Best Tacos in Town

San Antonio's top chefs reveal where to find the best tacos in town

Chefs dish on San Antonio's top tacos.

We're not even going to weigh in on the great breakfast taco controversy of 2016. What we will do, however, is tell you where to get some of the best tacos in San Antonio.

We're letting industry insiders lead the way by giving you their local favorites. The only ground rule? It couldn’t be their restaurant. We’re excited to try the ones we haven’t tasted yet, and we hope you do the same. Long live the breakfast taco.

Jeret Pena of Boulevardier Group:
Tink-A-Tako for papa con chorizo a la Mexicana with white cheese.

James Moore, chef/owner of TBA:
Bean and cheese with orange salsa from the now-closed Cafe Salsita. After that, carnitas taco on corn from Taqueria Jalisco on McCullough Avenue.

Brian West, chef/owner of Smoke the Restaurant:
Chorizo and egg with a homemade tortilla from Amaya's Tacos and Bakery.

Lorenzo Morales, chef of The Old Main Assoc.:
Rosa’s Tacos on Nogalitos Street for sausage guisada.

Jason Dady, chef/owner of Jason Dady Restaurant Group:
Los Barrios for bean and chorizo with pico de gallo. And Garibaldi on Northwest Military Highway — get the chilaquiles.

Miles Donnelly, owner of La Frite Belgian Bistro:
Mama’s Kitchen on Hildebrand Avenue for carne guisada.

John Brand, culinary director of Hotel Emma:
Thousand Oaks Cafe on Austin Highway. Chorizo and egg — it’s a two napkin breakfast.

Johnny Hernandez, chef/owner of La Gloria:
Garcia’s on Fredericksburg Road for machacado and egg on a corn tortilla. And brisket with guacamole and pico de gallo on flour.

Pedro Cuellar, chef of Grayze:
Taurino’s Cafe for a classic potato, egg, and cheese.

Jeff White, executive chef of Boiler House:
Molina’s for bean and cheese with picadillo.

Jeff Balfour, chef/owner of Southerleigh:
Regio Cafe on McCullough Avenue for bean and egg with green salsa.

Jesse Perez, executive chef of Central Market:
Thousand Oaks Cafe on Austin Highway — order the chorizo and egg a la Mexicana with cheese, served on a flour tortilla.

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breakfast tacos

BREW BLUES

Acclaimed brewery taps out of San Antonio after 11 years

Busted Sandal Brewing Company/Facebook

Busted Sandal is closing all three of its locations.

Nationwide, the gusty tradewinds of the craft brewing industry have capsized several industry leaders. In San Antonio, it has been a hurricane. Less than a month after revered beermaker Weathered Souls shuttered, Busted Sandal Brewing has written its own epitaph. The closure affects all three locations.

The team shared the news in an October 2 social media post. Although the statement didn’t dig deeply into the reasoning, it cited economic pressures, including its customers' ability to pay for “housing, food, and day-to-day life.”

“We do not close Busted Sandal with immense regret, but rather with a great sense of pride, holding our heads high knowing we made great beer and created a fun place for our Sandal family,” wrote a representative.

Busted Sandal opened its first outpost in San Antonio in 2013, largely committed to lighter beer styles like Mexican lagers and hefeweizens. In early 2020, the company expanded to a beer garden in Helotes. Its newest location in Kerrville has only been open since July 2023.

The economy had undoubtedly been unfriendly to breweries. According to a 2023 study by the national trade group Brewer’s Association, the industry has been burdened by rising costs in almost every production area. At the same time, climate change has reduced crop yields, and changes in drinking preferences have damaged sales.

The market forces are definitely felt in the Alamo City area. In addition to Weathered Souls’ passing, Barrelman Brewing Co., Boerne Brewery, Kinematic Brewing Co., and Second Pitch Beer Co. have all shuttered in recent months. Alamo Beer owner Eugene Simor has placed his East Side property for sale, and Black Laboratory has traded beer for seltzers.

The last day of business for Busted Sandal’s San Antonio location will be October 12, followed by November 3 and 10 for Helotes and Kerrville, respectively.

closings craft beer beer

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BREW BLUES

Acclaimed brewery taps out of San Antonio after 11 years