‘He was here almost every day’: Hi-Ho regulars remember Abraham Quintanilla

From favorite menu items, to stories and familiar conversations, those who knew him say his presence and legacy is still felt.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Two days after the passing of Abraham Quintanilla, community members across Corpus Christi are reflecting on his legacy, his contributions and the lasting impact he left both locally and around the world.

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At Hi-Ho Restaurant, Quintanilla’s favorite eatery, customers and staff shared memories of a man they say was as much a part of the restaurant as the food it serves.

Beyond putting Corpus Christi on the global map through music, the Quintanilla family left a deep imprint on the community. Hi-Ho, a longtime local staple, was one of the places Quintanilla frequented most.

From favorite menu items, to stories and familiar conversations, those who knew him say his presence and legacy is still felt.

After news of his passing spread, many said the loss left a void. But inside the busy restaurant, patrons continued to gather, keeping his memory alive.

“He was here almost every day. Sometimes in the morning, sometimes for lunch,” Hi-Ho customer Pete Carpentier said.

Regulars Elva Reyes and Juan Rodriguez said Hi-Ho was closely tied to the Quintanilla family.

“From my understanding, that was him and Selena’s favorite restaurant,” Rodriguez said.

The pair said they eat at Hi-Ho two to three times a week and often crossed paths with Quintanilla.

“He came in here almost as much as we did. Sometimes I would see him quite a bit of times here,” Rodriguez said.

Hi-Ho server Maria Fregoso spent nine years serving Quintanilla and said she came to know his favorite dishes well.

“He liked to eat chicharron with eggs, he liked omelettes. He liked enchiladas too,” Fregoso said.

She said the Quintanilla family is considered part of the Hi-Ho family.

“It was a pleasure for me to meet him and get to know him,” Fregoso said.

For Hi-Ho owner Ricardo Garcia, Quintanilla was more than a customer, he was a mentor and friend.

“He was very great to me. I honor him so much and I’m going to miss him a lot,” Garcia said.

Garcia said Quintanilla always supported him. 

“He meant the world to me, and you know, Mr. Quintanilla always helped a lot of artists and always sent people here to eat and he always brought a lot of people with him. I have nothing but respect for that man,” Garcia said.

Longtime music executive Jose Rosario with Latin Groove News said he stayed in close contact with Quintanilla for decades.

“We stayed in contact throughout the 40 years, especially after Selena passed. We would talk almost every day or every other day. Anytime he was missing Selena, he would call me. Sometimes, he would call me like at 1am, 2am, 3am in the morning, and I knew that he was missing Selena,” Rosario said.

Some customers believe Quintanilla’s presence will remain part of Hi-Ho’s story.

“I wouldn’t doubt it if his picture ends up in here also,” Carpentier said.

For many in Corpus Christi, the restaurant has become a second home, one where the Quintanilla family will always have a table waiting.