J & I Cafe

    $ Tex-Mex, Mexican
    Closed6:00 AM - 5:00 PM

    Menu

    Popular dishes

    Location & Hours

    Map

    1431 E Houston St

    San Antonio, TX 78202

    Eastside

    Mon

    • 6:00 AM - 5:00 PM

    Tue

    • 6:00 AM - 5:00 PM

    Wed

    • 6:00 AM - 5:00 PM

    Thu

    • 6:00 AM - 5:00 PM

    Closed now

    Fri

    • 6:00 AM - 5:00 PM

    Sat

    • 6:00 AM - 5:00 PM

    Sun

    • Closed

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    Amenities and More

    About the Business

    Specializing in homemade authentic Mexican dishes as well as popular Tex-Mex food. We have breakfast tacos served all day. For those of you who can handle a big meal come and try our "cholesterol plate" if you dare. From our family to yours since 1989.…

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    Overall rating

    43 reviews

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    • Photo of Mark D.
      Mark D.
      Denton, TX
      1
      12
      1
      Nov 4, 2023

      I was in town for an event at the Alamodome. This place is a short walk away, so I thought I'd give it a shot. I'm SO glad I did. I had a plate of beef enchiladas, and I swear they were the best enchiladas I've had in years. Forget chain restaurants, this place is great.

      Beef Enchilada Plate
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    • Photo of Shanice R.
      Shanice R.
      Far North Central, San Antonio, TX
      263
      92
      416
      Jan 23, 2023

      Now I don't know who's shit in your Cheerios but I didn't get the feeling that I wasn't welcome. I just got a very stern workingman super sweet, beautiful woman working in the kitchen. They greeted us. I did not have a bad experience so I don't know if y'all are just sensitive or I don't know but the food here is amazing I would definitely be back the beans taste so good like oh my God I am heavy on beans, and if you know how to make beans, I'll trust all your other plates the wife got Chilaquiles she is happy with her plate. The salsa is so phenomenal it's like a different taste. The salsa never had before but it's amazing like all it all will definitely eat here again eat here Oh and the prices are so affordable like extremely !!!!affordable.

      Helpful 4
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    • Photo of Dave L.
      Dave L.
      Castroville, TX
      35
      31
      28
      Sep 1, 2023

      This is my go to spot! It's a really great Mexican restaurant! They're carne guisada with cheese is made with love. Also the bean and chorizo was very good! Not greasy, and the tortilla had a light crisp on it as if they grilled it.

      Updated pricing of the taco menu.
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    • Photo of Kevin T.
      Kevin T.
      Floresville, TX
      0
      12
      2
      Sep 20, 2023

      The more you go back to eat here the worse it gets for me. First time I went the food was decent. Seems hot and fresh at lunch. Second time I went I ordered beef fajita plate and it was not fajita meet. It was more of a milanesa steak cut up. Deal is they charge you more for fajita and give you thin steak. Third time they tried to charge me for beef enchiladas instead of cheese. Again a price difference. Fourth time I went my Ben's and enchilada gravy was so watery I know when something has been watered down to make more .... I'm Hispanic. Fifth time the chicken quesadillas made my stomach hurt. Let's not forget about the breakfast. It seems to me they use store bought tortillas for breakfast or for to go orders and real homemade tortillas for dine in but that might be too elaborate of a plan for those to execute.

      Service is whatever. Old man is straight forward. No kind of personality. Takes your order. Brings your order. Then cashes you out. No hello. No thank you and no come again.

      Ambience is pretty much what you see from the inside is what you get in the inside. Dark, old furniture. Nothing more to say.

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    • Photo of Johnny L.
      Johnny L.
      Wilmington, CA
      1
      14
      5
      Aug 27, 2023

      The machacado with huevo was a flavorful dish . The nopales con huevo just like the way my mom used to make them. Best place in San Antonio super humble with authentic Tex-mex food. When I go back and visit San Antonio I'm definitely going back there. Greetings from Southern California I love this place.

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    • Photo of Tony C.
      Tony C.
      San Antonio, TX
      26
      171
      217
      Sep 24, 2022

      After nobody showed up to open a nearby cafe where I had planned on meeting my best friend for breakfast, we trekked to the next closest open cafe, J&I. We were pleasantly surprised by this hole-in-the-wall east side cafe. The interior is humbly decorated. The portrait of the horse is kick ass, and it was apparently the couple who own it were running the kitchen and counter alone. The owner did not seem rude to me. It wasn't the most hospitable ass-kissing service so many are accustomed to, but he was friendly especially when it came time to pay. The breakfast tacos were fantastic, and I will be happy to patron this business anytime I am looking for something to eat on that side of town. The mural outside is also pretty cool.

      Mural
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    • Photo of Crystal C.
      Crystal C.
      Carson, CA
      0
      4
      5
      Aug 26, 2023

      The food is amazing! A hole in the wall, with no fluff. Just exceptional food! Authentic Mexican cuisine!

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    • Photo of Andy L.
      Andy L.
      Downtown, San Antonio, TX
      63
      74
      7
      Jul 13, 2023

      It's a shame the owner is rude because the food is good. Judging by other reviews on here it seems he's always had an attitude for years. I've been here twice decided to give him a second chance and I regret it. Won't be back again.

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    • Photo of Carlos F.
      Carlos F.
      Norwalk, CA
      51
      44
      1
      Aug 17, 2023

      Definition of hole in the wall. Took a long time to get our food after ordering, I assume it's because it's made fresh? Not sure. It's Tex mex for sure, being from Los Angeles I'm not use to tex Mex, only traditional Mexican food. Chilaquiles were more like little bites of cheddar cheese quesadillas if that makes sense. Their salsa has minimal flavor but it will burn through your mouth which I appreciate. Interesting experience, but not sure id be back if I ever visit again.

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    • Photo of Edward A.
      Edward A.
      TX, TX
      0
      1
      Jul 9, 2023

      Great breakfast tacos for the right price and made fresh and very fast too
      There green salsa is very good

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    3 other reviews that are not currently recommended

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