Ray's Drive Inn

Welcome to Rays Drive Inn, a Westside landmark. Rays Drive Inn opened its doors in 1956, at the corner of SW 19th Street and Guadalupe Street, by Raymond H Ray Lopez, and now owned by Arturo Lopez and his wife, Gloria, son, John Louis, and daughter, Maria Idalia Lali. Raymond the eldest and Arturo the seventh child, born to Louis and Basilia Lopez. The Lopezs sons received their inspiration of owning a business from their parents, Louis and Basilia who opened a small fruit and grocery store in their home from 1926-1949 located at 1419 El Paso Street, near Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. While Louis worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad, Basilia operated the grocery store. My mother was the business woman of the Lopez family as stated by Arturo Lopez. Raymond opened Rays Drive Inn by featuring free movies to the neighborhood families and serving hamburgers 5 for $1.00, delicious fried chicken, traditional fresh hand squeezed lemonade and ice-cold beer. On the weekends, Raymond featured live music by area bands including Tejano legend, Isidro Lopez El Indio. Rays Drive Inn quickly became a favorite eatery for many that live in the surrounding area, including many prominent, and military personnel. In 1966 Arturo Lopez moved to Southern California with his wife, Gloria, and young son, John Louis. In 1977 Arturo opened Arturos Puffy Tacos in La Habra, California and now located in Whittier, California. In May 1982, Arturo agreed to purchase Rays Drive Inn from his oldest brother, Raymond. Raymond had one stipulation and that was that the name of the restaurant would remain Rays Drive Inn and with that Arturo commuted every two weeks from California to San Antonio, Texas to take care of his businesses. Arturo and Gloria registered the Puffy Taco as their trademark. On November 3, 1992 Rays Drive Inn received the Official Trademark for the Puffy Taco and has been featured in the cable food network channel as The Best of the Best in Mexican Food, The Current, Conexión SA,