When people ask where I am from, I often reference South Texas versus my hometown of Pharr, Texas. Likely they will not know where Pharr or the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) is located. The RGV lies in the southernmost tip of South Texas in the northern bank of the Rio Grande, which separates Mexico from the United States. Some of the biggest cities in the region are Brownsville, Harlingen, and McAllen.
A visit to the Rio Grande Valley can be a culture shock to some. However, many fall in love with the warm weather and the delicious cuisine. A culinary visit to the Rio Grande Valley is not complete without experiencing street style tacos, delicious tamales, and some of the best Margaritas you will ever taste. If you have a sweet tooth, you will be delighted to taste some excellent pan dulce (sweet bread) and tres leches cakes. Unfortunately, once you get a taste of the Rio Grande Valley’s cuisine, you will never look at some of these foods the same. Following are some of my favorite dishes, drinks, and eateries in the Rio Grande Valley.
Rio Grande Valley Tacos
La Curva Taquería
La Curva Taquería has locations in San Juan and Mission, Texas
Growing up near the Mexican border, I experienced some of the best tacos that were sold in street stands manned by one or two persons. The Rio Grande Valley eventually took notice of the taco craze and entrepreneurs began to open restaurants selling similar street style tacos in the late 1990s. Today, the Rio Grande Valley has many taquerías.
La Curva’s Bistec Tacos, Sincronizadas, and La Papa Especial.
La Curva Taquería, has locations in Pharr and Mission, and is my current favorite taco joint. The taquería’s tortillas are handmade and rolled on the spot. My favorite items on their menus include the “tacos normales” made with bistec (steak). La Curva’s tacos are made with fresh corn tortillas, bistec, grilled onions, and freshly chopped cilantro. Limes and salsa are served on the side. Note, taquerías do not sell tacos individually. A standard taco order includes five to six tacos, depending on the restaurant.
Flour tortilla fans should try the “sincronizadas”. An order consists of two handmade flour tortillas that are filled with melted white cheddar and bistec. The order is served with grilled onions, cilantro, lime and salsa. All taco orders are accompanied by a cup of frijoles a la charra (ranch style beans). Frijoles a la Charra consist of whole pinto beans that are simmered for hours with bacon, cilantro, onions, tomatoes, garlic, and spices.
La Curva’s La Papa Especial.
La Curva’s “La Papa Especial” is another one of my menu favorites. The baked potato is mixed with generous amounts of butter and topped with American cheddar and bistec. Visitors that have not experienced the Rio Grande Valley’s street style tacos may be surprised to see baked potatoes on a taquería’s menu. However, I assure visitors that baked potatoes are a staple at traditional taquerías in the RGV. Oh, and you are going to want to order at least one. Sharing is optional.
Stripes, Laredo Taco Company
Stripes Chorizo and Egg Taco.
Hold on to your cowboy hat while I tell you about the next taco venue. Stripes is a gas station and a convenient store that dishes out delicious breakfast tacos made by the Laredo Taco Company. Growing up, the Rio Grande Valley was known for breakfast tacos. Typically, these were made at home. If you had a grandma like mine, she would make fresh handmade tortillas at 5 AM and fill them with chorizo and egg, potato and egg, or bean and cheese. Along with the RGV’s street style taco movement, there was a rise in breakfast tacos being sold at gas stations.
Stripes Laredo Taco Company flour tortillas are as good as mom and grandma’s. The fillings are fresh and their combinations include chorizo and egg, bacon and egg, potato and egg, sausage and egg, barbacoa, and seven other combinations. Warning, one taco can be quite filling. The best part of the Stripes experience is you can fill up your gas tank, grab a coffee, and grab a dynamite breakfast taco to go.
Rio Grande Valley Best Margaritas & Other Cocktails
El Callejón de los Milagros
El Callejón de los Milagros frozen Tamarind Chamoy Margarita with a Tajín rim.
Not only am I picky about my tacos, but I have a discerning palate when it comes to Margaritas. A true Margarita is not made with sweet and sour mix. A classic margarita is composed of tequila, triple sec, fresh-squeezed lime juice, and ice.
McAllen’s El Callejón de los Milagros serves up some of my favorite Rita’s in the RGV. Not only can guests order a classic margarita, but the restaurant also features Tamarind, Strawberry, Coconut, Chamoy, and other delicious Margarita flavors.
Classic Margarita on the Rocks and Tamarind Margarita on the Rocks.
Do you prefer your Rita’s on the rocks or frozen? Although I prefer my Margarita’s on the rocks, I have to admit the frozen Margaritas are top-notch at El Callejón de los Milagros. One of my favorites is the frozen Tamarind Chamoy Margarita with a Tajín rim. The addition of Tamarind, Mango, Strawberry or other fruit purees is the only time that it is acceptable to have something “extra” in your Margarita. It is important to note that Margaritas are 1/2 off all day every Thursday.
Wanna Wanna Beach Bar & Grill
Wanna Wanna’s Padre Punch and Miami Vice.
South Padre Island is a Texas treasure and I am fortunate that the Texas beach is a short one hour and thirty minute drive from my hometown. The beach town hosts many local restaurants and bars, including Wanna Wanna Beach Bar & Grill. The local bar and grill is typically frequented by neighboring locals or individuals that spend a lot of time in South Padre Island.
Wanna Wanna is known as one of the Best Beachside Bar’s on the Island. The bar serves up cold beer, Margaritas, and their famous Turbo Piña Coladas. I love their version of a Miami Vice which is a Turbo Mix of their Piña and Strawberry Coladas. Other featured drinks include the Padre Punch made with Vodka, Amaretto, Southern Comfort, and Pineapple juice. Not only can guests enjoy a cold beverage at the laid back and friendly bar, but the beach scenery is an added bonus.
Rio Grande Valley Best Mexican Eats
Los Compadres
Los Compadres is a low-key family owned restaurant that serves some of the best Mexican food you will eat in the Rio Grande Valley. The family run restaurant offers a variety of Mexican dishes on their breakfast and lunch buffet that include menudo, pozole, barbacoa, nopalitos, made to order eggs, pancakes, and so much more. The restaurant has grown in popularity over the years and getting a table Monday through Sunday, can be a challenge. Reservations are not accepted so guests should arrive early to avoid the wait.
Los Compadres Menudo.
My favorite time to visit Los Compadres is during their breakfast service. Although the restaurants serves many fantastic Mexican specialties, I highly recommend guests sample their pancakes for dessert. Their pancake recipe coupled with their hot griddle creates some of the best pancakes you will eat in the RGV.
Rio Grande Valley’s Best Tamales
Delia’s Tamales
Delia’s Tamales
A trip to the Rio Grande Valley isn’t complete without a visit to Delia’s Tamales. Delia’s set up their first residence in an old convenient store in Pharr. It did not take long for the word to spread and for Delia’s to explode. Delia’s now has six locations in the Rio Grande Valley. Their menu offers 18 different types of tamales sold by the dozen or 1/2 dozen. My all time favorites include the Chicken Cooked in Green Sauce and the Sweet Cream Cheese Tamales. The Sweet Cream Cheese Tamales taste like cinnamon bread pudding. These sweet tamales pair perfectly with a hot cup of coffee.
Delia’s Tamales
Rio Grande Valley’s Best Seafood
Casa de Marisco Seafood Restaurant
Casa de Marisco Seafood Restaurant
The RGV is also home to some fantastic seafood. This is no surprise given its close proximity to the Gulf Coast. Weslaco’s Casa De Mariscos offers delicious seafood botanas (platters) made of fried shrimp, fried fish, stuffed crab, fries, and toast. The seafood medley is lightly breaded and fried. Other menu favorites include the shrimp cocktail, oysters in cocktail sauce, oysters on the half shell, seafood soup, and more.
Wanna Wanna Beach Bar & Grill
Wanna Wanna Beach Bar & Grill
In addition to the fantastic beachside location and cocktails offered at Wanna Wanna, the casual outdoor spot serves delicious fried seafood. The seafood is lightly fried and is the perfect lunch or beach snack to accompany their delicious cocktails.
Sea Ranch Restaurant
Sea Ranch Restaurant
A fresh catch of Red Snapper is the best way to experience seafood in South Padre Island (SPI). SPI’s Sea Ranch tops my list of best seafood restaurants in the Rio Grande Valley. Every dish the casual-elegant restaurant produces is of the best quality. My favorite dish they prepare is a lightly breaded and fried whole red snapper. Although the red snapper is phenomenal, it is seasonal. Guests will likely find Red Snapper on the menu between the April and July months. Not to be discounted are Sea Ranch’s other fantastic seafood items, cocktails, and desserts.
Rio Grande Valley’s Best Bakeries
La Especial Bakery
La Especial Bakery
La Especial Bakery is nestled in a neighborhood in San Juan, Texas. The bakery has a wonderful assortment of pan dulce (sweet bread). Not only is the sweet bread fresh and delicious, but it is also ridiculously inexpensive. Pan Dulce is often enjoyed during breakfast, but it is also an indulgent mid-day snack or after dinner dessert. Typically, pan dulce is enjoyed best with a cup of hot coffee or Chocolate Abuelita.
Although La Especial Bakery creates an assortment of traditional Mexican breads, the cinnamon & sugar rolled donuts are phenomenal. My cousin said these donuts remind her of a mash-up between a doughnut and a churro. My mom says the flavor of these donuts remind her of the churros she would eat as a child in Mexico. I say these donuts literally melt in your mouth and you can’t just have one.
Sweet & Tasty Bakery
Sweet & Tasty Bakery’s Trolls Cake.
Sweet & Tasty Bakery is my favorite bakery in the Rio Grande Valley. In addition to making one of the best Tres Leches Cakes in town, they have a great assortment of other cakes and cookies. I have entrusted this bakery multiple times with cakes for loved ones.
Not only are their cake flavors on point, but their artistry is beautiful. On numerous occasions I have called the bakery with either a vision of a design or a Pinterest photo and they have executed my request with excellence. In addition to their Tres Leches, I love their Almond Cake filled with Raspberry, and their Raspberry Truffle Cookies.
Sweet & Tasty’s three tiered Mexican Fiesta Cake.
Rio Grande Valley’s Best Raspas
Xquinkles Snack Land
Xquinkles Grape Raspa and Mango with Chamoy Raspa.
The Rio Grande Valley can get quite hot, especially during the May to September months. Mandatory Raspa runs are required for 100+ degree heat. A Raspa is similar to a snow cone, however, the texture of the ice is different. Raspa stands can be found all over the Rio Grande Valley, however, not all are created the same. Xquinkles Snack Land has a great selection of raspa flavors, as well as fruit cups, nachos, and some wild snack concoctions. Raspa flavors can range from classic fruit flavors like grape or strawberry to Mexican favorites like Mango with Chamoy. This place is one of my favorites because customers have the option to drive through or enter Xquinkles store front to order a raspa. Aside from their various flavors, I appreciate the inclusion of real fruits in their raspa syrups.
Texas Staples
Whataburger
The #2 with cheese on a whole wheat toasted bun, with two jalapeños, fries, and spicy ketchup.
Whataburger is a Texas classic. Anyone visiting the Lone Star State should try Whataburger at least once. Their menu includes specialty burgers, limited edition specials, salads, breakfast, and more. My favorite has been and will always be a #2. The #2 is a Double Meat Whataburger with cheese on a whole wheat toasted bun, with two jalapeños, fries, and spicy ketchup. Limited Edition Specials that are also worthy of sampling include the Whataburger Patty Melt, Monterey Melt, and the Sweet & Spicy Bacon Burger.
Luby’s
Luby’s
Luby’s is a cafeteria style eatery that is another Texas staple. Some of Luby’s favorites include Fried Fish, Roasted Chicken, Chicken Fried Steak, Chicken Fried Chicken, Angus Chopped Steak, and Luby’s Texas Ribeye. Luby’s side items and desserts are just as popular as their main entrées. My favorites include their Macaroni & Cheese, Broccoli & Cheese Casserole, and their seasonal Grasshopper Pie.
Luby’s Grasshopper Pie.
In addition to the wonderful food that the Rio Grande Valley has to offer, visitors will experience warm weather year-round. It can get quite steamy in the summers, but the mild winters are a welcome relief. Music and food go hand in hand in the RGV. Restaurant and bar guests will experience various genres of live Mexican music that range from Cumbia, Pop, Bolero, Ranchera, Norteño, and more. Whether it is breakfast, lunch or dinner time, customers will get a taste of live music while visiting eateries throughout the Rio Grande Valley.
If you currently live in or are from the Rio Grande Valley, I would love for you to share your suggestions. I visit the Rio Grande Valley four to five times a year, so I am always interested in delicious eats that encompass all price points. If you have never visited the Rio Grande Valley, it is certain to be a unique culinary experience that I hope you will enjoy.
