Noy’s Bistro: A Universal City Favorite for Authentic Thai Fare

The majority of Noy's Bistro's reviews on Yelp share the same sentiment: They all declare the Thai fare eatery as the best of its kind in the area. The popularity of Noy’s Bistro is attributed to a number of factors. For one, the spacious restaurant's ambiance is relaxed yet refined, equally suited to date-night dinners and business lunches. Second, the service is fast and amiable, and last — but certainly not least — is the food itself.

The menu at Noy's Bistro lists Thai fare prepared true to tradition, from the chicken satay and tom kha soup to the drunken noodles and the green curry (a crowd favorite here). Also receiving praise from returning diners is Noy's Bistro's menu of Chinese fare specialties, which includes kung pao chicken, General Tso's chicken, and fried rice. Wash it all down with a watermelon bubble tea, and be sure to leave room for the fried banana dessert, which pairs warm bananas with a scoop of melting vanilla ice cream!

Noy’s Bistro
976 Coronado Blvd.
Universal City, Texas 78148
(210) 637- 5100
www.noysbistro.com
www.yelp.com/biz/noys-bistro-universal-city

Chow Down at Chester’s Hamburger Co.

When you visit Chester’s Hamburger Co., you’ll see that this Universal City burger joint owes its popularity to its simple, straightforward approach: It's not a fancy place and doesn't pretend to be one. Instead, Chester's Hamburger Co. is the kind of place where you go to relax, watch the game, and enjoy a great burger. It’s also the kind of place you return to again and again, because the food and atmosphere both hit the spot.

On the menu you’ll find a range of hearty, tasty burgers, including the classic bacon cheeseburger and the spicy green chile burger. You can choose between crispy, golden fries and hand-battered onion rings for your side dish, and of course you'll want to order a cold beer to wash it all down. The service at Chester's is friendly and fast, and regulars suggest that if the weather's nice you should try to snag an outdoor seat.

Chester's Hamburger Co.
621 Pat Booker Road
Universal City, TX 78148
(210) 658-3000
www.yelp.com/biz/chesters-hamburger-co-universal-city

Bring a Big Appetite to Golden Corral in Universal City

Golden Corral has come a long way since its inception in 1973, when the first Golden Corral restaurant made its debut in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Since then, the restaurant has opened locations in more than 40 states across the U.S. Still, the focus of Golden Corral remains the same: offering diners "real, wholesome foods in a family-friendly atmosphere at a great value," per the restaurant's website.

Golden Corral fulfills this promise through its self-serve buffet, which offers a range of hot and cold items and takes center stage at each of the eatery's locations. Guests grab a tray, then make their way around the vast and varied buffet, scooping dishes onto their plate (or plates!) as they move along. These dishes typically include fried chicken, pizza, meatloaf, spaghetti, clam chowder, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, green salads … the list goes on and on. For dessert, diners can choose between soft-serve ice cream, brownies, and banana pudding, or maybe a little bit of all three!

Golden Corral
2301 Pat Booker Road
Universal City, TX 78148
(210) 658-7270
www.goldencorral.com
www.yelp.com/biz/golden-corral-restaurants-universal-city

Hearthstone Bakery Café: Have Lunch With a Friend at This Charming Eatery

Combining the relaxing, cozy atmosphere of a local coffeehouse with the convenience of a charming lunch cafe, Hearthstone Bakery Café offers the best of both worlds at any time of the day. The Schertz location is just one of several Hearthstone Bakery cafes, and it features a spacious interior with a convenient ordering counter, breezy outdoor patio, and ample seating throughout the dining room inside.

Hearthstone Bakery Café’s menu includes delicious pressed panini sandwiches and homemade soups that can be combined for a casual and nutritious lunch, as well as fresh salads made with seasonal ingredients for those who want a lighter meal. The bakery portion of the restaurant serves fresh brownies, cookies, and pies that make the perfect dessert, and they can also be ordered in bulk to take to work or home for the family.

Hearthstone Bakery Café
8096 Agora Parkway
Schertz, TX 78154
(210) 798-8646
www.hearthstonebakerycafe.com
www.yelp.com/biz/hearthstone-bakery-cafe-schertz

Treat Your Tastebuds to ‘Puffy’ Tacos at La Fiesta Patio Cafe

Relax after a long day at work with happy hour tacos and cervezas at La Fiesta Patio Cafe. The regular crispy tacos and soft tacos are both good, but this Universal City restaurant’s unique "puffy" tacos are even better. Regulars say you should definitely try this house specialty, which lands somewhere between crispy and soft tacos and uses masa to create a slightly crispy, bread-like wrap that is quickly deep fried into the shape of a taco shell.

If something lighter is more your style, try the grilled tilapia topped with salsa roja or the grilled chicken breast with queso and tortilla strips. For the value-minded, the restaurant's combination plates offer the best deal, as they generally include four entree items (like two tacos, a burrito, and an enchilada, for example) along with a side of rice and beans.

La Fiesta Patio Cafe
1421 Pat Booker Road
Universal City, TX 78148
(210) 658-5110
fiestapatiocafe.com
www.yelp.com/biz/la-fiesta-patio-cafe-universal-city

Five Guys Burgers and Fries: Munch on Peanuts at This Beloved Burger Joint

Five Guys Burgers and Fries offers the convenience of a fast food restaurant, but most regular customers would agree that the juicy burgers and crispy fries are of a much higher quality than the usual fast food fare. The chain's Live Oak location is decorated in Five Guy’s signature red and white checkerboard pattern, and it hosts the usual barrel of peanuts by the door that guests can snack on while waiting for their food to arrive.

Five Guys’ menu consists of all-American fare classics like cheeseburgers, hot dogs, and spicy fries, and everything is entirely made to order with a wide variety of toppings from which to choose. The state-of-the-art soda fountain is also a unique perk, as it enables you to mix your choice of sodas on a digital touch screen.

Whether you choose to have a casual lunch in the restaurant or take your burgers to-go, you'll likely find that Five Guys Burgers and Fries is a delicious and affordable indulgence.

Five Guys Burgers and Fries
8222 Agora Parkway
Live Oak, TX 78148
(210) 566-6428
www.fiveguys.com
www.yelp.com/biz/five-guys-burgers-and-fries-live-oak

Have You Tried the Cinnamon Rolls at Tazas Café?

Internet cafes are very popular all over Europe, and when you visit Tazas Café, you can experience the same international flavor right in Universal City. This combination coffee shop and internet lounge offers a full food menu, handmade espresso drinks, and free Wi-Fi to paying customers.

Pastries and omelets are available for breakfast, while the lunch menu includes homemade soups, healthy salads, and pizzas to share with friends. While the menu is fairly large for a cafe, the most popular item at Tazas is by far its cinnamon roll. Regulars rave about this award-winning pastry, and many say it makes the perfect addition to any meal or coffee drink.

Whether you come for your morning latte, a late lunch, or to catch up on some emails, Tazas Café is a lively, eclectic spot to visit at any time of day!

Tazas Café
3126 Pat Booker Road
Universal City, TX 78148
(210) 658-2927
www.tazalicious.com
www.yelp.com/biz/tazas-cafe-universal-city

Kajun Kuisine: Southern Fare Specialties Done Right

Folks from Texas know that some of the region's culinary specialties just can't be replicated anywhere else, and most of the dishes at Kajun Kuisine fall into that category. This Universal City restaurant specializes in dishes like spicy crawfish etouffee served with your choice of sides (the collard greens and cornbread are good choices) and sweet, Cajun-spiced baby back ribs, slow-cooked until they’re so tender they're nearly falling off the bone (pair these with mac and cheese and green beans for a full meal).

The atmosphere at this restaurant is casual, and everything on the menu is reasonably priced, though value-minded diners should especially consider the daily specials and combination plates. Finally, know that the service at Kajun Kuisine is cafeteria-style, so be prepared to serve yourself, and know that you'll be able to pick and choose whatever combination of dishes strikes your fancy.

Kajun Kuisine
2053 Universal City Boulevard
Universal City, TX 78148
(210) 236-8834
kajunkuisine.com
www.yelp.com/biz/kajun-kuisine-universal-city

La Fiesto Patio Café: Indulge in Tex-Mex Fare Without the Extra Calories

While Tex-Mex cuisine is known for its spicy flavor and eclectic blend of ingredients, it’s definitely not the healthiest food out there. Lucky for Universal City Tex-Mex lovers, La Fiesto Patio Café offers the same tacos, enchiladas, and other delicious dishes without all of the lard, white rice, or excessive sodium. La Fiesto uses all natural whole grains and brown rice as the base for its dishes, while fresh herbs and spices add delicious flavor without the use of salts or artificial seasonings.

The signature “puffy tacos” are the restaurant’s most popular items, and they get their name from their crispy shells of corn masa stuffed with generous portions of beef, chicken, tofu, or beans. La Fiesto also offers a full vegetarian and vegan menu that includes a wide variety of dishes that far exceed the usual salads.

La Fiesto Patio Café is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

La Fiesto Patio Café
1421 Pat Booker Road
Universal City, TX 78148
(210) 658-5110
www.fiestapatiocafe.com
www.yelp.com/biz/la-fiesta-patio-cafe-universal-city

Thai Spice & Sushi: Hurry In for Delicious Curry

Thai cuisine is beloved for its hearty, filling noodle bowls, flavorful curries, and intense spice levels that might intimidate even the most daring diners. Thai Spice & Sushi is one of the most authentic Thai eateries in the Selma area, and it features all of the usual Thai fare favorites along with a full sushi bar.

Dishes like pad Thai and panang curry offer an authentic Thai influence, and the menu also lists other Asian fare favorites, like fried rice and egg rolls. At the sushi bar, guests can order classic California rolls, sashimi, and more creative maki rolls made fresh upon ordering. There is also a full beer and wine list for of-age guests.

On the inside, Thai Spice is clean and modern and quite a bit larger than the usual Thai take-out spot. There is a full dining room with spacious tables, a sleek sushi bar with ample seating, and colorful artwork lining every wall to create a global feel.

Thai Spice & Sushi
8327 Agora Parkway
Selma, TX 78154
(210) 658-1665
www.thaispicesushisa.com
www.yelp.com/biz/thai-spice-and-sushi-selma-2

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