Restaurants

Welcome to a place for you to post your informal notes about and pictures of restaurants in South Padre Island, Port Isabel, Brownsville, Harlingen and anywhere else in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. We will post your pictures and notes if you will send them to us. For the most part we will try to not edit these, but we do not want to post anything libellous or mean spirited. Our hope is to see pictures of and hear about the best places, not the worst.

You can e-mail your notes and pictures by clicking on this link: Restaurants

And now we begin. When we get more of these we will sort by location.

Big Daddy's - Brownsville

We went to Big Daddy's, 3065 Boca Chica in Brownsville, on Saturday and just loooooved their bacon cheeseburger. They have 13 kinds of burgers and 60 other breakfast (served all day), lunch or dinner options; they even have ice cream floats and shakes. Great food, service, ambiance and it's affordable. Notes from Alfred and Diane Lanctot

Photos by Alfred Lanctot

Yummie's Bistro and Wi-fi Cafe - South Padre Island

What a wonderful treat to have a lunch with friends at Yummie's. Just down the road near the north end of ? road. The food was great, and the service was too. But there were lots of people and not too many tables. Get there early and don't be in a hurry. I didn't try the wi-fi, but a couple of people were on their laptops, so I guess it must work.

Photo by Al Stroud

Gabriella's Italian Grill & Pizzeria - South Padre Island

My wife and I went to Gabriella's at 700 Padre Blvd., South Padre Island, with four friends. The food was all very good. Two had pizza, the other four of us had one of the two specials for the day. We were there during happy hours, so we sampled some of the many specialty beers they have on tap. We also tried an appetizer which we split between the six of us - just to get a taste. The service was good, but don't be in a hurry. We arrived at about 5 pm and did not make it to bingo at 7 pm. The prices were not cheap, but seemed fair for the quality. They charge to split a meal, but all portions were very large and the pizza or either of the specials could certainly have served two with normal appetites - the specials came with salad and bread. Notes from Al Stroud

Photo by Al Stroud

Dirty Al's - South Padre Island

If you have stayed at Isla Blanca Park you have probably eaten here. But for sure you have seen it. It is the first thing outside the entrance to the main campground and is practically in the area just outside the gate. My wife and I have always had the same thing - the small fried shrimp basket, so we really don't know how everything else tastes. Must be good though... The prices are not extraordinarily cheap, but we think it is worth it. I like the medium draft beer for $2.25, but it is one place where you can get a small draft beer for a buck. When there with friends who like beer we can share a pitcher.

Photo by Al Stroud

The Big Donkey - South Padre Island

Located at 4215 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island, this is a fun place to go with friends. My wife and I (on the left) were joined by Nancy and Dennis Doucette of Michigan on their last night in South Padre. Owned, we understand, by the owner of Dirty Al's, it has some of the basic seafood items such as fried shrimp, but it also has a good looking Mexican menu which is really its specialty. Had a very good happy hour margarita for $3, but went with the fried shrim on our first visit. Price was about $9 for a shrimp basket with fries or a salad. Some of the mexican food plates were a couple of dollars less. They give complimentary chips and a warm salsa when you sit down. We had a live singer who was pretty good, but made it hard to talk to friends while he was singing. Notes submitted by Al Stroud.

Photos by Al Stroud

Los Cabos Restaurant - Port Isabel

Family owned and operated Los Cabos is a great choice when you feel like a homemade Mexican meal. They also serve a good hearty breakfast, have a wide selection of delicious seafood plates & combos and you must try their grilled chicken salad. Located in Port Isabel, across from the Post Office, they are open from 7 AM to 7:30 PM every day. Very affordable, courteous & friendly service and casual is the dress code.

Seafood plate for Jody, grilled chicken salad for Monique, chalupas for Diane and the photographer had the mexican enchilada plate. Notes submitted by Diane Lanctot.

Photos by Alfred Lanctot

Manuel's - Port Isabel

Manuel's is located near the lighthouse square in Port Isabel at 313 E Maxan St. From the outside it does not look exciting, but, boy, is the breakfast good. They only serve lunch and breakfast. Did I mention that the breakfast is really good? Really big, too. Order one, feed two, Mexican style breakfasts. They serve American style breakfasts, too, but they are not quite as big. We went there this time with a friend who used to come to the Island every winter, but since his wife passed does not come to stay. He says he drives down every year from Detroit to see friends, but we know it is really just to get his breakfast at Manuels. He eats breakfast there every day that he is at the island. Did I mention that the breakfast is really good? Take your cash with you, though. They do not take credit cards. Note from Al Stroud.

Photos by Nancy Doucette

Garcia's dining room in Nuevo Progresso

We all had the mexican platter, except for Jose who had Gringo food, and enjoyed it very much. Home made tortilla chips, medium spiced salsa and Jalapeno peppers were replenished 3 times free of charge. Everything was fresh and very tasty. Reasonably priced, impeccable service. Notes from Alfred and Diane Lanctot

Photos by Alfred Lanctot

Thoughts on Nuevo Progresso

Norm Rourke

We have eaten at virtually every restaurant in Nuevo Progreso. All have been good and each is unique in its gastronomical offerings. Of course Mexican food is the number one best seller. But most have a variety of non Mexican (gringo) food.

Why anyone would go to Mexico and order anything but Mexican food is beyond me. As one friend aptly puts it: "You come to a Mexican restaurant and order gringo food? What's the matter with you?" Mexican food in Mexico is often different than Tex Mex food. It can be on the bland side. But that doesn't mean it's less tasty. Tex Mex food found north of the border is a bit more spicy. However, every Mexican restaurant in Nuevo Progreso lays out dishes of salsa, pico de gallo (also called salsa fresca) peppers of different temperatures

Caution: Don't chomp into a habanera pepper trying to look macho unless you're prepared to have your throat roasted. Pouring water down your parched gullet will only add to the intensity of the heat. Cut small pieces off and mix with your rice, beans or other food to add zest and flavor. Trying to smile while sweating profusely as your face turns red and you're gasping for breath isn't the way to enjoy quality Mexican food.

The Arizona Restaurant

Our most recent visit took us to Arizona restaurant. It's located on the left side of Benito Juarez (the main street entering Nuevo Progreso) and the corner of Sonora (I think). The deep red (or reddish brown) building is four stories tall; the name is at the top. The bottom entry floor is a shop. An elevator is to your right as you enter.

The restaurant is clean, nicely decorated with a Mexican motif (as you would expect) and the service is cordial and efficient. Yes, the waiters speak English. You can always point to your selection on the menu if you have doubts. In addition to the food (yes, they have gringo food) the view is open and interesting. You can see the U. S. from your window. Hmmm? That sounds like something a politician said about their view from Alaska.The bustle of Benito Juarez avenue below can be seen as well as the expanse of the city.

We had a variety of foods; all were good, tasty and pleasantly presented. As with all Mexican fare, you don't leave hungry. The prices are reasonable...far less than what you would pay across the border for the same quality, quantity and originality.

Bueno apitite!
Norm Rourke