemade black pepper and cheddar biscuits as long as you desire, and it is clear that they are family conscious. They take extra care to bring the kids meals earlier than the remainder of the food, they are very cautious about setting a hot plate in front of a child, and they even encourage the kiddos to share because the portion sizes are abundant. They talk to the children on an equal level, making sure that they know they are an important guest as well. We have met almost the entire staff, and even the owner stops by for a chat most of the time. I have even witnessed the owner helping run food, bus tables and keep the place looking tip top. It is rare these days to find a staff that takes so much pride in what they do.

Value: A

The average cost to feed the youngsters is $5.00, and for that pricing you get a kids beverage, the entree and a side item. The food is all cooked fresh and nothing is processed, not even the macaroni and cheese. There is not one item on the kids menu that an adult wouldn't be tempted to eat. There is plenty of food to feed a school aged child, and for toddlers you can easily share. The food for adults is simply amazing as well. The prices are right and the food is outstanding, everyone will leave the table satisfied.

Selection: B+

There are six selections on the menu for children, most of them your standard choices, however there are 9 different selections for side items, and not all of them are fried. You have your choices from starches, vegetables, and even fruit, all made from scratch that day, or just prepared that morning. I appreciate an alternative to french fries as I know most parents do. They have also brought out half sides, smaller portions but two selections for those picky eaters. The beverage choices are sodas, lemonade or milk. Overall they have a decent selection for kids to chose from, and they do a great job of accommodating to each child individually to make the experience much more enjoyable for the parent.

Entertainment: B

The restaurant itself has two televisions above the bar, they have played Disney movies a couple of times for us on slower days, but most of the time they are displaying rodeo footage. They have place mats and crayons to keep the young ones occupied for a while, but bring food quickly so a while is all you need. During the warmer months though, and adult can take them outside and walk the grounds and have some visits with the livestock while biding your time for the food to hit the table. From March to November the rodeo in season, and on most nights, beyond the doors of the restaurant the place is buzzing with live entertainment. The rodeo fee is not included with your meal, if you want to attend it is a separate charge.

Bonus:
-Attached to the rodeo
-Can make reservations
-Open late
-Live music
-Tejas Social Club once a month for a night off from the kiddos

Overall the Tejas Steakhouse and Saloon receives an A. They know how to make a family night out a wonderful night off. The food and service are second to none. Give them a try, and I promise you will be planning your next adventure to Obst Road the moment you walk out the door.

-Thomas Troop and Sitzman Crew

Texas Road House- 16915 San Pedro Ave, 78232

This review is from a couple of visits. We have been to this establishment a few times, and it seems that they are pretty consistent when it comes to family dining.

**VERY IMPORTANT**
If your child has a nut allergy DO NOT go here. They have a barrel of peanuts right when you enter the door and customers are encouraged to throw their shells on the floor. Very dangerous environment for a child with a nut allergy!!!

Atmosphere: A

We have a tendency to get to most places around 5:30 pm. Each time that we have been here, the longest we have waited is 5 minutes, perfect for kid time. There is a large area that the kids can let some energy out without annoying too many people in the process. The restaurant overall is very clean, there are peanut shells on the floor, but the table and high chairs and booster seats have always been clean. The noise level is adequate, but not too high, perfect for letting kids be kids without having to shush them constantly. The staff here always seems to be clean as well, dressed in t-shirts and jeans, but always well groomed. Another note for the peanut shells that encompass the floor, a big plus for the goldfish and other items that join them later, you don't feel so guilty about leaving a bit of a mess.

Service: A

The staff here has always been very friendly to us and our children. We have had servers that engage with the kids one on one and make it a point to make them part of the customer base as well. They have never run out of high chairs or booster seats. We have never been sat at a dirty table, and we have always been greeted within minutes of sitting down. The food has always come out quickly and has always been accurate.

Value: A-

Most of the items on the kids menu are fair priced. The reason that I gave them a minus is because I just have a hard time paying almost $4.00 for half a box of Kraft Mac and Cheese when I or any other parent knows the exact price of this at their local grocery store. The amount of food that is in each meal is abundant, and the food quality is always good. The chicken tenders are actually handmade there from breast meat. The steak selections are good selections of meat, just mini sized for tiny lips and tummies. Overall the menu is moderately priced, including the adult meals.

Selection: B

Other than the steak selections on the menu, they have the standard kid fare. Most of it isn't really that nutritious. The side selections provide more of a nutritional variety with having vegetables and beans join the usually starchy treats, but let's face it most of our kids will prefer potatoes over cooked carrots. There are two sizes of kids meals, there is a small diner option and then the "ranger meals" selection which are a bit larger in portion and cater to an older palate. The chicken finger meal is just perfect to split between two kids, and they don't charge an extra fee to split it up.

Entertainment: B

They do a fair job of keeping the young ones entertained. There are activity place mats that are dispensed with crayons to keep them busy for at least ten minutes. The environment is upbeat though, and every once in a while certain songs will play that force the staff to do some line dancing to keep things lively. The only way a restaurant gets an A in this category is to have a kid friendly area that they can just get crazy in, but it has to be clean as well.

So the Texas Road House off of 281 and 1604 North is a highly recommended place to take your offspring to. Overall this restaurant gets an A. Well done to the staff and managers for making this a consistent experience.

-The Thomas and Sitzman clan