Rios Barbacoa — Restaurant in San Antonio

Rios Barbacoa is one of those local spots that never disappoints when it comes to authentic, fresh Mexican food. The tamales here are some of the best I’ve had — you can tell they’re made with care and with fresh ingredients. They’re perfectly moist, full of flavor, and wrapped just right, not too thick or greasy.

The barbacoa is always tender and flavorful, with just the right amount of seasoning and fat that makes it melt in your mouth. You can tell the meat is fresh every time — it’s never dry or overcooked. It’s the kind of food that reminds you of homemade Sunday breakfast with family.

The salsa deserves its own mention. It’s clearly made fresh daily — you can taste the brightness of the tomatoes, the spice of the chiles, and the perfect balance that ties everything together. Whether you like it mild or hot, it adds the perfect kick to the tacos, tamales, or even just chips on the side.

The staff is always friendly, quick, and welcoming, even during busy hours. The place stays clean, and they keep the line moving fast, which is great when you’re grabbing food for the family on the weekend.

If you’re looking for a true taste of San Antonio’s traditional flavors, Rios Barbacoa is a must-visit. Fresh food, great prices, and authentic quality you can count...

Great food Okay so walking into this location isn't that nice....a lot of work needs to be done just to brighten up the initial impression that a customer can have walking in. The two guys working today were cool & kind. Professional doing a great job. The order was ready in seconds. The pico was pretty good ..not too spicy not too bland... The barbacoa was delicious....I understand why the fat is left in the to go cup...but honestly draining some of that would make it easier to finish..

San Antonio Saturday...

In 2019 we first purchased Rios Barbacoa and was actually good with a little salt added for taste on our end. Since covid-19 began the barbacoa has been horrible with the few times we have gone. We are currently looking for another barbacoa location instead. Also its too expensive when it comes to price vs quality. In fact for us HEB barbacoa tastes better than Rios Barbacoa and thats never a good thing when its supposed to be the MAIN product you specialize at and they can't be consistent...