Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
During the day, street vendors ply the streets of Laredo, offering tacos, ice cream and oth-
er cart-distributed treats. Mexican food fans will want to stay multiple nights here.
Taco Palenque
( 956-725-9898;
www.tacopalenque.com
; 4515 San Bernardo Ave, off I-35 at exit 3; mains from $4; 24hr)
This outlet of the phenomenally fast-growing Rio Grande Valley chain is ready to please
around the clock. The vast salsa bar awaits and there's beer available.
MEXICAN
$
La Unica De Nuevo Laredo
( 956-717-4089; 4500 San Bernardo Ave; mains from $6; 8am-9pm)
It's sit-down simple at this
family-run classic that got its start across the border in Nuevo Laredo. Fans of Mexican
food will find all the standards, it's just that they're better here. The
flautas
come with a
guacamole that will spoil you for others although the cream topping is also pretty damn
seductive.
MEXICAN
$
MEXICAN
$
El Meson De San Augustin
(
www.elmesondesanagustin.com
; 908 Grant St; mains from $6; 11am-4:30pm Mon-Sat)
Six days a week,
superb food issues forth from this tiny, uber-nondescript family-run restaurant. It's almost
like going to someone's house for lunch, especially given the paucity of signage outside.
Seemingly humdrum fare like enchiladas and chips and salsa reach heights few thought
possible.
Palenque Grill
( 956-728-1272;
www.palenquegrill.com
; 7220 Bob Bullock Loop; mains $10-18; 11am-11pm)
The up-
scale branch of the Taco Palenque empire features an open and airy main dining room and
a spacious terrace. The menu is ambitious and features regional cuisine from around Mex-
ico. Just the chips, salsa and toppings that arrive with your menus foretell the great eats
that await.
MEXICAN
$$
Zaragoza Grill
( 956-753-4444; La Posada Hotel, 1000 Zaragoza St; dinner mains $20-30; 9am-10pm)
In the beautiful
lobby of the La Posada Hotel, the Zaragoza offers some of Laredo's finest dining. Need-
less to say there's a long list of vintage tequilas and wines, as well as a creative menu that
starts with Mexico then ranges far afield. Chef Alberto Gutierrez specializes in Mexican
fusion fare that varies with the season.
MEXICAN FUSION
$$$
