If San Anto had a city flag, it should definitely be flown at half-mast today. Arturo H. Lopez, the man who created the beloved puffy taco, passed away on Friday. He was 78.
The story of Lopez’s passing was first reported on KENS5 on Monday evening. Private services will be held Tuesday and Ray’s Drive Inn is closed until Wednesday, when it reopens for regular operating hours.
As a San Antonio transplant from the Valley, I somehow didn’t enjoy my first puffy taco until six or seven years after moving here. My friend and co-worker was gracious enough to insist on a visit to Ray’s Drive Inn on 822 SW 19th St. where I enjoyed two of the best tacos I’ve had in town to date. They’re flaky, but sturdy, and serve as perfect little shells for ground beef, or my favorite, guac.
Thanks for the tastebud memories, Mr. Lopez.
This article appears in The Beer Issue 2015.