Any suggestions for "you have to try" places in or around South Padre Island, Harlingen and Brownsville, Texas and Matamoros, Mexico?

Any suggestions for "you have to try" places in or around South Padre Island, Harlingen and Brownsville, Texas and Matamoros, Mexico?
My grandparents lived on South Padre for 25 years, so I have been down there many many times in my life. Here are a few suggestions:

SOUTH PADRE:

Black Beard’s
103 E Saturn Blvd
South Padre Island, TX 78597

This is a staple on Padre right on the main drag, its been there for what seems like forever, it’s a seafood/burger place, very moderately priced, good for family dining. Very touristy, most people who go to Padre eat here once.

The Sea Ranch
1 Padre Blvd
South Padre Island, TX 78597

This is a more upscale place, seafood/steak, with a nice view of the bay and bridge.

Pirate’s Landing
110 N Garcia St
Port Isabel, TX 78578

This is cool place, basically at the end of the bridge on the mainland side, they have EXCELLENT hamburger’s and waffle cut fry’s. They also have an outside eating area with a bar facing towards the island.

Lantern Grill
3109 Padre Blvd So Padre Island,
South Padre Island, TX 78597

This is probably one of the most upscale places to eat on the island. Mostly seafood, with some steak, very good food, excellent décor, a lot of local’s go here. On the pricey side.

Scampi's Restaurant
206 W Aries Dr,
South Padre Island, TX 78597

This is very similar to the Lantern, a very classy place, has been on the island for years. If you haven’t been to the island before and I looking for a nice evening I would probably suggest this over the lantern because it is on the bay.

Those are a few suggestions of places I like in Padre, there are plenty more restaurants to choose from. If you go along the bay road you’ll have Amberjack’s, The 202, and more which all offer great views of the bay. You’ll find more restaurant’s as well on Padre Island Blvd (be careful it is a speed trap), and also in the area of Port Isabelle around the lighthouse park you can find a few more restaurants as well.

MATAMOROS:

Garcia's
Obregón #82
Matamoros, México

This is probably the only restaurant I would consider eating at in Matamoros, as it is very clean, and air-conditioned. It also connects to a shopping area where you can by Mexican paraphernalia, and of course liquor, and pretty much any meds you want OTC! This place is pretty much right over the bridge so it’s hard to miss, also they have parking for customers if you drive over.


Have Fun!

Add a restuarant called De Luna. It is on Coral Street (about 3-4 blocks down from Sun Chase) on the bay. They have a nice restuarant upstairs and a bar, and downstairs it is more causual. You can order off any menu whereever you sit. Pretty good.

Believe it or not, Sheraton Friday Night sea food buffet was not bad, and I do not like buffets.

Although it was Memorial Day '99 we went to Los Dos Republicas (os?) in Matamoros and hung out there all afternoon. It was on the square and a very nice place. When I got back I was telling our FedEx rep. about it and he was like "that's the only place in Matamoros that we'll go and eat".

I haven't been to Garcia's in Matamoros (only Nuevo Progreso) and it was pretty good. I've been to quite a few places in Nuevo Laredo that you only see locals in and had some great meals. Go where you see the locals congregating, drink the cerveza, and have a good time!

Thank you, one and all, for the suggestions. :)