Rodney And Angela's Guidebook
Food scene
This place is pretty good!! We like Chester's because it's better than Whataburger and extremely close to the house. Chester's is casual so if you're looking for a more hip burger shop you could try Sam's by the Pearl or BurgerFi. As for taste, I give Chester's five stars!
26 abantu bendawo batusa
Chester's Hamburgers
9980 I-10This place is pretty good!! We like Chester's because it's better than Whataburger and extremely close to the house. Chester's is casual so if you're looking for a more hip burger shop you could try Sam's by the Pearl or BurgerFi. As for taste, I give Chester's five stars!
Holy Crab
2921 Pat Booker RoadNothing quite like it that I know of in the area. Portions are on point!
This affordable restaurant has many locations. Great diner that serves breakfast all day along with lunch and dinner options.
Our History, Our Promise.
G-Jim-Hasslocher.png
In 1947, a young entrepreneur named G. “Jim” Hasslocher opened a small bicycle rental business at the front gate of Brackenridge Park in San Antonio. When summer arrived he started selling sliced, ice-cold watermelon next to his bike stand. It was here that he met his wife and lifetime business partner, Veva Ball. Soon Jim started selling charcoal-broiled hamburgers at a stand, which evolved into the first Frontier Drive-In. The popular drive-in was a favorite meeting place and became famous for its burgers, onion rings, milkshakes and carhops.
35 abantu bendawo batusa
Jim's Restaurant
302 TX-1604 LoopThis affordable restaurant has many locations. Great diner that serves breakfast all day along with lunch and dinner options.
Our History, Our Promise.
G-Jim-Hasslocher.png
In 1947, a young entrepreneur named G. “Jim” Hasslocher opened a small bicycle rental business at the front gate of Brackenridge Park in San Antonio. When summer arrived he started selling sliced, ice-cold watermelon next to his bike stand. It was here that he met his wife and lifetime business partner, Veva Ball. Soon Jim started selling charcoal-broiled hamburgers at a stand, which evolved into the first Frontier Drive-In. The popular drive-in was a favorite meeting place and became famous for its burgers, onion rings, milkshakes and carhops.
Sightseeing
I-Alamo
300 Alamo PlazaSan Antonio River Walk
610 River WalkGuests report loving to rent bicycles to check out the mission trail
234 abantu bendawo batusa
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
6701 San Jose DrGuests report loving to rent bicycles to check out the mission trail
Natural Bridge Caverns is a nice place to do indoor ziplines to cool off in the summer heat.
22 abantu bendawo batusa
Natural Bridge Caverns Road
Natural Bridge Caverns RoadNatural Bridge Caverns is a nice place to do indoor ziplines to cool off in the summer heat.
Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch
26515 Natural Bridge Caverns RdSchlitterbahn
381 East Austin StreetCorpus Christi
The beach is a 1.75 hour drive.
Izoo yezilwane nezithole zezinkonjane
5640 Interstate 35Go to the top for a lovely view of San Antonio or eat in the sky high restaurant
9 abantu bendawo batusa
Tower of the Americas Way
Tower of the Americas WayGo to the top for a lovely view of San Antonio or eat in the sky high restaurant
Izindiza zomdabu waseJapan
3853 N St Mary's StA free venue to pass an hour or two.
King William Historic District
122 King William StRecreation
Canyon Lake
South Padre Island
Locals prefer going here over Corpus
TPC San Antonio
23808 Resort PkwyGolf and a spa!
Six Flags Fiesta Texas
17000 W I-10Texas Ski Ranch
6700 I-3513 abantu bendawo batusa
K1 Speed - Indoor Go Karts, Isakhiwo se-Corporate Event, Izinkampani zokwakha
6955 Northwest Loop 410Andretti Indoor Karting & Games
5527 N Loop 1604 WThis course is about a mile from the house. You may lose your ball in the ball wash on the front 9. The back 9 is a bit more forgiving though!
Olympia Hills
12900 Mt OlympusThis course is about a mile from the house. You may lose your ball in the ball wash on the front 9. The back 9 is a bit more forgiving though!
Izoo eSan Antonio
3903 N St Mary's StShopping
The Shops at La Cantera
15900 La Cantera PkwyGreat place to shop!
San Marcos Premium Outlets
3939 I-35This small German town is a great place to walk around the shops at historical Downtown Gruene.
173 abantu bendawo batusa
Gruene
This small German town is a great place to walk around the shops at historical Downtown Gruene.
Entertainment
The Continental Gallery
1313 S Congress AveWe loved this small blues bar on Congress.
Howl at the Moon San Antonio
Live music and book parties
History
The Many Lives of the Phoenix
Since 1871, our building has been home to various bars and saloons, most famously the original Phoenix Saloon. It was here in 1894 that William Gebhardt, proprietor of the back room cafe, invented chili powder! Prior to this, chilis had only ever been used fresh, but Gebhardt devised a process for crushing and drying them. Gebhardt brand chili products are still widely available today.
The original Phoenix Saloon was reputedly the first bar in Texas to offer service to women. No lady who valued her reputation would dare be seen in a saloon, so the proprietor set up a ladies beer garden with bells in the trees for service. There was a deer pen too, and an alligator pit and badger fights. There was even a parrot on a perch just inside the front door that was taught to say, “Have you paid your bill!?” in German!
Prohibition put an end to the good times at the Phoenix, which closed its doors on June 26, 1918. The Ludwig Building, as it was then known, was expanded and turned into a department store in 1922. In 1935, by now renamed the Schmidt Building, it was remodeled again. The building was home to a number of retail and service businesses until the Phoenix rose from the ashes, so to speak, on March 5, 2010. Like its mythical namesake, the Phoenix Saloon has been reborn!
The new owners relish the building’s flavorful past. In bringing the new incarnation to life, they’ve exposed the original 1871 brick wall, salvaged the old Phoenix Saloon beadboard paneling and re-used various old shutters, sinks and lights. Trying to celebrate all aspects of the building, they also constructed the 40-foot-long bar from the old department store cabinetry, flipped a mirror from the old shoe department upside down behind the bar and relocated a three-way dressing room mirror in the ladies restroom.
A Different Sort of Night Life
For years, people have reported paranormal happenings in and around the Phoenix. Doors and windows open and close on their own, footsteps are heard on the upper stories late at night, and some have even reported seeing a shadow man who drifts down the 2nd floor hallway, accompanied by a chill breeze.
Some speculate that it’s the restless spirit or Mr. John Sippel, the man who constructed our building in 1871. By all accounts, Mr. Sippel led a tortured life of depression and alcohol abuse after his wife left him and took up with another man. Eventually, the grieving business owner took his own life with a single gunshot in 1900. Could a man who was so haunted in life still roam the building he made?
Others speculate that it could be one-time saloon proprietor Walter Krause, who died in 1885 from injuries he sustained in a barroom fight. There is also talk of some hushed-up accident in the basement; and for many years, there was a Masonic Lodge on the third floor, where many of the odd noises are heard to this day.
Whether it’s one ghost or several – or just the “personality” of a 140+ year-old building – the nocturnal mysteries add just a bit more flavor to the Phoenix legend.
41 abantu bendawo batusa
The Phoenix Saloon
193 W San Antonio StHistory
The Many Lives of the Phoenix
Since 1871, our building has been home to various bars and saloons, most famously the original Phoenix Saloon. It was here in 1894 that William Gebhardt, proprietor of the back room cafe, invented chili powder! Prior to this, chilis had only ever been used fresh, but Gebhardt devised a process for crushing and drying them. Gebhardt brand chili products are still widely available today.
The original Phoenix Saloon was reputedly the first bar in Texas to offer service to women. No lady who valued her reputation would dare be seen in a saloon, so the proprietor set up a ladies beer garden with bells in the trees for service. There was a deer pen too, and an alligator pit and badger fights. There was even a parrot on a perch just inside the front door that was taught to say, “Have you paid your bill!?” in German!
Prohibition put an end to the good times at the Phoenix, which closed its doors on June 26, 1918. The Ludwig Building, as it was then known, was expanded and turned into a department store in 1922. In 1935, by now renamed the Schmidt Building, it was remodeled again. The building was home to a number of retail and service businesses until the Phoenix rose from the ashes, so to speak, on March 5, 2010. Like its mythical namesake, the Phoenix Saloon has been reborn!
The new owners relish the building’s flavorful past. In bringing the new incarnation to life, they’ve exposed the original 1871 brick wall, salvaged the old Phoenix Saloon beadboard paneling and re-used various old shutters, sinks and lights. Trying to celebrate all aspects of the building, they also constructed the 40-foot-long bar from the old department store cabinetry, flipped a mirror from the old shoe department upside down behind the bar and relocated a three-way dressing room mirror in the ladies restroom.
A Different Sort of Night Life
For years, people have reported paranormal happenings in and around the Phoenix. Doors and windows open and close on their own, footsteps are heard on the upper stories late at night, and some have even reported seeing a shadow man who drifts down the 2nd floor hallway, accompanied by a chill breeze.
Some speculate that it’s the restless spirit or Mr. John Sippel, the man who constructed our building in 1871. By all accounts, Mr. Sippel led a tortured life of depression and alcohol abuse after his wife left him and took up with another man. Eventually, the grieving business owner took his own life with a single gunshot in 1900. Could a man who was so haunted in life still roam the building he made?
Others speculate that it could be one-time saloon proprietor Walter Krause, who died in 1885 from injuries he sustained in a barroom fight. There is also talk of some hushed-up accident in the basement; and for many years, there was a Masonic Lodge on the third floor, where many of the odd noises are heard to this day.
Whether it’s one ghost or several – or just the “personality” of a 140+ year-old building – the nocturnal mysteries add just a bit more flavor to the Phoenix legend.
Super fun With many events, contests, parades, concerts and more spanning over two weeks.
14 abantu bendawo batusa
San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo
723 AT&T Center ParkwaySuper fun With many events, contests, parades, concerts and more spanning over two weeks.
El Mercadito Art's & Crafts
112 Produce RowOne of the largest remaining dance halls still operating. Check their website for events and schedules.
31 abantu bendawo batusa
Cowboys Dancehall San Antonio
3030 NE Interstate 410 LoopOne of the largest remaining dance halls still operating. Check their website for events and schedules.
Krause's Cafe
148 S Castell AveGerman food with some live music
Day Trip
Fredericksburg
Izeluleko zedolobha
Imikhuba namasiko
Folks are friendly!
Most people in the neighborhood wave with a smile :)
Ukuzulazula
Rideshare or rent a car to get around
There are no busses in the neighborhood
Ukuzulazula
Scooters And bicycles
If you Uber downtown, there are scooters and bicycles that are for rent everywhere. Super fun experience and can be dangerous.