Henry's Puffy Tacos is a tex-mex restaurant in West Side, San Antonio.
Henry's Puffy Tacos on West Woodlawn is the family rival to Ray's in the puffy-taco story, serving the crisp puffed-masa shell as a plate with rice and beans.
Must order: Puffy taco plate with rice and beans.
Tip: The puffy tacos come hot and fast. Add a side of rice and beans for the full West Side plate.
Address: 3202 W Woodlawn Ave, San Antonio, TX 78228
Garcia's Mexican Food has served classic Tex-Mex near Woodlawn Lake since 1962, a small family room known for breakfast tacos and carne guisada.
Order: Breakfast tacos and the carne guisada.
Tip: Cash-friendly and small, with a loyal breakfast crowd. Get the carne guisada taco on a fresh flour tortilla.
The Esquire Tavern has poured downtown since 1933 and keeps the longest wooden bar in Texas, serving the Esquire burger and cocktails over the river.
Order: Esquire burger, fried pickles and a cocktail at the long bar.
Tip: Sit at the historic bar rather than the patio for the full effect. The downstairs Esquire patio overlooks the river.
Garcia's Mexican Food has served classic Tex-Mex near Woodlawn Lake since 1962, a small family room known for breakfast tacos and carne guisada.
Order: Breakfast tacos and the carne guisada.
Tip: Cash-friendly and small, with a loyal breakfast crowd. Get the carne guisada taco on a fresh flour tortilla.
Tommy's Restaurant is the Tex-Mex spot whose 'Big Red and Barbacoa' sign made the combo a San Antonio shorthand, serving barbacoa tacos on flour tortillas.
Order: Barbacoa and Big Red, the carne guisada taco.
Tip: Order barbacoa with a Big Red for the full local ritual. Weekend mornings draw the longest lines.
Blanco Cafe is a cash-friendly Tobin Hill Tex-Mex counter where the carne guisada plate, enchiladas and chalupas come cheap to a loyal early-lunch crowd.
Order: Carne guisada plate, enchiladas and chalupas.
Tip: Cash is welcome and prices are low. The carne guisada is the order; come for an early lunch before the crowd.
Isidore at Pullman Market earned a Michelin star and a Green Star in 2025, a Modern Texas room from the Emmer & Rye group built around local farms.
Order: The seasonal tasting built around local farms and producers.
Tip: Book the dining room rather than the bar for the full menu. Reservations go quickly after the star; plan ahead.
Mezquite at Pullman Market celebrates the Sonoran food pathways of northern Mexico, with handmade flour tortillas and mesquite-grilled meats.
Order: Flour-tortilla tacos, grilled meats and a mezcal cocktail.
Tip: The Sonoran-style flour tortillas are the point; build a meal of tacos and grilled meats. The mezcaleria is next door.
