SAN ANTONIO — When Mexican hot dogs are grilling at El Chunky, it’s an opportunity for Manuel Rodriguez to give San Antonio a taste of Mexican street vendor cuisine. 

El Chunky is a San Antonio eatery catering to those who are hungry and ready for a good laugh with its funny slogans. 

“It’s been really good, the response of people has been really good,” Rodriguez said. “They like the concept, they like the food, they like the vibes.” 

Making a hot dog with corn — or chaska, as they call it in Aguascalientes, Mexico — is one way Rodriguez’s menu pays homage to different states in Mexico.

It’s sometimes done with a Tex-Mex twist, like in his bean and cheese dog, which has puerco (pork), beans and chorizo.

“We try to use different vocabulary to express what we are offering to San Antonio or Texas in general,” Rodriguez said. 

He says running a brick and mortar requires a lot of investment. 

“It could be taxes, it could be maintenance, it could be staff, regulations, different things,” Rodriguez said. “I think the cost that you didn’t have in mind, that is the pinpoint for a business.” 

He says purchasing business supplies and keeping shelves stocked can overwhelm a small business.

Texas is one of nine states in the country that taxes small businesses on anything used in the production of income, whether it’s furniture, supplies or machinery — like the trompos at El Pastor Es Mi Señor. 

“We are taxed on all of the equipment. Everything we have here, it just adds up fast,” Alex Sarmientos, owner of taqueria El Pastor Es Mi Señor, said. 

But Texans voted in favor of a new law which will save establishments like El Pastor Es Mi Señor and El Chunky money. 

“For example, me, I have to use that cash to fix a leak, a roof leak here,” Rodriguez said. 

Thanks to Proposition 9 passing, Texas businesses can now exempt up to $125,000 on personal property taxes annually. This is up from $2,500, the previous maximum amount. 

Sarmiento says the savings will add up between El Pastor Es Mi Señor and his Sushi restaurant Yellow Fish. 

“Between here, and both locations we have, probably around like $5,000,” Sarmientos said when referring to the amount of money he would save. 

The savings allow Sarmientos to consistently serve up food honoring his hometown of Ciudad de Mexico — Mexico City.

For Rodriguez, it can mean less stress juggling El Chunky and his food truck Bagel Babes. 

“If you can save some money on taxes you can use that money for reinvestment, or just hold it for a little bit,” Rodriguez said. “Who knows if you are going to need it for a good opportunity.”