After serving his time in the United States Navy Submarine Fleet during World War II, Tony A. Karam set out to make his mark in San Antonio. He tried several different lines of work with little success and ultimately came upon the idea of opening his own Mexican food restaurant. A search for the perfect location ensued. Eventually, he settled on the former site of the original Turf Club—Senator V.E. “Red” Berry’s well-known bar and gambling house.