Shoppers at a San Antonio mall are expressing outrage over a parking oversight that has cost them hundreds of dollars, as they raise alarms about aggressive towing practices.

Anyone visiting University Square at DeZavala must be vigilant about their parking choices, as even a brief 15-minute errand could result in their vehicle being towed.

Michelle Salinas shared her experience with MySA, recounting a visit to the 85°C Bakery Cafe, a Taiwanese bakery, last Christmas. She had stopped to pick up some treats for her sister before traveling to the Rio Grande Valley.

In just the short time she was inside, Salinas discovered her vehicle had been towed. She had parked in the nearby IHOP parking area due to a full lot, unknowingly setting herself up for trouble.

“Apparently, the towing company just waits nearby. As soon as someone steps out of their car and enters a store, they swoop in and tow the cars,” she explained to the outlet.

Salinas isn’t alone in her frustration, as many others have encountered the strict parking enforcement at this popular shopping destination, finding themselves in similar situations.

There are signs posted in the IHOP parking lot, alongside parking blocks that have ‘IHOP ONLY’ printing in black ink along the perimeter spaces. 

However, those parking in the middle spaces can easily miss the few red signs in the parking lot that read, ‘Towing enforced at all times. IHOP customers & employees in designated spaces only. No after-hours sparking. No for-sale vehicles. Unauthorized vehicles will be towed at owner’s or operator’s expense.’ 

One portion of the parking lot at University Square at DeZavala strictly enforces its tow zone, leaving many customers with their cars taken and a bill worth hundreds to get it back 

The IHOP parking lot has a few small red signs that face inward, informing drivers that the spaces are for IHOP customers and staff only. However, for those parking in a middle spot and not along the perimeter, the sign is easy to miss 

Salinas complained that the signs were only printed on one side, facing inward toward the parking lot. Those coming from the outside are not informed. 

Salinas eventually found the sign, informing her to contact Bexar Towing. She then had to find someone to drive her 11 miles to get her car back, she told MySA. 

She found herself having to wait in line once getting to the place, and it cost her $235 to retrieve her car, she said. 

The angry customer took to TikTok to warn others to be careful, especially around the holidays. 

‘Merry Christmas, I guess,’ she wrote in the caption. 

Another person posted a video showing a Ram truck towing an SUV. 

‘If this was you, parked at IHOP on November 1 [2025] @ 1.16pm, he was just looking for someone to tow,’ the user accused. 

Some days, especially around the holidays, customers are increasingly finding it hard to find spaces as the plaza becomes more and more popular. 

Michelle Salinas had parked in the lot while trying to get to a bakery when the rest of the parking lot was full. When she came out 15 minutes later, her car was gone. She had to get someone to drive her 11 miles to the place and then pay a $235 bill to get her vehicle back 

The perimeter spaces also have IHOP ONLY printed in black ink on the curb 

A woman who goes by Cococharles9 on TikTok told MySA that she noticed two vehicles being towed in January from the lot, and agreed with Salinas that the towing company is just waiting to pounce. 

‘Apparently it’s a frequent issue at that specific location,’ she told the outlet. 

‘The tow truck drivers were waiting in that lot. Once they saw the customers walking towards the stores, they would pull in and run to place the tow.’  

Many TikTok commenters complained there wasn’t enough parking for the ever-popular Teso Life, an Asian department store, causing them to spill into other stores’ spots. 

‘There wasn’t any parking for anything today!’ one wrote. ‘Fully taken up!’ 

‘It’s the worst since Teso Life opened,’ another wrote. 

Another said they were aware of the towing problem and found themselves constantly circling the parking lot to avoid it. 

‘We have seen them enforce that section of IHOP, so we circle around. We sometimes have to park near Einstein’s Bagels,’ they said under Salinas’ video. 

Many said the towing company waits to pounce on unsuspecting customers trying to get to another store, while other said the signs are there for a reason 

Others pointed out that they were breaking the rules and that ‘people should read signs.’ 

‘Wait… I can’t use private property for my own use… that’s wild!’ one joked.  

The Daily Mail has reached out to Bexar Towing, IHOP, and Glazer Properties, which owns University Square, for comment.