Oscar's Taco House — Restaurant in San Antonio

Anybody that grew up in San Antonio, who is from here, a native Texan, particularly from the "Southside," knows that Oscar's is famous for "Puff" tacos, Nachos, Chalupas, Hamburgers, Fried Fish n Chicken, Cheese enchiladas with the phenomenally, incomparably "spiced" sauce, made famous by the original Chef, now deceased, "Johnny or Juan Hidalgo," who hailed from Monterrey, Mexico, who without question, was ahead of his time, a brilliant, "pioneering," what I'd call, "fusion specialist." Evidently, he would "fuse together" elements from his native Mejico or Mexico, with Texas originated styles of cooking, to create something totally, "knock your taste buds off" uniquely Texan, uniquely "San Antonio!" You'd be thinking, "My God, what does he put in it?" Served w/slices of soft, white bread; Like his "Burrito," which was a split, grilled piece of polish sausage, on a bollillo or kaiser type roll w/sesame seeds, lightly drenched in a superb barbecue sauce, topped off with a slice of pickle and onion on top! Perfection!

True "Tex-Mex" cuisine is wetter, moister, more "humid," definitely spicier and, all-around waay more "flavorful" than food from Mexico. With all due respect to our precious brothers and sisters from Mexico, who make some very delicious dishes, like: pollos asados, chile rellenos, carnes con chile, both red and green, superb, varied regular and roasted salsas, etc. Overall, their food is "milder" in taste, more natural, and unquestionably "drier," mas reseco, not what San Antonias truly like, or are accustomed to, end of story.

Oscar's business I've noticed, has gone down drastically, in the last 1-2 years, since new owner's have taken over. The "current" staff is somewhat "incoherent," unfriendly, not alert, unaccommodating, don't pay attention, or just plain "don't care," which is becoming a terribly unfortunate illness, or epidemic, in today's restaurant industry or that of customer service. Quality customer service is "dying," if not already dead, seriously!!!

I took my "carne guidada" taco up to the cashier, as it was totally "dry," had no gravy whatsoever! I kindly, respectfully, asked her to have the cook fill my taco with gravy, and she "sneered, made a face," and said "that's how we do it here." OMG! Is she for REAL? I expressed to her, that CG is NOT a dish from Mexico, it was born in Texas, just like "flour" tortillas, which don't exist in Mexico, and that without gravy, it's just "boiled" meat. The gravy gives it ALL it's flavor! She replied that many customers complain and request it dry. Well, I can certainly understand their position if the gravy is too thin, runny. In which case, there is a problem w/the consistency or "texture" of the gravy, I've been cooking for over 40 years (since around age 7 or 8), born n raised here, and CG's gravy should be flavorful not bland, "thick" enough to "cling" to the meat and the tortilla; "these customers contrarily," must be from Mexico, and had "carne asada" in mind. If that's the case, servers should ask whether they'd like their CG drained or with gravy, problem solved!

Texans, San Antonians, made Oscar's. Without them, without "respect" for Johnny Hidalgo's original recipes and input from "Oscar" himself, Chale (Patas Chuecas), and other founding members style, I'm sorry, but Oscar's Taco House is losing, and has lost, a "significant" percentage of their "original fan," following.

P. S. If Oscar's is forced to close or relocate from it's original base due to the proposed bridge or overpass construction, to remedy the terrible traffic congestion by the railroad tracks, they should "seriously" consider the building now up for lease at the corner of Hildebrand n San Pedro by June, formerly occupied by a well known, local coffee shop, which has a huge parking lot, and with "slight" modification, could easily acommodate tons of cars via a new, "drive-thru!" I believe both Southside and Northside patrons would visit faithfully, as it is just a "hop, skip, and a jump," away from the Barrett Pl. location, literally 5...

Oscar's is "iconic" in San Antonio, with a capital "I." It's incredibly sad that it's only days from closing. I grew up on Barrett, and have loved their food ALL my life, having inspired and influenced my own Tex-Mex cooking. Quality and service can vary at times, but that's true of "any" restaurant, as the restaurant business is just HARD for a million reasons, especially at this point and time, in this treacherous, unforgiving economic climate, we are ALL struggling through. Regardless, for the most part, Oscar's brand of Tex-Mex food and American "faves" is and has always been, simply delicious, bountiful, and full of distinctive "composition," and flavor!

We left the southside years ago, and oftentimes long to return, but with Oscar's gone (which is one of the very few places that still looks and is the same), the neighborhood has lost half it's CHARM, because where you go to dine, get together or take food to go, that you "crave" and enjoy (the sights, the sounds, the aromas, the memories, the conversation) matters significantly beyond words. It's ALL very powerful, gets down deep in your heart and soul! 💚❤️💜

The southwest side, is about to experience an "earth-shattering death," with immense "mourning," that will linger for years, I'm sorry to say, just wait and see... I understand Mr. Pruneda is tired personally, as probably original owner's Rick and Steve Garcia had become (Oscar's sons) and wants to move on, but I don't believe the community will, or is ready for it. I sincerely feel he'd be doing the neighborhood a great service, bestowing upon it a "huge blessing," if he would sell the name, the entire business, the recipes, the building, etc. to an interested investor that would be willing and energetic, filled with courage and abundant VISION, enough so... to preserve and continue on, the Oscar's tradition, at another southside location, even transferring the original structure, or duplicating it, if not "mildly" modernizing the architectural design and blueprints, I mean the "whole" enchilada. "ANYTHING is possible:" Mark 9:23. Two things are readily apparent: Oscar's remains both popular, and profitable, allowing it to "die" just might be "financial and community 'spiritual' suicide," in the long run.

Here's a thought, "Why doesn't the city of San Antonio or the powers at be," totally reroute, re-locate, transform, the railroad, the railroad tracks, build it elsewhere, allowing Oscar's to remain, and not destroy "the beauty, the charm, and the historical integrity" of Barrett Pl.? Lol! Without it (Oscar's), Barrett will NEVER be the same! That my friend, is worth millions!

I honestly hope Alex Pruneda doesn't come to regret it in just a few short years, if not days... Finally, I do hope Oscar's compiles some sort of photo album or memorabilia, or even a "cookbook," honoring and paying tribute to the "founding fathers," Oscar, Johnny Hidalgo (Juan), Chale, as well as the present head chefs or cooks, that customers can purchase to keep Oscar's alive in their hearts, and their kitchens...

P.S. Two things I remember, my brother Johnny loved and raved about the ICE COLD beer that used to soak outside in the old-fashioned, ice filled cooler. And, once a young woman from the neighborhood told me, "that any guy she ever dated that was from the southside--- invariably, wanted to take her to Oscar's," OMG! What does that tell you?

Viva Oscar's! "Long Live Oscar's Taco House!" XOXO ❤️😋💖 La Onda Tejana! La...

This was one for the books. I hate doing this, but I’m so look forward to the days. I’m able to afford to eat out because on those days the first thing I think of is Oscars. Well, I was majorly disappointed when I got home with my food. I couldn’t help thinking how freaking amazing this person was that came out to my car and took my order. Didn’t have any questions about it until I got all the way home and it’s not what I’d asked for. Is a matter fact they don’t even serve queso there. I want to be enchiladas and a cheese enchilada covered with queso instead of the enchilada sauce. I guess that flew right by because all she heard was beef enchiladas with extra cheese and no enchilada sauce, exactly what I got anyway to try to make what seems never-ending rambling experience. I decided to call them just to make them aware of the shredded cheese on top of beef, enchiladas, and helping rice as opposed to rice and beans. First thing I got was totally putting in my place about the fact that they don’t have queso so that couldn’t have been the deal and did I order inside or outside because I am Outside, she said she had been there when you ordered that. I’ll let you know that we don’t have that well. I just assumed this person was doing such an amazing freaking job opening and everything was great, but I felt guilty for calling you. Happy to be able to serve there Anyway, which makes it my fault for calling and at least I understand. Maybe we can try to slow it down a little bit here get the appropriate information so we can serve the appropriate food to find me another correct house because that was $15 with a five dollar tip, I couldn’t even get an Oopsie or anything F these people I’m just rambling in the more. I’m rambling the more an attitude now getting us OK that’s all for now...