Trinity students can eat off campus without straying too far or spending too much. San Antonio’s Restaurant Weeks, held from Jan. 17 to 31, highlights eateries in the city during the “slow” month of January. Though not a part of Culinaria’s official program, Teka Molino, Primo’s Restaurant and El Milagrito Café are affordable and comforting dining options less than 15 minutes from campus.
Teka Molino, 7231 San Pedro Ave
Price range: $5-$15*
Located along San Pedro Avenue, Teka Molino has served Tex-Mex since 1937. With a large “¡Viva Tex Mex!” sign along the road, this spot is hard to miss. Still, Ana Hernandez, general manager of Teka Molino, said that the eatery often goes unnoticed — that is, until people stop in for the first time.
Working at the location for five years, Hernandez said that customers describe the space as familiar, and many return after their first visit. “We’re a little hole in the wall,” Hernandez said. “But once people try the food, they always say the beans take them back to when they were little.”
Everything at Teka Molino is made in-house, and simplicity is central to the restaurant, according to Hernandez — from the tortillas to the beans to the enchiladas. “Everything is made by hand, and you can taste it,” Hernandez said.
Teka Molino has three locations across San Antonio, including a downtown spot that opened in June 2025, but its customer base remains rooted in long-time regulars. Many customers have been coming in since the ‘60s and ‘70s, according to Hernandez, creating a sense of continuity that defines the space.
“It feels like family here,” Hernandez said. “The owners are family, and we all treat each other that way.”
Primo’s Restaurant, 720 E Mistletoe
Price range: $10-$25 (lunch specials under $15)*
A 5-minute drive from campus, Primo’s Restaurant is located on the St. Mary’s Strip. The restaurant was founded by Chef Nels Christiensen, who trained in Italy before returning to his hometown, according to Fiona Domona, Primo’s manager.
“We focus on Italian food made with good technique and quality ingredients,” Domona said. “A lot of our food is handmade, and we really try to make it approachable.”
While Primo’s menu may initially appear more expensive, Domona pointed to lunch specials that cater to students. She said Trinity students often stop by for pizza lunches.
Primo’s focuses on its relationship with the surrounding neighborhood, Domona said. When the restaurant first opened, nearby residents supported it, and many have since become regulars. She said the walkability and earlier hours have made it appealing to locals and students.
“People are excited to have more options close by that aren’t late-night spots,” Domona said. “That sense of community carries over into how we work as a team.”
Domona added that the sense of community at Primo’s is also thanks to the students who stop by.
El Milagrito Café, 521 E Woodlawn Ave
Price range: $2-$10*
Meanwhile, El Milagrito Café continues to attract Trinity students with its hearty breakfast offerings. Right off St. Mary’s Street, the location is less than a 10-minute walk from Trinity and even has framed Fraternity and Sorority Life jerseys on view.
Though restaurant officials were unavailable for interview, staff shared that student favorites include the huevos al albañil and chilaquiles norteños.
Amanda Kim, sophomore psychology and political science double-major, said she has visited the long-time restaurant many times and often orders a bean and cheese taco.
“It’s very lively in there but also very comfortable,” Kim said. “I like to go with my friends, so it feels very familiar.”
Although El Milagrito, Primo’s and Teka Molino didn’t participate in this year’s Restaurant Weeks festival, Domona said the local eateries provide afforable dining all year long.
*Disclaimer: price estimations were made by averaging individual prices on the menu.
*This article was updated Feb. 4, 2026.
*This article was corrected Feb. 4, 2026, to clarify that Teka Molino, Primo’s and El Milagrito did not participate in Restaurant Weeks.
