San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
HOMES & COMMUNITIES
onward, the Austrian immigrant would purchase over 900 acres of the land that would eventually become Leon Valley.
Huebner Road is named after him. The road crosses Bandera Road, the main thoroughfare for Leon Valley, and he is buried across from the Huebner Creek.
What Leon Valley is like today
Leon Valley has a five-member city council and a mayor. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city had an estimated population of 11,463 as of July 2021. The town’s makeup is 61% Hispanic or Latino and 25% white alone. Asian people make up 9.8% of the population while Black people make up just 3.5%.
According to 2023 Zillow data, the median home sale price in Leon Valley is $269,226, up 3.6% from last year. It is served by Northside Independent School District, San Antonio’s largest public school district.
Things to do in Leon Valley
Whether you’re looking to knock over a few pins or find a bargain outfit, you’ll find plenty to do in Leon Valley. Everyone in San Antonio that bowls has been to the Bandera Bowling Center (6700 Huebner Road, Leon Valley, TX 78238) at one time or another. It’s more colloquially know as “Bandera Bowl” and it stays open until 2 a.m. on weekends. Price per game range from $3.59 to $5.59 depending on if you play before or after 5 p.m. Or, you can rent a lane by the hour starting at $19.99.
If you’re looking for a more educational experience, check out the San Antonio Aquarium (6320 Bandera Road, Leon Valley, TX 78238). The aquarium has more than just sea life, the caretakers also have kinkajous, lemurs, sloths, and more. The San Antonio Aquarium also allows you to have an up close encounter with these animals. Tickets are $24.95 for adults and $19.95 for children ages 3 to 11. Educators get in free with their school ID badge.
Looking for your next spring or fall fits? Thrift City at 6804 Huebner Road, San Antonio, TX 78238, offers a wide selection of clothing, shoes and accessories at really low prices.
Explore Leon Valley’s green spaces
Leon Valley is home to numerous parks.
The first and probably more well-known, Raymond Rimkus Park was built in 1978 and named after the city’s first mayor, according to the city website. The 27-acre park is located at Poss Road between Bandera and Evers and has athletic fields, playgrounds and party pavilions.
Adjacent to Raymond Rimkus Park is the Huebner-Onion Natural Area Park (there’s that Onion name again). The 37-acre park has a nature trail that wraps around a wooded area and runs parallel to Huebner Creek.
Best places to eat in Leon Valley
When I say $6.99 margaritas and pile high nachos, your immediate thought should be Chacho’s (6757 Poss Road,
San Antonio, TX 78238). If you want to do Chacho’s breakfast the right way, go through the drive-thru. Certain breakfast tacos are cheaper when ordered through the drive-thru.
Did you know there is a barbecue spot in Leon Valley? El Monte BBQ (6526
Bandera Road, San Antonio, TX 78238) is a smoke house that offers up marbled brisket, pork ribs, pulled pork, sausage, and turkey for prices ranging from $10.95 to $13.95 by the pound. You can also order potato salad, beans, rice and creamed corn.
In the mood for Filipino cuisine, Sari Sari Supper Club (5700 Wurzbach Road, San Antonio, TX 78238) serves authentic dishes like the crispy pata, a fried, bone-in pork shoulder and sisig, which is chopped pork belly with lime and chipotle that is served with an egg.
Lastly, there is Henry’s Puffy Tacos, which is as much as a San Antonio staple as it is an icon. The puffy taco is the mascot for the San Antonio Missions baseball team. The restaurant, at 6030 Bandera Road, San Antonio, TX 78238, is known for its puffy tacos stuffed with either shredded chicken, or spicy beef or chicken fajitas. You can also the traditional Tex-Mex plates with enchiladas or carne guisada.