Locals queue up early to grab a seat at this lively Dignowity Hill taqueria, known for its pillowy handmade flour tortillas. Whether ordering a beef picadillo, carne guisada, or bean and cheese taco, drizzle it with the zippy red jalapeno salsa. Takeout orders can be placed online or over the phone; there are outdoor dine-in areas.

Burnt ends top almost everything at this barbecue stand, from loaded baked potatoes to a barbecue cheddar melt. Order to-go at the window or crack open a beer on the icehouse-like patio during the cooler months. Takeout orders can be placed in person; there are Uber Eats deliveries and pickups; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

This welcoming beer bar has better-than-expected pub grub with surprises like a sausage and shishito pepper plate. Check out the event calendar for a busy slate of live music, drag shows, and the occasional belly dancing class. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Camp out with a vintage board game at this nostalgic bar, which specializes in classic sandwiches like hoagies, BLTs, and cheesesteaks. The drink menu offers plenty of deals, like a perfectly slammable $5 daiquiri. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

The long-running Irish pub recently moved to historic St. Paul’s Square, adding a connected wine bar — Anne’s — to the mix. The food got an upgrade, too, with indulgent dishes like lobster mac and cheese and vegetarian bolognese lasagna. There are indoor dine-in services.

An indoor-outdoor bar with neon everywhere, Bésame was practically made for TikTok. The food trucks rotate but are always worth a visit. Pete’s Hot Chicken is currently slinging fiery tenders. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

This homey East Side soul food joint serves all the hits from po’ boys to slow-roasted oxtails. And still, it pulls out all the stops for Sunday brunch, an all-you-can-eat feast with a buffet, carving station, and weekly made-to-order specials. Third-party delivery and pickup orders are available (Grubhub, Uber Eats, DoorDash); there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

Things get sweaty at this near-downtown hot spot, especially after the DJs drop a reggaeton beat. Cool off with a fruity fresca made with rum, vodka, or tequila. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

Cheap drinks are the draw at the San Antonio multi-level bar from Austin. Order a hard seltzer, then blow off some steam while playing cornhole or a beer pong simulator. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

A pizza parlor in the heart of Dignowity Hill, Tank’s delivers stone-baked pies, crispy wings, and loaded calzones. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

Budget-minded diners will adore this warm St. Paul’s Square Spanish spot. Load up on affordable bites during the weekday happy hour from 2 to 7 p.m., or buy two, get-one-free deals during tapas Tuesday. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

For special occasions, it’s hard to beat this Dignowity Hill bistro. The ever-changing menu 

incorporates Korean street food, French charcuterie, and classic Italian pasta, all augmented with one of the city’s most provocative wine lists. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

A lighter choice in a sea of fast food, Sweet Yams focuses on comfort food made with fresh organic ingredients. Vegans will delight at the variety of plant-based fare, including a punchy chili. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

Take a study break at this sparse coffee shop, a favorite of mobile workers. A selection of buttery pastries and vegan breakfast tacos provide some extra motivation. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

This rambling indoor-outdoor bar stays true to its name by giving back to various local causes. It doubles as a neighborhood restaurant dishing up Japanese street food standbys like karaage, gyoza, and silky tonkotsu ramen. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.