With hundreds of Tex-Mex options in San Antonio, it’s always a wonder when a taco spot lines up outside its doors. Customers have been lining up outside Eddie’s Taco House since 1976, largely because of its popular daily specials.
Eddie’s Taco House on Cevallos Street offers a rotating selection of discounted plates Monday through Saturday, priced from $6.99 to $12.99. All specials include rice, beans, two flour tortillas and a medium drink, and the portions are generous. I stopped by the local staple on a Monday afternoon for lunch, and the experience was quintessentially San Antonio from start to finish.
Parking was somewhat difficult, with nearly every space in the main lot taken, but I eventually found a spot and walked up to the restaurant, where a group of people was waiting outside. The temperature was in the 90s, yet customers were prepared for a 15-minute wait to be seated. I added my name to the list, found a bench outside, and about 10 minutes later, the table was ready.
Inside, Eddie’s Taco House was bustling, as families, friends and coworkers dined together, taking bites of tacos and sips of tea between conversations and laughter. My husband joined me that day, and we sat at a corner table from which I could see colorful murals on the walls and a digital jukebox that most folks seemed to ignore, as music did not consistently play throughout my meal. Either way, the sounds of happy dining were pleasant enough to serve as ambiance.
I didn’t realize a medium drink was included with the daily specials, so I instinctively asked for water when the server first came by. After rereading the menu, it took a beat before I could add a tea to my order. So go in knowing the drink comes with the meal if you want something other than water.
Since it was a Monday, I opted for the $8.99 beef enchilada plate, and thankfully, it arrived no time at all. The plate was packed with two beef enchiladas and generous helpings of rice and beans, which I would eventually spread inside a tortilla to create a makeshift taco. My husband ordered the $8.99 pork chop special, which came with two pork chops and similar sides, though the rice portion appeared smaller to make room for a small side salad.
Since this was Eddie’s Taco House, everything tasted good, from the enchilada sauce to the sweet tea that came in a branded to-go cup. The fact that we received so much food, enough to feed us both for $20, was solid proof that the 50-year-old restaurant knows exactly how to keep customers coming back for more. By the time our meal was over, we were back out in the parking lot, where another group of customers was awaiting their turn.
Find it: 402 W. Cevallos St., San Antonio, TX 78204