With no shortage of Tex-Mex options, it takes a special kind of restaurant to stand the test of time in San Antonio. El Rafa’s Cafe has been a go-to for tacos, enchiladas and other Tex-Mex classics since 2002, and part of its longevity is undoubtedly tied to its affordable, crowd-pleasing menu.
I’ve lived close to El Rafa’s Cafe for a few years and have driven by the Hildebrand business innumerable times, but on a recent Monday, I finally stopped in to try the restaurant for myself. The parking lot was full around 1 p.m., but that was no surprise, as I’ve rarely seen the parking lot empty. When I entered the building, a server told me to sit wherever I wanted, so I found a table near a window to await further instructions.
The server met me at the table and brought me a menu that included all the lunch plates. Some were priced as low as $7.99, like the torta and the small tortilla soup, but the taco plate inevitably caught my eye. The plate included two soft or crispy tacos served with a side of rice, beans, salad, guacamole and fresh tortillas for just $9.99.
After placing my order, I sat patiently and took in the dining room. Hints of yellow and red made up the wall colors, and a sea of friends, families and colleagues filled in the rest of the space. Soon, the server returned once more with a huge plate of food and a small container of flour tortillas, so I grabbed my fork and napkin and made a mental game plan to tackle the meal.
The two tacos were piled high with a heap of salad and cheese on top, so I ate some of the greens to get to the food underneath. Once my view of the tacos was clear, it was time to take a bite. You get a choice of chicken or beef, and I went with the latter, assuming it’d be picadillo-style meat or something similar. I was right, and the crispy beef tacos hit the spot, especially after I stacked on some lettuce, tomato, cheese and guac between bites.
The sides were just as good as the flavorful beef, and I particularly enjoyed the rice for its fluffy, seasoned texture and taste. It was instantly clear to me that I had been missing out on a neighborhood gem that was right under my nose. After finishing up my $9.99 plate, I took my ticket to the front and paid for the meal while I pondered what I might order when I visit El Rafa’s Cafe again in the near future.
Find it: 1535 W. Hildebrand Ave., San Antonio, TX 78201