Finally! We can mark this one off the list. It has almost become a joke that every time we head out to look for a place to try, I always suggest the 410 Diner, and we end up with either some excuse for not going or we come up with someplace more worthwhile before we get from our side of town to Broadway. Admittedly, one of the issues is the coupon they have in the Entertainment Book. It is only good for after 5, and we are usually just looking for lunch.
But this time, in spite of going down a list of several other places, we made it to the parking lot of the 410 Diner without diverting elsewhere.
The first thing that shocked me when I walked in was that our host asked us if we wanted smoking or non-smoking. I haven't been asked that in a while that I can recall. Then when we requested non-smoking, we were led to a smaller enclosed dining area. For a moment, I thought we had been misunderstood, but sure enough, there were no ashtrays or smokers. But come to think of it, it may have all been a big joke, because I did not see a single smoker, or smell a single cigarette our entire visit. Who knows?
The second thing that shocked me was the bathroom. Just kidding. That was actually outside the window on an adjacent property.
I like the place. Very Arthur Fonzarelli in style, with a little more upscale feel than Lulu's on Main. Lots to look around at, old posters and those newer signs that have little neon highlights. The booths have very tall seat backs so you aren't looking at the head of the guy in the booth in front of you.
While they have an interesting menu, our waitress plopped down a dry eraser board with all the current specials and the huge selection of vegetables. I suspect this place would be very well liked by any of our vegan readers. We had a nice lady with an accent that seemed British, but would occasionally drift into some sort of Slavic sound. Who knows, maybe she is an actress working on a part. Either way, she was very matter of fact, quick and efficient.
My son was with us, and he decided on a Pepper Chicken which was chicken breast, some bell pepper, covered with cheese and Parmesan. For sides, he got broccoli and cabbage. For a minute, I wondered who had abducted our son, but when he only picked at the cabbage, I knew it was him.
My wife went with the Chicken Fried Steak, a solid choice though she was concerned about it having too much gravy. Too much gravy? The Hell you say! She also had mashed potatoes with gravy and some cooked carrots. She really enjoyed the CFS but she felt like the carrots were a bit bland. I tossed a bunch of salt on them and they taste fine to me.
I opted for a seafood platter, substituting oysters for additional shrimp. Yum! I know this is going to sound bold, but the shrimp alone was worth the price of the entire seafood platter. They were simply awesome. The fish did not look as appealing, but actually tasted just fine along with the creamy tarter sauce. The Seafood Platter comes standard with Cloe slaw and curly fries. In hindsight, I could have swapped out the fries for some green beans. I bet they would have been yummy. But look at the size of that curly fry!
To go along with our huge lunch, they brought us out a plate full of cornbread. I don't think it was just out of the oven fresh, but it was good, especially slathered with real butter. I can actually feel myself getting fatter just thinking about it.
In the end, we were all pretty stuffed and pleased with lunch. I think I would have enjoyed sitting in the front of the place, just to enjoy a little more of the atmosphere, but I guess you have to be a smoker to earn that privilege. Even as we left and stopped to chat with some folks up front, I still never did smell a hint of cigarette smoke. Maybe they have a really good ventilation system, or maybe people just don't smoke when the eat anymore.
I am guessing the 410 Diner puts on an awesome breakfast, so we are going to have to add them right back onto the list so I can go in and try out the biscuits and some of the nutritious bacon I'm sure they serve. Have you been; do you know what the deal is with the lack of smokers in the smoking area? Your comments would help us figure it out!
Since we were already on Broadway just south of Alamo Heights anyway, I suggested to my wife that we pull into the famous Pig Stand and get some, since we had never been in before. Over time, we have been trying to hit all the famously talked about places in San Antonio, just so we know what people are talking about, and once again, I'm sorry to report that we were underwhelmed.
I used to listen to ol' Ricci Ware over on KTSA radio and for years, I heard him yammer on about the Pig Stand on Broadway. There are, in my opinion, some slight exaggerations that have been associated with this place. 
For example, they say it was the first drive-in in the world, but in reality, I think maybe the chain of Pig Stand restaurants started drive-ins, not specifically this one in San Antonio. Ditto for the invention of onion rings. None of that should matter of course, regardless of the hype, if the place is good, I'm all for it.
When we first walked in I was immediately pleased with the appearance. Think Richie and Fonzi and Potsie and Ralph Malph; the Pig Stand looks just how I imagined the diner in Happy Days. The black and white checkered floor, booths with juke boxes and a counter for folks that want to eat at the bar gives the place the authenticity of, well, a place that has been around since before the 50's. You can just imagine all the hijinks that took place inside the Pig Stand back when teenagers hung out because there was nothing to see on TV, no Internet to blog with and no cell phones to endlessly text with.
Even if the place looked a little musty, I liked the atmosphere and was really looking forward to the famous onion rings and the pig sandwich. My wife didn't seem as impressed as I did. She said it smelled greasy, but not as greasy as Good Time Charlies. I think that maybe after a place has been standing for so long, there is probably nothing you can do to get the smell out, short of tearing it down and starting over. 
Consider Earl Abel's that was once just up the street on Broadway. That place had been going non-stop for years. They sold the property for some new condos, and moved a few miles away and opened up a fresh and clean version of the diner and it smells pretty good. Sometimes, you just gotta shake things up.
On the other hand, These are actual photos taken of the vents above our eating area in - and what's in a name anyway - The Pig Stand. I think Pat Morita would turn in his grave.
We did like all the pig figurines and ceramics around the place and aside from the vents, the place was reasonably clean. Like I say, just old. And I have eaten in so many newer hole-in-the-wall type places, that really, this was no cause to lose an appetite.
The first thing we had to have was the onion rings. We weren't sure of how the orders come out, so I asked for the 1/2 and 1/2 - part fries and part onion rings. Hopefully, nothing I write here will deter you from going and getting an order of these onion rings. They were top notch - really huge and fat, and they were great. Had I realized we were only getting three to split between us, I would have gotten the full order. Having said that, the fries were okay. Not bad at all, but again, I'd take the rings over the fries any day.
My wife ordered a Club sandwich and it was also very good. I know because I helped her finish it. And of course, it would have been helpful if I had realized she was getting fries with the Club and I would have gone with the full order of onion rings. Did I mention I liked the onion rings?
Of course, being at the Pig Stand, I had to try the Pig Sandwich. The bun was very fresh and nicely grilled to get that perfect base for any good burger or sandwich situation. But when they brought it out on a full sized plate, I was a little shocked at the size (considering the price). It comes with some sauce and I think some relish on it which makes for an okay combination I wouldn't have thought of. In the end, I was not impressed at what I assumed to be the signature Pig Stand sandwich.
Here is what I suggest if you are in the area. Go to the Pig Stand and try the onion rings. Then, go back up Broadway and cut through Brackenridge Park and head over to Augies Barbed Wire Barbeque, and order up one of their Pulled Pork sandwiches. You'll thank me for it later.
By the way, I spoke with Mary Ann, the new owner of The Pig Stand. She has a very interesting story in that, she was an employee for 40 years or so. When the son of the original owner had issues with the business, Mary Ann was able to take it over and keep it going. You have to admire her love for the place. Learn more by visiting her web page here.
And you can see all the pictures on the Flickr Page.
We took a drive down Broadway this afternoon to go check out the Fiesta Store.
Of course, we have at least another month or so until Fiesta kicks off, but you can avoid the crowds and get what you need by either shopping online, or just doing like we did and going to the official store.
As you might expect, the place is mighty colorful. Lots of medals, t-shirts, of course the posters and all the official items you need. Something to think about if you like souvenirs but don't want to have to wade through the crowds to purchase them and subsequently have some dude spill beer on them.
Consider that a public service announcement!
If you happened to pick up the San Antonio Express-News for Saturday the 30th of August, you may have seen the brief article on the opening of the Terrific Tree houses exhibit at the San Antonio Botanical Gardens. Well, just so happens that on Friday, my wife and I made a trip to Funston off Broadway, to see the exhibit for ourselves, but without the ruffles and flourishes required of an opening.
Let me cut quickly to the chase on two important items: First, my wife has been trying to get me to go to SABG for years and each time, I simply have balked at the idea because I figured it involved more goofy flowers than an HEB on Valentines Day, and second, I took more pictures in the hour or two that we wandered through this place than I have in any single location we have written about since starting this blog.
So to answer my first complaint, it isn't all goofy flowers. This is a place that you can go to enjoy a relaxing walk, get some incredible ideas for your own landscaping at home, and enjoy some nice art.
And on the issue of taking lots of pictures, I couldn't possibly narrate our entire visit through the park, but if you'd like to see the pictures I took (either to avoid the entrance fee, or just to check it out before you actually go), I offer you a rare glimpse of my Flickr page. Have at it.
I'm only going to hit the high points and I'll let you explore this beautiful place on your own. So, a few administrative items are in order. First, the adult admission is well worth the $7.00 but if you are military, a senior citizen or any number of other qualifying census data markers, you can get a discount. I paid $5.00, my wife had to pay $7.00. Ha Ha!
Also, we hit it on a weekday and the sky was overcast. I would bet that if you visited during a period of heavy traffic like during a school field trip, it would be noisy, and in the heat of the day, it would really suck. Enjoy the pictures.
When you enter through the Sullivan Carriage House, you will see a nice gift shop and restaurant. My daughter ad her husband have dined at the Carriage House and really enjoyed it, though pricey to them, but we skipped it for a later lunch treat.
Once we entered the actual gardens, it was as if being transformed from the hustle and bustle of San Antonio and the harsh Alamo Heights traffic into a really peaceful, well, Botanical Garden. Okay, to be honest, at first I was underwhelmed. We went off into the Rose Garden. Coincidentally, I've been working in my own rose garden at the house, and though this place was 1,000 times better than mine, hell, at least my landscape timbers are in better shape. But it gets better.
I really enjoyed the Fountain Plaza, though I was unable to get a good photo of it due to the extraneous people and pop-up canopies in place preparing for the opening on Saturday.
We went in to the Japanese Garden and that was a real treat. I loved the rocks, the streams and the path. Oh, and stay off the grass!
From there, we moved on to the Lucile Halsell Conservatory where there are several different pavillions containing different types of plants. If you have ever driven by the area and have seen the tall glass structures, this is where the plants are.
In addition to the plants and trees and ferns and cacti, the entire SABG has various artistic designs and sculptures and such incorporated into the gardens. You don't have to do a school report on it after the fact, so go ahead and enjoy the beauty without all the associated anxiety of trying to guess what it means.
I did really enjoy the fern grotto because the day was beginning to warm up and inside, the combination of the waterfall and some strategically placed fans and air vents, it was a cool respite from the humidity that was building up.
I suppose each of the little enclosed areas is some sort of different gardening experiment. They control the climate inside to allow them to focus on different areas so you can go from a desert environment to a tropical garden from one building to the next. It really is enjoyable to see. And it isn't just rows and rows of plants like walking through a nursery; the gardens themselves are art.
Atop a hill overlooking a beautiful lawn (I guess this is where they hold concerts), is an interesting structure. At times the place looks like a golf course, and at other times, you feel like you are in a Disney park with the really nice detail of landscaping and water features.
And at the top of this Overlook, you can see the San Antonio skyline several miles away. It's interesting that, until I got to the top and saw beyond the boundaries of the gardens, I had completely lost myself in the place. You don't hear traffic and since we went a a day where no school field trips were in progress, we really didn't hear much of anything aside from birds and the occasional buzzing bee.
Speaking of field trips and kids, we did walk by the Children's Vegetable Garden which is a program to teach kids how to, well, grow veggies. They apparently give each kid some plants, they farm them and then maybe later they eat them. Sounds like a hoot.
In spite of all the beautiful flowers and plants and sculptures and things, my favorite place in the entire gardens was the East Texas Pineywoods setting surrounding a nice sized pond. The path is not made of cement or stepping stones, but instead it is the natuarl pine needles that cover the trail.
And the pond is a thing of beauty, so quiet and really, calming. If I was a homeless guy, I'd sell some blood, pay my way into this place and just hang out here all day long. It really is incredible.
If it wasn't just wonderful enough, we seemed to become the interest of this little herd of woodducklings, no doubt assuming we had a quarter's worth of feed from a dispenser on the other side of the pond.
Oh, I guess you'd like to see the treehouses. And this is the thing; the tree houses aren't exactly in trees - in fact a few of them weren't anywhere near trees. I guess they did this as a safety thing, because afterall, what kid on a field trip could resist climbing into a tree house so as to smoke a few cigarettes or take a quick hit from his pocket flask, and then all hell would break loose.
This one was really nice, called Inspirational Treehouse. I could see this in my back yard. Unitl it got windy.
This one is called The Windcatcher. It seems to be made of PVC pipe hanging from the tree with little windmills attached to the pipes. They say that if you were to sit inside, you would here a nice humming sound from the breeze. I also get that at my house everytime I'm working in the yard and the Air Conditioner turns on. But this is prettier.
This was my wife's favorite. The Re-Born treehouse is made of recycled materials. Of all the displays, this is the treehouse you would want if you were a kid.
The Greek Revival Sandbox. Okay. Imagine the tree.
Our Green Treehouse has a solar panel on the top of it. How green. I'm sure kids are cutting in line to hang out here.
This one is called Bamboo Pavilion. And you can use it to change your clothes.
There were a few more treehouses on display that either didn't catch my fancy or they looked more like sculptures than treehouses that I didn't realize they were part of the show. Likewise, there are several other areas in the gardens, but in the interest of time I'm skipping over, but you can check out the pictures page or better yet, visit SABG for yourself. It really was a great time.
But this time, in spite of going down a list of several other places, we made it to the parking lot of the 410 Diner without diverting elsewhere.
The second thing that shocked me was the bathroom. Just kidding. That was actually outside the window on an adjacent property.
I like the place. Very Arthur Fonzarelli in style, with a little more upscale feel than Lulu's on Main. Lots to look around at, old posters and those newer signs that have little neon highlights. The booths have very tall seat backs so you aren't looking at the head of the guy in the booth in front of you.
While they have an interesting menu, our waitress plopped down a dry eraser board with all the current specials and the huge selection of vegetables. I suspect this place would be very well liked by any of our vegan readers. We had a nice lady with an accent that seemed British, but would occasionally drift into some sort of Slavic sound. Who knows, maybe she is an actress working on a part. Either way, she was very matter of fact, quick and efficient.
My son was with us, and he decided on a Pepper Chicken which was chicken breast, some bell pepper, covered with cheese and Parmesan. For sides, he got broccoli and cabbage. For a minute, I wondered who had abducted our son, but when he only picked at the cabbage, I knew it was him.
My wife went with the Chicken Fried Steak, a solid choice though she was concerned about it having too much gravy. Too much gravy? The Hell you say! She also had mashed potatoes with gravy and some cooked carrots. She really enjoyed the CFS but she felt like the carrots were a bit bland. I tossed a bunch of salt on them and they taste fine to me.
I opted for a seafood platter, substituting oysters for additional shrimp. Yum! I know this is going to sound bold, but the shrimp alone was worth the price of the entire seafood platter. They were simply awesome. The fish did not look as appealing, but actually tasted just fine along with the creamy tarter sauce. The Seafood Platter comes standard with Cloe slaw and curly fries. In hindsight, I could have swapped out the fries for some green beans. I bet they would have been yummy. But look at the size of that curly fry!
To go along with our huge lunch, they brought us out a plate full of cornbread. I don't think it was just out of the oven fresh, but it was good, especially slathered with real butter. I can actually feel myself getting fatter just thinking about it.
In the end, we were all pretty stuffed and pleased with lunch. I think I would have enjoyed sitting in the front of the place, just to enjoy a little more of the atmosphere, but I guess you have to be a smoker to earn that privilege. Even as we left and stopped to chat with some folks up front, I still never did smell a hint of cigarette smoke. Maybe they have a really good ventilation system, or maybe people just don't smoke when the eat anymore.
