Three San Antonio restaurants are in the national spotlight for impressing Yelp’s famously persnickety reviewers. The crowd-sourced site has named Gino’s Deli Stop N Buy, PB&J with Tay, and Bilia Eatery among the Top 100 Sandwich Shops in the United States.
Yelp’s list, based on user reviews and ratings, considered key sandwich qualities like portability, affordability, popularity, visual appeal, sauces, toppings, and, of course, the bread. The final rankings were shaped by the number of critiques and overall star allocation from the Yelp community.
Gino’s Deli Stop N Buy, a longtime local favorite owned by Aleem Chaudhry, came in strong at No. 9. The Northwest Side shop is no stranger to national recognition, earning national raves for both its Philly cheesesteak and the Santa mailbox Chaudhry installs every year. Gino’s is a mainstay of best-of lists, from the San Antonio Current’s annual readers’ poll to Yelp’s Top 100 US Restaurants for 2024.
Gino’s Deli is famous for its Philly cheesesteak.Gino’s Deli/ Facebook
“I cannot get enough of their Philly. I come here once or twice a month just to get it,” wrote Yelp Elite reviewer Chris J.
Another standout is the Smoke Stack, made with smoked turkey, bacon, provolone, and a signature chipotle aioli, which Chris J. describes as “amazingly smoky, slightly spicy, and slightly sweet.” Fans also love the club sandwich, which comes stacked with roast beef, ham, turkey, jalapeños, lettuce, and mayo on fresh toasted bread.
The food hits the mark, but so does the service. Many reviewers say it feels like “visiting an old friend or family,” which helps explain why Gino’s has built such a loyal following.
Next on the list is PB&J with Tay, Texas’ only restaurant dedicated to the peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Founded by Jessica Burns in 2019, this family-owned gem takes the classic PB&J and elevates it with creative toppings like bacon, banana, Nutella, walnuts, and more.
PB&J with Tay’s sandwiches impress with unexpected ingredients.PBJwithTay.com
“PB&J with Tay made for a cute date and a unique dining experience,” one Yelp reviewer shared. “The sandwiches were pretty creative, and the dining area was very aesthetically pleasing. I would write more, but with so many positive reviews, I think it is better if you try it for yourself.”
Rounding out the San Antonio picks is Bilia Eatery, located in Castle Hills and owned by chefs Bryan Rojas and Mariana Wong. Bilia is known for its Cuban sandwich, seasonal soups, arepas, and salads, all served in a warm and inviting space.
“This is one of the most underrated spots in all of San Antonio, and I do not say that lightly,” said one enthusiastic reviewer. “From the barbacoa melt to the arepas, the menu is packed with wonderful Cuban and Latin flavors. The staff is always friendly and the food is delivered with care and in a timely manner.”