Octogenarian sustains a Buda tradition

Helen Alcala is 89 years old, but she isn't ready to retire.

Alcala opened Helen's Casa Alde, the first Mexican restaurant in Buda, more than 30 years ago. While younger members of her family have taken over most of the day-to-day operations, she said she still makes a point of working a few hours each morning.

"Mostly I wrap silverware," Alcala said. "I cannot cook anymore. My children don't let me. They said no, I might fall in the grease and burn myself. So I don't cook anymore, but we have a wonderful cook."

Alcala also serves as the face of the breakfast-and-lunch establishment, greeting patrons who have been eating her tacos and other traditional fare since 1980. Customers who get in the habit of ordering the same meal too often are at risk of having the item named for them on the menu.

"We have people that used to come here when they were in high school," she said. "Now they're married and have children, and they still come here. Not every day like they used to, but still, when they have a day off, they'll be here."

A lifelong Buda native, Alcala said she got her start in the Mexican food business when the president of local business Texas Lehigh Cement Co. asked her to make tacos for his employees. Her relatives were impressed by the tacos' popularity, and they encouraged her to open a restaurant in the town's former general store.

Situated on Main Street in Buda's historic downtown, Casa Alde hasn't changed much in the past 31 years, Alcala said, although colorful paint and murals have brightened the character of the building constructed in 1915. Her son Rene, the general manager, is in the process of renovating the kitchen. He is also planning to apply for a permit to sell beer and wine, which would give the restaurant an incentive to stay open for dinner.

Eating a plate of migas supreme on a recent morning, regular customer Jim Coy said most of Casa Alde's patrons have known Alcala their entire lives.

"It's homemade food, and Helen is here most of the time to say hi to you," Coy said. "You don't get that at the 'box' restaurants. I love the food, and I love Helen and the family."

Alcala said she can imagine a time when she will no longer come to work so often to visit with Coy and her other customers. At her age, she said she is growing tired more easily and is contemplating the day when she'll decide to retire.

"I will miss it, but I have worked a long time," Alcala said. "Right now I feel OK, and as long as I feel OK, I'll come—even if it's just a few hours a day."

Questions for Helen Alcala

What does "Alde" mean?

"Alde" is a combination of Alcala's last name and the last name of her brother-in-law, Ezekiel Deleon, whose family helped fund the restaurant's launch.

How did the specialty tacos get their names?

The Fattie, with bacon, sausage, potato, egg and cheese, was named by a young man who came to the restaurant nearly every day to ask for "one of them fat tacos." The Same—potato, beans, bacon and cheese—came from another teenager who always ordered "the same."

When did Helen's Casa Alde open?

Alcala opened Helen's Casa Alde, the first Mexican restaurant in Buda, in 1980.

What was the original use of Casa Alde's 98-year-old building?

When Alcala was a child, the building was home to a general store. It sold everything from groceries to girls' dresses and shoes, she said.

108 N. Main St., Buda, 512-295-2053, www.facebook.com/helenscasaalde

• Monday 7 a.m.–1 p.m.,
• Wednesday–Saturday 7 a.m.–1 p.m.
• Sunday 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Closed Tuesday.