Beloved taco restaurant closing iconic location after 63 years

In recent years, restaurants just have not been able to catch a break.

In 2020, stay-at-home orders made in-person dining impossible for months. And once restaurants were able to welcome diners back in, issues arose.

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Generous stimulus policies, including boosted unemployment benefits, made it very difficult for restaurants to find workers. Supply chain issues also made it tough for restaurants to get their hands on the ingredients they needed.

More recently, inflation has pushed restaurants to the brink.

It's gotten increasingly expensive for restaurants to source ingredients and supplies. And the tactic of passing those costs on to consumers hasn't been working, since many Americans are cash-strapped themselves due to generally higher living costs.

Not surprisingly, a number of big names in the restaurant space have closed their doors or filed for bankruptcy in recent years. And if current economic conditions persist, more restaurant closures could be in store.

Beloved taco restaurant closing iconic location after 63 years.

Image source: Getty Images

Some restaurants close for non-financial reasons

A big reason so many restaurants have sought out Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection or closed their doors these past few years has boiled down to money, or a lack thereof. But money isn't the only reason a famed restaurant might choose to shutter.

The restaurant business is a brutal one to be in, and owning a restaurant isn't for the faint of heart.

Often, it means working long hours and enduring lots of stress for limited financial upside. So for some establishments, closures come as a result of owner burnout.

In some cases, though, restaurants are effectively forced to close for reasons outside their control.

Popular taco restaurant gets forced out by city

San Antonio's Southside neighborhood is known for its taquerias that serve authentic Tex-Mex and Mexican-style dishes. But now, a popular taco restaurant is closing its doors for good after a successful 63 years in business.

The worst part? The restaurant is being forced to vacate its iconic location so the city can construct a bridge.

Oscar’s Taco House, a beloved restaurant that's been serving up Tex-Mex classics and comfort food since 1962, is shuttering at the end of June so the city can use the land it sits on for construction.

As Alex Pruneda told MySA, “The city bought us. They’ve been saying it for five or 10 years now that they want to build a bridge.”

Pruneda also said the city initially wanted the restaurant to shutter by May 15, but he was able to extend its stay until June 28. That gives fans of the famous restaurant a few more weeks to get their fill of the dishes they know and love.

Fans of Oscar's Taco House took to Facebook to express their disappointment over the news.

“I'm really saddened,” one user said.

“This place has been a staple for comfort food in my family for years and years…great memories,” said another.

Known for its famous puffy tacos, fans of Oscar's have long appreciated its old-school, authentic vibe. The restaurant was so successful that it was able to thrive, despite not even having an online system for ordering food like so many eateries do.

Some fans of Oscar’s suggested that the restaurant try to find a new location. But the general consensus is that relocating just won’t work. The restaurant has a certain feel that probably can’t be mimicked elsewhere.

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Oscar's encouraged its Facebook fans to come in for a meal before the restaurant says goodbye for good.

“We invite you to come in and enjoy our delicious food one last time during these final months. Let us serve you, as we’ve always done, with the warmth and hospitality you’ve come to expect.”