Schilo's in San Antonio

​Since 1917!

 
Don and I have been eager to return to Schilo's since we discovered it over 10 years ago.  We were just glad it was still sitting there on Commerce Street, looking as retro as we remembered.  

We headed over nice and early for breakfast, because we remembered it got crowded with locals.

Tile Work
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Before walking inside, I had to smile at the tile beside the door. Schilo's will be celebrating their 100th birthday before too long!

Just As I Remembered
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It was as cozy as I remembered, with colorful tile floors, molded ceilings and tables like an old library.  We ordered from our incredibly perky and efficient waitress.  I think she would have been game for a photo op, but she was gone so quickly.  I didn't want to slow down her system.
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Wandering
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While waiting for food, I explored a bit.  There was a back room where a few men were having some sort of breakfast meeting.  The 6 deer on the wall appeared to be eavesdropping.  I took a peek inside the awesome phone booth that still held the original pay phone, with a wandering cord.  

The Old Schilo's
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Papa Fritz Schilo first opened a saloon in San Antonio, but that lasted a short while since prohibition began in 1917. Instead, Mr. and Mrs. Schilo  started up a delicatessen, which was run by 3 different generations and ended up in the current location.
 

Old Mercantile Exchange Building
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The building, constructed in the 1800's was the perfect setting of a German restaurant.  Across from counter/bar you can see (barely in my photo) a barrel that holds their famous homemade root beer. Behind that is an ornate carved bar. And the exchange's vault is now used as a walk in refrigerator.

Breakfast is Served!
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Our very enthusiastic server soon arrived with our food!  I just had to order the Papa Fritz breakfast special of 2 eggs, bratwurst, hash browns (or grits) and biscuits. Don had the potato pancakes with apple sauce and sour cream!  Not pictured, is the container of Fritz's spicy mustard that was sitting on the table. 
(I love a breakfast table with mustard!)  So good that we purchased some.

Off We Go!
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We headed off feeling full and happy to make the long walk to our hotel. I had to snap one more quick (and blurry) photo of the great booths as we headed to the exit.  You have to love booth benches that look like wooden church pews.