Ernesto's Mexican Specialties

You can't find restaurants like this anymore. Ernesto is ALWAYS there, and makes you and you guests feel so welcome. The broiled seafood and sauces are excellent, and though always served with a broiled tomato and rice, we enjoy the combination and never feel overly full when we leave. Don't go for the deco, it's rather retro, but this small intimate restaurant is a gem in a city filled with numerous chain restaurants. A side benefit to Ernestos,,,you don't have to wait and hour for a table!!! more

Went to Ernesto's for the second time and was once again disappointed with the pricing for food that my family and I thought was just OK. The owner keeps talking about all his ""special sauces"" that really aren't so special. (Sorry! - we just weren't impressed with the flavors) All the dishes seem to get drowned by the sauces and its always the same sides - rice/broiled tomato. We walked out with a $250 tab!! Probably won't go back. more

I have been enjoying the wonderful food at Ernesto's since the late 1980's. Each and ever visit has been an unbelievable experience, from fine food to great services. Ernestor and his family always make you feel as if YOU are family too. Each opportunity I have, I recommend this fine restaurant. This is one of those treasures you want to share with everyone.\r \r A couple of weeks ago, my husband and I invited a dear friend to dinner and immediately suggested Ernesto's. Our friend is from Ernesto's homeland, Monterrey, Mexico, so we were excited to introduce her to this gem. \r \r We arrived a few minutes before opening hours, but upon seeing us standing outside, Ernesto's son unlocked the door and warmly invited us in. As always the service was stupendous. \r \r Unfortunately, the food was not as great as I remembered. The appetizer tray we ordered was not as fresh, they seemed as if they had been sitting around for a bit longer than they should have. The chips were a bit on the stale side and the butter was not good at all. You could tell that it had been refrigerated uncovered and had therefore acquired the tastes of everything else in the fridge. \r \r Though our friend and I wanted to order the Cod with one of the delicious sauces, it was recommended that we 'leave it up to them'. The red snapper they chose had no flavor and even the sauce didn't help it. \r \r Our bill totaled over $120.00 and when we left, we were disappointed and still hungry. Will I return? Perhaps not for awhile. I'd rather hold on to all my wonderfrul memories of a grand restaurnat then remember this last meal there. \r \r We are hoping this was a one time thing that will never happen again. But, just perchance Ernesto should read this review .... 'please kind sir, cover the butter'.\r \r more

As I walk into Ernesto’s I am greeted by the owner, Ernesto. He greets you as if you are a friend entering his home. You don’t find this kind of service anymore! You know you are a guest and you know everything will be done to make your dining experience outstanding.\r \r Ernesto will discuss his menu with you. If you love oysters, these are the largest and best in the state. My party enjoyed a selection of seafood served with butter sauces to die for. We had a combination of stuffed red snapper, lobster, and shrimp. One also enjoyed the steak San Antonio with an avocado butter sauce. There are also traditional Mexican selections.\r \r Don’t be afraid to let Ernesto know what you like. He will serve your dinner the way you want it!! If he asks you if you would like for him to choose your sauces, trust him!! This is truly French meets Mexican in a classic style.\r \r Desserts are wonderful. I enjoyed the homemade mango ice cream with mango sauce. There are also crepes with a pralines sauce. If you are not the designated driver, have a Café Ernesto, a spirited coffee.\r \r The wine list ranges from inexpensive to high dollar. There is something for everyone. You can enjoy a quality wine from $25.00 - $35.00.\r \r If you want to feel spoiled and meet a new friend, re-discover Ernesto’s.\r Pros: Wonderful seafood / Great Service more

Better than La Scala.......Tastier than Los Barrios........better service then Le Reve.\r \r So don't go dangit ! Pros: Quality Cons: Quantity more

For any one who loves wonderful food this is the place!! The seafood is awesome the sauces are heavenly. The best margarita i ever had. The service is one of a kind! The candle light and great music completes the night. I highly recommend this restaurant to all. Pros: great service more

I enjoy Ernesto's 3-7 times a month for great lunches and dinners - and have been going there for years - and have been there with family, friends, and business partners. Ernestos and the staff are very kind & professional. My last visit included a wonderful seafood grilled combination plate that included a stuffed red snapper with lump crabmeat, grilled tender shrimp and a cooked to perfection filet migon. I had fresh, grilled & fried seafood as well as the many dishes on the mexican menu and was very pleased with each dish, drinks and desserts. I happened to be dining when that annoying cell phone diner was there as well and I have to say I doubt Ernesto serves anything frozen - every seafood and beef we've had have been tasted fresh & had an amazing sauce to go with it. I am sure Ernesto did ask the loud talker to tone it down a bit - and some people just don't respect other diners, but I also wonder why the last reviewer did not ask Ernesto to move him to a better table and also if he did not like his dish - I am sure Ernesto would have graciously accomodated to his requests & aim to please him as he always aims with us. We highly recommend Ernesto's! Pros: Excpetional gourmet food and service Cons: Live music would be nice. more

ERNESTO IS A KIND MAN AND WAITER ALSO. BUT I HAVE TO SAY THAT THE FOOD WAS TERRIBLE WE HAD ORDER A STEAK AND IT'S WAS A FROZEN PATTY WITH A GREAT SAUCE THAT COVERED THE PATTY.\r AND ALSO THERE ANNOYING LOUD CELL PHONE TALKER RIGHT NEXT 2 US HE TALKED ALL THREW HIS DINNER I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT HE WOULD HAVE PUT THE PHONE DOWN WHEN HE GOT HIS FOOD , BUT NO LUCK FOR US ..\r THE RESTAURANT WAS PRACTICALLY EMPTY THAT NIGHT THERE WAS ONLY 3 TABLES INCLUDING MINE .. AND ERNESTO HAD TO PLACE HIM RIGHT NEXT 2 US . I KNOW HE IS A REGULAR CUSTOMER . AND WE WILL NEVER GO BACK THERE AGAIN ... \r \r Pros: SERVICE Cons: FOOD more

A FRIEND INVITED ME TO HAVE DINNER THERE FOR OUR FIRST DATE, WE WERE GREETED AT THE DOOR BY A MAN WHO SAID HE WAS ERNESTO, HE WAS JUST SO POLITE AND WELCOMED US TO HIS RESTAURANT. WE STARTED OUT WITH ONE OF THE BEST MARGARITAS THAT I HAVE EVER HAD AND MY FRIEND WHO HAS BEEN THERE BEFORE JUST TOLD ERNESTO TO SURPRISE US, ALL ERNESTO ASKED US WAS IF WE ENJOYED SEAFOOD OR MEXICAN FOOD OR A LITTLE OF BOTH. HE SURPRISED US WITH THE BEST TORTILLIA SOUP EVER AND THEN SINCE MY DATE AND I LOVE OYSTERS,THE WAITRESS BROUGHT OUT THESE HUGE FRIED OYSTERS AND WE LOVED EVERY BITE. I WAS SURPRISED WITH A MOUTH WATERING SNAPPER AND SOME LOBSTER & SHRIMP WITH A WONDERFUL MUSHROOM BUTTER SAUCE AND ERNESTO SURPRISED MY DATE WITH BEEF TENDERLOIN AND A GREEN CHICKEN ENCHILADA. MY DATE DID NOT EVEN USE A KNIFE FOR HIS BEEF,HE SAID IT WAS SO TENDER. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS RESTAURANT TO EVERYONE. OH, AND YOU HAVE TO HAVE ERNESTO'S SPECIAL COFFEE WITH SPIRITS I ASKED IF I COULD HAVE MINE DECAFE AND OUR WAITRESS SAID NO PROBLEM. I, WAS VERY PLEASED WITH EVERYTHING ABOUT ERNESTO'S AND WILL BE BACK VERY SOON. SPECIAL THANKS TO ERNESTO AND OUR WONDERFUL WAITRESS MARI Pros: MOUTH WATERING FOOD, OWNER GREETS YOU, GREAT SERVICE, ROMANTIC Cons: CLOSED ON SUNDAYS more

First let me start by saying that Ernesto's has been around for over 28 years! And the food has remained the same...GREAT! My experiences ther have always been great ones!Ernesto always greets you and sometimes will make suggestions...be sure and try his Steak San Antonio dish,it is very good and is presented in a very delightful way...the chalupas are a well kept secret and would make a nice appetizer! Ernesto makes sure that every table is inpeccable and the settings are placed just right! Covered with linen and cloth napkins it makes for a romamntic setting or just a nice casual lunch or dinner.Anytime is right for Ernesto's!! Add soft music and low lights plus great food and you have the right combination for a delightful lunch or dinner! I go there often and enjoy it everytime!For after dinner, ask Ernesto to make you a ""cafe Ernesto"" which is a Bailey's with coffee and cream (he will leave out the whipped cream if you wish)....if you are not a seafood person they're an assortment of other dishes of which to choose from.Believe me you will enjoy the experience! Ernesto has many repeat customers,of which I am one of!!!Thanks Ernesto for always taking the time to make my dinner and lunch a GREAT one!! Pros: service,friendly,and GREAT food! more

Best Shrimp Enchiladas ever. The Family who owns the restaurant is so friendly and really cares for their customers. I would go there anytime. Pros: Friendy, Fast, Great Food more

They say that supurb service combined with elegantly prepared food is the essence of life. Ernesto and his family meet and greet you at the door and never let go of their customers until they return to their vehicles. And the food - - Oh m'gosh THE FOOD. If you have any thinking capacity at all you will allow Ernesto select from the menu for you - the seafood is excellent, the sauces are excellent, the salads are well above expectation. This gourmet eatery is a well kept San Antonio secret. Let's keep it that way! Pros: Service, Presentation, Value more

I've traveled the world and have spent my time tasting all of the wonderful food I could find. I find out that I don't have to go very far anymore. This place has surpassed any restaurant I have come across. Ernesto described his cuisine as ""Mexican fair with a french flair"" and it wasn't anything short of wonderful. If you live in San Antonio and haven't tried Ernesto's then you're missing out. It is the best food I have ever put in my mouth. Pros: Service, Food, Menu options more

This is a real find. Ernesto is very accomodating and is ever-present, greeting everyone and sincerely interested in his guests' enjoying themselves. This is not your ordinary texas mexican restaurant. It is a white tablecloth establishment with a well-trained waitstaff and a wonderful array of great seafood and enough ""turf"" for those who do not want seafood. Ernesto makes about nine wonderful sauces and has incredible home-made ice cream. Pros: Moderate prices, Great food, Pleasant environment more