by Andrew Chalk
Visitors to San Antonio are ineluctably drawn to The Riverwalk and may be exposed to the newer eat/drink/live development at Pearl. Many will leave unaware that some of the best things in the city are in Southtown, starting just a half mile south of the inner core.
For a media event we walked from the Convention Center area down S. Alamo St. before veering left on St. Mary’s St. and arriving at The Good Kind in under 20 minutes (a good thing since the temperature was 2400oF). The Good Kind is a café describing itself as ‘good local eats’ and promoting its garden. In fact their attractive outdoor patio and mini event space next to the restaurant are planted like a garden and popular with guests.
We started with Asian Cauliflower "Wings" ($8) - and I did not know that cauliflower could fly. A bit like General Tso’s chicken, with Cauliflower flowerettes replacing the chicken. The sweet and sour mixture is served on top of spinach leaves. The quantity is just right for a snack or starter.
Fish Tacos ($12) consisted of a crimson-colored corn tortilla filled with a wedge of fried cod, citrus slaw, and salsa. There is some green salsa inside but it is down the bottom. Best to ask for some on the side to put over the top. It makes for a sloppy José that is a great lunch.
Panini sandwiches are a strong suit at The Good Kind. A Turkey & Cheddar Panini ($12) of turkey, cheddar, arugula, and cranberry relish, with the cheese melted into the other ingredients, produced endorphin overdrive synergy between cheese and meat, as well as a satisfying and filling lunch. If you have the appetite, the French Fries ($6), rustic fries served with romesco sauce & lemon parmesan atoli, are a celebration of one of the world’s favorite foods.
You might think that you are in New Orleans on first seeing the menu. It starts with the heading Cold Pressed Botanical Cocktails ($14) and lists three stiff drinks combining fruit, vegetables, and liquor. Immunity is beet, grapefruit, orange, ginger, and pineapple with Ketel One Grapefruit & Rose). Recovery is green apple, celery, kale, lemon with Ketel One Cucumber & mint. Anti-Inflammatory is pineapple, ginger, turmeric, lime, coconut water, Ketel One Peach & orange blossom. At the bottom of the menu are Smoothies ($9) “All-Natural, House-Blended, Pure & Botanical”. I could not resist the Kermit. Whilst frog-free (I presume the name comes from the color) it did have greens, pineapple, papaya, banana, lime, and coconut water. Rich and tasty with hints from the banana and papaya. Recommended.
Overall, The Good Kind has innovative drinks, good sandwiches, and that fantastic outside garden to enjoy them in. Check it out!
