On the northwest side of San Antonio, around sundown stands a luminous yellow food truck nestled between a shopping center, that when around brings a nostalgic aroma of carnival treats. That enjoyment is something owner Gabriel Martinez and his family have coined a tradition thanks to his late grandfather Leonardo Martinez.
Honchos – The House of Churros opened last year in early May and the name was inspired by the Honcho in Gabriel’s life, Leonardo. Not only was his grandfather an inspiration for the charming yellow truck, but so was his original recipe for the churros.
The recipe originated in Leonardo’s hometown of Hidalgo del Parral, Chihuahua in the 1930s. The authenticity of his churros comes from working in a local bakery when he was younger. Though Leonardo didn’t make a career out of selling the churros, they became a staple at family gatherings.
“He started doing the churros for birthday parties, even weddings that it just became a tradition in my family,” Gabriel said. “He passed it on to me and said, ‘This is what we do.’”
Ever since, that saying has stuck with Gabriel and he has continued the family tradition. Gabriel, who is originally from El Paso, Texas takes everything his grandfather taught him, about being able to make these sugary, warm treats which are all made in house and sharing them with his community.
The concept of a food truck came collectively from both Gabriel and his wife Elisa Martinez. One evening, the couple were having a nice dinner together and Gabriel made the churros for her. After some indulgence, she brought up the idea of creating their own business and being able to sell them.
“One day he told me, you know what there are no desserts around at this time of night and it would be nice to have churros like we had in Mexico,” Elisa said, adding that everyone loves desserts.
“So that’s how we started,” Elisa said.
Gabriel joined forces with his wife Elisa and his brother Luis Martinez in creating what would become a huge hit in the community selling their churros.
“We’ve had a huge response since we opened from the people in San Antonio, and we haven’t stopped since,” Gabriel said.
When stopping by Honchos Gabriel said the expectation is for customers to become immersed in the “Get Churroed” experience by the aroma of the fresh made churros and the sight of customers taking that first bite, grinning from ear to ear.
What makes the churros so unique, besides it being an authentic 80-year-old recipe from Mexico that’s made in house, is the explosion of flavors from the nine sauces that you can stuff or dip them in. Honchos has an array of sauces that pair perfectly with each churro. From classics like Cajeta and their house Honcho sauce, which is their version of a spiced caramel. Currently they have a key lime sauce which is refreshingly sweet, yet tart making it a sweet treat for these cool spring nights.
“This is one of the best places I’ve been too,” Amy Falls a patron of Honchos said. “Compared to other places they either don’t have enough sugar on them, and you can’t get them stuffed.”
Honchos’ first location is based at 5824 Babcock Road, with a second location opening in the next few weeks which will be located at 108 N Rosillo St. When asked Gabriel mentioned having their first brick and mortar in the near future with more details being released at a later date.
House of Churros is open Monday through Friday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday’s from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Babcock location.
