Jacala is considered to be one of the oldest Mexican restaurants in San Antonio and it’s still going strong. Ever since 1998, Jacala has been one of the top ten restaurants in San Antonio awarded by the San Antonio Concierge Association.

Their breakfast, lunch, and dinner selections range greatly and are offered at a very reasonable price. The restaurant is famous for their chicken soup, menudo and their tortilla soup, but other dishes are worth trying.

Their location couldn’t be any more perfect for a quick lunch or an enjoyable dinner with family or friends. The inside is home style and has an atmosphere of being in Mexico. Their walls are decorated with Fiesta posters as early as the ’80s and the wait staff is very courteous and helpful when not knowing what to order and when serving.

Upon ordering, make sure to try their queso flameado as an appetizer, which is cheese mixed with chorizo and then set on fire. This delicious appetizer is served with two homemade flour tortillas and it can either be eaten as a taco or as dipper.

Try the carne guisada tacos. These full-of-flavor tacos can either be enjoyed individually for $1.69 or as a meal with rice and beans for a reasonable $5.99. You can’t go wrong with these tacos.

Another dish to try is the enchiladas de pollo en mole. Your waiter or waitress will bring you about three enchiladas wrapped with chicken and topped with cheese and mole sauce and served with rice and beans for only $6.79.

If you’re wanting dinner, then it is advised to get the special dinner or the dinner platter, both of which will leave you full and satisfied. The special dinner plate consists of two cheese enchiladas, rice and beans, chile con queso, one beef puffy taco and a guacamole salad for $7.79. Not too bad.

The dinner platter is one of the favorites at the restaurant, for it is cheap and plentiful. It is served with three cheese enchiladas, two beef puffy tacos, rice and beans for $6.99.

If you still have room, go for the dessert. Jacala makes its own flan (Mexican custard), which is the best way to top off a great lunch or dinner, for only $1.99 a slice, a big slice at that!

Their drinks range from your typical soft drink or iced tea to a variety of alcoholic beverages. These drinks can either be enjoyed at the bar, or at an outside patio which looks divine at nighttime.

With only a 10-minute drive from campus, Jacala can be found at 606 West Ave. near the H-E-B on Fredericksburg Road, (210) 732-5222. It is worth the trip; I know I enjoyed it very much.