Bud Jones Restaurant — Restaurant in San Antonio

There is so much to avoid, to be wary or cautious of in our lives today that one almost needs a rule book to play the game of life with. More specifically, the bromide that says "do not discuss religion or politics with your friends if you want them to remain your friends" holds more water now than ever.

So it came as we were sitting in the Bud Jones dining room being waited on by the sweetest, most polite elderly lady that has ever graced the ranks of the service industry. As we sat there she unexpectedly addressed the topic first and was making a full unadulterated disclosure of facts with an opinion or two thrown in for effect. We couldn't believe it. As she finished we thought wisely of placing our order as quickly as possible before we were overcome with the sheer honesty and exuberance of her thoughts and the conviction of her opinions. We reserved the right to be rather skeptical at that point.

With all the news about politics, Covid, restaurant openings and closings, she returned with our food and we thought it possible that the conversation would return to the previous topic. That elephant in the room loomed intimidatingly large before us as we finished our appetizer and she returned with our meals. I'll be gol darned if she wasn't right on the money with what she had opined. The chicken fried steak led before us (this thing was big enough that you had to lead it rather than serve it) had to be as big as the foot pad of a bull elephant! [Had ya goin' didn't I?!]

Ogling a watering hole sized dose of gravy ladeled over the steak and mashed potatoes that cupped even more gravy looking like a crater lake, we understood now about the restaurant's claim to the biggest CF in San Antonio. Biggest or not, this beef wagon wheel was all tenderized steak and if it doesn't take care of your chuck wagon sized appetite at least twice over as you cut off bite after bite with no noticeable indentation, you are a far better man than I. One more side comes with the CF plate and green beans was a natural, if not expected, choice. But the flavor of those beans mounding out of a cafeteria type melmac bowl was enough to perk up even the most gravy soaked of taste buds. They were garlic spiced and they were garlicky good.

Our stomachs redlined and our bag of styros weighing in at pounds not ounces, we were happy to have braved the slings and arrows of outrageous portions and Covid bucky balls and will be back to try the cheese enchiladas that are also supposed to be of some renown for their size. Along with all-you-can-eat fish and all-you-can-eat spaghetti, Bud's plainly annihilates hunger. ...

Had the Senior Roast Beast with mashed potatoes and a salad with Thousand Island dressing. The salad was served promptly with a generous splash of their delicious house made Thousand Island dressing & 2 packs of fresh saltiness! Superb! The roast beef was cooked perfectly, almost fork tender with good texture and great flavor. The brown gravy was generously coating the beef slices and puddled in the mashed potatoes, and was not too salty as some are. The mashed potatoes were a fluffy consistency and very well suited to swirling with the brown gravy. I added a small side of onion rings as this was my first visit here, and I taste the rings everywhere, lol. They are hearty and crispu with a barely sweet soft center that is the hallmark of a perfectly cooked onion ring. My only reason for 4 stars is that the chocolate cake was thin, dry, and a chewy crust. The icing was good and both cake and icing had good flavor. It was located at the register in individual plastic bubble packs to-go and was served in the container with a fresh utensil.

This was my first time to ever order from any "seniors" menu, and I am impressed. It was a large amount of food for my single-meal appetite and would have easily been sharable with a second salad.

Server was friendly, engaging, attentive, and efficient. The restaurant was hopping at 8 pm on Saturday night, & everything was humming smoothly. I can see why this family restaurant has been so successful for so long! Great casual...

I am not sure what has happened at Bud Jones. For two years we have ranted and raved to friends in Dallas. We could not wait to get there again. So we went two days ago with delightful anticipation and we left feeling so let down. Yes the chicken fried steak was as big as your head but it was over cooked, a little tough and had dark exterior like the grease was old. Yes the All you eat fish was just that...allbyou eat. But I had to stop the waitress from bringing more basically for the same reason. It looked dark yet the fish appeared not cooked enough. The coleslaw that I had bragged so much about obviously has changed is would not be something I bragged about. The waitress was very good and very nice so that was nice. I did watching h hostess seat someone in a booth that missing pieces of vinyl so she was sitting g basically on foam. Almost all of the outside lighting of their name was out....all you saw at night NES....it was just so said. It was like people have stopped caring and are just concerned about revenue. After all they have been through over the years it is a shame to see it come to such a point. On our next trip San Antonio...and w9e go there alot...I must say we will not be going to Bud Jones...It is not worth the...