Cafe Grande

I live down the street from a new coffee shop called Café Grande. Since it's so close, I chose to go there instead of Starbucks. I ordered a mocha frapp. Yum yum! I'm being completely honest, it was better than Starbucks! The staff are more personable with the customers and will remember you after the first visit. Another time I tried Café Grande was when I had to type a paper and I didn't feel like driving all the way to school. I decided to type it at the café. I can't stress the service enough. They are genuinely kind and attentive. The staff would walk around table to table to make sure everything was ok. I tried their cinnamon buns and cappuccino and it was delicious. The environment is clean and lovely. I rate Café Grande a 10 and I would definitely come back here again.

1200 S Col Rowe Blvd a, McAllen, TX 78501

The Lotus INN

I like to get out of my comfort zone and try new places. I already have my favorite Chinese restaurant which is Xin Xin. But, I've always been curious about The Lotus Inn. We recently hired a nanny and thought it would  be great to have dinner with her before she started working for us. The Lotus Inn was not the ideal place to have a nice family dinner. This restaurant is so filthy gross! Our forks were dirty. Our glass cups were dirty. The staff looked like they had very poor hygiene. In addition, and most importantly, the food totally sucked! It did not look fresh whatsoever! I honestly felt like baby roaches were gonna crawl out of my food. Moreover, the real deal breaker was when I went to the ladies room. WOW, I thought I was on some reality prank show or something just waiting to be punk'd. The restroom was the most disgusting thing I've ever seen. The walls were FILTHY. There was a toilet scrubber just laying on the floor and the stalls were dirty. I don't understand how a restauraunt that has been around for over 10 years can't renovate place or the restrooms at least. I regret coming here. I'm never going back again! I rate this place a 0!!

1120 N 10th St, Mcallen, TX 78501

Xin Xin

I love Chinese food! I used to like buffets but, now they just gross me out. So, my husband and I discovered a little hole in the wall called Xin Xin. It is order by the menu Vietnamese and Chinese food. I am not over exaggerating, this place is the best! Really, the best Chinese food in the RGV. It is ALL FRESH. I always order my favorite Asian dish which is, Kung Pao Chicken. The dish has mushrooms, red and green bell pepper, onion, carrots, and chicken tossed in a delicious homemade Asian sauce. The lunch specials last until 3PM and comes with a dumpling, soup, and fried rice. I've been to Xin Xin many times and I have never been disappointed. The restaurant is clean and the staff are very friendly. I rate this place a 10!!


6401 N 10th St, McAllen, TX 78504
                                                             

Lame

Someone heard about the blog I was doing and recommended the Mexican restaurant Zamoras. I thought to myself “I bet it’s the same as all the others.” But I didn’t want to jump to conclusions, so one morning after my husband and I dropped off our daughters at school we went to Zamoras. It was crazy packed! That was a good sign for us because it looked as if they had a good following. I ordered a breakfast plate (potato, egg, machacado, beans, and tortillas) and my husband ordered a botana for one. As an appetizer I ordered a cup of menudo (I love menudo!) The waitress looked around and then quietly told me that it wasn’t fresh. I thought maybe like one day old so I told her it was ok. She said that it was over four days old. GROSS! I really appreciate the honesty, really! After the food was served, it lacked a lot of flavor. My husband’s fajitas were not fresh and my breakfast was lame (no flavor.) It was not worth $30 I can tell you that much! I’m never coming back here again! I rate Zamoras a 4!

Greens and Lemons *Healthy and Mediterranean*

 I love to cook and try new recipes as opposed to eating the same Mexican dish with the same Mexican rice and beans. Don’t get me wrong, I love Mexican food and I believe the Rio Grande valley serves the best! Not even in Corpus Christi or San Antonio could you find the delicious authentic taste of Mexican food that the Valley has to offer. But, after so many years of eating it I am open to new kinds of food. Lately, I have been craving Mediterranean food. There used to be this amazing restaurant called Sahadi’s that served the best gyros and chicken Slovakia pita wraps but, sadly they closed down due to poor management choices by the owner. Since then I’ve been on the search for a Mediterranean restaurant with the authentic taste. Some people have suggested The Blue Onion, which is good but, I think their pita bread taste more like a tortilla. Also, Zoe’s Kitchen is a commercial Mediterranean restaurant but, I want more authentic and less preservatives. Until one day I discovered Greens and Lemons. My husband and I were a little reluctant because part of their slogan is “healthy” and we sure as heck were not in the mood for healthy. “This place is probably going to suck” says my husband. Boy oh boy was he wrong. Greens and Lemons was everything I was looking for in a Mediterranean restaurant. I ordered a chicken pita wrap in tzatziki sauce served with a side of sweet potato fries. It was bomb! Delicious and authentic! Not only does Greens and Lemons serve Mediterranean food, but they also have a juice bar. Their entire menu is full of mouthwatering options from gyros, salads, and even vegan options! I am definitely going back to explore more on their menu. I rate this restaurant a 9 (our server was incompetent, but the food was so good.)

2707 E Griffin Pkwy, Mission, TX 78572