Look what’s cookin’

Travel authority serves up culinary kudos for stunning San Antonio hotel

Supper at Hotel Emma is one of the property's restaurants "leading a culinary revolution."

Photo courtesy of Supper

San Antonio’s much-praised Hotel Emma at Pearl sits at the head of the culinary class among Texas hotels.

Hotel Emma, which opened in 2015, holds the distinction of being the only hotel in the Lone Star State highlighted on a new list from Fodor’s featuring the 11 U.S. hotels with the best restaurants.

“Hotels are no longer just for tourists, but a true gathering place for everyone,” Bill Petrella, general manager and CEO of Hotel Emma, tells Fodor’s. “While the definition of luxury has changed, travelers are seeking new, fresh, and authentic experiences, and are interested in learning about the local culture and getting a feel for the cuisine, people, and sense of place.”

While the 146-room hotel has racked up scores of lodging accolades, its culinary credentials may not receive the attention they deserve.

Hotel Emma, which sits next to the Culinary Institute of America within the wildly popular Pearl district, not only features three onsite restaurants (Larder, Sternewirth, and Supper), but it also employs a full-time culinary concierge. According to Fodor’s, the concierge will call guests ahead of their arrival to map out their culinary itinerary, and will even “provide guests with intimate access to local chef-led dinners either in your own private suite or the best under-the-radar pop-up dinners in town.”

Chef John Brand oversees the culinary experience at Hotel Emma.

“Infused with the flavor of San Antonio’s cultures and history, Hotel Emma is leading a culinary revolution with cuisine to satisfy your appetite for flavor and substance,” the hotel says on its website.

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Hail Mary Hamburgers

UTSA star Frank Harris crafts signature burger for Southtown eatery

Hagan Rivas Marketing and Media

Harris and chef de cuisine at Camp Outpost Andy Grinnan with the winning burger.

Former UTSA star quarterback Frank Harris is back in San Antonio with a new play: a signature burger at Camp Outpost. Harris has crafted his own specialty burger exclusively for the Southtown eatery.

According to a release, the Frank Harris burger uses the restaurant's classic burger base: an assortment of pickles, lettuce, tomato, red onion, and American cheese, all balanced atop two thick burger patties.

But what makes it touchdown-worthy is a secret signature sauce.

Frank Harris burger at Camp Outpost That's quite the stack.Hagan Rivas Marketing and Media

The $16.95 Frank Harris burger is now available at Camp Outpost for a limited time.

"My favorite part of designing the burger was at the end I got to eat it," Harris joked in the release, also crediting the signature secret sauce with elevating the final creation.

Known for his record-setting seven seasons as UTSA's star quarterback from 2017 to 2023, Harris inspired coach Jeff Traylor Traylor to name him one of San Antonio's most popular athletes during a 2023 ESPN interview.

"Everybody knows Frank. Other than Wemby [Spurs draft pick, phenom Victor Wembanyama], I think he's the second most popular. ... I'd say it's Wemby, [Spurs coach Gregg Popovich], Tony Parker, David Robinson, [Manu] Ginobli, [Tim] Duncan, and then Frank's probably in there," Traylor told ESPN.

Known for elevated American fare with wood-fired rotisserie meats, Camp Outpost is an outdoorsy addition to Southtown's diverse dining scene. Its signature silver airstream trailer parked on the patio is easy to spot.

Camp Outpost trailer Camp Outpost has a signature look.Hagan Rivas Marketing and Media

Camp Outpost is open daily from 11 am to 9 pm, at 1811 S. Alamo St.

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