Update: RIP, Pig Stand, 1921-2023.
When my book, “100 Things To Do in San Antonio Before You Die,” came out in the spring of 2016, a childhood friend asked me if San Antonio’s Pig Stand made the cut. It didn’t, and I felt bad because the Pig Stand has been a San Antonio mainstay since 1921. I drive by it on a regular basis, but I could not remember the last time that I actually stepped foot inside.
My publisher has asked me to revise my book for a second edition, so I decided to remedy my oversight. A friend, another San Antonio resident who’d never been, and I met for breakfast recently to check it out. The first thing Maggie said was, “I didn’t expect it to be so clean.”
Located beneath the 281/Interstate 35 overpass at 1508 Broadway, the interior of the Pig Stand sparkles. Throw in a delicious breakfast, a friendly waitress and more pig tchotchkes per square foot than possibly any other place on the planet, and I was kicking myself for letting so many years (perhaps decades) pass since I’d last visited.
The Pig Stand’s decor will delight those who grew up watching “Happy Days” on TV. Black-and-white checked floors, tabletop juke boxes and comfy booths convey a throwback vibe.
I ordered two eggs over medium with crispy bacon, grits and a biscuit for $6.59. Maggie ordered two potato, egg and bacon tacos for $2.49 each. We both ordered coffee, and the waitress kept our mugs full in the hour we were there. We didn’t try the cakes that were on the counter, but I’m going to make a special trip back to give those homemade confections a try. The pink one has my name on it.
The waitress, who’s been employed at the Pig Stand for 18 years, said that Friday nights are hopping. Antique car owners display their prides and joys while sampling the Pig Stand’s fare. Makes sense since the Pig Stand is America’s oldest drive-in.
The Pig Stand is open seven days per week. Sunday through Thursday, its hours are 7 a.m. until 11 p.m. It’s open from 7 a.m. until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
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!
Nice review. I have been by a hundred times and never stopped. Will have to change that soon. Thanks again.
Same. I really think I hadn’t been in 30 years. Drive by it often, but just never stopped. I’ll definitely be going back. I know my daughter will love it, so I’m putting it on our Christmas break to-do list! Thanks for reading/commenting. Cheers, Denise
Excellent!
I used to to all the time as a kid. My father would fix up classic cars and take them there to display in their car shows! Some of the best memories of my child hood were made at the pig stand 🙂 oh and the donuts are amazing!
Victoria, How cool is that?!?! I’m going to go some Friday night to check out the cars. Thanks for the donut tip, too! Thanks most of all for reading/commenting. Please share the story with your family and friends. Cheers, Denise