18 Things to Do in San Angelo for a Romantic Getaway

In the 1980s, San Angelo’s slogan was “surprising San Angelo” because visitors would be surprised by how much fun they had in the city. After my first-hand experience, I feel the same way.

San Angelo has delicious cuisine, incredible art, historical and outdoor attractions, and a welcoming community. It is truly a destination that is eager to be explored on your next West Texas road trip, and I am excited to show you why in this guide. 

There are so many fun things to do in San Angelo. From discovering the art to drinking (lots) of craft beer, encountering bison and longhorns, touring how boots are made, and more. It is understandable why San Angelo is an oasis in West Texas because it has something enjoyable for every traveler – and who knows, maybe you will discover something new to enjoy. I know I did.

You can definitely have an amazing family trip to San Angelo. Still, with the adults-only boutique hotel, elegant wine bar, and lively craft beer taprooms – you might consider leaving the children home and enjoying a romantic getaway in San Angelo. With that said, my guide has everything you need to know to have the best romantic weekend in San Angelo. I include where to stay, where to eat, and the best things to do in San Angelo. 

Full disclaimer –  We were invited by Discover San Angelo to feature the city. As always, our opinions are non-biased and our own. We want to thank everyone for following and supporting us on all of “Our Sweet Adventures.”

Where to Stay: Old Central Firehouse Bed & Brew

The BEST place to stay in San Angelo is hands down, the Old Central Firehouse Bed & Brew. In all of our world travels, this unique boutique hotel is one of the best places we have ever stayed. Let me tell you why.

First of all, it is an adults-only hotel which is why it is THE perfect place to stay during your romantic weekend getaway in San Angelo. There is complimentary draft beer on tap for hotel guests to enjoy at their leisure. It is perfectly located in Historic Downtown San Angelo and within walking distance to several fun things. Next door is the Old Central Firehouse Pizzeria with delicious wood-fired brick oven pizza and a self-serve beer wall. The hotel’s ambiance and decor have a fun feel with a sophisticated touch. Most importantly, the owners are some of the friendliest and helpful staff you will ever encounter.

Owners, Michele and Jody, have invested their hearts and hard work into this property, and it truly shows. Everywhere you look, you will find small attention to details that bring the historic firehouse to life. The interior has exposed brick, original wood flooring, a touch of modern décor, and pops of red firetrucks scattered throughout the B&B, and it all ties together to make every guest that checks-in feel at home. 

The Old Central Firehouse was originally built in 1929 as the first firehouse in San Angelo and remained a firehouse until 1976. In 2017, Michele and Jody purchased the firehouse and began renovating it into the beautiful B&B it is today.

There are 4 lovely rooms and 1 suite that are individually unique from one another. Each room is 360-365 sq. ft. and designated to a specific theme with decor that reflects its name. You can book a romantic getaway in the Chief’s Retreat, the Hook and Ladder, the Lookout Room, or the Locker Room. The Firehouse Suite is 1500 sq. ft. with plenty of space for a long and relaxing getaway. It has a full kitchen, dining room, living room, and two bedrooms with king-sized beds to accommodate 4 guests.

The Best Things to Do in San Angelo

There are so many fun things to do in San Angelo for every type of traveler. Whether you are an art lover, a craft beer connoisseur, a wine enthusiast, a history buff, an outdoor adventurer, or looking for a taste of West Texas culture – San Angelo has it all!

Things to Do in San Angelo – Art, Breweries, and Wineries

San Angelo is full of art, beer, and wine. In Historic Downton San Angelo, there is art almost everywhere you look and a place to quench your thirst.

Go on a Brewery Tour at Zero One Ale House

Zero One Ale House is a craft brewery and restaurant in Historic Downtown San Angelo. Since 2015, Zero One Ale House has been providing guests with their own craft beer. The brewmaster tries to offer a variety of house favorites, seasonal and experimental beers on tap year-round. The most popular beer is the Rhinestone Blonde, and surprisingly, the experimental Mick Jimmy (pickle beer) is also a local favorite.

In addition to providing craft beer and delicious cuisine, Zero One Ale House also offers brewery tours. Whether you have experienced several brewery tours or if it’s your first brewery tour, you are in for a real treat during Zero One Ale House’s brewery tour. A brewmaster guides a small group through the facility and educates the visitors on the entire brewing process – starting from the grain all the way to the beer in your glass.

After the brewery tour, you can enjoy a beer flight to try a variety of their craft beers, have lunch or dinner, and/or take a growler of your favorite beer home.

Taste Craft Beer from Around the U.S.

The Casual Pint is a neighborhood craft beer market with a vast selection of the best craft beers in Texas and its surrounding states. There are several locations around the country, but there is only ONE Casual Pint in Texas.

As a beer lover, what I love most about The Casual Pint is the different options of how you can enjoy beer. At The Casual Pint, you can order a beer flight, a 16 oz. glass or a 1/2 pour glass. Of course, you can sample as many beers as you need to find what you like, but if you can’t choose from two beers (like me), the 1/2 pour glasses are an amazing option. I was able to drink a perfect amount of my two favorite beers!

Another awesome feature at The Casual Pint is the numerous ways you can bring your favorite beer home. If you love one of the craft beers from the tap wall, you can purchase a 32 oz. crowler and/or a 64 oz. growler. Furthermore, The Casual Pint also has cold and dry beer shelves. The dry shelves are full of a variety of different 6-packs, and if it’s on the shelves, that means you can also find the beer on the cold shelf. This way, you can purchase one cold can of beer before buying it as a 6-pack from the dry shelves.

In addition to craft beer, The Casual Pint in San Angelo also offers wine and delicious pub fare made fresh from the kitchen. Needless to say, The Casual Pint is one of the best places to sit, drink, and relax with your loved one for a romantic getaway in San Angelo.

Enjoy More Craft Beer at a Micro Brewery

For a more intimate date night with beer, head to SoCo Taphouse, San Angelo’s microbrewery and craft beer taphouse. At SoCo Taphouse, the team is all about “Bringing Beer Back to the People” because they want to provide San Angelo with quality craft beers at an affordable price. It also has a local and low-key vibe that is very refreshing (no pun intended).

The tap wall has 24 different craft beers from breweries around the country and Texas. Of course, there is also a handful of beers from SoCo. As a microbrewery, they have limited production, and yet, the brewmaster still manages to brew 5 – 6 of its beers at a time.

Again, SoCo Taphouse is all about the people. Therefore, the people choose the beer. When the locals love a specific beer from SoCo, the brewmaster does his best to supply more of it. One local favorite is the Saison Du Soleil, an orange ginger Saison. If this beer is on tap, I highly recommend you get a glass of it.

Enjoy a Sweet Wine Tasting

Brix Winery is a lovely boutique winery in the heart of Historic Downtown San Angelo. The winery is known for its sweet wines and unique flavors.

All of the wine is produced and bottled on-site. The winery receives its juice from California grapes, but after that, everything is completed 100% at Brix Winery. What makes Brix Winery special is its fruit-forward flavor combinations. For example, a few of the most popular wines are the Raspberry Açaí Cabernet, Peach Chardonnay, and Blackberry Merlot.

I do not know about you, but these are some of the most surprising wines I have ever seen, but also some of the tastiest! Despite being on the sweeter side, the wines still reflect its grape varietal. The fruit only enhances and brings out the flavor of the grape varietals. So even if you enjoy a dry wine, the taste of these sweeter wines will still feel familiar.

Guests can enjoy either a wine tasting, a glass of wine, or even a bottle of wine on location. Furthermore, Brix Winery is located next door to Soco Taphouse, and there is outdoor seating at both locations. So you can easily enjoy a leisurely afternoon or date night with your loved one if someone enjoys wine or beer over the other.

Enjoy Fine Wine and Fine Arts at Raw 1899

Raw 1899 is one of the most romantic establishments in San Angelo and the perfect destination to begin your date night. I say begin because Raw 1899 is a wine bar and art gallery that offers small bites of food. You can get your taste buds wet with a glass of wine and delicious eats before you continue your date night around Historic Downtown San Angelo.

The ambiance at Raw 1899 is rustic yet, very chic. The building has an original tin ceiling, exposed century-old rock and brick walls, a sexy wine bar, elegant furniture, birdcage chandeliers, and more. You can easily find a cozy corner with gorgeous armchairs or take a seat at the bar top and flaunt your love.

The wine menu has exquisite wines from both the Old World and the New World. It also has one of the most extensive selections for wine by the glass – almost half of the wine menu offers wine by the glass and bottle. In addition to wine, Raw 1899 also serves hand-crafted cocktails, beer, hard seltzer, and non-alcoholic beverages.

Fine wine is only half of the beauty at Raw 1899. The other is the art gallery. Take your glass of wine with one hand and your date with the other and stroll through the art gallery. Every month the gallery showcase will rotate, but it always focuses on featuring Texas and local artists.

Find Art in Uncommon Places

One of the best things to do in San Angelo is finding art in uncommon places. So what does that mean, and how do you find the art?

Art in Uncommon Places is a non-profit organization devoted to inspiring art by displaying artwork in uncommon places throughout the city of San Angelo for everyone to enjoy. All of the artwork is created by locals of San Angelo and the Concho Valley. Art in Uncommon Place has three galleries: the Pop Art Museum, Paintbrush Alley, and mosaic art sculptures found in various parks and places.

Pop Art Museum

The Pop Art Museum is an open-air museum featuring over 35 local artists and the Pop art movement. As a part of the movement, you will find vibrant colors in the artwork and imagery of popular cultures such as comic books, Campbell’s soup cans, and more.

Visitors can take a self-guided tour by using a smartphone to scan a QR code next to each piece of artwork. Once scanned, information about the artist and their piece will pop up (no pun intended). The museum is open to the public 24 hours a day, and admission is free, but donations are welcome to help support Art in Uncommon Places.

Paintbrush Alley

Over 50 local artists have turned what was once an ordinary and grey alley into a bright and colorful alley. Inside Paintbrush Alley, you will find some of the most beautiful and creative art paintings. In addition to paintings on the wall, there are also dumpsters transformed into pieces of art and artwork that yearn for visitors to engage with, such as a truck bed attached to a wall painting that you can sit on.

Paintbrush Alley is located in Historic Downtown San Angelo in an alley on S Irving St and W Concho Ave. I recommend parking on W Concho Ave. by The Latest Scoop and walking across the street to enter the alley behind Firestone Complete Auto Care. You will see a large and vibrant Paintbrush Alley mural that you cannot miss.

Mosaic Sculptures

As part of Art in Uncommon Places, there are mosaic sculptures scattered around the parks and city of San Angelo. Visitors can go on an art adventure to find each one, and to get you started, here are where you can find a few of the mosaic art pieces.

• 1967 Volkswagen Beetle, half of a Volkswagen Beetle face down in the dirt, and pickup truck under a bridge near the San Angelo Visitor Center.
• Another truck and three mosaic fish on a wall near The Bosque on the Concho River.
• A vintage fire truck honoring firefighters located behind the Old Central Firehouse Bed & Brew.

Discover the Historic Murals of San Angelo

Another FREE and great way to experience art in San Angelo is walking the Historic Downtown San Angelo streets and admiring the Historic Murals. The Historic Murals of San Angelo are not only a piece of art but a way to celebrate the people, the buildings, the history, and the culture that made this city a special oasis in West Texas.

There are 14 Historical Murals, each with its own unique story and significant contribution to the city. Although the murals tell a story, you can learn more about its rich history by taking a self-guided Historic Mural Tour.

The San Angelo Visitor Center and The Glass Prism have (free) Guide by Cell cards. The Guide by Cell cards allows you to use your cell phone to hear an audio message of each historical mural history. Therefore, this is an amazing way to enjoy two of San Angelo’s finest qualities – art and history.

Admire Contemporary Art at the Fine Arts Museum 

The San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts offers locals and visitors art in many forms – the artworks inside the galleries, the building’s architecture, and the scenic views around the museum.

There are three galleries inside the museum that showcase a permanent collection and a rotating exhibit every three months. The museum is home to an outstanding collection of contemporary ceramics, Texas art, Spanish colonial art, glasswork, and outdoor sculptures.

With that said, one of its greatest pieces of art is the building itself. Located along the Concho River, The San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts is a beautiful building known to be shaped like a wagon’s top. One of the other finest pieces of work is the city view on the rooftop. Yes, the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts has some of the best views in the city that cannot be missed!

Things to Do in San Angelo – Nature and History

One of the best things about San Angelo is its stunning nature, outdoor adventures, and rich history. In fact, history flows through the city just like the Concho River – one walk through Historic Downtown San Angelo, and you will feel the West Texas history and culture.

Encounter Bison and Longhorns at San Angelo State Park

A visit to San Angelo is not complete without a trip to San Angelo State Park. Moreover, take your date on the wild side and experience one of the coolest wildlife encounters of your life.

The San Angelo State Park is definitely one of the best Texas State Parks in the Lone Star State because it allows visitors to witness the Official Texas State Bison Herd and Longhorn Herd in ONE park. The only other State Park with the Official Texas State Bison Herd is Caprock Canyons State Park. Furthermore, three other State Parks – Cooper Breaks, Palo Duro, and Lyndon B. Johnson also have the Official State of Texas Longhorn Herd. San Angelo State Park is the only Texas State Park that has both herds.

Almost every Wednesday and Saturday at 11 am, visitors can take the FREE bison and longhorn tour. During this tour, a park ranger will round up the Official Texas State Bison Herd and Longhorn Herd to feed the animals and educate the visitors of each herd. This tour is, hands down, one of my favorite things to do in San Angelo.

I can tell you from personal experience; it was one of the most thrilling experiences when we watched the Official Texas State Bison Herd run 100 yards towards us (to get its food). The Official State of Texas Longhorn Herd are more lackadaisical and did not run to get their food, but my goodness, these are some of the largest and prettiest longhorns we’ve ever seen.

In addition to the tour, you can also hike up to 50 miles worth of trails within the park. If you want another animal experience, how about a prehistoric one? The Dinosaur Trail is a 2.2-mile one-way trail with fossilized Permian Period tracks. Yes, you can actually see the tracks!

Stroll the Concho Riverwalk

San Antonio is not the only riverwalk in Texas – San Angelo is home to the beautiful 4-mile Concho Riverwalk. The Concho Riverwalk has so many fun things to do or see that you can easily spend a full afternoon along the river.

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You can play hopscotch on one of the pathways, sit and play chess or checkers, find the mosaic artworks, admire the Concho mermaid, walk among the water displays at the San Angelo Visitor Center, rent a paddleboat, and play outdoor games at The Bosque.

View the International Waterlily Collection

If you visit San Angelo from May through November, you cannot miss the International Waterlily Collection. The San Angelo International Waterlily Collection is home to one of the most extensive collections of waterlilies in the world. In fact, I had no idea there were so many species of waterlilies until our romantic morning at the International Waterlily Collection. Even our visit to Claude Monet’s Garden in Giverny, France, cannot compare to this waterlily garden.

The International Waterlily Collection is located at Civic League Park, and the entrance to the gardens is FREE. The park and waterlily collection is open year-round, but if you want to see the garden filled with vibrant colors of blue, pink, purple, white, and yellow flowers, I suggest you visit when the lilies are in full bloom.

Take a Walk Back In Time at Fort Concho

Confession, I am not a history buff whatsoever, but Fort Concho blew my mind. I had so much fun exploring the historical site! So whether you enjoy history or not, a visit to Fort Concho is definitely one of the best things to do in San Angelo.

Fort Concho is a National Historic Landmark and one of few forts that have survived through the years, which is one reason why it is an essential part of history. Despite there being no battles fought at Fort Concho, it is an important part of history because it helped protect frontier settlements and map out unexplored areas of West Texas. Additionally, Fort Concho consisted of 40 buildings on 1600 acres of land and housed 500 men, including the Buffalo Soldiers.

Today, Fort Concho includes 23 original and restored fort structures for visitors to explore. Inside a few of the structures are recreations of a staff officer’s quarters, enlisted men’s quarters, a schoolhouse, a hospital wing, and a dining room. When you walk into the structures, you may get goosebumps because you truly feel like you have walked back in time.

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There is also a working stable with three mules that are year-round residents and horses from events that come through the city. Another fascinating area to explore is the exhibit hall inside the visitor center. The exhibit hall has a collection of 2,000 pieces of military articles of clothing, canteens, bullet belts, and more that date back from the Civil War to the turn of the 20th century. Visitors can either take a guided tour with an informative staff member or take a self-guided tour and explore Fort Concho at their own pace.

Remember a World Before Smartphones

Inside Officer’s Quarters 4, at Fort Concho, is the E.H. Danner Museum of Telephony. The E.H. Danner Museum of Telephony takes you back to a simpler age when smartphones did not exist. It is crazy for me (a millennial) to wrap my head around how placing a call was such a historical event. The only form of communication historical to me is when text messages cost around .20 cents a message.

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The collection of telephones and communication machines in the E.H. Danner Museum of Telephony is fascinating and quite beautiful. Through several rooms, the museum tells a story of the evolution of communication. There are fascinating communication designs and models that date back to the 19th century all the way to the present day.

Miss Hattie’s Bordello Museum

Take another step back in time at Miss Hattie’s Bordello Museum. This upstairs building was a popular brothel from 1902 to 1952. Soldiers, cowboys, and travelers frequently visited Miss Hattie’s Bordello until the Texas Rangers closed its operations in 1952.

Today, the bordello is a museum featuring original furniture and clothing pieces from its time. In fact, some of the furnishings, like the bed frames and the beautiful tin ceiling and wooden floors, are original from Miss Hattie’s Bordello itself!

Visitors can take the 30-minute tour with an entertaining and informative guide. During the tour, you will learn about the enthralling history of Miss Hattie’s Bordello and the ladies employed at the brothel. You can purchase tickets at Legend Jewelers (downstairs from the museum).

Things to Do in San Angelo – Shopping

Shop till you drop in Historic Downtown San Angelo for some Texas treasures, the best boots in the world, Concho pearl jewelry, or a Wild West book.

Shop in Historic Downtown San Angelo

As you may have gathered by now, almost everything fun is located in Historic Downtown San Angelo, and that includes shopping! There are several different boutique clothing stores, cowboy boot shops, jewelry stores, and a lovely general store.

One of my favorite places to shop in Historic Downtown San Angelo is Eggemeyer’s General Store. The outside of the building alone is enticing because it has historic Western architecture. Once you walk inside, you feel a sense of good old-fashioned comfort of an authentic “general store.” You can find precious treasures, trinkets, West Texas cooking condiments, sweet fudge, nostalgic candies, and more.

Tour M.L. Leddy’s – the Best Boot Maker in the World

Learn how the famous Leddy boots are made by taking a tour at M.L. Leddy’s. M.L. Leddy’s has been crafting handmade boots since the 1920s. After three generations, the legendary M.L. Leddy’s boot shop is still owned and operated by the family.

The shop itself is gorgeous. One step inside, and you can smell fresh leather. Vibrant-colored boots with detailed designs are lined from floor to ceiling. As you get closer to the boots, you will see the intricate stitch work that will make your mouth drop.

The M.L. Leddy tour is one of the best things to do in San Angelo, if not in West Texas. The tour takes you next door, where you can watch the expert bookmakers excel in their art. There are several aspects of what makes M.L. Leddy’s boots the best in the world (which you will learn on tour).

One is the custom Leddy fitting. M.L. Leddy learned very early that everyone has a different fit. Moreover, your left foot will have a different fitting than your right. This is where M.L. Leddy’s takes pride in their craft. Every pair of boots are made to fit every centimeter of your feet. The boots are so meticulously designed that customers swear they can wear a Leddy boot 24/7.

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Secondly, there are not very many shops in the world that still produce handmade boots. M.L. Leddy’s boot experts still use the same machines from the 1920’s – no computers. Furthermore, there is one person per station that specializes in their specific task of making a boot. Every station will make 7 – 8 pairs of boots per day. From start to finish, one pair of M.L. Leddy boots takes 30 days to make.

After the tour, you will probably want to get fitted for a pair of Leddy boots. Be prepared, a Leddy’s boot starts at $1,495 and takes a full year to make because of the high demand.

Find Concho Pearls at Legend Jewelers

What was once a West Texas saloon under a brothel is now one of the finest jewelry stores in the Concho Valley. Legend Jewelers is a proud producer of creating handmade jewelry with Western influence and designs, and the legendary Concho pearls. What better way to end a romantic getaway in San Angelo than to go home with a special Concho pearl jewelry?

People from all over the country visit Legend Jewelers to purchase the one-of-a-kind Concho pearl jewelry. Moreover, people also enter the building to view the largest recorded Concho pearl in the world.

A Concho pearl is a rare pink to purple pearl from freshwater mussels found in the Concho River. Finding a Concho pearl is so rare that you have a 1/1000 chance of finding one. This is why Legend Jewelers takes great pride in handcrafting unique pieces that make the Concho pearl a true gem.

Explore a Western Book Shop

The Cactus Book Shop is a real West Texas special treat. This book shop specializes in Texas and Western history, lore, and fiction. It also has the largest collection of Elmer Kelton.

Even if you are not a book lover or a Texas and Western enthusiast, I highly recommend visiting The Cactus Book Shop. It is truly a special treasure of San Angelo. But don’t just take my word for it! The Cactus Book Shop is so loved that it has won Best Western History Book Store and Robert Duvall is a frequent shopper. There is even a Christmas card and handwritten letter from Robert Duvall hanging on the wall!  

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Best Places to Eat in San Angelo

San Angelo has some of the finest food in Texas, all with an emphasis on West Texas heritage and flavors. From breakfast to dessert, you are going to be pleasantly surprised by all the delicious places to eat in San Angelo.

Where to Eat for Breakfast

The Grind Brew & Cafe

The Grind Brew & Cafe is a local favorite spot to grab specialty coffee beverages, refreshing smoothies, New York-style bagels, and healthy açaí bowls. Moreover, The Grind Brew & Cafe is well known for its healthy options and is the only place in town with New York-style bagels.

In addition to ordering your New York-style bagel and cream cheese of choice, The Grind Brew & Cafe also specializes in bagel entrees. You can order a pizza bagel, a loaded BLT bagel, and my personal favorite, an open-faced French Toast bagel with cream cheese, fruit, bacon, maple syrup, and powdered sugar.

Again, The Grind Brew & Cafe is well known for its healthy options of fresh smoothies and açaí bowls. Each smoothie offers additional chocolate or vanilla protein, and you can get super healthy with the kale or detox smoothie. There are four different types of açaí bowls to choose from. You can order the classic or try unique flavors such as spinach with avocado, peanut butter and banana, and blended tropical fruit with Blue Majik.

Must order: Drip Coffee, Striped Latte, Açaí Bowl, and the Rise & Grind (open-faced French Toast bagel with fresh fruit, crispy bacon, maple syrup, and powdered sugar.

Helen’s Bistro and Bakery Chapter 2

Helen’s Bistro and Bakery Chapter 2 is a wonderful little bakery located inside the Stephens Library. This little charming bakery is a perfect stop for a coffee and pastry to-go or a quiet sit-down breakfast and lunch. The breakfast and lunch menu is focused on American classic sandwiches with a healthy twist, which is good because the scrumptious desserts will add a few too many calories.

Though the breakfast and lunch sandwiches are delicious, it’s the freshly baked pastries and desserts that still the show. Everything is made from scratch, including freshly baked pies, cakes, pecan cinnamon rolls, muffins, and more. Trust me; you are going to want to leave room for Helen’s baked goods.

Must order: The Rise and Shine (ham, provolone cheese, and fried egg on a toasted croissant) and a Pecan Cinnamon Roll.

Where to Eat for Lunch and Dinner

Angry Cactus

The Angry Cactus is an upscale West Texas bar and grill. The restaurant is located in Historic Downtown San Angelo, and you cannot miss it with its quirky oversized cactus sitting atop the roof of the building. The unique landmark sets the tone for your dining experience at the Angry Cactus because Chef Tim Condon goes BIG and bold with flavor and fun.

The Angry Cactus menu has everything from mouth-watering appetizers to chef-crafted burgers, healthy salads, dietary-friendly entrees, house specialties, hand-crafted cocktails, wine by the glass, and draft beer. What I LOVE most about the menu is the Round of Beers for the Kitchen Staff! As someone who once worked day and night in the kitchen, I appreciate the option to buy the hard-working kitchen staff members a cold beer after their shift.

Going back to the food, Chef Condon does a fantastic job incorporating bold West Texas flavors on American classics. Guests will find special flavor combinations such as poblano chimichurri with a West Texas lamb chop, bacon-wrapped quail breast, and bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin with prickly pear sauce. Good luck ordering your meal because it’s challenging to choose an entree when everything sounds amazing.

Must order: the Prickly Pear Margarita, “This Ain’t Your Grandma’s Meatloaf” (meatloaf with ground beef, chorizo, poblano peppers, corn, and cheddar cheese – smoked in a corn husk and smothered in BBQ) and the “Angry” Cheeseburger (cheddar, Swiss, bacon, deep-fried capicola, grilled jalapeños, fried onions, and Chef’s signature sauce).

Cork & Pig

Cork & Pig has been serving one of the best dining experiences in San Angelo since 2010. The restaurant is co-owned by four friends who also happen to be skilled chefs. As a result, Cork & Pig is a VERY chef-driven restaurant serving modern American cuisines such as wood-fired pizzas, gourmet salads, sandwiches, and wood-grilled entrees.

If you are looking for a romantic dinner, I highly recommend Cork & Pig because it has a fine-dining quality of service with a casual ambiance. There is a wide variety of menu options perfectly prepared that you cannot go wrong. Moreover, do not knock the salads thinking they are just another salad, because the Steak Salad was the best salad I’ve ever had! The steak was cooked to perfection and better than steak served at an actual steakhouse.

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Must order: the Steak Salad (grilled filet, field greens, avocado, manchego, roasted pecans with a bacon dressing), The Pig (wood-fire pizza with pepperoni, Italian sausage, pancetta, mozzarella, and tomato sauce), and the Famous Beignets.

Franco’s Cafe

If you ask any local where to eat Mexican food (or Tex-Mex), they will tell you to go to Franco’s Cafe. Moreover, the restaurant is one of those amazing hole-in-the-wall establishments that could easily be featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. As their website states, “Franco’s is plain as a flour tortilla on the outside but, just like a good burrito, it’s what’s on the inside that counts.”

Franco’s Cafe serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day, but the breakfast is served all day long! So if you have late-night cravings for amazing breakfast burritos, Franco’s Cafe has you covered.

The menu includes authentic Mexican cuisine and a few American plates such as chicken fried steak and hamburgers. Though everything is tasty at Franco’s Cafe, I encourage you to try their Mexican plates because they are unique and delicious.

Must order: Stuffed Peppers (bell peppers fried and stuffed with ground beef and cheese) and Chile Relleno (an Anaheim pepper filled with ground beef, fried with an egg, and topped with Spanish sauce and cheese).

Old Central Firehouse Pizzeria and Taproom

The Old Central Firehouse Pizzeria and Taproom focuses on authentic hand-crafted wood-fired pizza with fabulous customer service and an awesome self-serve beer wall. More importantly, The Old Central Firehouse Pizzeria and Taproom is the first beer wall in Texas!

What’s a beer wall? A beer wall is a draft beer system built into a wall that allows customers to pour beer from their beer tap of choice. Each customer receives a card and places it in a slot above their beer of choice. Then you begin pouring beer into your glass, and the beer wall system tracks the number of ounces being poured along with its alcohol content. As you pour your beer, the beer wall will show how much you are being charged per ounce.

The beer wall is so much fun for guests because it provides an opportunity to drink several different beers by the ounce. I was able to try beers I would have never tried in a typical bar. Furthermore, The Old Central Firehouse Pizzeria and Taproom has 24 different craft beers from around the country and a strong focus on Texas craft breweries.

As for the authentic hand-crafted wood-fired pizza – absolutely divine! Every pizza is 10″ and a perfect size for one or to share between two. The menu includes classic and crazy pizza combinations such as Jalapeño Popper, Street Taco, and Pickle Pizza!

Must order: Jalapeño Popper Pizza (fresh mozzarella, homemade cream cheese sauce, fresh cut jalapeños cooked with bacon pieces, topped with fresh chives), Brisket BBQ Pizza (smoked barbecue brisket, red onions, fresh-cut jalapeños, cilantro, smoke BBQ sauce, and ranch dressing), and your choice of craft beer.

Where to Eat for Dessert

COWBOY-UP Chocolates

COWBOY-UP Chocolates is an artisanal chocolate shop spotlighting West Texas flavors and heritage. Owner and chocolatier Chef James Crowder uses the highest quality chocolate and ingredients to create exquisite chocolate truffles, chocolate bars, toffee, brittle, and the famous Concho Caramels.

All of the chocolate creations are produced in small batches to ensure the highest quality and flavor. With that said, COWBOY-UP Chocolates offers a wide variety of special chocolate truffle boxes with exceptional flavors and designs.

The most popular truffle collection is the Texas Truffles. This collection is a special tribute to Texas. As the saying goes, “everything is bigger in Texas,” and that’s true about the Texas Truffles. The truffles are in the shape of Texas and are BIG! Additionally, the flavors reflect Texas heritage and cultures such as Aztec Orange, Margarita, and Chipotle Pecan.

Other truffle collections include Aztec Paintings (vibrant colored truffles), Saloon Selections (liquor truffles), Wild Strawberry Truffles, and more. There are also various other delectable goodies in addition to truffles, including the famous Concho Caramels (creamy caramel & pecans enrobed in smooth milk chocolate).

The Latest Scoop

The Latest Scoop is a family-owned and operated ice cream parlor. Every scoop is handcrafted using quality ingredients to create yummy flavors. In addition to handcrafted ice cream, The Latest Scoop also makes homemade flavored waffle cones.

The ice cream menu includes classic flavors but with a little twist. Instead of a traditional strawberry ice cream, The Latest Scoop has Roasted Strawberry ice cream. Instead of a traditional vanilla bean ice cream, The Latest Scoop has Mexican Vanilla ice cream. The menu also consists of vegan-friendly ice cream and refreshing sorbets.

If you do not scream for ice cream, The Latest Scoop also has fruit smoothies, premium frappes (with and without coffee), fresh lemonades, iced tea, and hot chocolate.

Must order: Birthday Cake Batter with Sprinkles, Cookies & Cream, Espresso Bean Latte, and Blueberry Lavender.

Halfmann’s Cake Cottage

Halfmann’s Cake Cottage has been serving heavenly pastries and cakes in San Angelo for over 30 years. It is the premier bakery to satisfy your sweet tooth. Whether you are craving cookies, fudge, brownies, pie, eclairs, cream puffs, cinnamon rolls, or a specialty cake – Halfmann’s Cake Cottage is the place to go.

Must order: the popular and colorful Iced Tea Cakes and Melt Aways.

I hope you have enjoyed my guide on the best things to do for a romantic getaway in San Angelo, Texas. It’s truly a West Texas gem just waiting to be discovered!

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