Henry's Puffy Tacos, Mexican restaurant in Leon Valley, Texas.
Henry's Puffy Tacos is a Mexican restaurant in Leon Valley, Texas, known for handmade corn tortillas that puff up during frying to form a light, hollow shell. The menu centers on these tacos filled with seasoned meats, fresh vegetables, and melted cheese, with a few other classic Mexican dishes alongside.
The Lopez family opened the restaurant in 1978 and brought with them a cooking technique based on a traditional Mexican method of frying masa dough. The place has stayed in the family ever since, and the core recipes have not changed over the decades.
The Lopez family's cooking style mixes Texas and Mexican traditions in a way that feels natural and familiar to locals. Many people who grew up in San Antonio consider puffy tacos a part of everyday food life, and this spot is one of the places they return to.
The restaurant is located close to Loop 410 in Leon Valley, making it easy to reach by car from most parts of San Antonio. It serves both lunch and dinner, and food can be eaten in or taken to go.
The puffing of the taco shell happens because fresh masa dough traps steam inside when it hits the hot oil, and the shell inflates in seconds. If the dough is not fresh enough, it will not puff, which is why the kitchen prepares it daily rather than in advance.
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