College students find popular taco stands

Jun 15 2009 - 12:57pm | Brett Thorne

People associate different things with Central Texas, not the least of which is Mexican food. College students are often forced to focus their finances toward tuition, books and housing, but delicious food does not necessarily have to be sacrificed. There are vendors around San Marcos who offer their food at affordable prices.

Mana’s could easily be missed by a casual passerby. The restaurant is tucked away in one of the neighborhoods located off of Guadalupe Street. The restaurant began serving San Marcos residents in 1976 among the rows and rows of houses.

The operation began when Richard Juarez’ parents decided to start a family-owned restaurant to serve their neighborhood and community-at-large. Juarez said the entrée bearing his family’s name is the most popular item on the menu. The Juarez Plate offers an assortment of menu items at an affordable price. Juarez said the neighborhood residents, along with Texas State students, have been some of the most faithful supporters of the restaurant.

“We get a little bit of everything,” Juarez said. “Thursday nights we get a lot of college kids coming in for the half-off deal.”

Cruz Dominguez, a faithful patron of Mana’s, said he has been going to the restaurant for more than 20 years.

“I was drawn to the price,” Dominguez said. “Plus, it’s authentic Mexican food.”

Lolita’s Café serves patrons tacos and other Mexican dishes along Aquarena Springs. Lolita’s owner, Marta Roman, said she was inspired to open the café almost five years ago.

“I worked for someone for 10 years at a similar place and then decided to start my own,” Roman said.

In addition to tacos, the spot also features a car wash and drive through so customers can wash their cars and order food as a reward for their hard work. Roman believes the freshly made food and friendly atmosphere are what attracts customers.

“We have the regulars,” Roman said. “I have customers who I know from coming by here.”

Bean and cheese tacos, potato, egg, bacon and cheese tacos, and carne guisada are the biggest draws at Lolitas, Roman said.

The stand’s name may evoke thoughts of candy coated chocolate candies, but M&M Taco Stand specializes in a different type of treat: tacos.

“I think it’s going on 10 years,” said Nina Fuentes, a cook at M&M. “My aunt used to own Taco Ladies Corner and after she passed away, my uncle took over and eventually gave it to my mom.”

Fuentes said the kitchen, which is easily viewed from the ordering window, is a constant jam of cousins, aunts and various family members.

Fuentes said she and her family work hard to separate themselves from the competition.

“I think people come to us because we make everything fresh,” Fuentes said. “People are always telling us our tacos are better.”

Charles Gordon, district bailiff, said he has been a fan of M&M since its inception.

“I come down here all the time,” Gordon said. “Everything’s fresh.”

Fuentes said the stand’s most popular items are the carne guisada and bacon and egg tacos.

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