If you're in Port Isabel, you have to stop by Isabel Cafe. It's one of those long-standing hole-in-the-wall spots that locals clearly love--and now I see why. We ordered the small breakfast tacos on flour tortillas, and they were way bigger than expected (always a win!). We had the ham and egg, and the "con todo," and both were seriously delicious--fresh, flavorful, and super satisfying. The place itself is simple and unassuming, but that's part of the charm. What really stood out was the staff--so friendly and welcoming, they made the whole experience even better. Definitely a spot we'll be coming back to! read more

Isabel's Cafe - Big breakfast tacos (this is the small) - Mexican Near Me - Port Isabel, Texas

Stopped by a little small-town restaurant in Isabel and loved the experience. Family workers, full of locals, and some of the best tacos around. They definitely didn't short change the bacon and bean tacos -- packed with flavor and worth every bite. If you're passing through Isabel, give this place a try next time! read more

Awesome tacos, carne guisada, etc...this is one of the restaurants that locals love to go to because the food is fantastic and the staff/owners are always friendly. read more

Excellent food, quick friendly service. We are frequent customers same great experience every time.

Out of towners and locals don't miss the best joint in town for good'ol authentic TexMex food. read more

Isabel's Cafe - Mexican Near Me - Port Isabel, Texas

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Everything about this cafe was wonderful! The people were kind, the food was delicious and it was quick! It feels like you are walking into someone's home, wonderful! read more

This place was a gem we were lucky to find a table at. Despite it being busy, the service we had was great and the server answered the few questions that we had. It's like a family owned place that serves mouth watering authentic Mexican food. The parking situation is a bit rough though. We started with the queso that had a hint of spice that kept you coming back. The kids ordered a breakfast taco that despite its simplicity, was quite delicious and was huge. The Mexican plate #3 had everything one could want: enchiladas, tacos, and a chalupa with rice and beans, but reminded me of a tostada. Everything we ordered had layers of flavor, texture, and tasted like an abuela made the dish specifically for you. Lastly, the table salsa was the perfect complement to every dish! Should we return to the area, we will certainly be back. read more

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The food is fabulous. I am a con todo breakfast taco fan. The con todo is good, but the place has a feel of a different time. Isabel's has a friendly, hard working staff with generational representation. The world needs more places like Isabel's. read more

Such a great spot to go to for breakfast!!! The food is absolutely delicious....ive got to say my son who is the pickiest eater was absolutely chowing down on their eggs and bacon haha. Definitely will be returning the next time we are in town read more

Ok so if you are heading to Isabel's head out there early cuz it gets packed. As soon as we walked in the staff greeted us and sat us quickly. These are the regular sized tacos, which were pretty big if you ask me. The meat in the carne guisada looked different to me because I'm used to it being chunks but it was cut up pretty small, but had a lot of flavor. Also if add bacon, it is also chopped up and kinda looks like bacon bits but beats getting a small strip like a lot of other restaurants. The host was great, and noticed I was wearing a 49ers t-shirt so showed me some of the decor and made it an easy answer to give them a 5, and the food was really great. Definitely give Isabel's a try, but go early read more

Isabel's Cafe - Carne guisada with cheese, bean chorizo and cheese, and potato and bacon taco - Mexican Near Me - Port Isabel, Texas

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I/2 block past Walmart going towards the island. Don't look for a fancy building and (Pro Tip) don't park with any part of your vehicle covering the sidewalk Everything about it makes it one of the best restaurants on PI/SPI read more

As my daughter would say' "Yummersville!" We devoured our migas. They were delicious especially the tortilla (possibly the best I've ever had) and beans. The parking lot was very crowded and I was worried we have a wait but we were seated right away. All the staff were hussling the entire visit. They were very kind as well. Highly recommend Isabel's! read more

Isabel's Cafe - Migas with a fresh tortilla - Mexican Near Me - Port Isabel, Texas

THE place to go for Tex-Mex breakfast (especially after going out the night before). The tortillas, the refried beans, the eggs, the salsa... all of it is soo soo good. The staff is very nice - obviously family run so it has a down to earth homey vibe. Prices are great for the area. read more

Good solid local Mexican food. Nothing fancy just good pricing, excellent service and nice people. The place gets busy to plan your visit or stand in a line for a bit depending the day of the week. A local favorite. They offer two sizes of tortillas and the small is larger than most Texas tortillas so plan well. Kid friendly and fun. read more

The food is great. Generous portions at reasonable prices. Huevos ranchero was perfect. Sauce is spicy, but too spicy. Huge breakfast taco loaded with favorites. read more

Friendly local restaurant with home made food. Lots of local patrons. I would only recommend they follow-up on their tables for drinks or any other needs. I would recommend this place for Mexican food read more

Great for breakfast all day, lovely staff, fast service. Will definitely be here regularly. read more

Isabel's Cafe - Eggs, sausage, fries, toast, coffee. Yum. - Mexican Near Me - Port Isabel, Texas

On a recent work trip we stopped here for breakfast. I ordered the tortilla let me just say bring your appetite. It was huge and so delicious when we return definitely coming back to try more dishes. read more

Small & quaint place. Seems like a family owned business. We were attended quickly then proceeded to our table shortly. Servers were attentive & nice. Our first time here but had been wanting to try it out for a long while now. Ordered the small taco con todo it was good & a good size. Seemed more of a large taco to me and the large taco was even bigger (not shown). Only short fall was no salsa available, Will not your typical morning taco salsa. Will be trying our lunch soon. read more

Isabel's Cafe - Taco con todo - Mexican Near Me - Port Isabel, Texas

disappointed in the service asked for jelly and never got it granted they were busy but when bring toast for your omlet normally you get jelly at the same time. ours never came. not returning read more

Great Place! Mom and pop hole in the wall with home cooking south Texas Style. Beef enchiladas with rice and beans,soft beef taco on homemade corn tortillas and Migas with homemade flour tortillas. Atmosphere to fit the vibe Great food Unbelievable price Nice service Solid for stars. If you want to get off the island and score a sure bet,Isables is a can't loose. Oops, forgot to photograph the enchiladas read more

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Scratch made tortillas, tasty refried beans, classic carne guisada not overly seasoned. Tuesday morning seating available immediately, food served quickly by a calm and friendly wait staff. The small taco is still bigger than most. Plenty of filling so one taco really is filling. It's not fancy but the folks are nice and the food is very good. Iconic experience. read more

We were vacationing in South Padre Island and stopped at Isabel's Cafe for breakfast. It was so good we came back the next day. Service was great. Vibes were a lovely small town cafe. The breakfast tacos are huge with these delicious handmade tortillas. The salsa they provide is perfect. A little bit of heat but not enough where you are sweating. We ended up buying a mason jar of it. We will defo be back. read more

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Very good breakfast taco. Food was amazing. They even had live music. They are open on Sundays. Very friendly. Prices are more than fair. Will be eating here next trip also. Great place. Great environment. Highly recommend. read more

An unassuming family restaurant. Be prepared for home-cooked food that will satisfy you delight your taste buds. I had the migas deluxe which was great. Possibly the best migas I've ever had. And of course, with those comes the humongous tortilla which they are famous for. The staff is attentive and friendly and eagerly take substitutions on the menu as well- something the hoity-toity restaurants need to learn. read more

A true treasure of Port Isabel, this place has been serving up delicious home-cooked meals since my childhood. Remarkably, nothing has changed, even in today's economy. The service is always exceptional; they treat you like family, and the environment is consistently clean and welcoming. read more

Amazing home-cooking with a super friendly wait staff. There's a reason they have been here for over 50 years!! Excellent value and the ranchero sauce is amazing!! read more

Isabel's Cafe - Sorry I ate it too fast for the photo!! Trust me... it's that good. - Mexican Near Me - Port Isabel, Texas

Had wonderful huevos rancheros on our way out of SPI. The sauce was unique and was so flavorful with just the right amount of heat. The refried beans, salsa, and fresh, homemade flour tortillas were wonderful. And thank you for such friendly service read more

Food was excellent as always and at a very reasonable price. Service is prompt with very courteous people. Ambiance is good and welcoming.

Don't buy their so called fajitas plate for $8.50. First of all it was not fajitas it was some cold piece of left over stake that they cut in little pieces and put on a plate no spice no salt or pepper just cold and dry couldn't eat it two bites and it was so dry I couldn't swallow it so we eat the beans and rice and paid and left oh and the tea was so pale it tasted like muddy water for raising craw fish in. I'm sorry but it was just ass. read more

This is my favorite place to go when im out of town. The food is delicious comes out so fast. Waiters/waitresses are so nice and very quick. I love how this place isn't anything fancy or anything like that. This place is so filling and amazing please come! read more

Isabel's Cafe - Mexican Near Me - Port Isabel, Texas

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Incredible food! Had the Huevos Rancheros with bacon. So good. Served with fresh made tortillas that were the best i have ever had. Staff was friendly and helpful and there was even live authentic music read more

Isabel's Cafe - Huevos Rancheros. - Mexican Near Me - Port Isabel, Texas

Outstanding no-frills Mexican food. We came back twice over three days and got the contordo with chorizo and added onion. It was , as were the chicken enchiladas. Staff was friendly and patient with our small kids. My son got the French toast and loved it. Definitely stop while you're in town! read more

Isabel's Cafe - Chorizo burrito! Bigger than the plate. - Mexican Near Me - Port Isabel, Texas

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Isabel's is a must go if in Port Isabel or South Padre Island. Simple but well prepared Mexican food. Always good. Try the Migas or the Mexican Breakfast. read more

Everything about this place was amazing. The food was homemade and it was delicious. They definitely know how to do it right! What made it even better is the service. They were so attentive and they kept checking in making sure we had enough coffee and everything we needed. I loved the homey feel this place had. We will definitely be back! read more

We had the big tacos and they were delicious!! We will definitely go back. Good service as well. read more

Another great Yelp find! We were so happy to find Isabel's cafe after all the overpriced SPI restaurants. The food is so good and perfectly portioned and incredibly cheap! I had the chorizo omelette and the chorizo was so delicious and not oily at all. Our friends ordered "small" tacos and the tortillas were HUGE so I'm curious about how big the large is! The flour tortillas were delicious. Service was brisk and friendly. I'll definitely come back here next time we're in the area! P.S. get there early. We arrived around 8am on Sunday and got seated right away but by the time we left around 9am there was a line! read more

Isabel's Cafe - This is a "small" tortilla! - Mexican Near Me - Port Isabel, Texas

This adorable, family-owned spot is a must-try! The papas con huevo tacos are my ultimate comfort food, and theirs are excellent. Fluffy eggs, perfectly seasoned potatoes, tortilla de harina--yum! Just a heads up, the address on Yelp is wrong! Make sure you go to 102 Port Isabel, Port Isabel, TX 78578. You won't regret it! read more

Service was friendly. Mom and Pop, family run establishment. Excellent prices.Great for authentic Mexican food.

Mexican breakfast places in Port Isabel that end with "el" - 1 of 2 Isabel's Cafe most likely derives its name from its town of Port Isabel, on the mainland side of the causeway from South Padre Island. It's not as close to the causeway as are a few other places I'll review, with it being on the south side of the highway and closer to Walmart and H-E-B. However, in this series of reviews, I'll discuss Isabel's first because it gets first place from me for this area and this genre. First, Isabel's is a cafe-diner sort of place, where the breakfast-lunch dishes are mostly Mexican in inspiration. I wouldn't know if they're Tex-Mex because I've never really understood what that is. What I do know is that, in this neck of the woods, and what a unique area with a unique history that it is, people love hearty breakfast tacos and burritos. And, after only having such items at fast food places that do them a disservice, I came to know them in a "real deal" sort of eatery like this one and learned that I love them, too. I had a breakfast burrito here several years ago. It made for a great way to start the day, though you wouldn't want to start every day like this. On a more recent visit, I ordered lunch fare at the convergence of breakfast and lunch time. The plate featured an enchilada and a tostada, both with chicken, as well as rice and refried beans. Everything on the plate was very good and nicely seasoned without being ridiculously spicy. And, their chips and salsa, which seemed to land on the low end of medium in terms of kick - and about where I like it - were also good. There are a few reasons why I'm giving Isabel's the bigger nod and 5 stars. The employees have always been friendly in an informal way, which is what you want when you're in the sub-tropics. This works well with the fact that, of the cluster of similar eateries in town, Isabel's is the most brightly lit. I like to see what I'm eating and see who and what is around me. And, lastly, they took plastic (though I don't remember and/or know if they did before and/or still do), and that always makes things convenient. As another reviewer has stated, this is not fine dining. It's far from it. But, when they have the authenticity of simple Mexican food dialed, and serve it up with a great attitude and at fair prices, you'll understand why the place and its parking lot tend to be full. read more

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