Lovably Local: Cozy Spots for a Winter’s Day

By Berit Mason

*Five Points bike lane. The city has improved infrastructure at this intersection where five San Antonio streets meet. This oldest of neighborhoods is now becoming gentrified.*

On wintry days, it’s the old and cozy that comforts.
A bowl of chili at a greasy spoon hits the spot while on a cold night, only a snug pub will do.

So put away the Christmas tie, the party dress too, and throw on an old sweater.
Head to where the atmosphere is warm and friendly, and chase away those moody blues.

Beethoven Maennerchor

422 Pereida St., 78210

Here you can drink real German beer and pretend you’re in snowy Bavaria.

Welcome to the Beethoven Maennerchor in Southtown.

Established in 1867, this was where German emigrants sang the songs of their homeland.

Beethoven Maennerchor “Halle und Garten” has a wood- paneled bar with pictures of stern forebears and German antiques, serving the best Deutsch lager.

Tuck into a plate of bratwurst and potatoes to soothe your soul.

Outside, a spacious “bier garten,” has long tables and benches, lit with strings of light.

Maennechor is German for “men’s chorus.” There’s a “damenchor,” (ladies) a “kinderchor,” (children) bands and folk dancing. You might even hear some old German songs, as the choirs still practice here.

*The Friendly Spot is laid-back, and “friendly,” a Southtown eatery to while away the afternoon, waiting for spring.*

The Friendly Spot Ice House

943 S. Alamo St., 78205

“Ice house” in the old days meant “convenience store.”

The Friendly Spot Ice House isn’t a convenience store but an outdoor bar and eatery, serving wings, fish tacos and fried pickles.

It’s furnished with an assortment of 20th century patio furniture and while not old, it’s old-timey.

Their theme is:

“Back when ... people went to ice houses to gather, buy beer, and be friendly there. Come on in, eat, grab a drink, be friendly.”

If you want a place to while away the hours waiting for spring, you’re welcome at this “friendly spot.”

Five Points

Fredericksburg Rd,. N. Flores St., N. Laredo St., W. Laurel St., and Culebra Rd. 78212

One of San Antonio’s oldest neighborhoods is “Five Points.”

That’s because five streets intersect here, coming to a “point.”

Five Points is being discovered, and like most up-and-coming areas, it now has a yoga studio.

M.K. Davis Restaurant began here in 1956. Formerly an ice house, this old-fashioned mom-and-pop serves dishes like chicken-fried steak and mac and cheese.

Nearby, Sanchos Cantina offers live music and rooftop seating.

South of San Pedro Springs Park, Five Points is just north of downtown.

Its growing popularity means the city has improved its infrastructure, adding bike lanes. What’s old is new again, at Five Points.

*This small chapel is open to the public for prayer and meditation. You’ll find comfort here during winter doldrums.*

Adoration Chapel, St. Anthony de Padua Catholic Church

102 Lorenz Rd., 78209

Just looking at this little old chapel is heartwarming.

Open to the public, the “Little Shrine of St. Anthony” was built by quarry workers in 1927, when the Alamo Quarry Market was a real quarry. People who worked there lived in the adjacent “Cementville.”

Under the direction of Father Peter Baque, they erected what is now Adoration Chapel, an elegant, diminutive mission-style church.

On the campus of the St. Anthony de Padua Catholic Church, all are welcome to pray and meditate, to experience its saintly charm. Hours: Open daily, 8:30am to 4:30pm.

After a century, it is still a wonderful place to spend the day playing putt-putt golf. Closed for winter, it reopens in March.

Cool Crest Miniature Golf

1402 Fredericksburg Rd., 78201

94-years-old, Cool Crest Miniature Golf on Fredericksburg Road is one of America’s oldest miniature golf courses.

It was closed for a time, but a few years ago new owners refurbished the place.

Two mini-golf courses promise “fun for all ages.”

Cool Crest is available to rent for parties and events.

For a fun outdoor activity, putt-putt golf is the way to go.

Cool Crest opens in March.

*This local favorite has been serving a basic menu of burgers and fries since 1955. No frills, but good food to lift your spirits.*

Burger Boy

2323 N. St. Mary’s St., 78212

This no-frills, no-pretense hamburger stand has hardly changed since it opened in 1955, and that’s what’s great about it.

The menu is short and to the point: hamburgers, fries, and shakes. You can also get a grilled cheese sandwich for less than $3.00.

Pull into this white and orange drive-through with its triangular roof, and crush the January blahs with a good hot lunch.

Its success means Burger Boy has expanded around town.

[Editor’s Note: Try asking them to mix multiple flavors in your shake; their chocolate banana milkshake is ludicrously good.]

Shotgun Houses

1100 block of Guadalupe St., 78207

An interesting field trip is to go see some shotgun houses.

These littlest of homes are historic landmarks, overseen by the San Antonio Office of Historic Preservation.

“We’ve been documenting San Antonio’s shotgun houses since 2019. So far, we’ve found over 700. A cluster on West Ashby was likely built by about 1905. The earliest shotgun houses in San Antonio date to the 1860s, though there are only a couple of the oldest examples remaining.”

But how is a house the size of a shoebox historic?

“The shotgun house is a type of house that traces its cultural roots to West Africa. Historians believe enslaved Africans brought the design to the Caribbean and then to the Gulf Coast of the United States. A shotgun house is just one room wide and one to four rooms deep. You could think of the shotgun house as the original ‘tiny home.’ In San Antonio, we often find shotgun houses near railroads, stockyards, quarries, and other industrial settings, because they provided affordable housing to laborers and their families.”

Blanco Cafe

1720 Blanco Rd. 78213

Tucked away on a corner in Beacon Hill is the Blanco Cafe.

Founded in 1974 by Alejandro F. San Miguel, this homey spot serves the “best enchiladas in town.”

The Original Blanco Cafe on Fredericksburg Rd. is owned by another family member. Both serve Tex-Mex food.

Prices are fair. A more expensive dish, a T-bone steak Mexican plate, is under $20.00.

The 1600 - 1700 block of lower Blanco is a “hipster” area, with cute shabby-chic shops to visit after lunch.

*This revered art academy was established by the sculptor who created the Alamo Cenotaph. Classes are on-going. Affordable and friendly, it fits the bill for a new year activity.*

The Coppini Academy of Fine Arts

115 Melrose, 78212

January nights are long and dark.

So, why not learn to draw?

For $10 on Wednesday nights, you can attend drawing salons at the city’s venerable art institute, the Coppini Academy of Fine Arts.

This lovely old building off of McCullough near Olmos Park is from 1936. It was the home of Italian sculptor Pompeo Coppini, the artist of the Alamo Cenotaph.

Inside are real art studios, welcoming beginners to the more advanced. Last year’s annual membership was just $25.00.

Their website calendar lists the full range of classes.

*The 102-year-old Elizondo Flower Shop was built around the original family home, a shotgun house built in the early 1920’s.*

The Elizondo Flower Shop

445 Castroville Rd., 78207

If you need a pretty flower arrangement, consider buying them at San Antonio’s oldest flower store.

For almost a century, Elizondo Flower Shop has been selling gorgeous flowers. Inside a quaint rock building with a green roof on Castroville Road, they’re next to the San Fernando Cemetery II.

Elizondo’s provided the arrangements for the visit of Pope John Paul II to San Antonio in 1987.

While delivering a lovely bouquet to a friend, you can tell them it comes from the town’s oldest florist. ■