Don Luis Tacos & Café - CLOSED

Don Luis Tacos & Café - CLOSED

Written by Pitt Garrett Saturday, 07 July 2007

Good Mexican food trumps a cursed location.

You know that type of location. The one that’s a Chinese food restaurant one year, an Italian bistro the next year, then a juice bar six months after that. These kiss-of-death locations seem cursed to kill businesses, but Don Luis Cantu is determined to succeed and break the curse on his out-of-the-way location along MoPac, just south of Parmer Lane.

The Don Luis’ Mexican food restaurant is almost on an island, a piece of land in the middle of a retention pond, but the strange location also gives lots of space for Don Luis’ patio and parking. Famous for Super Tacos, the Mexican Restaurant has great food and a great story.

There are two entrances to the location: off the MoPac feeder and a back entrance off Waters Park.

My wife and I visited Don Luis’ on a quiet Sunday afternoon. The atmosphere is casual with a bar area to the left and the dining room on the right. Our waitress was prompt and helpful in explaining the menu options.

The usual basket of tortilla chips was flavorful: You could actually taste the corn. The hot sauce was spicy with a touch of cilantro.

Vickie tried the Fajitas ($7.25) while I ordered the Enchiladas Mole ($6.50). Both dishes were served with rice and beans.

With Vickie’s meal, the first thing I noticed was the flour tortillas. They were perfectly scorched, not just heated, the way authentic Mexican tortillas are served. The mixture of onions, peppers and mushrooms surrounding the meat was rich and savory.

My enchiladas mole was a dish I hadn’t enjoyed in a long time. The sauce was impeccable. This is South Texas cuisine at its finest.

Don Luis’ Super Tacos began as a taco stand on FM 1431. After three years, Don Luis decided to take the plunge and opened the current facility in December. His recipes are his mother’s and his wife Lidia’s.

The house specialty is The Super Taco ($5.95). These are huge and full of meat, fresh tomatoes, avocado and cheese. One customer told me that the fish tacos were the best he had ever had.

If you drive MoPac to work, you can take the Parmer Lane exit, stay on the feeder and stop by for some excellent breakfast tacos. Don Luis’ also offers several Mexican breakfast plates.

This visit was a true experience in South Texas Mexican food. Don Luis’ doesn’t yet have a liquor license but encourages BYOB, so pick up some Dos Equis, cruise to Don Luis’ and enjoy yourself!

Free margaritas for a limited time:

Because Don Luis’ does not yet have their liquor license they can’t sell margaritas, but they can give them away. The restaurant gives away complimentary margaritas Thursday through Saturday night, limit two per customer.

Don Luis Tacos & Café, 12408 N. Mopac • 836-8006, Thurs - Sat 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. ; Sun - Wed 7 p.m. to 3 p.m., www.donluissupertacos.com

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