San Antonio is the undisputed capital of Tex-Mex cuisine. Stand on any corner in San Antonio and throw a rock, and you’re bound to hit a restaurant that serves tacos, enchiladas, chalupas and more.
With this embarrassment of riches, where to dine can become an issue. Stress no more. Teka Molino, a family-owned establishment that’s been in business for more than 75 years, wears the Tex-Mex crown.
When a friend from Madrid, Spain, came to San Antonio, we took her to Teka Molino. She ate up every bite of her a la carte chalupa, carne guisada taco and bean cup.
Bean cups are a Teka Molino specialty. Molino is Spanish for mill. The staff at Teka Molino grinds maize (corn) to make their homemade corn tortillas, which they fashion into cups and fill with refried beans and cheddar cheese. (Is San Antonio great or what?!) Once you’ve tried them and are a beanliever, you may purchase a “BEAN CUPS RULE!” t-shirt to declare your undying loyalty.
Personally, I’m a green enchiladas kind of gal. Two chicken enchiladas drenched with tomatillo and onion salsa, topped with Monterey Jack cheese and a dollop of sour cream and sides of refried beans, rice and two corn tortillas make me happy every single time I order them. Over the past 25 years of dining at Teka Molino, that’s a whole lot of happiness.
My husband, who grew up eating at Teka, is a cheese enchilada kind of guy. He orders a variety of items each time we go, but an a la carte cheese enchilada with onions is a non-negotiable. His mother is an aficionado of Teka’s puffy tacos, chalupas and cheese enchiladas.
What I’m trying to say is, you can’t go wrong at Teka Molino. And where else are you able to dine beneath a smiling portrait of Vicente Fernández, who I always imagine singing “El Rey” (“The King”) while we yum up our regal Tex-Mex fare.
Teka Molino has two locations. The one we frequent is located at 7231 San Pedro Avenue, not far from North Star Mall. Their newer location is at 1007 Rittiman Road, Suite 101, just off of Austin Highway. Both locations are open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day except Sunday. For Take Out, call (210) 344-7281.
For even more ideas of fun things to do and see in San Antonio, visit Barnes & Noble, The Twig, Whole Foods, Half Price Books on Broadway, Costco, Sam’s and Hudson News to purchase “100 Things To Do in San Antonio Before You Die” by yours truly. ¡Viva San Antonio!