10 San Antonio Puffy Taco Stops That Hit The Spot
San Antonio’s iconic puffy tacos are a culinary treasure you simply can’t miss when visiting the Alamo City. These unique delights feature tortillas that puff up when fried, creating a light, airy pocket that cradles savory fillings.
From family-owned legends to modern hotspots, these puffy taco destinations showcase the best of San Antonio’s signature dish.
1. Henry’s Puffy Tacos – The Original Legend
Family-owned since 1978, Henry’s pioneered the puffy taco movement in San Antonio. Their perfectly crisp yet cloud-like corn tortillas hold generous portions of seasoned meat.
What makes them special? Their mascot, Henry the Puffy Taco, entertains crowds at Missions baseball games! The restaurant remains a cherished institution where locals bring out-of-town guests for authentic San Antonio flavor.
2. Ray’s Drive Inn – Birthplace Of The Puffy Taco
Claiming the title of “home of the original puffy taco,” Ray’s Drive Inn has served these crispy delights since 1956. Their historic building houses vintage memorabilia alongside sizzling kitchen magic.
Order their puffy tacos stuffed with picadillo beef and topped with fresh lettuce and tomato. The crunchy-yet-soft texture creates the perfect contrast that keeps customers coming back decade after decade.
3. Los Barrios – Family Tradition In Every Bite
Started by Viola Barrios in 1979, this family restaurant treats customers like relatives at their dinner table. Their puffy tacos showcase generations of culinary expertise.
Handmade daily, each puffy shell maintains the perfect balance between crispness and chewiness. The guacamole puffy taco offers a delicious alternative for non-meat eaters, while their chicken version ranks among the city’s most flavorful.
4. Teka Molino – Old-School Flavor Since 1937
San Antonio’s oldest Tex-Mex institution crafts puffy tacos the same way they did when FDR was president. Their corn masa is ground fresh daily using volcanic stone mills.
The result? Extraordinarily flavorful shells with unmatched texture. Don’t miss their bean and cheese puffy taco – simple yet sublime. Generations of San Antonians have celebrated birthdays, graduations, and everyday meals in this humble but historic spot.
5. Pete’s Tako House – Downtown’s Puffy Paradise
Located near the Alamodome, Pete’s serves breakfast and lunch crowds hunting for perfect puffy tacos. Their shells maintain structural integrity better than most – no soggy bottoms here!
The beef fajita puffy taco deserves special attention with its smoky, tender meat. Regulars swear by pairing it with their homemade salsa verde. The festive atmosphere and friendly service make this downtown gem worth battling for parking.
6. Chela’s Tacos – Modern Twist On Tradition
Starting as a food truck before expanding to brick-and-mortar locations, Chela’s represents the new generation of puffy taco artisans. Their creative fillings bring fresh energy to this classic dish.
Try their puffy taco with grilled veggies and queso fresco for a lighter option. The salsa bar features five house-made options ranging from mild to wild. Their outdoor patio makes the perfect spot for enjoying these puffed-up treasures on sunny days.
7. Alamo Cafe – Puffy Tacos With A View
Famous for their massive, made-from-scratch tortillas, Alamo Cafe creates puffy tacos that rival their flour tortilla cousins in popularity. The sprawling restaurant offers Riverwalk vibes without downtown prices.
Their chicken puffy tacos come loaded with tender meat and all the fixings. Families love the kid-friendly atmosphere and generous portions. Pro tip: save room for their famous sopapillas – the perfect sweet ending after savory puffy perfection.
8. El Milagrito Cafe – Breakfast Puffy Tacos Champion
Morning puffy taco cravings lead locals to this beloved breakfast spot. El Milagrito stuffs their puffed shells with egg combinations that start your day with a smile.
The chorizo and egg puffy taco has developed a cult following. Arrive early on weekends – the line forms quickly! While waiting, watch the kitchen staff hand-pat masa into perfect circles before they transform into golden, airy vessels for Tex-Mex breakfast magic.
9. Lula’s Mexican Cafe – Hidden Neighborhood Gem
Tucked away from tourist paths, Lula’s serves puffy tacos that locals try to keep secret. Their small kitchen produces consistently excellent shells with that ideal crisp-yet-chewy texture.
The carne guisada puffy taco showcases slow-cooked beef in rich gravy that perfectly complements the light shell. Cash only and limited hours haven’t stopped devoted fans from making this a regular stop. Their homemade agua frescas provide the perfect refreshing companion.
10. Adelita’s Mexican Restaurant – Puffy Perfection Since 1981
This family-owned treasure serves puffy tacos that maintain their shape from first bite to last – a rare achievement in the puffy taco world. Their secret? Perfectly temperature-controlled oil and decades of experience.
Ground beef puffy tacos come generously topped with fresh vegetables and cheese. The warm, no-frills atmosphere welcomes regulars by name. Don’t skip their handmade flour tortillas on the side – they’re almost as famous as the puffy main attraction.
San Antonio’s iconic puffy tacos are a culinary treasure you simply can’t miss when visiting the Alamo City. These unique delights feature tortillas that puff up when fried, creating a light, airy pocket that cradles savory fillings.
From family-owned legends to modern hotspots, these puffy taco destinations showcase the best of San Antonio’s signature dish.
1. Henry’s Puffy Tacos – The Original Legend
Family-owned since 1978, Henry’s pioneered the puffy taco movement in San Antonio. Their perfectly crisp yet cloud-like corn tortillas hold generous portions of seasoned meat.
What makes them special? Their mascot, Henry the Puffy Taco, entertains crowds at Missions baseball games! The restaurant remains a cherished institution where locals bring out-of-town guests for authentic San Antonio flavor.
2. Ray’s Drive Inn – Birthplace Of The Puffy Taco
Claiming the title of “home of the original puffy taco,” Ray’s Drive Inn has served these crispy delights since 1956. Their historic building houses vintage memorabilia alongside sizzling kitchen magic.
Order their puffy tacos stuffed with picadillo beef and topped with fresh lettuce and tomato. The crunchy-yet-soft texture creates the perfect contrast that keeps customers coming back decade after decade.
3. Los Barrios – Family Tradition In Every Bite
Started by Viola Barrios in 1979, this family restaurant treats customers like relatives at their dinner table. Their puffy tacos showcase generations of culinary expertise.
Handmade daily, each puffy shell maintains the perfect balance between crispness and chewiness. The guacamole puffy taco offers a delicious alternative for non-meat eaters, while their chicken version ranks among the city’s most flavorful.
4. Teka Molino – Old-School Flavor Since 1937
San Antonio’s oldest Tex-Mex institution crafts puffy tacos the same way they did when FDR was president. Their corn masa is ground fresh daily using volcanic stone mills.
The result? Extraordinarily flavorful shells with unmatched texture. Don’t miss their bean and cheese puffy taco – simple yet sublime. Generations of San Antonians have celebrated birthdays, graduations, and everyday meals in this humble but historic spot.
5. Pete’s Tako House – Downtown’s Puffy Paradise
Located near the Alamodome, Pete’s serves breakfast and lunch crowds hunting for perfect puffy tacos. Their shells maintain structural integrity better than most – no soggy bottoms here!
The beef fajita puffy taco deserves special attention with its smoky, tender meat. Regulars swear by pairing it with their homemade salsa verde. The festive atmosphere and friendly service make this downtown gem worth battling for parking.
6. Chela’s Tacos – Modern Twist On Tradition
Starting as a food truck before expanding to brick-and-mortar locations, Chela’s represents the new generation of puffy taco artisans. Their creative fillings bring fresh energy to this classic dish.
Try their puffy taco with grilled veggies and queso fresco for a lighter option. The salsa bar features five house-made options ranging from mild to wild. Their outdoor patio makes the perfect spot for enjoying these puffed-up treasures on sunny days.
7. Alamo Cafe – Puffy Tacos With A View
Famous for their massive, made-from-scratch tortillas, Alamo Cafe creates puffy tacos that rival their flour tortilla cousins in popularity. The sprawling restaurant offers Riverwalk vibes without downtown prices.
Their chicken puffy tacos come loaded with tender meat and all the fixings. Families love the kid-friendly atmosphere and generous portions. Pro tip: save room for their famous sopapillas – the perfect sweet ending after savory puffy perfection.
8. El Milagrito Cafe – Breakfast Puffy Tacos Champion
Morning puffy taco cravings lead locals to this beloved breakfast spot. El Milagrito stuffs their puffed shells with egg combinations that start your day with a smile.
The chorizo and egg puffy taco has developed a cult following. Arrive early on weekends – the line forms quickly! While waiting, watch the kitchen staff hand-pat masa into perfect circles before they transform into golden, airy vessels for Tex-Mex breakfast magic.
9. Lula’s Mexican Cafe – Hidden Neighborhood Gem
Tucked away from tourist paths, Lula’s serves puffy tacos that locals try to keep secret. Their small kitchen produces consistently excellent shells with that ideal crisp-yet-chewy texture.
The carne guisada puffy taco showcases slow-cooked beef in rich gravy that perfectly complements the light shell. Cash only and limited hours haven’t stopped devoted fans from making this a regular stop. Their homemade agua frescas provide the perfect refreshing companion.
10. Adelita’s Mexican Restaurant – Puffy Perfection Since 1981
This family-owned treasure serves puffy tacos that maintain their shape from first bite to last – a rare achievement in the puffy taco world. Their secret? Perfectly temperature-controlled oil and decades of experience.
Ground beef puffy tacos come generously topped with fresh vegetables and cheese. The warm, no-frills atmosphere welcomes regulars by name. Don’t skip their handmade flour tortillas on the side – they’re almost as famous as the puffy main attraction.
