It's not hard to find beef in San Antonio, but great beef endorsed by local ranchers is a different story. Beef Loving Texans, the consumer-facing side of the Texas Beef Council (TBC), has organized a digital "passport" that will take travelers along the 2025 Ultimate Beef Trail, culminating in small and large prizes.

The passport is active now through December 31, 2025, and covers 163 restaurants across Texas, including San Antonio, Austin, Houston, DFW, Amarillo, McAllen, and more. There are also multiple sub-passes that set beef lovers out on a quest for certain styles of cooking in certain regions. Those include:

• South Texas Tex-Mex Trail
• Houston Burger Blitz
• Surf & Turf Gulf Coast Adventure
• Dallas-Fort Worth Steak Trail
• Panhandle Country Fried Steak Quest
• Central Texas BBQ Trail

The passport is returning, but the themed passes are new this year. They're all free to download and don't require users to download an app; instead, they work directly in web browsers.

After downloading their desired passes, San Antonians on the go need to check in at each restaurant to claim points, which they can then redeem for prizes. This does require enabling GPS data, at least while using the platform.

Each check-in is 100 points. One visit earns enough points for a sticker; two visits are enough for canvas bags; five visits earn “Nice to Meat Y’all” T-shirts; and 10 visits can be exchanged for a brisket hat. Points will be deducted after they're spent on a reward, so users can choose what they want.

After 10 visits, things get more interesting. It takes 20 trips to earn enough points for a YETI tumbler and a grand prize entry. The grand prize sets the winner up for a smoking class by Beef Loving Texans, plus a "weekend getaway" nearby.

The passport raves about Cured's dry-aged steaks.Cured/ Facebook

Even if users don't get to their rewards goal, the list adds value with context and menu recommendations. The organization raves about the "best beef enchiladas in town" at the Original Blanco Cafe and suggests charcuterie or dry-aged steaks at Cured. There are also a few deals to scope out. The Hayden is offering 10 percent off "all things beef."

Badges represent other partnerships: one appears to be for restaurants involved in the Texas Restaurant Association, and "Rancher Recs" denote restaurants with "exceptional beef" as chosen by ranchers.

There are 18 participating San Antonio restaurants:

• 2M Smokehouse
• Acenar Mexican Restaurant
• Bohanan’s Prime Steak & Seafood
• Burgerteca
• Carriqui
• Casa Rio
• Cured
• Curry Boys BBQ
• La Gloria
• Little Red Barn Steakhouse
• Original Blanco Cafe
• Restaurant Claudine
• Smoke Shack BBQ
• Taquitos West Avenue
• The Backyard Kitchen
• The Hayden
• The Magnolia Pancake Haus
• Tu Asador

“The Ultimate Beef Trail is back, now with new regional passes that highlight the delicious and diverse flavors and beef culture across Texas,” said Rachel Chou, director of consumer marketing for Beef Loving Texans, in a press release. “From smoky brisket and sizzling fajitas to burgers and beyond, it’s a chance to discover standout dishes while supporting the people who make Texas beef unforgettable. It’s more than a meal; it’s a road trip worth taking."