Need some recommendations for evening dining in McAllen. Mexican, Seafood, steakhouse, something nice.

"Santa Fe" Steakhouse down 10th street near the mall, or "The Patio" in downtown McAllen.

What are the prices like at The Patio? I have heard different opinions (range of prices) on them.

its not extremely expensive but its not cheap either - probably a 60-70 dollar bill for a date.

TKEAg04 - Thanks for those recommendations. They may be just what we're looking for. The Santa Fe Steakhouse looks like winner according to their website. Couldn't find any info on The Patio, other than it is on 17th Street.

Any other recommendations in McAllen?

[This message has been edited by techag98 (edited 3/25/2009 4:33p).]

[This message has been edited by techag98 (edited 3/25/2009 4:34p).]

Republic of the Rio Grande used to be nice. Not sure about how it is now.

Haven't been there in a while.

Los Cazadores de VO is very good as well. They serve redfish on the half-shell and USDA approved cabrito.

Going to PF Chang's tonight and not really excited or looking forward to it. Is it more hype than actual good food?

Drive down to Brownsville and go to Gazpachos. Nice place and they have the best crepes ever. They have good wine/beer as well.

PF Chang's is actually ok food. Yes it is a bit overhyped, and overpriced but the food is alright.

Need some recommendations for evening dining in McAllen. Mexican, Seafood, steakhouse, something nice.

Mexican - Try KoKos on North Tenth
Seafood - Forget it...no good seafood in McAllen (Try Oyster Bar in Brownsville)
Steakhouse - Santa Fe is OK...or even Outback in Pharr
Nice - La Espana (expensive) has good seared tuna

Steak - La Pampa

Well all went well. Had made a reservation so we were seated quickly. Food was good not great. Will definitely go back though good atmosphere and lots of choices.

Mongolian beef

Shrimp with candided walnuts is great

Koko's and La Mexicana are my favorite Mexican food restaurants on the north side of town.

Karrde,

I have several friends that like to eat at La Mexicana and I have always been perplexed. I used to eat there often, it was the closest thing to the old Roundup that I just loved.(Yes I was one of the folks that got the food poisoning!)

We have slowly drifted away from eating there because of the inconsistency of the food and service. When we eat there we usually order the botana platter, and I noticed that the food would be great one time (the fajitas nice and tender) and awful the next time (fajitas full of gristle and tough).

Is there some magic to knowing when the food is going to be good?

Also, the waiters... Sometime they are friendly and speak passable English, other times they are rude, get the order wrong and forget that you are at one of their tables. I know that it isn't a tip thing because I tip well.

Tell me about your experience because I really would like to go back to eating there.

TO be fair, I've only been a couple times in the last four or five years. I very much enjoyed it in the 2002-2003 time frame when I was last living down there.

I was wondering. They made the Monitor as having a very "dirty kitchen" a few months back. It is a shame because I really do like the place!

I do like Koko's. The boys that run it have been friends of mine since high school.

Lansky & Brats is also a great place for steaks/seafood. Very nice atmosphere as well.

If you haven't been to Pepper's since the 'revamp', give it a shot. Best steaks in town now. Seriously.

Whoop coo ca choo

Aggman,

That is a good idea, I haven't eaten at Peppers in a long time. I'll take your recommendation. I used to steer clear because my wife and I don't like places that have a lot of drinking and noise.

Agree with La Pampa...best steaks. No contest.

How expensive is La Pampa... is it like Lansky & Brats or Outback.....

[This message has been edited by oldvalleyrat (edited 4/8/2009 9:29p).]

It is like Lansky.