SAN ANTONIO-The dream of ownership never escaped Patrick Flores. He's been in the restaurant industry for 31 years. Nearly half of those were spent amassing the ingredients to make Las Chiladas successful.
The 49-year-old said he envisioned a business serving breakfast all day.
"'I've wanted to do my stuff and do it my way and do things the way I'd like for them to be done," Flores said.
He and his wife own the business. Flores said his sister helps him run the business at 2387 NW Military Hwy.
"It's a neighborhood place," he said.
Las Chiladas opened under a different owner in the 1997. Flores bought the restaurant in 2003. He said they kept the name because customers were already used to it.
"The previous owner's grandson couldn't say 'enchiladas,'" Flores said. "So he'd say he wanted chiladas. And that's what he named it.'
The menu is primarily traditional Mexican, Tex-Mex and seafood. Las Chiladas has also gained a reputation for its tamales. In fact, Flores's tamales are award winning.
"We won best tamales in San Antonio in 2016 and 2017," he said.
Neighborhood Eats was provided with a sampler from Las Chiladas starting with the fish tacos: grilled fish, covered in cabbage and a spicy a chipotle sauce. This was a likable dish.
Next, the homemade chicken pot pie Flores said made him marry his wife. Customers wouldn't expect to get any kind of pot pie at a Mexican and seafood restaurant but Las Chiladas serves it. The crust is golden and flaky baked over a deep serving bowl stuffed with chicken, veggies and a hearty filling. It's good!
Neighborhood Eats couldn't wait to taste their version of a Philly cheesesteak: Carne asada, onions, mushrooms, peppers and cheese on Texas toast. ¡Qué rico!
The final part of the taste test had to be the award winning tamales. Offered in this sampling were the traditional pork tamales. ¡Qué rico!
Thanks to Rich Jenkins for the suggestion.
That's this week's Neighborhood Eats. If you have a suggestion send Marvin an email (Mhurst@kens5.com), tweet (@Mhurstkens5) or post it on his Facebook page. #KENS5EATS