Southern fare is the draw at Pappy G's Country Kitchen, a casual restaurant that hosts a smattering of checkered cloth-covered tables and booths within its open dining room. Dressed in his white chef's coat, restaurant founder Pappy is a frequent fixture in the dining room, too. In fact, he's likely to make a stop by your table to ensure your meal meets your expectations—or just to crack a joke.

Regulars of this soul food eatery will attest that everything on the menu is worth trying, but particular praise is heaped upon the fried chicken, which is reportedly crispy and moist and pairs nicely with a bite of creamy macaroni and cheese. Meatloaf is just like Mom used to make, while the blackened tilapia and fried fish baskets are flavorful enough to make fans out of even the staunchest landlubber. (Don't pass over the freshly baked corn bread muffins!) Be sure to request two spoons if you order the peach cobbler; this sweet dessert is presented in a large sundae dish and can easily serve two.

Pappy G’s Country Kitchen is open Wednesdays through Sundays.

Pappy G’s Country Kitchen
1210 Pat Booker Road
Universal City, TX 78148
(210) 659-7799
www.pappygs.com
www.yelp.com/biz/pappy-gs-country-kitchen-universal-city

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Arnold Gatilao

If the phrases “hardwood floors” and “granite countertops” get your heart racing, you’re sure to love HGTV’s endless list of incredibly entertaining home design programs. Here are two of the network’s most beloved shows that make for hours of weekend binge watching.

House Hunters International
Have you always wondered what it would be like it live in a villa in Barcelona or a centuries-old apartment in Paris? House Hunters International follows equally adventurous house hunters as they give into their wanderlust and move thousands of miles away from home. The show explores all corners of the world and gives you a taste of the local culture, as well as the local real estate market.

Love It or List It, Too
This remake of the popular Love It or List It features the same competitive edge with a duo of newer, younger hosts. Love It or List It, Too follows a family who is tired of their current home as they decide whether to renovate what they already have or move somewhere entirely new. Realtor Todd competes with designer Jillian as he attempts to find the couple a new house, and Jillian attempts to re-work their current one.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/thinboyfatter

Measuring in at just under 81 acres, Comanche Lookout Park is a popular University City destination for locals in search of a little fresh air and sunshine. Here, hikers can break a sweat on 4.55 miles of trails, kids can swing and slide on the playground, and nature lovers can keep their eyes peeled for butterflies, native birds, jackrabbits, and wildflowers.

Trails are marked by level of difficulty, with the steeper inclines leading to the park's main draw: a lookout point that's the fourth-highest point in all of Bexar County. With an elevation of 1,340 feet, the park provides a stunning view of the surrounding landscape. In fact, Native Americans took in the very same view centuries ago; this hill was a popular vantage point for tracking wildlife or keeping tabs on enemy tribes.

Comanche Lookout Park is open to the public 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

Comanche Lookout Park
15551 Nacogdoches Road
Universal City, TX 78247
(210) 207-7275
www.sanantonio.gov/parksandrec/directory_comanche_lookout.aspx
www.yelp.com/biz/comanche-lookout-park-san-antonio

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Don DeBold