South Padre Island Restaurants

We were drawn to Texas Moon for their $12.95 ribeye ad in a local magazine. Located in a shopping strip, I was surprised when walking through the front door: it was as if we were transported to a casual, country-western scene. We chose a booth near the jukebox which played classic country songs from George Jones and Johnny Cash to more recent singers like Reba and Randy Travis. When we sat down, I was amazed at their 3-6pm happy hour specials of $1 draft Miller Lite and Shiner Bock. Although we were there around 9 pm, my partner-in-crime had the Shiner (10 oz) while I ordered a strawberry margarita (too sweet for my taste). For dinner, he chose the 12 oz ribeye (tasty, tender - medium cooked) with a baked potato (condiments in little plastic containers - fake butter, fake bacon bits, real sour cream). In contrast I chose the pecan-crusted snapper (yummy) with green beans (with bacon) and coleslaw. I wished the coleslaw was served in a bowl instead of on my plate mixing with my fish and beans. Both meals came with a salad (iceberg lettuce with a couple wedges of tomato) and our dressings in a little to-go container (which was kinda wierd). Overall there seemed to be a nice group of families and locals at this friendly restaurant. As a side note, the menu was broad with tex-mex to seafood to breakfast and lunch specials. (Love the jukebox!)

Favorite Dish: The ribeye and pecan crusted snapper were yummy!

This is a very no-atmosphere, no-nonsense, eating establishment. In fact you'll be sitting on furniture direct from Sam's Club, and there will be a local's bar within sight of all the tables. But they know how to do breaded and fried seafood.

Favorite Dish: Fried Shrimp

As the name indicates, it's a micro-brewery (the vats are visible from the street). At any given moment they have a half dozen different beers on tap, adjusted with the seasons. Their food menu has a good variety as well.
There is an outside eating area and an upstairs deck for enjoying the sunsets.

Favorite Dish: I enjoyed their baby back ribs.
This isn't the place I would recommend for seafood.

Me and my wife read a review on Rovan's and it seemed very nice. See we went there for breakfast, hoping for a warm meal and great local service. As soon as we walked in the door there seemed to be a uncomfortable amotsphere. We ordered and when our food was about to come out my wife unrapped her knife and fork only to find a live cockroach staring back at us. I brought this to the attention of the establishment and there was no apology, nothing. Very unprofessional. Our waiter made us feel very uncomfortable about it and right away we knew this wasnt a place we were EVER going to come back to or recommend. Overall it was terrible service and a filthy establishment.

Favorite Dish: We couldnt eat due to the fact that it was too filthy.

If you want to try the best taco ( Burrito not fried) anywhere try this place. It isn't on the Island but in Port Isabell right off Highway 100. This place is a small cafe that just really locals eat at. I reccomend the Huevos y Chorizo con queso. That is the eggs and mexican sausage and cheese taco. It is huge but if you want you can order the small one. The large is bigg enough to savor later or share and is around 5 bucks.
This place isnt fancy and doesnt require attire. I use to go there after a morning surf in my shorts and t-shirt and sandals.
Don't go there to impress it isnt that type of place. Just a place to eat the best foods around. Handmade tortillas that are to die for. I crave them on a daily basis since I moved.

Rovans is where the locals eat. An island tradition since 1969, some people would not consider a visit to South Padre complete without at least one meal at this "Mom and Pop" family restaurant. The southwestern decor features an authentic Wells Fargo stagecoach and model train which circles the front dining room. Back rooms have a bar, pool tables, and other games.

Favorite Dish: For us Rovans was where we enjoyed breakfast. Their signature dish is Migas with Cheese: Two jumbo eggs scrambled with sauteed onions, tomatoes, chili peppers, and Monterey Jack cheese, served with refried beans and chips.

Rovans also features their own in-house bakery where one can indulge in a variety of fresh pastries and cakes.

Virtually every town in Texas has a Whataburger, and most towns of any size have several. Only a relative handful of Whataburger restaurants exist in a few neighboring states, so most people from outside the area are not familiar with them.

The Whataburger chain had its beginnings in South Texas in 1950. We felt it our duty while in Texas to do as the Texans have been doing for more than half a century and have a Whataburger.

Favorite Dish: We both ordered the medium #1 value meal: Whataburger, fries and drink. When I informed Sergio, the manager, that this was our first ever Whataburger experience, he told us to be seated and that he personally would make our sandwiches and bring them out to us. The burger was big and juicy and delicious. The fries and drink were typical. The service was the best I have ever had in a fast food restaurant. Sergio came by twice to check on us, offering us condiments and a refill on our drinks.

It's great to get good beer in a tourist area. The Brewery has great seafood, and seems to be a magnet for the young (upscale?) crowd. I was there on a Thursday night in May, and there were no empty tables.
The waitresses flirt with even old guys like me.

Favorite Dish: Try their Brewed Beer Sampler- for $3.75 you get four ounce servings of their best 5 brews. You may not like them all, but, if you are a beer lover, you'll find at least two that will make you order more.