A MUST try! When I came I didn't realize it was all vegan but it did not disappoint. The food was…read moreastonishing! The flavors of everything mixed so well together. Didn't leave a single sip or food on the plate. Left feeling full but not heavy. The service could have been a little more attentive or engaging but the vibe was cute! I'm just amazed at all the fresh flavors they were able to capture and the authenticity of it all!

Refreshing experience! We need to nurture buisnesses like this with our patronage here in the Rio…read moreGrande Valley. The ambiance is great, and the food was delicious. The Green Magic Juice was a great combo with my torta. Next time I am going to try the cauliflower buffalo salad! I reccomend it to everyone! Great vibes. New favorite hot spot.

I can't say enough good things about this hidden gem! If you're looking for a healthy yet authentic…read moreMexican breakfast/brunch, this is the spot. From the moment we walked in, the warm and inviting atmosphere set the tone for an amazing meal. The coffee was definitely gourmet. Service was friendly and attentive, and you can tell the staff takes pride in the food and experience they provide. Whether you're a local or just passing through, this place is a must-visit for a wholesome, flavorful Mexican brunch. Can't wait to come back!

My mother and I came here for brunch. We had the omelette and the croissant with prosciutto. Both…read morehad ricotta cheese in it. They were really good except that the lettuce was really off half of our lettuce was kinda yellow . It was a huge turn off. We just picked them out and ate the rest. The staff were nice and have checked on us a few times. The place was clean and table/chairs were stable. Theres a lot of natural light which is super nice. They do not have decaf coffee options. Parking is free and out front . I'll still come here again because that croissant was really good but there needs some work to be done regarding the leafy greens.

I'm not from McAllen and came across this spot online, and wow--I'm so glad I did! I wish I had…read moretaken a picture of my lechero coffee, but it was so good I completely forgot--LOL! I ordered the steak and eggs (medium) with poached eggs and a side of hollandaise, and oh my gosh... everything was amazing. The flavors were spot-on, the potatoes had this uniquely delicious taste, and the poached eggs were cooked perfectly. The service was outstanding--my server just knew exactly what I needed today. I even tried the house tea, and he kindly made it iced for me. I sat outside, and the weather was perfect for enjoying my breakfast and a FaceTime call with my boyfriend while visiting from out of town. Such a great experience from start to finish. I'll definitely be back!

They are so nice here and my salad was amazing! We'll definitely be back next time I'm in McAllen :)read more

So if I could give 1/2 stars, this place would get 4 1/2. We were in town and decided to stop by…read morefor breakfast. The place is very busy, but despite that the wait was only 10 minutes at 10:00 am on a Saturday. The hostess and our server were both very friendly. The place advertises that it specializes in home cooked comfort foods so we figured we'd have to see how their biscuits and gravy were. We ordered a 1/2 order and it came with a biscuit split in half and covered with gravy and sausage. The flavor was perfect - it definitely lived up to 'home cooked comfort food'. I ordered an omelette - three cheeses, sausage, bacon and ham with onions, cilantro and jalapeños - which came with refried (black) beans. The omelette was very good - flavorful and fresh. They actually use slices of cheese inside and on top - I've never had an omelette prepared that way but it was very good. When I first tasted the salsa I was not a fan - it was warm and had a different flavor - then I put it on the omelette and - great pairing and great flavor combo. The refried black beans were sadly underwhelming - no real flavor. I know they were homemade but they were missing the flavor that usually comes with refried beans (black or pinto) My wife had the quiche which had onions, peppers, sausage, mushrooms and cheese. It was very good. Even the crust was good. She ordered the breakfast potatoes as the side. The flavor of the potatoes was excellent. Half of them were lightly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside which were great; the other half were overcooked and became potato chips - good flavor but not a breakfast potato. We will definitely come back to try their lunch food and dessert (we were too full today). They have a good variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner items on the menu so there is something for everyone. We were glad we stopped in.

I've now had 3 visits here. 2 breakfasts and 1 lunch. All were absolutely fantastic meals that…read morecreated the desire to return. The owner/operators are very personable and kind people as well. The staff are attentive and take great care of you. Food comes out promptly and in my 3 visits, precisely as ordered. I don't believe I've ever felt more welcomed into a restaurant than here. Seriously this is what other restaurants should strive to deliver. Fantastic food, great environment to eat in and welcoming staff. Breakfast: both the works omelet and migas were great (especially with the added salsa). 1000% get the fruit. The dip they provide is of similar idea to that which Jason's deli gives. With the primary difference that this one makes Jason's seem entirely inadequate. Lunch: The chicken Parmesan is an excellent choice, I got pasta instead of potatoes. It was a very healthy portion and filled me up. Even the veggies it comes with are properly seasoned and cooked. The tea is wonderful, they do offer flavored teas but I did not try that. TLDR: great establishment, give them a try.

Great food, cool vibe, friendly and helpful staff and.. good coffee!…read moreGotta get that chilaquiles cast iron bowl with poblano. Creamy, salty, savory....all around killer! And don't get me started on the refried beans and roasted potatoes. Perfection!

Cast Iron Cafe is amazing. The food is delicious. I had the ribeye breakfast burrito…read more Delicious and very filling. Even better than the food is the ownership and staff. Extremely friendly and welcoming. The ambiance is so cool. This is a must stop destination type of restaurant.

I had the crispy pork belly served in orange marmalade with whole wheat tortillas and Im here to…read moresay it was delicious! I am trying to have some great mexican food while in McAllen, and the Bodega didnt have alot of Mexican food on the menu, so I enjoyed this dish and then moved on. Awesome place, great service, highly recommended!

I saw this place from across the road a few times and it caught my eye. I stopped in finally and…read morechecked it out. The place is very big inside and has a rustic feel to the decor. The bartenders waiting on me were very attentive and friendly. I ordered the fish tacos plate, the food was great! I definitely recommend this spot, support local!

I had just arrived in town and I was hungry. Thankfully, a family member had this diner on their…read moremust-try list, and it went pretty well. We all ordered something different with the goal of being able to taste more of the menu. The menu is a well-rounded Southern American selection, and all of it is made in-house. It was a nice touch with the newspaper like menu, loved the decor and cabin home theme. The side salad was fresh; however, the house-made ranch was too creamy and too thick. There was potential with the cooked bacon mixed in, but the ranch flavor was missing. The cup of chili was great, similar to Wendy's chili if you needed a comparison. My meatloaf was good; the added carrots and topped crispy onions weren't too bad; however, the drizzled brown gravy was a no for me. The side of creamy grits and green beans and bacon were gobbled up! The cornbread muffins were a bit dry. Side of hash browns were good, a little on the oily side. The biscuit and gravy were colossal! Loved the gravy; the biscuits were a bit too doughy, almost seemed a bit undercooked, and for some reason, there seemed to be a lack of flavor in them. Enjoyed the ham and eggs. The pot roast dish was savory, and everything was nice; the veggies were a little over-seasoned, but I didn't mind them. The chicken-fried steak plate was a hit, I didn't even get a chance to take a solo photo. We had no room for desserts, and leftovers were taken home and appreciated. I'd like to add, despite ordering the larger versions of these meals, we only paid $68 and some change! The place was clean, the wait time was commendable, and the service was incredible!!! Despite the small misses, we'd still return. The majority of our food was great, and we left fuller than ever!

We were in town for a conference and had dinner there last night and it was so very good. My…read morehusband had the prime rib dinner which was very reasonably priced, and served just as he asked. I had the breakfast BLT on sourdough bread that was huge... and delicious. We shared an apple pot pie ala mode that unbelievably good. The dough was light and flakey . Service was fantastic, welcoming, friendly, answered all our many questions and made sure everything was as we wanted it. If we're ever back in McAllen we will be back. Need to see if there are any close to Victoria. Highly recommend it!!

I have been wanting to go to La Casa de la Abuela (Grandma's House) for a long time. Friends of…read moremine have raved about how good the food is. Well, they were right. La Casa de la Abuela covers every category for a delightful breakfast, brunch or lunch: a menu with great variety, quality delicious food, excellent service, a beautiful and pleasant atmosphere, good parking and a great location. My friend had the enchiladas suizas. I ordered the chilaquiles rojas con pollo. The menu warned that the salsa roja is spicy... and they are right. I like spicy, and this gave me the hiccups! Not to worry, they have several options, including mild ones. I was impressed with their molcajete of guacamole, the refreshing strawberry lemonade, the classy presentation of each dish. I almost ordered the chile relleno or the torta ahogada. I learned they make their own birote (a denser kind of bread roll) for the torta ahogadas, which is key for that dish hailing from Jalisco, which is smothered in salsa prior to serving. Everything I saw was spotless, elegant, and beautifully decorated. It's a new fave, and I will go back. When I do, I want to try one of their pastries: conchas, chocolate or strawberries and cream filled croissants, and more. This was a great place for a meet-up with a good friend. It would also be great for a date with my wife, a business lunch, or small groups. The dining room is not very big, so large groups would need to find another option. I highly recommend, Grandma's House!

This place has completely redefined breakfast by delivering a truly authentic Mexican…read moreexperience--absolutely no Tex-Mex here. It artfully fuses contemporary culinary creativity with the deep, nostalgic flavors of traditional Mexico. I ordered the Molcajete Norteño, and it was, without question, the best breakfast I've had in a long time. More than just a dish, the molcajete is a full sensory experience--beautifully presented, sizzling with flavor, and visually captivating. The atmosphere is equally impressive--warm, vibrant, and inviting, with a distinct charm that makes you feel both excited and at home. I highly recommend this gem to anyone looking for a memorable and flavorful start to their day.

I stumbled across Labyrinth when I had this insatiable craving for bagels that wouldn't leave my…read moresystem. I came back to the RGV in 2022 after 4 years of being in college. During my time away, I found this bagel shop near my campus and so I went. I found a way to wake up early despite hating mornings with the help of a friend. We went together and tried their bagels and I guess that memory, that taste, that connection never really went away. One night in 2022, after failing to get some sleep, I searched up "bagels near me", just like that, without any other thought put into it. I guess really what I was trying to find was ways to go back to those years that had left me already. One single search gave me a list of different restaurants but not one that actually had bagels to choose from and try. I kept searching until I read "Labyrinth BCA" and there I found what I was looking for. I went the next day, filled with hope and hunger. I parked my car towards the back of their establishment and thought I had arrived during their busy hours because the place was busy and buzzing- both good things in my head. As I walked in I immediately noticed all the colorful stickers painted on one side of the wall and these large mirrors that stood tall and mighty. The plethora of windows invited the sun in to take a peek at the people inside. I loved the look and I liked that it aimed to make you feel cozy and at home. I went up to order and was met with a young man and there we began chatting about the coffees offered. I hadn't gone for the coffee but it was there and I was curious. I told him it was my first time there and how hesitant I was to try new coffee places because I had been to many and had never found a coffee I enjoyed. Despite the busy restaurant, the man took his time to help me decide on what to order. I mentioned I leaned more towards sweeter coffees so he brought up their famous "dirty taro". I asked what it tasted like and he replied with "fruit loop milk", his honest answer not only made me smile but it led me to get out of my comfort zone and try it. I paid for my dirty taro and my turkey and egg bagel. Both amazing choices. The bagel originally comes with chipotle mayo but I substituted it for cream cheese. The combination of flavors were amazing. The dirty taro tasted exactly like he said and I wondered how long it took him to find the perfect way to describe a drink to someone who had never tried it. The drink was wonderful too. I thought back to the bagel shop from my college that was a thousand miles away from where I sat now. I thought about how nostalgia can dress like a friend and sit with you in the new places you find around the RGV. Now, I come here every chance I get and usually always try to bring a friend or a relative. I tell them about the breakfast and lunch bagels, I tell them about how cool and inviting this place is, I tell them about the owner of the place and how kind he was during my first stop here, I tell them about the taro latte and how you really can't find it anywhere else. I tell them about how special some places can be and what they can make you feel.

We go here often for breakfast. Probably my favorite in the valley. Have never been disappointed…read more We have tried a few different bagels and they were all tasty ( Spam/egg, Smoked Salmon & Egg, and the turkey one) The matcha is also very good. You can also add taro which adds a hint of sweetness that's just as delicious. Service is always great. The employees are kind , quick and attentive. The place is kind of small but its very cute with nice paintings and decorations on the walls. 10/10 recommend.

A friend recommended this study space so I stopped by. It's a cute little coffee shop, they also…read morehave alcohol, food, desserts, pastries, etc. There were 3 employees that I could, they were all friendly, energetic, and had good advice on what to try on the menu. I'm pretty picky and unfortunately didn't like the pizza, but that's on me. I will happily try something else next time! I got an iced latte and that added cinnamon for me, it was delicious. They have a good, chill environment, I'll definitely be back!

I came here for a quick breakfast before seeing my sister a few days ago…read more The staff were really nice and helped me decide. Sadly, the coffee was very weak. I forgot what coffee it was. The sandwich was dense and had a nice kick. But it was really small. It also comes with chips. The place is huge and there are some music instruments in a small stage area. It looks like they do nightly events. During the day time, it seems like a good place to study or work. But.. coffee is.... Nothing special and taste pretty weak. Parking is free and out front .