By Arthur Cavazos

The landmark Tip Top Cafe is celebrating its 81st year of setting the table for everyone from mechanics to mayors.
Cecilio Ojeda Tip Top Café General Manager for six years says consistently good food brings people back or to try out the legendary diner on Fredericksburg Road.
“Our friendly staff provides a true destination dining experience,” says Ojeda, who has been in the restaurant business 30 years. “The recipes are the original recipes from the ‘30s. Our pies are made-fresh-daily and are just as famous as our golden onion rings and the Texas-sized chicken fried steaks,” explains Ojeda.
He became general manager of the Tip Top Café in 2013, when the granddaughter of Tip Top Café founder Pappy DeWese, Linda, sold the storied diner and retired from the family business.
Ojeda immigrated to the United States from Yucatan arriving in Queens, NYC at age 17 and still learning English. One of his first food service jobs was at a Dunkin’ Donuts. When English became a second language, he was made a manager, and was then afforded the opportunity to manage a Dunkin’ Donuts in Killeen. The store was part of a franchise with shops in Texas and neighboring Arkansas.When he moved to San Antonio in ’93 is when he met his wife, Cinthya, who originally hails from Nicaragua. They married and have two boys ages 13 and 10. Through the years, Ojeda worked at several local eateries with recognizable names such as Sombrero Rosa on Wurzbach, Pizza Inn, Taco Cabana, Chick-fil-A and CiCis Pizza.
The diner’s 81st anniversary in 2019 includes a limited-edition Fiesta medal on sale now for $10 each; because Fiesta is just around the corner if you ask a bona fide Fiesta medal maniac. Emblazoned on back of the medal is the 100 Club of SA logo signifying the diner’s tradition of backing the blue and red who selflessly serve our community. Visit 100clubsa.org for ticket info for their Jan. 25, 2019, Boots & Badges Casino Bash at the Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway (78209).
Now thru 2/28/19 patrons who dine in will receive 20 percent off their entire meal ticket just by mentioning they read about the Tip Top Café in La Prensa Texas or online. This offer cannot be combined with daily specials or other offers. Dine-In ONLY. Tip Top Café also takes orders year-round for their whole pies. Call 210-732-0191 to place your order 48 hours in advance of when you need to pick them up. The landmark diner is at 2814 Fredericksburg Road (78201) and open 7 days a week 11-9 (11-8 Sundays). Like them on Facebook.