A popular Mexico City-based chain of taquerias has opened its first Texas restaurant in north San Antonio.

Tacos Don Manolito opened the doors to its San Antonio storefront in early January at 19903 Stone Oak Parkway, Ste. 101.

“We’re a 100% traditional Mexico City-style taqueria,” chef David Barquet told Community Impact.

Barquet said inspiration for cuisine at Tacos Don Manolito comes from campechano, a renowned Mexican dish based in a combination of several meats, usually beef and pork.

Typically, a diner at Tacos Don Manolito can find tacos with cecina, a meat salted and dried by air, smoke or sun, blended with chicharron—fried pork belly or rinds—and longaniza, or sausage.

Barquet said all ingredients for dishes made at Tacos Don Manolito come from Mexico. The taqueria has a full bar. The beverage selection includes horchata and agua de jamaica, or hibiscus tea, both made in-house.

Tacos Don Manolito in Stone Oak also features televisions, including broadcasts of Liga MX, or Mexican league soccer matches, as well as a jukebox to provide customers with musical entertainment, Barquet said.

According to company officials, Tacos Don Manolito has already expanded to more than 25 locations around Mexico, Spain and Honduras, and opened their first U.S. storefront in Los Angeles in 2021.

Company officials also said the word “manolito” refers to Manuel “Manolito” Palacio, grandfather of the restaurant chain’s owner, Eduardo Palacio.

A current San Antonio resident, Barquet said it was time for San Antonio to have its own Tacos Don Manolito taqueria.

“Over the years, our business has been expanding, so it just made sense to open a location [in San Antonio],” Barquet added.

Barquet said he and his local team tentatively plan to have a grand opening for the Stone Oak restaurant in early February.

210-267-9096. www.tacosdm.com