Taco Cabana

I got very sick from eating here. The staff
Is unwelcoming and they do not
Take care
Of the lobby. It is evident that management is lacking.

My latest trip to Taco Cabana has got me wondering what happened to the San Antonio staple we call fajitas (Or Fuh-​Gee-​tus) depending on where your from. As I stare at the fajita taco, I wonder if these strips of beef had been stepped on and then swept off to the corner somewhere in the kitchen to thaw out. Then in an act of desperation, they were scouped up and thrown into the microwave and stuffed into a piece of tin foil. To top it off, they provided 3 small containers of hot sauce. Each of which were half way full (Im assuming to save money). After this latest excursion, I think its time we stop settling for terrible food and poor service at «Fast food» locations. Prices are going up while quality is going down! Its time for Unilocalers to unite against all fast food establishments and DEMAND better food and service. Fast food should not equate to horrible food! Who’s with me???

Standard fast-​food, Tex-​Mex fare. For whatever reason, I really like the flautas at this location more than at most others. The inside dining area is small, so maybe just do the drive thru.

I’ve only handed out one star once, only once. That time safety was an issue, my own. My point is I don’t just pass out one star ratings like candy… it’s bad form. I’m doing it again and here’s why.
I’ve been away from home a couple months now. As soon as I got off the plane, Taco Cabana was my destination. It’s home to me… it’s everything that screams home, instantly. Now don’t be confused, there are better places and things I enjoy more… but to get SA rolling in my veins again it’s always TC’s.
Jr & I make our way to the register and order dinner excitedly. After paying, I make my way to the drink station. I’m somewhat dismayed by its condition, but serve up my drink and search for a table.
What? All tables are dirty. All available tables are filthy. I find the least filthy one and settle in. I’m looking around the dining area noting its unkempt appearance in general.
Time is ticking by so I head to the salsa bar to make good use of said time. You have to plan these things just right. If you don’t get the salsa in the proper order then your food waits cooling. Nobody wants that. As I saddle up to the bar, again, I notice the lack of attention paid to its cleanliness.
I grab some jalapeños then return to the hovel I call my table. Jr returns from refilling her drink and explains her order is ready. My anticipation mounts. It’s been about 15 – 20 minutes at this point, but I know it’ll be worth the wait. We chat some more, still nothing.
My anticipation turns into anxiety. I approach the counter and inquire on my order. The fella explains it’s almost ready. It’s been just about 30 minutes at this point. Is that possible? He hands me the order… almost. No tortillas. He explains they’re making them.
I take the order to the table and return to retrieve em. Because folks, what exactly is the meal without the tortillas? Now another guy has appeared on the scene. His tag IDs him as the ‘shift manager’. I can see the young lady three feet behind him and she’s got plenty of tortillas ready now. I ear hustle the convo he’s having with the first guy who is explaining there are several orders and he doesn’t know where he is on them.
I say to the mgr guy, ‘Hey my order was just short the tortillas. Can you hand me a couple?’ His reply? ‘I’ve got a lot going on. It’ll be a minute.’ Wha wha wha what? I feel my jaw clench. Remember, I’ve already been waiting damned near a half hour… for fast food! I do stand there waiting a few more ticks incredulous. I’m telling myself he’s gonna right this, I know he is. But no, no he doesn’t. In fact, the orders are piling up, no one in the dining room is receiving their orders, and folks are still filing in.
My food is cold, my temper is not. I give. I tell the kidager I just want a refund, I’m done waiting. He says, ‘I can’t until the register is free.’ No, I swear to god that’s what he said! I stand there dumbfounded. I watch thinking he must mean when that customer is done. The customer walks away, but the mgr stays focused on his cluster.
Look guys, ordinarily I remain calm and composed… this wasn’t that time. I asked again if he intended to process my refund. He explains again the register must be free. It’s at this point I black out. My daughter explains afterward that, in a roar reserved only for Cowboys games, I let this young man have it.
That register is free right now and you will process my refund or you’ll need to call the cops instead because this is about to get epic! I refuse to spend one more minute in this place! There are a dozen TCs within five miles. Give me my money!!!
He apologized to everyone in line and processed my request. I left and called the 1 – 800 customer service number immediately.
Look friends, I’ll still eat TCs… but only when it’s well organized from jump. That should have been a clear indicator. Fool me once folks…

As Taco Cabanas go, this one rocks. The cashier, who was probably also the manager, noticed my three kids, and I mentioned that sometimes it’s tough having them on my own. Casually, he brought us dessert tortillas on the house. The restaurant was well-​maintained, and the food was excellently prepared. I’m very impressed with this Taco Cabana even despite the freebie. The whole chain has done something really amazing with Americanized Mexican food, and this location in particular makes good.

Kicks Taco Bell’s ass every time! As far as“fast food Mexican food“goes, it’s on point for me. Quality, price, speed… They do a good job. I have no complaints.

Employees wiping hands on clothes aprons frequently
Employees touching face with gloves on.
Sour rag smell dominant near drink station.
Not enough utensils for condiment station, shared use obvious.
Shake my head
Get in car
Eat elsewhere.

Good place for a Taco Time quickie… may not be the best breakfast tacos in town, but they are fast and cheap.

MMMMMM… Taco Cabana: drools: This is one of the few places that I really missed when I moved back to Miami. It was one of my few late night vices. I absolutely loved their chicken flautas with some guacamole and some sour cream… it was a little crunchy piece of heaven. On second thought… I’m kind of glad I don’t have one nearby because I gained tons of weight because of those delicious little flautas. Oh well. it was worth it. Taco Cabana is so much better of an alternative to the other late night junk that is available in San Antonio. I’ve also had their breakfast tacos… which I wasn’t too fond of but everyone else in San Antonio is. I guess it’s because I grew up in Miami and breakfast tacos are a foreign concept to me… but they just didn’t go down to well. I never thought they tasted good. But for lunch, dinner or a late night snack this place is awesome.

Considering the other options (Taco Bell and Jack in The Box), Taco Cabana is a pretty decent late night food option.
The food is average, notably better than Taco Bell but by no means amazing, and they seem to have jumped on the bandwagon of incorrectly naming the items on their menu. Grilled mini-​burritos are not pupusas.
The one thing they have that the Bell doesn’t is booze. Margaritas, if you didn’t already know this, served until 1:45 AM. We ordered a pitcher of the strawberry ‘ritas, which amounted to about a glass and a half each, meaning it may have been cheaper to buy them individually. And maybe I’m just paranoid as a result of being tricked by restaurants into drinking cocktails made with wine, but the margaritas didn’t taste exactly like they should.
Oh well, three stars for being open and serving me booze and Mexican-​ish food when I wanted it.