Schilo’s (pronounced She-lo’s), “San Antonio’s legendary German delicatessen” at 424 East Commerce in the heart of downtown, has been bringing a taste of Deutschland to the Alamo City since 1917.
Bratwurst. Cheddarwurst. Knockwurst. Braunsweiger Liver. Wienerschnitzel. Sauerkraut. Red Cabbage. Hot or cold German Potato Salad. Potato Pancakes. You get the idea.
My favorite menu item, though, is Schilo’s famous split pea soup. Served with a side of dark bread and butter, Schilo’s split pea soup will cure what ails you. A bowl will set you back $3.25. Add a frank or wurst, and you’ll pay $4.95.
Include a frosty mug of Schilo’s homemade root beer to your order, and you can die happy. Live big and order a pitcher of their root beer. Both mug ($1.90) and pitcher ($7.35) include one free refill…perfect for a post-Alamo tour pick-me-up.
My lunch companions opted for the daily lunch special. Since it was a Friday, they enjoyed a plate of roast beef, gravy, whipped potatoes and green beans for $6.50. Monday’s special is beef stew, green beans and cole slaw for $6.35. Tuesday’s special is corned beef, cabbage and boiled potatoes for $6.35. Wednesday’s special is meatloaf, whipped potatoes and green peas for $6.45. Thursday’s special is chicken and dumplings, green peas and carrot salad for $6.45, and Saturday’s special is hamburger steak, mushroom gravy and choice of two sides for $6.50. The price includes bread and tea or coffee. Is San Antonio great or what?
For dessert, you’ll want to order a slice of Schilo’s homemade cheesecake ($3.90) and a cup of coffee ($1.85). After all of this food and drink, you’ll need to stretch your legs a bit, and I recommend strolling through La Villita or the Southwest School of Art, housed in the old Ursuline Convent and Academy.
Schilo’s is next to (street level) or above (river level) Casa Rio on Commerce Street. Parking is available at Riverbend Garage, 210 North Presa, but you may also enter the garage from Commerce or Market streets.
Schilo’s hours are 7 a.m. until 8:30 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Their phone number is (210) 223-6692.
Denise Barkis Richter, Ph.D., author of “San Antonio’s Passport to Fun,” has been blogging about San Antonio since June of 2010. Follow her at facebook.com/SanAntonioTourist so that you’ll never miss a post. Her love affair with the Alamo City began at Hemisfair in 1968. She moved to San Antonio in 1979 as an 18-year-old college student, and San Antonio has been her home ever since. Denise completed certification to become a professional tour guide in 2019. Please contact her at sanantoniotourist at gmail dot com if you’d like for her to curate a fabulous San Antonio experience for you!
I love Schilo’s – a favorite place to take out-of-town guests. It’s been too long, though. Thoughts of split pea soup and rueben sandwiches are making me hungry right now. Too bad they’re closed on Sundays! Thanks for the reminder of this great San Antonio spot.
Patty, We’ll have to go together and snag one of the coveted booths. Thanks for reading/commenting! Cheers, Denise
I’ve never eaten at the one downtown, Denise, though I think I remember a fine meal or two at one that used to be north of 410. This one reminds me in atmospherics of an Irish pub in Portland. I must try it.
Susan, I can’t believe you’ve never been to Schilo’s. (I think you must be thinking of another German restaurant…near the Medical Center.) We’ll definitely have to go the next time you are in town! Cheers, Denise
Thanks for the recommendation! We had walked by here a number of times, but always had different thoughts for lunch. Coming from Wisconsin, we definitely know our bratwurst and kielbasa, and this was quite good! Also, the homemade Root Beer was worth the trip all on its own!
Julie, I’m happy you enjoyed Schilo’s! You’re right. The root beer alone is worth the trip. Wish I had a mug of it right now! Thanks for reading/commenting. Cheers, Denise