Ray's Drive Inn is a tex-mex restaurant in West Side, San Antonio.
Ray's Drive Inn on the West Side has claimed the original puffy taco since Ray Lopez opened it in 1956, home of the deep-fried puffed-masa shell.
Must order: The original puffy taco with picadillo or bean and cheese.
Tip: The puffy taco is the only order that matters here. Eat it fast while the shell is still crisp and hot.
Address: 822 SW 19th St, San Antonio, TX 78207
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
