The Best Meal on South Padre Island

One of the big perks about South Padre is that 90% of what goes on around the island occurs within a couple miles north of the bridge that connects it to the mainland of Texas. All of the clubs and most of the restaurants are along this stretch, whereas the portion south of the bridge is devoted more to jetties, surfing, fishing, camping and the like.

Accordingly, one of the island’s gems–missed by most spring breakers–is a little restaurant holed back with the piers called Dirty Al’s. If logic prevailed, folks would realize that the best seafood on the island should come from a restaurant with a pier out back. But, for several reasons, most have no reason to venture this far south.

Still, this the spot for my favorite dish on the island–the blackened fish tacos. In spite of the location, there used to always be a long wait to get a table. But, over the years, the restaurant’s success has allowed it to expand to three, similar islands elsewhere on the island.

But, the original is still the best. And if that’s not enough to compel you to visit, you can also see their sweetass logo with Al drinking a beer riding a fish.

South Padre Frequently Asked Questions

Understandably, parents have a lot of concerns about their kids going on spring break. So, in the Inertia office, we end up answering a lot of the same questions repeatedly as the spring break season gears up.

Here are a couple of the most common:

Q. Where is South Padre?
A. It’s a long skinny island that runs along the coast of Texas.

Q. Is South Padre a part of Mexico or the U.S. or independent?
A. It’s a part of the U.S.

Q. Is South Padre safe, since it’s so close to Mexico?
A. We’re a full 40 minutes, one border, and several checkpoints from Mexico. So, not unlike Las Vegas, whatever is going on in Mexico, stays in Mexico.

Q. What’s the drinking age in South Padre?
A. It’s 21, like everywhere else in the States.

Q. What if I’m on a party cruise, don’t the laws change in international waters?
A. The party cruise sails around the bay between South Padre and Texas. It’s still the United States.

Q. South Padre is an island, but it doesn’t have an airport. So, do we have to take a boat there?
A. No. We’re connected to Texas by a bridge.

South Padre by Any Other Name

One of the phenomena on South Padre Island is it’s penchant for fouling up folks’ pronunciations and spellings.

Some of them are just oversights, like the constant references to “Mooncussers” as “Mooncrushers.”

Much of it has to do with foreign names. One of the restaurants on our meal plan is La Jaiba (Spanish for “The Crab”). Most of our staff (myself included) tend to call it “La Hy-E-Ba.” But the locals insist the restaurant is “La Hy-Ba.” Conversely, one of the most popular condo complexes on the island is Saida. But, in this case, the “I” is pronounced so that it’s spoken “Sy-E-Da.” (Though nearly all of the spring breakers call it “Sadey-Uh”).

Going the other way, the Spanish-speaking DJs on the island are constantly referring to Inertia Tours as “Interita Tours,” when talking on the mic during parties.

And before folks ever get down here, we get a lot of calls in the office from parents who want to know more before sending their kid off to spring break on “San Padre/San Pedro/South Padre/etc.”

Where the Locals Drink in South Padre

A lot of what folks come on spring break for is to hit up the arena-style clubs they might not have at home. And the island has no shortage of them–Louie’s and Mooncusser’s (formerly Tequila Frogs) are particularly huge.

The flipside, of course, is that with that many people–getting a drink isn’t always easy. And occasionally, you just want something more intimate. So, the favorite change of pace on South Padre is a little place way up at the north end of the island called the Coral Reef.

There’s not much here that’ll surprise you. Not many spring breakers. Long lines for karaoke, but short lines at the bar. They don’t have ginger ale (but will mix Coke and Sprite together, if you’re desperate). And the bathrooms (the men’s at least) are covered with pictures of the an older man (the owner? I don’t know) groping the breasts of several exotic dancers.

I tried to find a website for them, to find a better picture–but all I could find on-line was an explanation for how their beer is so cold. Apparently they use this:

It’s a pitcher with ice built into it! So the beer stays cold, without getting diluted!

Midnight Pancakes: An Alternative Spring Break

In addition to the tens of thousands of college students that swarm South Padre Island each spring break, the island is also invaded by folks looking to both spread the gospel through creative ministries.

Primarily, this means offering free shuttles and free pancakes to college students rolling out of the bars and clubs.

While this could be a preachy nightmare for partiers and a night of unprovoked belligerence for the “Beach Reachers,” there’s actually a fair amount of rapport. Put simply, the pancake station outside Louie’s makes for a subdued afterhours spot for folks to regroup and fill up–which spring breakers love. And for the pancake makers, it’s probably a better way to engage peers than handing out literature or carrying a giant cross down the beach.

So, if you’re looking for an alternative way to spend spring break, spreading some cheer while getting some sun, this might be the ticket. Plus, since most of the work to be done takes place at night, it frees up the day for making a giant sand Jesus.

Why South Padre for Spring Break?

Come spring, you’ve got a load of options as far a spring breaking goes. For folks in the South, South Padre is an obvious choice for several reasons. Primarily, it has all the bonuses of being a domestic location–no plane fare, most folks can drive there the same day, etc.

But, even for folks as far as the Midwest, it’s also got a totally different feel most of the other domestic options, since it’s:

a) an island
b) 30 minutes from Mexico
c) further south than Miami

To that end, authentic Mexican food isn’t far off, the beach is never more than a block and a half away, and it’s hot as hell–all of which might help account for the 50,000 students that trek on down.

It’s Upon Us!

Technically, last week was the first week of spring break. But there weren’t more than a couple dozen people on the island. Now we have nearly that many on staff, most of whom rolled in today.

In spite of having spent the last day or so in a car, everyone seems psyched to be spending the next month in a place folks normally pay to be.

All of which puts us in good shape for when the first large group of spring breakers rolls in tomorrow.

Mountains of Japanese Food

Our spring break staff is on the same meal plan as our travelers. I think this is for logistical reasons–since it’s simpler than making a whole separate meal. However it came about, it’s fucking brilliant. The boss is adamant about getting local restaurants involved.

All of which means that instead of eating the same rubbish at McDonalds everyday, folks get to eat in actual, sit-down restaurants with nice meals. Also, if we’re buying everyone their meals anyway, we might as well pump the money into the local, island economy.

All the feel-good stuff aside, we ate the hell out of a great lunch.

Facts about South Padre Island, Texas from an insider

Today, I’d thought I”d take the ol’ blog a different way and tell you some things I know about South Padre Island that are rather secrets I think, or at the very least, not known by many.

As I love lists since they are easy to read, that’s how I’m gonna format this post. You’re gonna hear ALOT about food, because I love to frickin’ eat!

• If you get thrown in jail in South Padre, they give you Whataburger fast food for breakfast, lunch, & dinner. While that might sound like heaven – try eating fast food (not just the same restaurant, the same food at the same restaurant.

• The Queen Isabella Causeway (the big bridge that connects the Island with the mainland of Texas) is not just over 2 miles long, you can’t park on it, nor walk over it legally – a tremendous design flaw when you consider all of the tens of thousands of beautiful photographs that could have been taken off that bridge

• The Island of Padre actually runs all the way from Boca Chica Beach (that was cut off to put in the inter-coastal shipping channel by the US Corps of Engineers from South Padre) all the 400 miles to the North past Corpus Christi, Texas. About 27 miles north of the City proper of South Padre if you drove on the beach you’d hit the next “cut” that allows ships to pass to the inter-coastal channel.

• South Padre has less than 5 total miles of habitated land mass. The other 8 miles of US State Highway that goes beyond City Limits has zero homes, condos, or businesses. The road sometimes get “drifted over” by sand when Cameron County (because of budget problems) and the State of Texas get in a fights over which transportation sector should “plow” the road to keep it clean

• If you live on South Padre Island, your kids go to school on the mainland in the Town of Port Isabel – South Padre Island lacks a school of any kind. For that matter, South Padre Island “Golf Course” isn’t located on South Padre – it’s located on the mainland in Laguna Heights

• South Padre Island is commonly referred to as one of the top two places in the United States to kiteboard – because of the constant, steady light wind. The Outer Banks of North Carolina is the other spot typically mentioned to go. (want a lesson go to www.airpadre.com )

• The Mayor of South Padre Island, an incumbant, Robert Pinkerton, won his last election by an incredible landslide over his opponent – a candidate that ran on a platform of “any change is good” – could this spell trouble for the upcoming Presidential race? Bob is also a decorated Marine veteran with a Purple Heart, and we love him!

• The Mcdonald’s Restaurant in South Padre was one of the top 5 highest sales volumes in the WORLD in the early 90′s – due mostly due to their being open 24 hours per day during Spring Break and particulary, Texas week of spring break

• South Padre became a popular spring break destination by way of a fluke in law – in the mid 80′s, Texas REFUSED to raise the drinking age to 21 – making it a haven for a SINGLE YEAR for minors to partake in drinking on spring break. So many college students came that year, discovered its wonderful beaches & weather, and well…the law changed, but the crowds, and spring break tradition, did not.

• The summer months of June, July, & August have higher hotel occupancy rates than Spring Break in March – largely due to the fact that South Padre is a great family destination for summer vacations because of its driveability, and therefore affordabiliy.

• One of the reasons I”m in love with South Padre Island is the people – particularly the local business people – what a tourist doesn’t see is how incredibly hard it is to have to make 12 months of income in 4 months time with this seasonal destination – and do a first class job of it with year round worries & expenses. These people have their shit together, to say the least

• The offshore fishing and bay ishing in South Padre hosts arguably the richest fishing waters in the United States. You simply have to retarded not to be able to catch fish here – and if you have the right guide, you can expect to catch more, and bigger fish, than you have in your entire life

• Drinking on the beach in South Padre Island is legal – but glass is not for obvious reasons (feet getting cut) – you WILL get a $500 fine for your very first violation

• Speaking of the South Padre Island Police – I’ve found them very fair, and not harrassing myself – but there are 3 things they absolutely are hardcore about 1.) Speeding – just don’t do it, they WILL pull you over & ticket you 2.) seat belts. Just put it on ….I won’t mention my staff guy Travis Cherro’s name, but this guy has got like 4 or 5 seat belt tickets in a month before 3.) head lights out – another big time bust issue

Finally, if you are drinking & driving, you’re just plain stupid. Cabs are only $5 to go anywhere if you

are alone. $5 – come on! You’d risk a DUI for $5 – then you deserve one, too.

• South Padre has had a recent real estate boom, since it simply has the (nicest) , the (best) and (cheapest) beachfront real estate in the United States. Like the rest of the US, they have seen a decline in 2008 in both inner island condos (not on the beach) and land lots that are not built on. I would predict January you might be able to get land & real estate as cheap as it has been there in the last 10 years. Can you believe a buildable lot less than 1/2 block to the beach (and ocean) is $175,000? It is. Compare that price to California and you will see the real value there – it’s DIRT, DIRT cheap right now.

• South Padre Island lacks both 5 star restaurants and 5 star hotels. The noteable (and upcoming) exception is the forthcoming opening of the Sapphire condo complex – we shall see. The current nicest condos in South Padre are at the Peninsula in my opinion. This is a timeshare property, but their designer was superb in all ways, and the interiors are the highest end I’ve seen, and I consider myself a bit of a design snob

• South Padre hosts a huge Gay friendly party called Splash! in late April, and early October, having as many as 5,000 people show up for the weekend festivities.

• Mexico, while only 45 minutes away, is barely visited anymore due to fears about border security. These fears are largely false, although drug cartel violence has increased in Laredo, Texas (3 hours away) from Matamorros, the border town closest to South Padre Island

• Some of the most frequented travelers from outside of Texsa to South Padre included the States of Minnesota, Michigan, Iowa, Colorado, Illinois, and Oklahoma

• Retirees that come to the Island to escape the cold winter months up North a their homes are called “snowbirds” in Florida. In South Padre, they are called Winter Texans. Winter Texans are very cheap, and typically eat dinner out before 6 p.m. to save money & take advantage of early bird dinner specials.

• Almost every restaurant in South Padre serves some sort of shrimp in celebration of the local shrimping industry.

Inertia Tours specializes in college spring break trips to South Padre Island under 500 per person, and is the only first class, full service tour and travel company servicing the Island. Please feel free to visit www.inertiaoturs.com, or email us questions: tripinfo@inertiatours.com, or call us toll free 800 821 2176 for more information on some of the great packages we offer to students. The advice is free, and if you can’t tell, I believe that I know more about South Padre than any other copy cat spring break travel companies offering South Padre Spring Break.

You & your friends join 2 people for $2000 each in Acapulco -OR- Spend under $500 per person & Join 50,000!!!

Inertia Tours is the Original Spring Break Company specializing in spring break travel packages for $500 and less per person.

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We proudly can offer you the following incredible spring break trip packages for less (sometimes…WAY LESS) than $500 per person: (NO HIDDEN FEES)

• South Padre Island, Texas (road trip – you steal your daddy’s SUV and drive your ass down)

Includes 7 night beachfront condo stay (less nights available for even lower cash), 2 restaurant meals per person per day

• Mazatlan, Mexico  (includes a luxury motorcoach – that’s bus my homeslice)

Includes roundtrip bus from most Texas & Arizona college cities, 5 nights beachfront hotel stay, 2 restaurant meals per day, and 4 hours of free drinking every single day. Yep, gotta have a passport. $450 per person

• Colorado Spring Break Ski Trips (again, swipe your RIch Uncle’s Escalade and drive you butt up)

Includes a walk to lift condo for 5 nights, 4 days worth of lift tickets, and Texas-sized rentals discount – $475-$575 per person

Come on, stupid! Sure, Acapulco is “the bomb” – but how many of your friends can fork out $1400 for air and hotel, another $250 for a “party package” and still need spending money….$2000 per person? Dude…that’s a car. $450 for a luxury beachfront condo & some food, plus a bit of gas cash? Easy….DONE.

Call Inertia Tours after you stop being frustrated about the high cost of international spring break travel. Everyone can swing our trip prices – everyone that wants to anyway – and 50,000 do for South Padre Island Spring Break!

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