Tin Can Tacos

Unless Manny updates his phone number on this page, I will give him a 1-​star rating because I am getting way too many phone calls asking about this place. I believe this food truck is closed.

Tin Can Tacos isn’t your average taco truck. Chef/​Owner Manny Olivarez’ food is prepared with very high standards and possesses flavor that is different — and better — than any other taco truck around. He makes heavy use of seasoned lamb in his burritos and tacos, and the result is delicious.
My favorite menu item is the Trash Can Burrito, a large flour tortilla stuffed with lamb, pork, beef, rice, and other goodies that result in a treat for your mouth. Get it with the pineapple habanero sauce and you really won’t be disappointed.
Plus, the price is reasonable. A trash can burrito and a large Mexican Coke is ten dollars, and trust me, it’s a meal that will fill you up for the rest of the day.

I’ll be back.
Tried the carnita and lamb tacos today. Both were excellent. Fresh and flavorfull.

On our second trip to the Boardwalk on Bulverde, we tried Tin Can Tacos since we had heard so much about them.
We ordered the 7 mini lamb tacos and honestly we weren’t too impressed with them. The reason for this is that it was just lamb meat with cilantro on corn tortillas — nothing special. There didn’t seem to be any seasoning and the meat was dry. However, I’m not the biggest lamb aficionado out there, so I’m gonna give them 3.5 stars instead of an even 3. I mean, hey — who am I to judge, right? Maybe that’s just how lamb is.
I will DEFINITELY go back and try something else, so please don’t take this as an outright slam — it is only meant as constructive criticism…

I finally made it to Tin Can Tacos today after months of listening to friends raving about the place. Not too shabby.
I ordered the five chicken fajita mini-​tacos for $ 7. The meat was really good and the corn tortillas/​street tacos were a nice change of pace (although I’d still prefer flour tortillas). I left hungry, which wasn’t a good sign — but I should have added some chips and salsa to the order.
Overall, good stuff. I will be back.

Been here a couple of times and I always leave satisfied. The nice combinations of some not usually used ingredients combined with its simplicity makes for some of the tastiest tacos in town! Definitely not a wallet killer either, which is always nice. IN fact, I would say that this place is the cheapest spot on the boardwalk.
When you get there, expect to hear some tejano puming out of an ipod setup, usually a turn off for me, but the tacos more than make up for ANY downfalls. The service is prompt and with a smile… I love that. The pineapple and the red salsa are both very, very good. The carnitas y fajitas are highly recommended, as that is pretty much all I have tried. But trust me, I plan on tryin ‘em all… as should you.
You really can’t ask for better tacos, especially ones coming out of an Airstream. HUGE thatnks to Manny for the EXCELLENT food and experince. GET HERE NOW!

The Fish Tacos were so great that I’m actually looking forward to Lent!!! The best fish tacos ever!

This was easily the most tempting food truck open when we went to the trailer park, and pretty good food. It sort of makes me wish they were still on Bandera, where I could actually visit them more than once in a blue moon.
I had a Trashcan taco, which was basically like a 7-​layer burrito, except instead of whatever Taco Bell stuffs in their burrito (a guilty pleasure, I know), it’s 7 layers of awesomeness. I think there was lamb and carne guisada in it as well, but it was mostly just awesomeness. Every bite provided a new flavor, and every flavor was delicious. It could have used a little extra hot sauce — I would definitely check and ask next time — but overall a delicious little burrito. Feta cheese was also a strange choice for a burrito, but it worked, so good deal anyway. It is rather small for an $ 8 burrito, however.
We also ordered an order of 5-​miniature tacos, which I’d say were about the size of my palm, with feta cheese and lamb meat. They were crazy and delicious — I would have ordered two if they weren’t $ 7/​plate.
Honestly, I would bet the whole menu is pretty tasty. The only downside I’d say is that the place is expensive for a taco truck — restaurant level prices with no shielding from the unusual cold at the time of my review, or in the summer, the sun; but the food is definitely worthwhile if you’re in the area.

This taco truck’s location is just awesome, super clean and friendly. The shiny airstream trailer stands out in it’s kid friendly park with several other well decorated truck vendors.
My Steak Taco was one of the best I’ve had in the states. The steak was nice portions, no fat, tender juicy, and fresh tasting. The corn tortillas were not my favorite but they were a step up from the usual. I think if they warmed them up a little more on a pan they would have been better. The steak taco is topped with onions, cilantro, and yummm yummm real deal white Mexican crumbly cheese. I don’t remember the real name of the cheese but it looks like a dry Feta and tastes awesome.
Then the best part, the salsas. The red was yummy pretty normal fresh salsa. Avocado cream was fresh and unique to gringos. Then the habanero pineapple is so so good. I love spicy pineapple and this salsa is the reason I will certainly be back.
To top it off they served fresh hot churros at the end. I got my churro and devoured it without blinking.
Nos Vemos Tin Can Tacos.

Mini chicken tacos… YUM! This place was uh-​mazing. The pineapple salsa was bursting with flavor in my mouth. Churros were fresh and crispy and perfect. The prices were decent. The atmosphere was off the chain. It was like a band of Hispanic Gypsies with their food stands in a semi circle… white lights and picnic tables. Love. Love. Love. I want to move to SA so I can eat here everyday.

Whenever you walk up to any business with a Unilocal sticker remind them that you are friends of Krys T. When you do this it will open you up to a new levels of service! We introduced ourselves to Chef Manny as friends of Krys and he started talking gave us a rundown of the park, his menu favorites, happenings, the custom cars next door and what his favorites on the menu are.
After our discussion I ordered the 5 mini Tacos for $ 7, 3 carnitas & 2 lamb tacos. They arrived quickly topped with onions and cilantro and 3 different salsas. Habanero Mango, Avocado Cilantro Cream, & Chipotle. The tacos were delicious and my favorite salsa was the Avocado cilantro.
Thanks Manny for a wonderful meal I will be back soon!

I would say words cannot express my feelings, but that would be a bald faced lie. I’m a wordy individual. Most people can’t get in a word edge-​wise around me.
Quite frankly I don’t shut up.
We were immediately welcomed as well as instantly recognized, certainly Unilocal’s profile photo section didn’t hurt in that aspect.
After several tweets to Manny and promises to get out and visit with him, disappointment because of weather and LIFE getting in the way I finally brought my crisco-​ass (get it? fat in a can) north to partake in these tasty morsels called ‘mini-​tacos’.
I’m one of those gals that will say SIZE DOESN’T MATTER because it IS what you do with the meat that counts and this Chef knows how to heat up his kitchen on wheels.
These 3-​bite taco’s are the perfect size because you can’t possibly feel guilty ordering the 5 (at a time) and then going up for another 5… and then another.
Sure, I recognize the amazing reviews on the carnitas but y’all are missing out on the true taste delight. The beef fajita!
After I popped just one of these treats into my chops it was all over. KFC you have officially lost rights to your motto.
Additionally you will be dabbing the moist meat drippings and salsa from your chin, run-​off as it strays down your wrist while you lift another taco up to your hungry slathering mouth and you make Nom-​Nom-​Nom sounds while others will be staring in disbelief due to your gluttony.
Here is my tip for the day. Don’t walk, run. Google yourself a map, and get there. The sign is a bit dark in the evening but you’ll see it, a beacon of delicious will lead you — hang your head out of the window like a puppy and your tummy will direct the way.

[NEW LOCATION: The Boardwalk on Bulverde, 14 732 Bulverde Road]
For some time, I’d been hearing a chorus of «yea’s» for Tin Can Tacos — but my timing was never quite right to catch them: I missed the Elite event they catered at Hotel Havana in September (just a few days after I joined the Elite Squad); and then, last month, their Air Stream was conspicuously absent from the Tiller’s lot on the day I made the trek to Helotes.:(
But at long last — thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit of Cameron Davies and his Boardwalk on Bulverde — I caught up and was able to sample Manny’s wonderful take on Mexican street fare.
Fish tacos — grilled and seasoned perfectly, and stuffed into tender corn tortillas, garnished with shredded cabbage, cilantro and sauce (as well as crumbled queso fresco)…oh my!
And the sizzling carnitas torta — served with lettuce, tomato, queso fresco and avocado-​cilantro sauce on the best bolillo ever — was also delectable.
With the new park in relative proximity to my stomping grounds, I guess I’ll make it back on a fairly regular basis — so I can sample and Unilocal about the remainder of the yummy stuff on the menu!

I finally had a chance to try out Tin Can Tacos; now that they have relocated to The Boardwalk on Bulverde. I had the Trash Can Burrito which has pork, lamb, beef, chicken and rice in it. I thought it tasted good like nothing I had before, but it was kinda small for $ 7. Probably that high because it had lamb; not exactly a low priced meat. Im just use to the California Burrito for $ 5 at Los Robertos.
I got the chance to meet Manny the chef/​owner of Tin Can Tacos. He’s a pretty cool guy, and is going to offer up a cool menu for the Boardwalk on Bulverde. Since Tin Can Tacos is now closer to me; I plan to try out everything on menu. The next thing I want to try are the fish tacos, if they are as good as everybody says they are then I know I’ll be here often. I give Tin Can Tacos 4 stars next up the Fish Tacos!

Best carnitas in the United States? Maybe if not very close. The owner (resident chef) & his boy are not messing around with quality customer service either. The food is a must try!
Obviously trailers are not very popular or accepted as a dinner place in San Antonio, but travel a little north and you will find Food Trailer heaven in Austin, Texas. These are not your roach coaches you see at construction sites, these are motivated, clean cut, educated folks serving up all types of foods in a kitchen on wheels. Cupcakes, Chocolate-​Covered Bananas, Grilled Cheese, Cone sandwiches, BBQ, Torchy Tacos, French Based Desserts, Cheese Fries, Cuban Sandwiches, Bavarian and the list goes on.
Point being, San Antonio carts are ok as long as they are clean and produce quality product. You should visit the only Airstream serving up some well thought out Mexican food in San Antonio, Tin Can Tacos. Just fyi, while I was waiting in line I met a Postal worker and a microbiologist. I rounded it off being a IT Management consultant, proving all kinds of people are doing it.
Tin Can Taco’s owner, Manny makes his carnitas fresh every morning and it tastes like it. I believe I have not had better carnitas since I was in Puerto Rico, sorry Mi Tierra. The lamb taco was also super. I actually had to go back for a second lamb, I really wanted another carnita but you know I am trying to watch calories… at the trailer.
Manny also explained to me, he makes four different kinds of salsas: mango spicy, a creamy avocado, pineapple spicy salsa, and your standard red salsa. My favorite was probably the spicy pineapple. You get your spicy and sweet with a touch of sour.
I finished my dinner at Tin Can Tacos with a churro to go. With the perfect weather in San Antonio and even better meal, the day was finished off right.

Is it weird or even somewhat inappropriate that I am starting to feel all tingly and happy when I think about Tin Can Tacos? It really doesn’t matter either way because guess what? I do and I like it.
After hearing so many good things, we decided to go give it a shot being that it’s located in a pretty convenient location. The cute little airstream screams 1958, but also screams «hey, come see me, the guy inside makes awesome tacos!» You know that feeling you get when you’re about to have really bad ass food and you just know it? Well, I got it upon walking up to the little window to place our order.
We ordered two fish tacos, as well as a carnitas and a chipotle chicken taco with chips salsa and two drinks. Our total come out to 13.50, which isn’t bad considering that was lunch for the two of us. We waited under a tree (shade, way too hot not to) for about 10 minutes and Manny brought us out our food. We decided to just dig in since we were already parked under a tree.
HOLY TACO! These were really great! They were small, but it’s what I expect from a «street taco» I didn’t try the fish tacos, but they looked great, with a mango/​jalapeño purée coating the fish, cilantro and queso fresco cheese. The carnitas was perfect. It was tender, shredded, juicy and mouth watering. Add a bit of avocado crema that Manny offers and you’ll be in heaven. I was! I was about to bite into the chicken, when Manny came out and said he gave me regular chicken fajita on accident and could he make me a chioptle please. I politely declined because the chicken fajita was about to be shoveled into my mouth and looked good anyway. The fajita chicken was great. Tender meat and good flavor. It was so nice to see that for once, someone offers something other than the standard chipotle mayo with fish tacos!
**Great sauces (pinapple/​habanero, which was really tasty and the avocado cream was delicate and perfect with the carnitas!)
*Manny is really friendly and makes some really good tacos in that airstream! He didn’t have to offer to make me another taco, but he did and that won me over. Aside from the amazing tacos. This place is cash, but is super reasonable. We’ll be back! I could have eaten more than the two tacos that I had and guess what? Next time… I will eat more. Probably on Saturday… I’m just sayin…

Tip: bring a lawnchair if you’re going during peak meal times. It’s hit or miss, but if there’s a crowd they may be out of seating. Although they did just add a nice wood picnic table…
Tip: Tin Can Tacos is CASH ONLY (for obvious reasons).
Tip: Get some chips and salsa while you’re waiting for your tacos.
I was going to write this review after having eaten here once, but I decided to visit Tin Can Tacos twice in 6 days just to be sure. Ya know what? I may have to go again this weekend.
I know what you’re thinking, and the answer is «yes! it’s that friggin’ good!»
Manny (the owner/​chef/​taco king) is a taco MASTER. Definitely come a knockin’ because this trailer is ROCKIN’! He knows exactly what he’s doing with the unique flavor in every amazing bite.
The first time I went I pretty much tried every taco he has. By «pretty much» I mean definitely. Yes. Every. Taco. The verdict? Flawless.
This time I had to conquer the elusive yet peculiar Trash Can Burrito. I’d tell you it was delicious, but that’s a gross understatement. It’s all the delicious meats Manny can mash into one flour tortilla, along with rice and the delicious cilantro awesomesauce. I’m making up words because the English language falls short sometimes. And this is one of those times.
Tin Can Tacos’ sign is getting bigger: they have two vinyl posters up now, but keep an eye out for the Tiller’s Automotive sign on the East side of Bandera Road just outside Loop 1604 and pull into the driveway.
Great. Now I’m hungry again…

Grilled fish tacos! Awesome stuff and perfectly located near my home. Born and raised in SA, I’ve had my share of good tacos. I have to say these are among the best I’ve ever had. The value can’t be beat (2 – 3 tacos for $ 5 depending on which ones you order). But beyond value is the flavor!!! This isn’t your typical slapped together bean and cheese. From the first bite, you can tell this guy knows his stuff. He’s a chef that stays true to what is expected in a taco and then takes it a step further while keeping it on the cheap!
To the guy that logged on to Unilocal to post one review based on the address of this unique establishment, which restaurant do you work for? Seriously, you haven’t even eaten here yet you give it one star?
Thanks to Tin Can Tacos for making great food (I just wish I could have breakfast tacos M-​F)!

@tincantacos is their Twitter handle. I am so excited to write this review. After reading Cara F’s ROTD about Tin Can Tacos, I knew I had to dine there immediately and I had the lunch of my life today.
The owner (Chef Manny) is a South Texas native who spent the last 8 years in Houston but has recently returned to town to bless us with his creative creations. He renovated a vintage Air Stream Trailer and parked it in front of Tiller’s Automotive Shop (their «Base Location»). But don’t worry, they «have tacos, will travel.»
The menu was so tempting I couldn’t decide what to get. So my lunch partner and I may or may not have ordered every taco on the menu. (Hint: we did) And the total cost for ONE OF EVERYTHING was $ 11.50. So, yeah. This place rocks. And they have Big Red which deserves a star by itself because as far as I’m concerned, there’s no sense in eating tacos if you can’t pair them with Big Red.
They’ll start you off with chips and salsa but true to form the salsa isn’t just your typical tomato blend. I loved the habenero pineapple salsa most.
Now, let’s talk talkos. Er, tacos, as it were. The meat Manny wraps in tortillas is full of flavor, tender and covered in cilantro, onions and delicious queso fresco. I sampled: Carnitas (braised pork), Lamb (herb seasoned), Chipotle Chicken (slow roasted and very spicy), chicken fajita, steak fajita and an incredible special «not even on the menu» fish taco. Get this fish taco. All of my selections were out of this world don’t get me wrong, but the fish taco transcended me to a new spiritual plane.
The fish tacos are grilled and served in a corn tortilla topped with cabbage, cilantro, onion, queso fresco and this sauce. I don’t know what the sauce is called or how Manny makes it. But I know I love it. I want to eat it right now. I just started drooling…
He also brought us to sauces to try. One was a cilantro avocado sauce and the other was this beautiful chipotle ranch something that was spicy, tangy and tantalizing to my taste buds.
And then they served us dessert. Locally made (local is as important to Manny as it is to Unilocal) ice cream bars available in several flavors. I had the mango. You should too.

Tin Can Tacos is definitely FAR from your typical, unlicensed, «fly by night,» taco truck. The Tin Can comes at you via a vintage Air Stream Trailer, usually parked in front of the Tiller’s Automotive Shop just outside 1604 and Bandera. If you’re looking for the standard bean and cheese tacos, then it’s time to truly open your mind and savor the exotic flavors that Manny (the owner of Tin Can Tacos) can nestle in a warm corn tortilla.
The lamb tacos are amazing. Flavorful, tender, a little game-​y, and topped with tangy avocado sauce with fresh cilantro and onion. Your taste buds will fly around the globe and come back for another bite of that taco. Want something a little lighter? Try Manny’s fish tacos. Grilled, not fried, fish, along with the usual suspects you come to find and love in fish tacos: crunchy red cabbage, onion, cilantro, and that delicious sauce. You can also get a container of his amazing pineapple habanero salsa for an extra kick! Don’t worry, it’s not the hellfire you might think, it’s actually very well balanced, just like all of the Tin Can’s eats.
Keep in mind, these delicious treats are from the talented and creative mind of Tin Can owner, Manny. As a former executive chef, he had a passion to walk off the beaten path, and he demonstrates that very well in his cooking. Don’t expect the same old, same old here either. Manny tends to change the menu from time to time as he sees fit, or if he gets another wild idea.
So go find that silver bullet trailer and try some really fresh and carefully crafted flavors. Manny won’t steer you wrong!