Facebook user Lety Montelongo kicked off the chat after a two-hour wait at Burnt Bean Co. in Seguin. She then posed an open-ended question, which drew wildly differing responses. While many expressed disdain for any sort of wait, others shared which San Antonio-area restaurants are worth standing in line for. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the eateries that locals agree are worth the wait. 

Burnt Bean Co.

Of course, we have to kick things off with the spot that inspired this conversation. Burnt Bean Co. has soared to one of the top barbecue spots in Texas, landing on numerous “best of” lists and even earning a Bib Gourmand from the Michelin Guide. Burnt Bean’s lines can take hours, but the memories of delicious prime brisket and pork ribs will last a lifetime.

Find it: 108 S. Austin St., Seguin, TX 78155

2M Smokehouse remains one of San Antonio’s most popular barbecue restaurants, with lines out the door Thursday through Sunday. In addition to earning numerous accolades, Esaul and Grecia Ramos, the husband-and-wife duo behind 2M, are expected to appear on Food Network’s upcoming series, Pitmasters. 

Find it: 2731 S. WW White Road, San Antonio, TX 78222

Apparently, the turkey plate is a must-try at Cup Stuff and Catering, as several people specifically mentioned the dish. The viral catering company offers homestyle cooking from its takeout cafe from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Find it: 827 Rayburn Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78221

Waiting in line for tamales in the wintertime is a rite of passage for San Antonians. Delia’s came onto the scene in 2020, opening its first San Antonio location off Hausman Pass and Loop 1604, and it quickly became a hotspot for long lines, especially in the days leading up to Christmas. 

Find it: 13527 Hausman Pass, San Antonio, TX 78249

One person commented that they waited in line for 40 minutes to try Portillo’s, which recently opened a new location in Schertz. The Chicago-based chain specializes in Chicago-style hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches. 

Find it: 18678 I-35 N. Frontage Road, Schertz, TX 78154

The lines at Wayne’s have been much better since the business expanded with new locations, but there was a time when the wing shop had a single location. The wings are indeed worth at least a 45-minute wait, with a wide variety of interesting sauces and rubs available.

Find it: 4453 Walzem Road, San Antonio, TX 78218; 11600 Bandera Road, Suite 116, San Antonio, TX 78250; 7870 Culebra Road, Suite 12, San Antonio, TX 78251