What's a "puffy taco?" (Lakehills: prices, business, building)

[ggeorgie]

Originally Posted by SnappyBob

I've never had their Puffy's but I have had their Crispy Dogs. I've never eaten at Ray's but I would like to. Someone brought some to go lunch from Ray's and it was Cripy Dogs. I have lived here all my life and never tasted Crispy Dogs. Very unique.

Well, after reading this and visiting Ray's website, I'm going to go find them today had have the 2 enchiladas, carne guisada and puffy taco plate for lunch today!
Thanks SnappyBob!

[Jon Gatz]

I worked at El Rancho on S. Presa south of downtown in the 70's. I believe it was the main one because while working in the kitchen I saw the huge cauldrons of rice, beans, and carne guisada that were used to fill large buckets that were carted off to other El Rancho restaurants around San Antonio. Mr. Westrup was present at this one restaurant most of the time quality checking everything. I remember one time during a busy day (I think Mother's Day) we were so busy he donned an apron and settled in next to me by the fryers and began making the shells for the puffy tacos. Pretty cool to see this very successful man doing this chore. But he pitched in to help us to get the meals out and was not in the least bit disturbed about it. He seemed to be having fun showing me the right way to make these great taco shells that I had never seen in Mexico when I was growing up there. To my recollection, most of the managers who worked for him took this recipe and claimed it as their own when they left to open up their own Mexican restaurants to compete with Mr. Westrup's El Rancho chain. This is why you see them make the claim "Home of the original Puffy Taco." That's because 'IT IS' the Original Recipe, although not their own. Thought I would share this bit of history to set things straight.

[robinita]

So glad this thread got bumped up! I just had puffy tacos yesterday, but now that I've seen this list of new places to try I am craving them again!

[blizzrd]

I might have already mentioned this but in a pinch, las palapas has some good ones. Also, crispy dogs were something we made at home, never had em anywhere else. Craving both now lol.

[AlamoCpl]

Originally Posted by blizzrd

I might have already mentioned this but in a pinch, las palapas has some good ones. Also, crispy dogs were something we made at home, never had em anywhere else. Craving both now lol.

Crispy dogs?

[Azure110]

There is a place off highway 16 called Colt 45, mostly a bar but highlights as a restaurant during the day. They serve what they call "ghetto dawgs" which is a hotdog wiener wrapped in a tortilla and deep fried. The guy there told me they are also called crispy dogs and commonly served in Hispanic homes.

I never tried them myself because I generally don't like hot dogs.

[blizzrd]

Yup crispy dogs, with cheese in the middle and/or with mustard. Yum!!

[DoninLouisiana]

Originally Posted by gmwestrup

I can tell you that they were not invented in 1978 at Henry's. My family's restaurants were the inventors and they were selling them much earlier. I grew up eating them at our restaurants El Ranco in SA and I went to Mac and was in the class of '78. Now my grandfathers name was Henry Westrup and he did invent them as far as I know. Henry's may be a family member carrying on the tradition.

My family used to eat at a restaurant called El Rancho in San Antonio I believe, and those puffy tacos were the best EVER! I left to go in the Army in 75' and still miss those tacos to this day!

[SATX56]

Originally Posted by DoninLouisiana

My family used to eat at a restaurant called El Rancho in San Antonio I believe, and those puffy tacos were the best EVER! I left to go in the Army in 75' and still miss those tacos to this day!

El Ranchos became El Tipicos long ago. Some at least and they are still operating. Puff tacos seem the same. I've still not found better ones. There's one on Goliad road just a couple blocks south of Southcross.

[Azure110]

Originally Posted by Azure110

There is a place off highway 16 called Colt 45, mostly a bar but highlights as a restaurant during the day. They serve what they call "ghetto dawgs" which is a hotdog wiener wrapped in a tortilla and deep fried. The guy there told me they are also called crispy dogs and commonly served in Hispanic homes.

I never tried them myself because I generally don't like hot dogs.

I guess I should update my own post since this thread popped up again. Colt 45 is never open anymore (at least not for lunch). Not sure what happened to that place.