Small Home – Big Yard

Isla Blanca Park Beach Pavilion

We’re just into the second week of living on South Padre Island and already have a good start at visiting our favorite places as well as exploring a few new ones. We’re once again parked at Isla Blanca County Park, right on the southern tip of the island with good views over the Brownsville ship channel.  As in years past we’re occupying end site C363 and right behind it, site C361.  Our former end site C321 was not available due to new long-term residents from MN, Mary and Chuck.

Pirate Ship Entering Laguna Madre

On Thursday evening we had dinner at PadreRitas Grill.  We hadn’t realized until we pulled into the parking lot that we’d visited Rita’s a couple of years ago.  This laid back bar and grill offers a good selection of seafood, pasta and Mexican dishes.  With an outside deck overlooking Padre Blvd, this eatery is OK, but not one of our favorites.

Tom & Jerry’s Beach Club Bar & Grill, South Padre Island

A new discoveries is Tom and Jerry’s Beach Club Bar & Grill at 3212 Padre Blvd.  With a huge menu, this place is somewhat reminiscent of a TGI Friday’s.  They offer interesting daily combos such as Taco & Tecate Tuesday’s, Burgers & Bock Wednesdays and Fish Fry Fridays.  They also advertise “Happy Every Hour” with $2.75 draft beers.  Our server at Tom and Jerry’s was great and made this a very enjoyable visit – we’ll be back!

On Sunday morning we decide on breakfast at The Palms Resort Cafe.  Tucked behind the small Palms Hotel, this is a great place for gulf views, tasty meals and awesome Bloody Mary’s.  With a standing room only crowd on Sunday, the service suffered a bit, but overall we really enjoy this small out of the way cafe.

Isla Blanca Beach, South Padre Island

Sunday evening once again finds us at the favorite Palm Street Pier enjoying the entertainment of Chuck and Earl (and company) in their traditional jam session.  As usual, Palm Street doesn’t disappoint with good food, good service and fun times.

On a practical note, the Bluewater Laundromat takes over as the best laundry facility on South Padre.  Immaculately clean, albeit a bit pricy, the Bluewater has dozens of extra capacity washers and dryers or will wash, dry and fold your laundry for you.  The Kwik Wash Laundry on Amberjack St. was a good stand-by. But their much older facility that’s not all that clean makes Bluewater is a much better choice.  Plus, as a bonus, the Bluewater is just down the block from the Palm Street Pier!