Winner: Tarka Indian Kitchen
Multiple locations
tarkaindiankitchen.com

Austin-based casual dining chain Tarka Indian Kitchen isn’t going to introduce aficionados of the subcontinent’s rich and varied cuisine to new flavor profiles. Its menu sticks to tried-and-true restaurant favorites such as tikka masala and korma curries, fragrant biryani rice dishes and crisp fried samosas. However, it’s easy to understand why Tarka’s two San Antonio locations are a hit with readers. First, its kitchens get the basics right — the ingredients are fresh and the dishes pack the requisite spice. Second, its simple-to-understand menu helps demystify what can be a tough cuisine for novices to unpack. The stores’ quick counter service also offers them an ideal spot for a quick lunch that avoids the buffet experience that’s tempted so many of us to overeat and end up wishing we’d passed up that last plate of channa masala and saag paneer.

2. India Oven
1031 Patricia Drive, Suite 106
(210) 544-5968
indiaovensa.com

3. Spice Fine Indian Cuisine
3720 NW Loop 410
(210) 253-9658
spiceindiantx.com

Winner: La Panadería
Multiple locations
lapanaderia.com

2. Baklovah Bakery & Sweets
9329 Wurzbach Road, Suite 104
(210) 982-3231
baklovah.com

3. Bird Bakery
5912 Broadway
(210) 804-2473
birdbakery.com

Winner: 2M Smokehouse

2731 S. WW White Road

(210) 885-9352

facebook.com/2msmokehouse

2. Pinkerton's Barbecue

107 W. Houston St.

(210) 983-0088

pinkertonsbarbecue.com

3. Smoke Shack

3714 Broadway

(210) 957-1430

smokeshacksa.com

Winner: Rios Barbacoa
Multiple locations

2. Papi's Barbacoa
Multiple locations
papisbarbacoa.com

3. Martinez Barbacoa Y Tamales
728 Fredericksburg Road
(210) 734-6621

Winner: Real Real Jamaica
6828 San Pedro Ave.
(210) 858-3015
instagram.com/realrealjamaica

2. The Jerk Shack
10234 TX-151, Suite 103
(210) 776-7780
thejerkshacksatx.com

3. Luna Rosa Puerto Rican Grill y Tapas
910 S. Alamo St.
(210)-314-2723
lunarosatapas.com

Winner: Pete's Tako House
502 Brooklyn Ave.
(210) 224-2911
petestakohouse.com

2. Con Huevos Tacos
1629 E. Houston St.
(210) 229-9295
instagram.com/conhuevostacos

3. Taquitos West Avenue
Multiple locations
taquitos-west-ave.com

Winner: Magnolia Pancake Haus
Multiple locations
magnoliapancakehaus.com

2. La Panadería
Multiple locations
lapanaderia.com

3. Max and Louie's New York Diner
226 W. Bitters Road, Suite 126
(210) 483-7600
maxandlouies.com

Winner: Burger Boy
Multiple locations
burgerboy.com

2. Chris Madrid's
1900 Blanco Road
(210) 735-3552
chrismadrids.com

3. Pumpers
1101 Broadway
(210) 888-0666
eatpumpers.com