Finding the perfect calzone in the heart of San Antonio can feel like searching for buried treasure. But fear not, pizza aficionados! This guide unveils the top 12 calzones downtown, ensuring your next culinary adventure is a cheesy, saucy, and utterly satisfying experience. We've scoured the city, tasted the dough, and judged the fillings to bring you this definitive list. Whether you crave a classic pepperoni or a daring gourmet creation, you'll find your ideal calzone within.
Discovering Downtown San Antonio's Calzone Gems
Downtown San Antonio pulsates with life, offering a vibrant mix of history, culture, and of course, incredible food. Amidst the River Walk's charm and the Alamo's grandeur, delicious calzones await discovery. This list considers factors beyond just taste – ambiance, service, and overall value also play a role in determining the best spots. Our criteria ensure you experience not just a great calzone, but a memorable dining experience.
What Makes a Great Calzone?
Before we dive into our top picks, let's define what makes a truly exceptional calzone. It's more than just folded pizza; it's a symphony of flavors and textures:
- Perfect Dough: The crust should be perfectly crisp on the outside, yet soft and chewy on the inside. The flavor should be subtle, allowing the fillings to shine.
- Generous Fillings: A skimpy calzone is a disappointment. We're looking for a generous helping of cheese, sauce, and other delectable ingredients.
- Balanced Flavors: The combination of flavors should be harmonious, with no single ingredient overpowering the others.
- Hot and Fresh: A freshly baked calzone, served piping hot, is a culinary delight.
The Top 12 Calzones: A Downtown San Antonio Guide
This list isn't ranked in any specific order; each calzone offers a unique and delightful experience.
1. Rosario's Italian Cafe: Known for their authentic Italian recipes, Rosario's delivers a classic calzone experience. Their dough is light and airy, perfectly complementing the rich tomato sauce and generous cheese filling. Try their "Spicy Italian" calzone for a fiery kick.
2. Biga on the Banks: This upscale restaurant offers a sophisticated take on the calzone. Expect gourmet ingredients and creative flavor combinations. Their wild mushroom and truffle oil calzone is a must-try for adventurous palates.
3. Paesanos: A San Antonio institution, Paesanos provides a consistently satisfying calzone experience. Their large portions and classic flavors make this a popular choice for families and large groups.
4. The Esquire Tavern: This historic tavern offers a unique atmosphere and a surprisingly delicious calzone. The combination of a classic setting and a well-executed calzone makes for a memorable evening.
5. Pizza Roma: A family-owned pizzeria that has been serving San Antonio for decades, Pizza Roma crafts traditional calzones. Their simple, yet expertly made, calzones are beloved for their honest flavors and reasonable prices.
6. Dough Pizzeria Napoletana: A Neapolitan-style pizzeria, Dough utilizes high-quality ingredients and traditional techniques. Their calzones are thin-crust and bursting with fresh flavors.
7. Cappy's: Casual and fun, Cappy's delivers a tasty and affordable calzone. Their diverse menu allows you to customize your calzone to your liking.
8. Bakery Lorraine: While primarily known for their pastries, Bakery Lorraine also offers a surprisingly good calzone. Their unique approach to the dish incorporates some unexpected twists.
9. Southerleigh: This upscale restaurant in the Hotel Emma offers a creative and refined calzone. Expect gourmet ingredients and a presentation that is as beautiful as it is delicious.
10. The Original Donut Shop: A hidden gem! Don't let the name fool you – this spot also offers excellent calzones that often feature unique and interesting combinations of flavors.
11. Acenar: This trendy eatery is popular for its modern Mexican dishes, but its calzone also earns rave reviews for its creative takes on the traditional recipe.
12. La Fogata: This restaurant often has a special on calzones and offers a rich and hearty filling sure to please anyone's taste.
Finding Your Perfect Calzone
This list provides a starting point for your calzone adventure in downtown San Antonio. Remember to consider your personal preferences, budget, and desired ambiance when choosing your next culinary destination. Happy eating!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is a calzone?
A: A calzone is a folded pizza, typically filled with cheese, sauce, and other ingredients. It's essentially a pizza turned inside out.
Q: Are calzones typically larger or smaller than pizzas?
A: Calzones are typically served as individual portions, similar in size to a large pizza slice. However, size can vary between restaurants.
Q: What kind of fillings can I expect to find in downtown San Antonio calzones?
A: You'll find a vast array of fillings, ranging from classic pepperoni and cheese to gourmet combinations with mushrooms, spinach, artichoke hearts, and even more exotic ingredients.
Q: Are there vegetarian calzone options?
A: Absolutely! Many restaurants offer vegetarian-friendly calzones with various vegetable fillings and cheese. Always double-check with the restaurant to confirm ingredients.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement of any particular restaurant. Restaurant menus and offerings can change, so always check with the establishment before ordering.
