It’s that time of year already.
The season is in full swing with San Angeloans headed outdoors to partake in the many activities common to summer including, extended sunshine, and road trips full of tasty sips & bites.
Outdoor dining is one of those things we Texans are lucky enough to do year-round, but it becomes even more popular in the summer months with our picturesque evening sunsets.
When the pounding heat of the West Texas sun gets going, after sunset can be the perfect time to bask in a Texas-style “el-fresco” experience.
Be it a cocktail, glass of wine, a craft beer, or a full dinner of your choosing, this city has a few solid places to get your outdoor dining fix. Here is my list of top summer spots for outdoor dining in San Angelo.
Note: Other than the final two, which are my personal favorites, the others could be intermixed in any order. It would depend on what food or drink I am in the mood for more than just the outdoor dining aspect alone. Read on to see how your picks compare.
Angry Cactus- A narrow alley-like outdoor dining space that can be reserved or taken on a first come first serve basis is one of the few downtown spots with a distinct, separate outdoor dinning area. Its quite secluded yet adjacent to the main restaurant. It has a dropped back and narrow view of Chadbourne Street at one end. One perk of this space is the three high surrounding walls that keep it shaded almost all day as well.
1 W Concho Ave, San Angelo, TX 76903
Zero One Taproom- Sister location to the next listing, Zero One Taproom has an expansivce outdoor enclosed patio space that acts almost like a hybrid beer garden. Complete with covered tables and chairs, benches and other features, this is a welcomed spot for happy hour and weekend brunch offerings. The enclosed nature provides a nice private barrier to the noise and distractions from the busy adjacent Koenigheim Street.
59 N Koenigheim St, San Angelo, TX 76903
Zero One Brewing Company- Not but two blocks away from the first listing, this spot has a smaller and more limited and partially covered seating/table space for diners to enjoy craft beer and the full menu. You’re literally sitting right off Beauregard Avenue for a direct view of downtown hustle and bustle.
20 W Beauregard Ave, San Angelo, TX 76903
Urban Salt Kitchen & Bar– Just a 30 second walk across the street from the previous spot is this little gem. As much as I love the swanky, modern vibe of inside, the small 4 table space out front is boxed in a low rise wooden wall-fenced space for a bit of a sense of privacy and division from the walkway. Diners once again get a direct view of the flow of downtown.
23 W Beauregard Ave, San Angelo, TX 76903
Angelo Ale House & Pizzeria- Venture over to the ASU campus area and you will find this spot. Any of all the spots in town, this is the only one that elevates the outdoor dining element, literally. It is located on the rooftop! A set of stairs lead you up to the elevated space where several longer picnic style tables await diners. A great view of Avenue N and a 360 view of the building corner lot and campus area awaits diners at this location.
1529 W Ave N, San Angelo, TX 76903
Next Level Grill & Bar- Now head on over to Sunset Avenue where in the middle of the Red Arroyo Trail sits this all-in-one sports training spot. Beyond athletics, sport your taste buds to the chef inspired menu and range of beer, cocktails, and weekend brunch offerings with a helping of open air views. The rear yard area is outfitted with small tables, a covered patio, and many adirondack chairs to lounge in all morning, noon, or night while noshing or sipping the joys of summer.
2838 College Hills Blvd, San Angelo, TX 76904
Fuzzys Taco Shop- Across town right off Sherwood way, sharing a parking lot with Crunch Fitness is this local favorite. I am tempted to swing in almost every time I leave the gym when I spy people sitting outback just chilling on the turf seated space with a plate of tacos and a cold beer. Or even the open air space adjacent to the turf area where you sit “inside” but retains the open-air, clear view of the outdoors with the summer sun and breeze all around you.
4333 Sherwood Way, San Angelo, TX 76901
Cork & Pig Restaurant– Here we go, now we are talking about one of my top two spots in San Angelo. Ironically only recently did this once climb into my top two spots after they finished the new patio expansion just over one year ago. Now much expanded and fully covered, this space is a welcome addition to the outdoor dining concept. Guests can now order drinks or appetizers from their very well known daily happy hour menu while basking in the summer sunsets.
1407 Knickerbocker Rd, San Angelo, TX 76904
Lakehouse Pizzeria- This spot gets my top nod. Not just for the brick oven pizza, myriad list of self-tap pours, amazing customer service, and pure beach vibes, but the patio space they have built here is unlike any other. Capitalizing on our very own Lake Nasworthy vistas, the outdoor patio space here is massive with umbrellas and fans to combat the heat.
Additional seating space is available off the patio at covered tables next to a green turf space for kids to play. The angle the patio sits at allows guests to get remarkable sunset views not available anywhere else in town.
