Scampi's looks like a little sidewalk café on the outside, with a couple of white iron tables and chairs gracing the entrance. A black-and-white checkered tablecloth and cloth napkins flesh out the special, romantic ambiance as Italian music plays in the background. A group of 8-10 entrees are available for lunch, along with about twice as many at dinner. The house specialty, spaghetti, is served both by itself and as a side dish with the lasagna, the cannelloni, the linguine or one of the many other entrees. If you have room, try one of the heavenly desserts such as tiramisu or creamy custard. Finally, you may bring your own bottle of wine.

Good food and beautiful murals stand out at the Rio Grande Grill located in Harlingen. Famous for delicious smoked meats and a famous poblano chili sauce, the Rio Grande Grill is owned and operated by Ben Rushing along with his wife and son. The restaurant is located inside one of the old Van Buren buildings, and the murals were created by Chris Valdez. The inside is bright and cheery, and try such meals as Chopped Brisket, Tortilla Soup, or Sliced Sausage Sandwich. The Grill rents out the space, for up to 45 persons or your meal can be catered by the restaurant in a separate location.

Housed in a welcoming red building, the Vermillion serves good food at a reasonable price. The Vermillion started as a hamburger stand in the 1930s, and has since expanded into the home where it now serves customers. Good service and the no-nonsense food attracted President Jimmy Carter in 2004, a picture of which can be seen on the website. Takeout is available, and the menu includes specials every day of the week, or try the Chicken Fried Chicken Breast or a Broiled Fish Filet.

One of the most well-known restaurants on the Island, Blackbeards serves a diverse clientele, and for that reason it can get very busy during the tourism/spring break season. The menu contains a tempting mix of drinks (Strawberry Daiquiri, Rum Punch), sandwiches (Yellowfin Tuna, The Pearl - a fried oyster po' boy) and other seafood dishes (Blackened Snapper Veracruzano, Stuffed Shrimp). Make sure to get onion rings with... well... everything! Hours vary seasonally, so confirm hours before going in the morning or late at night.

Not one, but two fully stocked bars are present at Amberjacks Bayside Bar & Grill. Although known for their mojitos, pretty much any drink can be made with the alcohol on hand. On the menu are such delicious choices as Crab-Stuffed Jalapenos, the award-winning Rasta Shrimp (shrimp sauteed in Caribbean curry and served with rice pilaf), or for the vegetarian, the Bikini Burger. Don't forget to have dessert, the White Chocolate Bread Pudding and Seven Layer Chocolate Cake are both decadent. The restaurant's main selling point, however is its views of the beautiful laguna madre which add to any and all dining experiences.

Big John's gives guests great food and full bellies with friendly service and welcoming prices! The whole family is invited to take their pick from smoked meats on a sandwich or as a dinner plate, delicious sides and desserts, fish frys or chilled beer, in the restaurant or to carry on home. The restaurant caters events throughout the Rio Grande Valley, and welcomes special celebrations or business functions to a room available for rental. A daily lunch and dinner special offers a special treat, if the array of choices is just too hot to handle.

The choice is all yours at Wing Stop: get your chicken wings or boneless strips, flavor 'em hot or mild, pick a sauce to dip or a tasty side like bread, slaw, fries, potato salad, baked beans, or even veggie sticks. With an ice-cold drink to wash it all down, decide to devour it all on the spot or carry it out for an ideal picnic. "Cater-wing" available by special order.

A beloved spot for Mexican and Southwestern cuisine, El Rancho serves traditional favorites at great values. Sit down to be served a tasty meal by patient, polite, and friendly staff, or order at the drive-thru window for a fabulous picnic or take-home dinner. Bring the kids, spice your selection to taste, and eat whenever you're hungry, 24 hours a day.

La Playa offers Mexican cuisine worth stopping for, with a sit-down ambiance and welcoming waitstaff who are glad to accommodate groups. The owner might stroll through the restaurant, chatting with guests, to add to the home-style vibe. Appealing drinks are a nice addition to any meal, and the number of seafood offerings is unusual in this region.

For a true variety on your plate, swing through the Sun Palace... this Chinese buffet really serves everything under the sun! Choices include dishes from around the world, including Mexican, Mongolian, American, fruits, salad, Bar-B-Q, Italian, sweets, and of course plenty of Chinese food. All are welcome to this family-friendly and very casual establishment for an enjoyable meal any day of the week.