For better or for worse, Taco Haven has been a mainstay in San Antonio since the first version of the eatery launched in 1969. As taco prices rise across the city, customers continue to flock to the Southtown staple to get reasonable prices on their favorite tacos.
I stopped by Taco Haven on Monday to see how far a few dollars could go on an order of tacos during lunchtime. The restaurant was booming with customers who were dining in and a few who were stopping by for their to-go orders. Colorful decorations nodding to past Fiesta seasons accented the large dining room as music played from a nearby jukebox.
A server showed me to table number 28, which had a view of the expansive space, and handed me a menu. I flipped to the page with Taco Haven’s namesake and read multiple columns of tacos ranging from basic pairings, like bacon and egg, to specialty tacos with more complex ingredient combos. The prices ranged from $3 to $5.50, with tacos on the higher end using premium ingredients, like barbacoa and lengua.
I ended up ordering the pork sausage and egg taco ($3) and the lengua lampreada taco ($5.50), both of which arrived on the same plate after a brief wait. The lengua lampreada, fried beef tongue coated in egg, was substantial and spanned the length of the flour tortilla, while the pork sausage and egg were just as ample in their portions. Both tacos delivered on the flavor side of things, even more when I added the spicy salsa verde that came on the side.
Could I find similar tacos for less in San Antonio? Perhaps. Did I leave Taco Haven satiated and without want? Absolutely. For less than $10, I was able to grab two girthy tacos that were more than just your average bean and cheese. In other words, at Taco Haven, you’re getting what you’re paying for.
Find it: 1032 S. Presa St., San Antonio, TX 78210