Alicia Wagner Calzada | 210SA Contributor The décor at Sam’s Burger Joint is as eclectic as the entertainment, which includes poetry, rock and swing dance.

WHAT: Sam's Burger Joint

WHERE: 330 E. Grayson St.

THE DIGITS: (210) 223-2830

ON THE WEB: samsburgerjoint.com

GET YOUR DRINK ON: The restaurant is open 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday; closed Sunday. The separate music lounge stays open later; closing time is determined by the concert or event.

HOTTIES QUOTIENT: Good to excellent, depending on the night. Literary types should check out Puro Slam on Tuesday nights, while rockabilly kids flock to the place on Mondays for swing night (the San Antonio Swing Dance Society offers lessons before the music starts). The S.A. Blues Society is host to a jam Thursday nights on the patio, which tends to draw an older crowd. On weekends, the bands range from rock to ska to psychobilly to punk. Sometimes the shows are 18 and up, but usually it's all ages.

WALLET HANGOVER: Not too bad. Most of the food (burgers, of course, as well as fried chicken, sandwiches and hot dogs) costs less than $6, and the drinks are similarly cheap. Cover is $3 for the poetry slam and usually $5 to $8 for the music, although the blues jam and some other events are free.

THE 210 TAKE: Located just north of downtown, Sam's is a laid-back hangout where there's almost always something going on. Go for the food (the burgers are known as some of the best in the city), go for the entertainment — or make it an easy date and go for both. When it comes to the featured entertainment and corresponding crowd, it's like that old saying about the weather in Texas: If you don't like it, wait five minutes, and it'll change.
 

Jessica Belasco | 210SA contributor