If you're a first year and new to Trinity and San Antonio, you'll have some exploring to do. San Antonio, especially in the last five years, has offered some amazing places to eat. From ramen and sushi to pizza and homemade pasta, eating out in San Antonio has become a hobby of mine. Here, though, we'll start with the basics and an SA staple: queso. San Antonio is often known for its Tex-Mex, so there's no better dish to find if you're new to the Alamo City.

I've consulted some friends and Trinity students, some native to San Antonio and some non-native, and have compiled this list of 10 must-try quesos from around the city. And if you already know and love San Antonio, maybe you'll discover a queso you've never tried or see your favorite on the list. Either way, when you finish reading this list, you might be out the door on your way to get some queso.

In no particular order (only because I couldn't decide!):

1. Torchy's Tacos

If you don't like cilantro, definitely order this queso without cilantro!

Before last year, if you wanted Torchy's Tacos, you had to drive to Austin to one of their many locations. Now you can get it in San Antonio! Their still somewhat new location in Lincoln Heights is centrally located and just off 281. Torchy's Green Chile Queso is special because it's topped with guacamole, queso fresco, a bunch of cilantro and their Diablo Hot Sauce. You can't go wrong with guacamole and all those other goodies in your queso.

2. Quarry Hofbräu

The Yellow Rose (left) and Señor Rita, chamoy-mango margarita with Pacifico beer (right).

The Quarry Hofbräu, also off 281 at Jones Maltsberger, offers a Queso Blanco (meaning white cheese, as you probably know) which differs from most classic Tex-Mex quesos. However, it's also great because it has a chunk of guacamole and jalapeños in it, and the serving is huge. Pair it with a classic Dos-A-Rita (frozen margarita and Dos Equis) or a Yellow Rose (mango margarita with Shiner Bock) for a very Texan snack.

3. Chuy's

For those of you new to San Antonio or Texas, Chuy's is a Tex-Mex chain from Austin. Unfortunately, the nearest Chuy's to Trinity is located near I-10 and Loop 1604, but next time you're shopping at La Cantera or The Rim, you can pop in for some queso.

Their basic queso is Chile con Queso, but they also have a Queso Compuesto (meaning "with everything") that has guacamole, ground beef and pico de gallo. Chuy's may not be on the average Trinity student's radar, but San Antonio natives have called their queso "literally to DIE for...so so so good" and "sooo good."

4. Tacos and Tequila

Tacos and Tequilla (aka TNT) is located near the Pearl Brewery, so it's a great choice for some queso and a drink on a Thursday or Friday night,especially during happy hour when they have $1.50 tacos and $4 margaritas. They offer a choice of four quesos: classic, beef chorizo, wild mushroom and spinach artichoke. You can also pick any three to sample in a Queso Flight (pictured above), and another plus is their chips, which come in a mixture of tortilla and sweet potato.

5. Kerbey Lane Cafe

Kerbey Lane is actually not in San Antonio, but has various locations in Austin, so you do have to drive up I-35 to try this perfect queso. If you're going to Austin to visit friends or to go to Sixth St., you have to add Kerbey Lane (which is open 24 hours) to your itinerary.

Their queso is also served with guacamole and pico de gallo, and you'll want to eat the whole thing. If you want something to eat after the queso, try one of their eggs benedicts, their migas with queso on top or their pancakes. They also serve non-breakfast food, but clearly I love breakfast food.

6. Tycoon Flats

If you haven't been to Tycoon Flats (also known in the Trinity community simply as 'Flats'), I'm sure you'll be visiting soon, both for the food and the convenience. Flats stands out on this list because it serves Tex-Mex staples like queso as well as really good burgers. (I like their sliders — "Mini Tykes" — pictured above.) Flats also has a nice outdoor space to take advantage of when it gets cooler, often features live music and, of course, really good margaritas.

7. Beto's Comida Latina

I've been going to Beto's since I was a kid. My best friend works there and the family of a friend from high school owns the local restaurant. Like the name implies, Beto's isn't Tex-Mex, it's "Comida Latina," so you won't find enchiladas or chalupas here, but you will find yummy empanadas, yuca fries, and (my favorite) fish tacos. I always get their queso to start, and what makes it extra good is the salsa they serve it with. Try a dessert empanada, too!

8. Paloma Blanca

Those chips...

Again, Paloma Blanca is a restaurant I grew up with and have known since their old location further south on Broadway. Their current location is beautiful and has a great outdoor space, so it's a perfect spot to take your parents or grandparents when they're in town visiting you or if you want a more upscale dinner. Their chips are extra thick and crunchy, a quality I've remembered since I was little.

9. Freebirds World Burrito

The very burrito bowl I just ate, with queso AND guac. YUM.

I have to admit, in the middle of writing this list, I left to get a Freebirds burrito bowl with queso and came back. This queso is the 'fast food' queso on the list, but it's so, so good. If you prefer, get it on its own with chips, or if you're like me, get it on top of your bowl or in your burrito. I love Chipotle, but Freebirds might be winning a little bit with this queso and all their additional toppings...

10. La Gloria

This queso is more of an alternative queso, since La Gloria's is a queso fundido (fundido equals molten) served in a skillet. They have a regular blend of cheese option, but they also have an even-better queso fundido with chorizo and roasted poblano peppers. La Gloria also opts out of traditional Tex-Mex for Mexican street food that has made this restaurant in the Pearl Brewery very popular.

All photos: Yelp