RIP, Taco Garage. Visit Burleson Yard Beer Garden and Hops & Hounds, Lee’s other establishments.

For those of you who’ve been following this blog for awhile, you know of my undying love for Panchito’s on McCullough. So, I must say that it feels like I’ve been sneaking around Panchito’s back and having an affair with Lee of Lee’s el Taco Garage on Broadway. Blame it on the salsa quemada.

If I could swim in it, I would. Made from roasted tomatoes, serrano peppers, garlic, onion, salt and hot water, this rich, dark salsa delivers just the right kick without killing you. Made fresh daily–six gallons in the morning and six gallons in the afternoon–Taco Garage’s salsa quemada complements everything you put into your mouth: chips, migas, chicken fajitas, and bean & rice tacos, to name a few. I haven’t tried it in my coffee yet, but I might.

Taco Garage is located in a former Brake Check at 8403 Broadway, just inside Loop 410 right next to the Viva Bookstore. For out-of-towners, Taco Garage is very close to the San Antonio International Airport. I promise you that a dozen of their homemade flour and/or corn tortillas will make the perfect San Antonio souvenir. (And don’t forget the salsa quemada!)

Oftentimes, I just run in and grab tacos to go. Other times, I sit in one of the bays and enjoy the Tex-Mex Cruizine vibe of the restaurant. Whichever mode I choose, Taco Garage’s staff always makes me feel like they’re happy to see me. Plus, the most expensive tacos on their menu (beef carnitas, carne asada, beef and chicken fajitas, lengua and barbacoa) are $1.99. That’s right. The most expensive are $1.99. A bean and cheese taco or a bean and egg taco will set you back $1.19. And the salsa quemada? Free with purchase. Is San Antonio great or what?!

Taco Garage also offers all of the usuals: breakfast plates, lunch plates, licensed (dinner) plates, nachos, enchiladas, puffy tacos, quesadillas, flautas, soups, salads, burgers, y más. In other words, their menu will suit everyone in your party. The restaurant is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays and 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays.

I’ve never had one of their fishbowl-sized margaritas, but they claim they’re the best in town. I’ve put them on my summer to-do list. One of those and a bowl of chips with their salsa quemada seems like a wonderful way to while away a hot afternoon. You may follow Taco Garage on Twitter to find out about live music and their drink/food specials. Their phone number is (210) 826-4405.

Denise Barkis Richter, Ph.D., author of “San Antonio’s Passport to Fun,” has been blogging about San Antonio since June of 2010. Follow her at facebook.com/SanAntonioTourist so that you’ll never miss a post. Her love affair with the Alamo City began at Hemisfair in 1968. She moved to San Antonio in 1979 as an 18-year-old college student, and San Antonio has been her home ever since. Denise completed certification to become a professional tour guide in 2019. Please contact her at sanantoniotourist at gmail dot com if you’d like for her to curate a fabulous San Antonio experience for you!