Henry's Puffy Tacos — Restaurant in Leon Valley

A western style puffy taco shoot out will usually involve Henry's Puffy Tacos. On everybody's list, I think, for their famous puffed and filled corn tortillas. There are multitudes that will extol the virtues of the puffy taco here with some liking it better than Rays Drive-In, another crowned royal of (and arguably the inventor of) the puffy taco. Henry's is a heavily trafficked restaurant, but there was no wait.

Not to be overlooked is a menu full of the usual Tex-Mex fare at Henry's as well. Of course you can get plates of puffy tacos or you can have your usual choice of fajitas, gorditas, chalupas, enchiladas, rice, beans, etc. and a puffy to boot.

It had been so long since we had been to Henry's that we had to try their puffy taco again, but decided to order a plate that contained enchiladas as well. We started with a platter of nachos.

Off to a sputtering start, the nachos had such a sparse sprinkling of cheese that it melted into oblivion on top of the bean layer. When the waitress was questioned about the paucity of the ingredient, she replied that this was a normal serving. O.K. Remove that from our list of places with good nachos.

The beef picadillo and cheese enchiladas had a medium robust savory gravy, both with flavor that would make most south Texas gotta-have-it-on-Wednesday, Mexican food fanatics happy. The only drawback was the overly tender tortillas that made the enchiladas a little mushy. The rice and a la charra beans were fine, but the refrieds were tasteless which detracted from both the entree plate and the nachos.

The puffy piece de resistance did not come with much fanfare in terms of accouterments so we ordered some cheese to top out the layers of chicken and lettuce for an additional $.50 each. No big deal, right? The tacos were hot with a crispy outside shell and tender inside with a somewhat dry serving of shredded chicken. Not bad, but certainly not a stellar showing. Here we go again with the cheese thing. For $.50 we received about a tablespoon of grated cheese.

One of my pet peeves is a restaurant, after charging market or market plus prices for their food, that insists on dinging the customer for insignificant (in cost) additions to the dishes ordered. These are usually the same folks that will charge you for and extra basket of chips, drink refills, or styro to go. These are also the places that see the southern view of our north bound party only once. Henry's strikes a tenuous balance on that tightrope.

I can't help but wonder if what we experienced here was the norm. The service was very good, but the food was lacking in preparation and normal finish out for the premium price. WIth this visit, any illusions of puffy taco restaurant king grandeur were definitely dispelled. Sorry Henry, but the disappointing puffy showing I had here would barely make my...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Henry’s Puffy Tacos is a beloved San Antonio gem that delivers classic Tex-Mex flavor with a unique twist. The restaurant is best known for its namesake puffy tacos—light, crispy shells that are perfectly fried and filled with your choice of seasoned ground beef, shredded chicken, or their deliciously tender carne guisada. Each bite is packed with flavor, and the signature texture of the puffy shell sets them apart from anything else in town.

The menu is broad and appealing, offering much more than just tacos. Their enchilada plates are rich and comforting, especially the cheese enchiladas smothered in chili gravy. The beef and chicken fajitas come sizzling hot with peppers and onions, and their nachos and quesadillas make great sharable starters. You’ll also find mini tacos, crispy chalupas, and combination plates that allow you to sample a little of everything.

The restaurant environment is spacious, well-organized, and impressively clean throughout the dining and bar areas. The bar area itself is a nice feature, with a solid drink menu including cold beers, margaritas, and other cocktails. Whether you’re grabbing a quick lunch or planning a dinner out with friends, the setting is casual yet inviting.

Henry’s is also a great spot for families. The atmosphere is relaxed and kid-friendly, with menu items that even the pickiest eaters can enjoy. It’s a popular choice for birthday parties, family celebrations, and group gatherings thanks to its spacious layout and lively vibe.

The reason for my four-star rating (rather than five) is based on two areas that could be improved. First, while the staff was professional and courteous, the overall tone of service felt somewhat reserved. A warmer, more welcoming approach would enhance the experience and make guests feel more valued. Second, although the restrooms were not dirty, there was a noticeable urine odor during my visit, which took away from an otherwise clean environment.

Overall, Henry’s Puffy Tacos continues to be a strong choice for delicious Tex-Mex in San Antonio. With their standout puffy tacos, diverse menu, family-friendly atmosphere, and event-friendly setting, it’s easy to see why locals keep coming back. A little extra attention to hospitality and restroom upkeep would push this already great experience into...

So I know this might ruffle some feathers, but in the battle of the best puffy tacos in SA, no one wins. 🤷‍♂️ I visited Henry's hoping it would be better than the other guy's, and it was, but that's not saying much. Service was great, fast, and friendly. The place is nice and spacious with a good atmosphere. The FREE chips n salsa are mediocre at best. Chips were thicker than usual and the salsa tasted flavorless and tomatoes from can? Asked for a hotter sauce but at $1.75 upcharge, I didn't think it was gonna be much better than the first and declined. They have a more extensive menu than I thought. My wife ordered burrito with "spicy fajita ", and kids enchiladas and tenders. First off, the burrito was YUGE! I mean BIG. After half, my wife was tired of eating it and threw in the towel. No complaints other than disappointment that the "spicy" fajita was not spicy...maybe they mean heavily seasoned? My boy was in love with his enchiladas and puffy taco , but he will eat anything with cheese. My daughter's chicken tenders did look homemade , were large (2) and freshly made! Fries were a'ight. Mom said her enchilada was not that great and that the bottom was tough, like it was old. I got the Henry special w 3 tacos, rice & beans. Picadillo taco almost tasted like it was just taco shell and lettuce tomato & cheese. Too much potato? Not enough beef? The chicken was a step up, more filling and a little more flavor, but could use more of whatever red sauce it's stewed in. The guisada was good too, but not great. The rice for me was not edible. It has some wrird spice/flavor/seasoning I'd never encountered before. My daughter, who like my son and cheese, detoured my rice in a heartbeat. Charro beans were thick and sad. I will say my son's lemonade was delicious and tasted homemade! So much hype for this place and the other and unfortunately, both have been so disappointing. These brothers can keep on battling, I'll continue looking for better tasting food elsewhere in...