In 1969, the Hungry Farmer Steakhouse opened its doors on the Southside of San Antonio on the corner of Military Drive and I-35. In the nearly 60 years since, the Hungry Farmer has stuck to a core principle: serving up good, affordable meals in a family-friendly setting.
No matter when you visit, you’re going to be filled with a great meal and the knowledge that virtually everything will be the same as the last time you were there. This is the essence of comfort, and this is the essence of the Hungry Farmer.
My family and I have been making the pilgrimage to the sprawling red-hued steakhouse for decades. In a day and time when the price of beef is at an all-time high, to be able to get a good-sized steak at an affordable price should be something to be celebrated and cherished. Prices range from $16.99 for a grilled onion chopped sirloin steak to $19.99 for a house steak.
On my recent visit to the steakhouse, everything was just as I remembered it. The broken-down old tractor out front, the faded photos of John Wayne and Gary Cooper, the antique car parts adorning the walls – all of it was just like I remembered.
I must admit freely that I love their chicken-fried steaks ($19.99). I love their T-bones (range from $27.49 to $31.49), which are becoming increasingly hard to find on many menus, and their pin-bone sirloin ($31.49) is also a personal favorite. My absolute favorite item on their menu, however, is their house steak. This 8- to 10-ounce cut of sirloin is impossibly tender and oh-so-flavorful.
So, this was once again my order on my recent visit. An old friend of mine made the trip with me to share in the experience. We both ordered the same meal. The beautiful house steak was accompanied by a healthy-sized baked potato with the full trimmings.
From the first flavorful bite to the juicy last one, this was a steak experience to be savored, and savor it I did. What a meal – I left no crumb behind and sopped up the juices with one of the accompanying dinner rolls.
There is something about a perfectly cooked steak that just makes everything feel right with the world, and the Hungry Farmer fits that bill, too. I must admit there is probably some nostalgia involved – birthdays have been celebrated there, and we also had a few victory dinners there on fall Friday nights back in the day.
Regardless, knowing that Hungry Farmer is still there after all these years and showing no signs of slowing down any time soon makes me smile. Also, knowing that I don’t need a reason to visit, that you just go any time you want, that’s, again, a comfort.
If you haven’t made your visit yet, I encourage you to head down soon and enjoy it.