14 Great Tacos in San Antonio

El Rafas Café

Breakfast Tacos or Carne Guisada

We think of it as the taco golden hour — the period between 7 and 8:30 a.m. on weekends when El Rafa’s isn’t a madhouse. Otherwise, be prepared to wait. The tiny cafe has earned accolades since 2005 for breakfast tacos that have an almost cultlike following (the chalupas aren’t bad either). Thick, pliable house-made flour tortillas serve as vessels for fluffy eggs, bacon, and other morning staples. If you’re visiting closer to lunchtime,check out the carne guisada, chunky slow-cooked beef. The gravy, thick and flavored with ancho chiles, was peppery and wonderfully free of oil, unlike others =town. Try it with a bit of melty American cheese to round out the flavor.

1535 W Hildebrand Ave., (210-733-5476), Open Mon-Sat 6:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun 6:30 a.m.-4 p.m.