SAN ANTONIO’S OLDEST RESTAURANT
As the oldest restaurant in San Antonio, Schilo’s began as a saloon in 1917 and became a German delicatessen during Prohibition. Today, it’s one of the best places to eat on the River Walk in San Antonio, known for its German spicy mustard, and recipes passed down for generations.
About
History
Serving German-
Texan Fare Since 1917
Schilo’s began in the early 1900s as a saloon in Beeville, TX. When “Papa” Fritz Schilo moved his saloon—and his family—to San Antonio in 1914, Mama Schilo started serving her classic German recipes. By 1917, the saloon had transformed into a beloved German delicatessen, quickly becoming one of the best food places in San Antonio, Texas.
When Prohibition hit in 1920, most saloons closed. But Schilo’s adapted: beer kegs rolled out, and homemade root beer kegs rolled in, brewed with cane sugar and served to thirsty patrons.
In 1942, Schilo’s moved to its current location—a former currency exchange bank where the original vault now serves as our walk-in cooler. After three generations of Schilo family ownership, the Lyons family took over in 1980, preserving the tradition of German food restaurants and family hospitality.
Today, Schilo’s stands proudly as the oldest restaurant in San Antonio, serving guests from around the world who come for the best Reuben sandwich, creamy best pea soup, tangy spicy mustard, and authentic German food in San Antonio, Texas.
The Root Beer That Saved the Day
When the beer kegs rolled out, the root beer kegs rolled in.
Taste the tradition
for yourself.
Merch
Did you know we have a collection of antique postcards from German relatives?
meet the team
Bill Lyons and
Elizabeth Lyons Houston
Behind every frosty mug of homemade root beer and every bowl of the best pea soup is a team dedicated to carrying on over 100 years of Schilo’s tradition. From our kitchen crew perfecting German mustard recipes to our longtime servers greeting generations of guests, we’re proud to be a family-friendly restaurant in San Antonio with a local heart and deep roots
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Nicole Amerson
General Manager
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Felecia Jones
Assistant General Manager
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Adam Barraza
Kitchen Supervisor
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Kerry Dunmore
Assistant Kitchen Supervisor
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Jennifer Anglin
Headwait
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Kat Arispe
Headwait
Come taste 100+ years of history
LOS LEONES
Los Leones is a fourth-generation, family-owned hospitality and real estate group based in San Antonio, Texas. Dating back to 1946 with the founding of Casa Rio—the oldest restaurant on the River Walk—Los Leones has played a vital role in shaping the city’s culinary and cultural landscape. Today, the group owns and operates a portfolio of beloved local institutions, including Broadway News, continuing its commitment to preserving tradition while evolving for future generations.