It’s a wrap for a popular decade-old San Antonio taqueria. Chela’s Tacos has quietly closed its restaurant at 5231 Broadway St. #117, announcing the move with only a hand-written note taped to the door.
“To all our valued customers. This is to inform you that we’ve temporarily CLOSED,” reads the October 4 note. “We thank you for your support over the years. We hope to see you soon again. Sincerely, Mayra, Kara, Alma, Adela.”
While the brick-and-mortar restaurant is 10 years old, its story stretches back to 2007, when owner Celia Davis first opened the concept as a food truck. In 2017, she opened the first standalone Chela’s on Broadway, following up with a second location on St. Mary’s Street in 2018.
Both drew raves from local critics, who gushed about the deshebrada, al pastor, carnitas, and costra de chela, which combined crispy fried mozzarella with any meat. In 2015, its chicken cilantro taco made Texas Monthly’s list of “120 Tacos You Must Eat Before You Die.” And in 2019, Taco Editor José R. Ralat named it one of the state’s “11 Great Texas Taquerias Owned by Women.”
In November 2024, Chela’s shuttered its St. Mary’s location, which was quickly replaced by Bokobá, a modern Mexican restaurant from husband-and-wife duo Sergio Gonzalez and Maria Sanchez. The concept only had a brief run, closing by August 2025.
Although the sign said the closure wasn’t permanent, it’s unclear if the business will have a revival on Broadway or elsewhere. The phone numbers associated with Chela’s have been disconnected. We have messaged the restaurant’s social media accounts for further clarification.