What's the scoop? I just heard about this place in San Antonio and need some Freebirds vets to give a good comparative analysis.

Of course, what I'd really like to hear is that Freebirds-SA will be opening soon, but an opinion on Habaneros will do for now.

Sabreman '92

The Habaneros near Embassy has been around for quite some time (3-4 years i think), compared to the neighboring restaurants that usually last less than 6 months. (I guess that's a good sign) It's definately not up to par with Freebirds, but its a decent place that has good atmosphere. I think on Sat. nights they have live music.

My main goal in life is to find a beer as cold as a woman's heart

This doesn't exactly answer your question, but I've heard that its a good alternative since a Freebirds-SA has yet to open. Habaneros supposedly has its own unique qualities. I guess I need to try it out for myself...

I work about a mile down the road and can attest that it's not as good as Freebirds.

But in Habenero's defense they are still really good and are doing thier own thing. If they set out to try and be a carbon copy of Freebirds are even be similiar I'm sure they would suck miserably and would have been out of business years ago.

It's weird how much they try to be like Freebird's. They're not as good, but are a decent substitute. One good thing, is that they are a lot cheaper.

-d

Is it like Freebirds in the way that you order? I've heard of this place too, but have never been.

For those who want to know,
Freebirds could take a lesson from Habaneros and produce some fresh tortillas. Anyone from South Texas can attest.....Fresh Tortillas make the burrito! Take notes Freebirds, and bring those notes to Dallas!

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sleep,..what's sleep?

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unknown Aggie Architect

We live in SA and go to Habanero frequently. The food is good and fresh. Ordering is similar to Freebirds. However, with the exception of my wife (who tends to be contrary anyway), we all think Freebirds is better.

Actually I think the salsa at Haberneros is just as good. They have some unique ones there. I was going to say they were better but then I just imagined me eating a Monster with some Bad-Ass B.B.Q in it.

Well, I went an tried out Habaneros last night. I agree, they're not as good as Freebirds. Still pretty good, tho, but I still want a 'Bird in SA.

The tortillas threw me. Yes, they're homemade, thick and tasty, but they were dry and dusty with flour. I really prefer the way Freebirds steams theirs. The decor was very much Freebirdish, but the newspaper articles on the wall insist Habaneros was patterend after a Denver burrito bar.

The best thing they have going for them is the variety of salsas. I was actually disappointed that after hearing of the 30+ varieties they make, only four were actually on the salsa bar. Their bottled stuff was nice and hot. The XXX habanero salsa was almost hot enough for me, but I'm not a big fan of the flavor of habaneros. I did really like the chipotle/habanero sauce, tho. I sloshed that all over my burrito and it tasted for all the world like Wings & More had an illegitimate child with Freebirds, and that was the result.

I expect I'll make regular stops there -- still haven't tried out their smoothies -- but I still want a Freebirds in SA.

Sabreman '92

13444 West Avenue on the North end of San Antonio. Get on 281 and exit at Bitters Road. Take Bitters west about two blocks and turn left onto West Ave. I missed it the first time I went past – it's tucked into the plaza built up around a big cinema complex there.

Surprisingly, it wasn't crowded at all. I drove by at lunch today and there were only a few people inside eating. Certainly no Freebirds-sized lines, so if you want to grab something on the run, it won't take much time.

And I overheard one of the workers there telling a customer she used to work at Freebirds, and he should check it out if he was ever in Austin or BCS.

Sabreman '92

There is no alternative

Habeneros is good. It opened in the fall of 97.

We used to go there for off-campus lunch, then miss half of physics.

Good times. I do realize this thread is a year old.