The newest Tex-Mex establishment has made its debut on San Antonio’s Southside. Lala’s Gorditas, located at 1600 Roosevelt Avenue, not far from Mission Concepcion. The small, Tex-Mex taco stand features food to go, as well as a few outdoor seating options, complete with shaded picnic tables.
Owner and chef, Steven Pizzini, and his family are no strangers to the world of Tex-Mex cuisine. His aunt, Ernestine Pizzini Chapa, founded the original Teka Molino in 1938. The restaurant is still operating today, but under new ownership. Steven’s father, Herman Pizzini, founded the legendary and popular The Taco Hut in 1958. The restaurant stayed open for 40 years until its doors closed in 1998.
Steven Pizzini uses some of the original menu items, as well as family recipes, from both Teka Molino and The Taco Hut, for his own menu at Lala’s Gorditas. In fact, the Puffy Tacos, Bean Cups and Guacamole Cups, are still a staple today at Teka Molino.
Stone-ground masa is made onsite site each day, using the same metal and stone Molina that Steven’s uncle, Eddie Pizzini, designed and patented 87 years ago, in 1932. Filing are also made each day by hand.
Lala is the name of Steven’s maternal grandmother.
Lala’s Gorditas grand opening was on March 9, 2019 and Steven donated part of the grand opening night’s proceeds to the San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind, located not far from the taco stand, at 2305 Roosevelt Avenue. He stated, “I respect the work they do and their mission of empowerment. We are extremely proud to be part of this vibrant neighborhood and look forward to enriching it any way we can.”
The taco stand is closed on Sundays and Mondays but is open Tuesdays through Thursdays from 11am to 9pm and Fridays and Saturdays from 11am to 10pm.
Lala’s Gorditas has a small, but substantial menu. Puffy Tacos, which come with a choice of either ground beef or chicken, are topped with lettuce, tomato, crema and a curtido (cabbage slaw) garnish, while Gordo Gorditas, which also come with a choice of either ground beef or chicken, are stuffed with lettuce, tomato, crema and a curtido (cabbage slow) garnish. Bean Cups are served in crispy cups that are made in-house and Bean Rolls are made with homemade refried beans rolled in hand-made corn tortillas.
