The old El Pato could have, not the new version. Their food just isn't quite good enough in the different sense to be accepted and it is not standard enough to be popular north of about San Antonio.

Some of the taquerias could and do I think.

I agree with RGV Ag, el pato now SUCKS. Leave it up to white people to screw up good fast mexican food!

I say Taco Palenque! That sheet is EFFING DELICIOUS!!!!!

""

La Jaiba tried a place on the river in SA but it bombed. - What about La Mexicana?

most definitely Taco Palenque - very good food!

hands down, The Blue Onion.

I ate at the one in McAllen recently and was VERY dissapointed! I loved the one in Weslaco, but this one was below average.

""

Taco Palenque is from Laredo if I am not mistaken and I think they have them in SA.

La Mexicana, not very consistent in it's old age.

Blackbeards even failed in SA.

Does anyone remember Mr.Q? I think they had expansion plans and those went awry also.

There are few places that were actual resturants that were even ever Valley wide.

The original Oyster Bar's, Palmetto Inn's, and I think there may be one or two more.

I once had a long conversation with Mrs. G from El Pato and she told me that should could have probably openend another 5-10 places alone in the Valley, but she could never get the management to do so. Plus the food consistency was paramount for their success and she fought that on a daily basis and it was why their menu was very simple. Even during its best of times, while the food at El Pato was better, they could screw up an order like no place I have ever seen.

Little Rita's Grill House in Harlingen. Some of the best Thai food I've ever had.

quote:

---

I live in Austin now, and not one place here makes botanas. We both think that Taco Palenque would kick ass here..as would La Mexicana.

---

I have had some similar plates as a botana in Austin, even years ago. Some places in east Austin call them parilladas I think. There are some really, really good Mexican places in east Austin. I used to know them, but that was a long, long time ago and maybe even in a distant galaxy.

Casa del Taco.

quote:

---

Little Rita's Grill House in Harlingen. Some of the best Thai food I've ever had.

---

WTF does Harlingen know about Thai food? There ain't even real Thai folks in Harlingen. They're Mexican cooks. Just an FYI.

taqeria el zarape could make it. i freaking love that place and the combos are awesome.

el pato could out do taco cabana any day of the week. if they were open 24/7 they would make a killing i am really trying to get one to cs and take over the market.

The Van Burkleos were talking about putting one up in CS when I was in school there. I'm not quite sure why it never happened but I don't think those plans are in the works anymore.

""

El zarape is awesome, i live right by one and about to become a fatty because of it

The quality of El Pato food has really decreased since the Van Burkleo's bought it. There are now all kinds of specials and other things, plus beer and such. It is not the same type of deal that it once was. A small time "El Pato" eatery would do lights out in CS, but a version of a current El Pato would not, it would be another also ran TC.

Oh, and back in the day when TC first opened in CS, my goodness would they do a business. I remember waiting like 45 min to place an order. Back then it was either TC, TB or Whataburger late at night, maybe Pepe's and a few pizza places, but that was about it.

i always wanted to just sell tacos out of my truck behind northgate. coulda woulda shoulda

^
^
^
^
^
That is how Ninfa's started a long time ago. I also think Mrs.G started out of her house or something to that effect.

i am in the works of obtaining a food permit and doing just that. i have just almost perfected the lonche and tacos recipes straight out of pregresso, mexico. all i got left is to finish the work on my salsa verde and then i am going to buisness there with a stand of some sort.


HOWEVER, i have decided that this business could be very lucrative considering the is a hotdog venrdor there selling dogs at 4.50 and 1 tiny taco from fredrikos cost 2/3 (only got it once and did not pay).

Therefore, i have decided that i am going to also do cooked tacos to a certain point of "live" effort, but i plan on having quite a few ready to go wrapped in a package just like the ones on the border to go. I used take tacos to my cousin who worked at the bridge ( Border Patrol agent, not change lady ); at 2 am when the bars let out the sheer volume would facilitate pre-maid tacos, having already be made, a necessity.

they are drunk white people; what do they care? i used to work at antonio's pizza at a certain point so i am broken to the drunk late crowd, but no way am i staying till 4 am cleaning up.

my recipes contains

bolios or corn tortillas, cabbage, tomate, aguacate, and queso mexicano (goat cheese).


and of course your choice of meat ( my meat ) cooked by yours truly.

I agree with Lil Rita's in Harlingen...much better than anything else in McAllen area. Quite sure the asian lady cooking back there is Not Mexican.

Mr. Taco in Brownsville would survive Anywhere!

Yup Taco Palenque is great, but it did start in Laredo.

I would give my vote to The Blue Shell.

Costa Messa

NY Deli....

+1 for Costa Messa. That place is great.

La Pampa Argentenian Steakhouse

Dirty Al's Seafood, assuming they could get shrimp of the same freshness. Now that stuff is awesome.

Agree with Little Rita's but the service there absolutely sucks.

quote:

---

I live in Austin now, and not one place here makes botanas.

---

Cantina Laredo and Guero's have botanas.

MMmm sounds like a Costa Mesa night.

The last time I ate at La Mexicana it was pretty good so I was hoping that it had improved... and maybe something that someone might want to duplicate elsewhere.

I took the grandkids tonight and we got a botana. It was absolutely the worst ever in my life (and I been around a long time). I could not cut the fajitas with a knife! I complained to the management and they said sorry but the bill is ....

Never again!

2nd St in McAllen

taquria cancun y todo!!!!!!!

penitas is wheres is atttt