17 Vintage San Antonio Commercials To Make You Feel Old

Handy Andy
Handy Andy was all about saving money, that much is evident in this 1980 commercial. You could score a pound of beef for just a buck and some change. The local supermarket chain first opened on Broadway in 1926 before opening locations throughout San Antonio. The store declared bankruptcy in 1981 and saw its last stores close as late as 2012.
Screenshot via YouTube / SanAntonioNews78

Golden Wok
Though they’ve since changed locations, Golden Wok had been serving up delicious Chinese food from two San Antonio locations since the ‘80s. This 1984 TV spot shows a family that each wants something different, but can find it all at Golden Wok – and for an affordable price.
Screenshot via YouTube / SanAntonioNews78

VIA
"It’s so easy!! When you take the bus!! VIA, VIA! VIA, VIA!" This cheesy jingle was probably stuck in your head in the late ‘70s or early ‘80s.
Screenshot via YouTube / satransitman

San Antonio Spurs
Back before the modern era in Spurs basketball, the team wasn’t all that. They even put out a commercial to get people to buy season tickets. This 1986 commercial stars Mayor Henry Cisneros (pictured, in case it wasn’t obvious) and Archbishop Patrick Flores.
Screenshot via YouTube / sptweb

H-E-B
Of course this list includes H-E-B. While there’s plenty of old commercials from the supermarket chain, this one from 1980 is a real treat. Back then, the store’s motto was “Totally Nice.”
Screenshot via YouTube / SanAntonioNews78

H-E-B Video Central
And since we’re on the subject of H-E-B, who else remembers Video Central? Back when video stores were all the rage, our favorite supermarket had its own in-house video store. The chain added video into the mix in 1987 but sold Video Central to Hollywood Video in 1993. This 1991 TV spot promotes a Disneyland promotion that also gave away movies, video games and VCRs.
Screenshot via YouTube / sptweb

San Antonio Iguanas
The city’s minor league hockey team used to be the Iguanas. The Iguanas played for seven seasons from 1994 to 2002, with one off year in 1997. The team was shut down after the Rampage came to the city, leading to no support from local investors for the Iguanas.
Screenshot via YouTube / bakerco502

Taco Cabana
Everyone’s backup taco spot has been rolling out TV spots for years. This 1995 commercials markets quesadillas as "Mexican pizza pies." Wow...
Screenshot via YouTube / GrowinupinSincity81

Windsor Park Mall
It’s where all the cool kids went. That is, until it closed in 2005. The space has since been taken over by Rackspace.
Screenshot via YouTube / SanAntonioNews78

Fiesta Texas
This odd country-Mexican mix-up spot promotes Fiesta Texas back when it opened in 1992. And no, that’s not a typo. It was a few years before Six Flags bought the park.
Screenshot via YouTube / jefrik122333

Peter Piper Pizza
Not to be confused with Pistol Pete’s Pizza (which we looked hard for – no SA specific ones), Peter Piper arrived on the scene in 1986 and has been serving up low-cost pizza ever since. The chain has since gained the reputation for having your kid’s birthday parties.
Screenshot via YouTube / sptweb

Santikos Theatres
So it isn’t a commercial, but let’s take a minute to appreciate this pre-movie policy video. Check out the ‘80s graphics. This was the trailer circa 1987, back when you could read showtimes in the newspaper.
Screenshot via YouTube / Preshow69

Quik Wok
Chinese restaurants tend to have a long-standing presence in San Antonio. This 1986 commercial for Quik Wok proves just that. Three San Antonio locations are still open today.
Screenshot via YouTube / sptweb

Pizza Inn
Imagine hitting up a pizza and salad buffet for just $3! How times have changed.
Screenshot via YouTube / sptweb

Discovery Zone
South Park Mall was the place to be back in the ‘90s. Discovery Zone – the place where “kids want to be” – had locations all over the country, but one right here on the South Side. The chain shut down in 1999.
Screenshot via YouTube / Tyler Sorensen

Pepsi / Sea World
When the Sea World of Texas opened in 1988, the park partnered with Pepsi to promote the grand opening.
Screenshot via YouTube / Brian Z

Blue Bell Ice Cream
Long before the days of listeria, Blue Bell had cheesy commercials like these. Who could forget that jingle?
Screenshot via YouTube / VCRchivist