Texas Taco Wars

San Antonio and Austin put an end to the great breakfast taco controversy

It's been a tough few weeks for the taco. It all started when an Eater article declared Austin the home of the breakfast taco. A San Antonio-based petition on Change.org requesting the exile of the author followed, as did a host of insults between the two cities.

But a move by the mayors of San Antonio and Austin has put the great breakfast taco controversy to rest.

On Thursday, Ivy Taylor and Steve Adler met at the Hilton Austin downtown for a summit, dubbed the "I-35 Accords," marking an official cease-fire between the taco-crazed towns. The meeting also included a joint declaration of March 10 as Breakfast Taco Day, a holiday we can totally get behind.

Of course they brought tacos too — bacon and egg on corn tortilla from Mittman Fine Foods in San Antonio and chorizo and egg on flour tortilla from Austin's Juan in a Million. The tacos were exchanged, and eaten, to solidify the truce.

"Some of you may look upon these breakfast tacos and feel only hunger," joked Adler, according to Texas Tribune. "I pity those people, for when I look at these breakfast tacos, I feel hope and a renewed friendship between our cities."

Taylor shared a simple sentiment on Facebook, one all taco lovers should take to heart: "Peace. Love. Tacos."

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The great taco war has come to an end.

Juan in a Million breakfast taco Don Juan

Juan in a Million/Facebook

The great taco war has come to an end.

tex-mex texas politics tacos

IN MEMORIAM

Beloved San Antonio Tex-Mex joint fries its last gordita

Photo courtesy of Lala's Gorditas

Lala's Gorditas will shutter December 24.

When Steven Pizzini opened Lala's Gorditas, it seemed like his birthright. Not only was the tiny Southside joint named after his maternal grandmother, but it was built on generational restaurant know-how that dates back to the 30s. After five turbulent years, that legacy is being cut short.

Via Facebook, Pizzini announced he would shutter Lala's after service on December 24. Although the post does not fully explain the reasoning behind the closure, it capped one of the restaurant's most turbulent years.

"We hope everyone will come by and share a laugh or tear and send Lala's off in grand style," Pizzini writes. "On behalf of my staff and myself, it's been an honor and a pleasure to serve you these last five years. You'll see my staff in other great dining places, no doubt, and I plan to enjoy my retirement."

Opened in March 2019, Lala's continued his family's long history in the San Antonio hospitality community. His aunt Ernestine Pizzini Chapa founded Teka Molino in 1938. His father and uncle, Herman and Eddie Pizzini, established Taco Hut in 1958.

The simple menu was aptly time-honored, offering San Antonio favorites like guacamole cups, bean rolls, puffy tacos, and signature gorditas. Pizzini didn't take shortcuts, nixtamalizing corn on site. It was, at first, a formula for success.

Unfortunately, Pizzini faced challenges from the get-go, including a lack of parking and an outdoor dining space. The COVID-19 pandemic hit before he could celebrate his first year. In 2022, he told the San Antonio Current that supply availability and costs were wreaking havoc on his business.

In the past year, the restaurant has twice appealed to the local community for support. The most recent plea, on June 11, admitted many of the restaurant's shortcomings. Despite the struggles, Pizzini expressed no sour grapes.

"On a personal note, I will miss the wonderful community Lala's has created with our authentic food and friendly service," wrote the longtime San Antonio chef. "It's been an extraordinary experience getting to know so many of you and sharing my family's legacy through our traditional Tex-Mex recipes."

tex-mex southside closings