Harlingen/McAllen

[WHS]

I'm going to be down in Harlingen visiting my mama, and would appreciate restaurant recs in the Rio Grande Valley. BBQ, Tex-Mex, steak, you name it. Also, she's Japanese and we lived in Thailand for many years, so anything along those lines would be great too.

Thanks!

[plantdetective]

ok, here is a quick run down.

Harlingen -

Main Street Grill ,downtown does great burgers.

Sauza's, on Ed Carey just north of Hwy 83 does very good mexican (ate there last night) They have a pico de aguacate (sp?) that is a pico de gallo with avocado that is wonderful

Platillos does a good mexican also.

Some of the best Seafood in the Valley in in Port Isabel (right before you get to SPI) White Sands is a little place behind a hotel of the same name on the north side of the road.

There is great ice cream also in Port Isabel on the south side of the road right before you get to the bridge to the island. Just look for the ice cream cone building.

Weslaco (on the way to Mcallen from Harlingen) I haven't eaten there but I hear that the Blue Onion is great food.

If you want to eat across the border there are really good, really inexpensive tacos at Victors Tacos. This a taco stand in a line of taco stands about three blks from the bridge on the left. Im sure many of them make good food but that is the only one I have eaten at.

There is a great bbq place in Alamo (between Weslaco and Mcallen) - Willie B's has great food. Particularly the smoked fajita taco, Lots of food for a great price.

Pharr (Mcallen area) There is a great Chinese buffet (I know, I know, but I really like it) Grand China Buffet - is just off Hwy 83 on the Northside. Jackson exit I believe.

More good Mexican in Edinburg at Crucitas Kitchen. The do a great buffet.

If you get down to Brownsville over the weekend check out Vera's they have maybe the last traditional barbacoa in the area. Their pits are grandfathered in and couldn't be replicated if they were to close.

Paul

[irodguy]

In nuevo progreso Arturo's Restaurant was great last time I ate there. Now that being said this was back in the mid 70s, all though I hear it's still there and good.

Steak, Seafood, Cabrito etc.

In the day the entire town was Arturo's grocery, restaurant ........

[WHS]

Some of the best Seafood in the Valley in in Port Isabel (right before you get to SPI)  White Sands is a little place behind a hotel of the same name on the north side of the road. 

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Paul, thanks for all the suggestions--just checked out White Sands website--a dozen oysters on the half shell for $7.95!!!

We ate at Lone Star BBQ last time I visited and we were kind of disappointed in the dry brisket and average beef ribs--have you been there recently?

Thanks again,

Bill

[plantdetective]

>We ate at Lone Star BBQ last time I visited and we were kind of disappointed in >the dry brisket and average beef ribs--have you been there recently?

I haven't been there.

>In nuevo progreso Arturo's Restaurant was great last time I ate there. Now that >being said this was back in the mid 70s, all though I hear it's still there and good.

I ate there in Feb. and it was ok, but not worth a trip across the border if you ask me. I would rather stay and eat in Harlingen as to go to arturo's. If you are going with someone that isn't comfortable eating in a foreign country then it would be a fine choice...

I forgot to add that Beef Eaters in Port Isabel has a pretty good bbq buffet at a reasonable price. Tom and Jerry's on the island has good burgers. Ted's does a good breakfast... BlackBeard's is good.

Paul

[WHS]

Here's my Harlingen report: It's 83 degrees in January, there's corn growing across the road, and the garden center is selling tomato plants...tomorrow we go back to New Hampshire, where we can look forward to a foot of snow.

We've eaten Tex-Mex at Tila's, a funky place in a strip mall next to Target. The refried beans were the best, probably made with lard. My new addiction is pico de gallo and chili con queso. Dora Vela's downtown is open 24/365 and has that authentic cement block ambience with big family tables. Garcia's was also good.

We had grilled quail at Lone Star BBQ on Business 83. The quail was finger-lickin good--whatever they marinate it in keeps it moist and toothsome. The brisket was dry, beef ribs were good, cole slaw, beans and potato salad were above average.

We went to Marchan's at the White Sands Motel in Port Isabel. This is a place my dad used to take us back in the 70's and it hasn't changed. It was great to sit outside by the marina, drink 99 cent frozen margaritas, and watch the pelicans. Mixed reviews on the food--the u-peel-em shrimp had that iodine taste which means they've been around a while, the clam chowder (what were we thinking?) was wallpaper paste, but the ceviche was tasty and fresh, the fried oysters were plump and juicy, and the whole fried flounder was excellent.

The surprise of the visit was Sopa's Stone Court Cafe on Stuart Place Rd. It's owned by a Thai lady, and the food was some of best Thai home cooking I've had in the States. The Beef Salad was incendiary, and the green chicken curry was authentic. Good Pad Thai and spring rolls. It's the only Thai restaurant I've been to that has chicken-fried steak and Ruben sandwiches on the menu too.

Edited January 1, 2006 by WHS (log)

[plantdetective]

That is the Valley. It is really a very eclectic place. Lil Ritas is a Thai mex fusion place that is supposed to be good. I havent taken the time to sneal away without my wife and try. She insists that she doesnt like thai food cause it all has peanuts in it. Cant even get her to try. oh well one of these days she will go on a trip:)