South Padre Island
THE QUICK VERDICT
Choose South Padre Island if You want a warm, low-rise barrier island with empty Gulf beaches, fishing and dolphin tours, easy bilingual border-region food, and rock-bottom prices outside spring break..
- Best for
- empty Gulf beaches, Sea Turtle Inc rescue tours, world's biggest sandcastle competition each October
- Best months
- Apr–Jun · Sep–Nov
- Budget anchor
- $160/day mid-range
- Skip if
- you visit in March - spring break makes the southern five miles unrecognizable for nine other months
South Padre Island is a 34-mile barrier island at the southern tip of Texas, a one-bridge causeway from Port Isabel and a 30-minute drive from Brownsville. The town occupies the southern five miles; everything north is undeveloped Gulf-of-Mexico beach and dune. It is the sport-fishing capital of Texas, headquarters of the Sea Turtle Inc rescue, and home to the world's largest sandcastle competition (Sandcastle Days, October). The reputation is split: a notorious March spring break, then nine quiet, family-friendly months of dolphin tours, kiteboarding, and 25-dollar beachfront tacos. Closest airports are Brownsville/SPI (BRO) and Harlingen (HRL), both inside an hour. Do not confuse it with Padre Island National Seashore, 90 miles north near Corpus Christi.
Tours & Experiences
Bookable tours, activities, and day trips in South Padre Island
Where to Stay
Compare hotels and rentals in South Padre Island
📍 Points of Interest
At a Glance
- Pop.
- 2.6K (town) / 25K (Cameron County coast)
- Timezone
- Chicago
- Dial
- +1
- Emergency
- 911
South Padre Island is a 34-mile barrier island at the southern tip of Texas, separated from the mainland (Port Isabel) by the 2.5-mile Queen Isabella Causeway over the Laguna Madre
The town of South Padre Island occupies the southern 5 miles of the island; everything north is undeveloped Gulf-of-Mexico beach, dune, and protected sea-turtle habitat
Year-round population is roughly 2,600, but the island swells to over 100,000 during March spring break — the largest college spring-break gathering in Texas
It is widely recognized as the sport-fishing capital of Texas, with year-round inshore (red drum, speckled trout) and offshore (kingfish, marlin, tarpon) fisheries from the Sebastian Street pier and Pirates Landing dock
Sea Turtle Inc, headquartered on Padre Boulevard, runs the Texas Gulf Coast's primary sea-turtle rescue and hosts public hatchling releases on summer mornings (free)
Closest commercial airports are Brownsville/SPI (BRO, 25 mi southwest, 30 min) and Valley International (HRL, Harlingen, 40 mi northwest, 45 min); McAllen (MFE) and Corpus Christi (CRP) are the larger alternates
Do not confuse South Padre Island with Padre Island National Seashore — the protected national park is 90 miles north, accessed only from Corpus Christi, on the same barrier-island chain
Top Sights
Isla Blanca Park beaches
🏖️A 1-mile stretch of free Gulf beach at the south end of the island where the Brownsville Ship Channel meets the Gulf. Calm protected swimming areas, jetty fishing, RV camping. $5 per car day pass.
Sea Turtle Inc
🏛️A 30,000-square-foot turtle rescue and education center on Padre Boulevard with five Kemp's ridley, loggerhead, and green-sea-turtle residents in viewing tanks. Hatchling releases June-August at sunrise. $14 adults, $11 children.
South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center
🌳A 50-acre wetland with 5 boardwalks over salt marsh on the bay side, an alligator pond, and a 5-story observation tower with telescopes. The Lower Rio Grande Valley is one of the top birding regions in North America. $10 adults.
Dolphin watching boat tours
🌿Bottlenose-dolphin pods live year-round in the Laguna Madre between South Padre and Port Isabel — 75-90 percent sighting rate on the standard 1.5-hour Osprey Cruises or Original Dolphin Watch tours. $25-35 adults, $15-20 children.
Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark
📌A Gulf-front waterpark with the Big Kahuna river ride, Boogie Bahn surfing simulator, and a 3-story uphill water coaster. The original Schlitterbahn (the New Braunfels location) is more famous, but this beachfront version stays open later into October. Day pass $50-65.
Port Isabel Lighthouse State Historic Site
📌The only Texas Gulf Coast lighthouse open to the public — climb the 75 spiral steps for a 360-degree view of South Padre, the causeway, and the Laguna Madre. $4 adults. The lighthouse was built in 1852.
SpaceX Starbase viewing area
🗼SpaceX's Starbase orbital launch facility is 12 miles south at Boca Chica. The closest public viewing is Isla Blanca Park or the Brownsville-side South Bay Wildlife Area. Launch days are visible event-fights from South Padre rooftops.
Sandcastle Lessons
🏖️Local sandcastle artists Lucinda Wierenga (Sandy Feet) and Andy Hancock teach 1-2 hour beachfront lessons covering how to mix the sand-water ratio that holds a 4-foot tower. $30-50 per person.
Off the Beaten Path
Yummies Bistro
A bright Caribbean-meets-Texas brunch spot on Padre Boulevard with mahi-mahi tacos, a deeply good shrimp BLT, and tropical mimosas. Cash and card; opens 8 AM.
Spring break's reputation has crowded out the island's genuinely good places; Yummies is a year-round local favorite that visitors miss because it lacks beachfront frontage.
Beach access #5 (north end)
A free public beach access 4 miles north of the main hotel strip with no facilities, no lifeguards, and almost no crowd. Perfect for sunrise walks and shell collecting.
The southern beach gets all the spring-break and tourist attention; the north-end accesses are where locals walk dogs and look for the season's first sand dollars.
Pirate's Landing Restaurant
A waterfront seafood restaurant in Port Isabel right at the foot of the lighthouse. Mesquite-grilled red snapper, shrimp boils, and a dock view of pelicans diving for fish.
Beachfront restaurants on the island lean tourist-priced. Pirate's Landing across the causeway is where Brownsville families come for Sunday dinner — better food, lower prices, working-shrimp-boat views.
Kayaking the Laguna Madre seagrass flats
The Laguna Madre is one of only six hypersaline lagoons in the world and the largest seagrass-flat fishery in the western hemisphere. Sea Turtle Inc and Local Eclectic Kayak both rent kayaks ($25-40) for self-guided exploration.
Most visitors stay Gulf-side. The bay side has glassy water, redfish tailing in 1 foot of water, and dolphin pods that come within paddle distance.
Sea Turtle Inc hatchling release
When a Kemp's ridley nest hatches (June-August), Sea Turtle Inc releases the hatchlings on the beach at sunrise — the public is invited and there is no ticket. Sign up for the alert text.
Nothing on the island compares to watching 100 quarter-sized sea turtles cross 50 feet of beach to the surf at first light. Free, schedule unpredictable, follow @SeaTurtleInc for alerts.
Climate & Best Time to Go
South Padre Island has a hot semi-arid maritime climate softened year-round by Gulf breezes — winters are the mildest in the continental US, summers are hot but breezy, and the swimmable-water season runs roughly March through November. Atlantic hurricane season is June 1 through November 30, with peak risk in August-September. The clear best months are April-June and October-November.
Spring
March - May63-84°F
17-29°C
March is spring-break peak (the island's busiest, loudest weeks of the year). April and May are perfect — warm Gulf water (75-78°F), low humidity, blooming wildflowers, and far thinner crowds. Migratory bird movement is at its best.
Summer
June - August75-90°F
24-32°C
Family-vacation peak with Gulf water at 82-86°F and steady Gulf breezes that keep heat tolerable on the beach. Schlitterbahn is fully open. Hurricane watches start in August. Sea-turtle hatchling releases run June-August.
Autumn
September - November63-88°F
17-31°C
September is hurricane peak; October and November are an under-rated sweet spot — warm Gulf water, no humidity, post-spring-break and post-summer crowds, year's best fishing for redfish and speckled trout.
Winter
December - February54-73°F
12-23°C
Daytime highs in the 70s°F most days, mild evenings, almost no rain. Snowbird RV parks fill with Midwest retirees on three-month leases (the famous "Winter Texans"). Gulf is too cold for swimming but kayaking and birding peak.
Best Time to Visit
April-June and October-November are the clear winners — warm Gulf water, low humidity, no spring-break crowds, and prime fishing. July-August is family-vacation peak with heat and full rates. March is spring-break peak (book accordingly). December-February is mild Winter Texan season — great birding, mediocre swimming.
Spring (March - May)
Crowds: Very high in March; light April-MayMarch is the loudest weeks of the year (spring break). April and May are island-perfect — warm Gulf, light crowds, blooming wildflowers, peak migration. Sea Turtle Inc public talks ramp up.
Pros
- + Perfect April-May weather
- + Migratory birding peak
- + Warm Gulf water by mid-April
- + Light non-spring-break crowds
Cons
- − March spring break is genuinely chaotic
- − Hotel rates surge mid-March
- − Beach driving restricted during turtle nesting
Summer (June - August)
Crowds: Very highFamily-vacation peak with Gulf water at 82-86°F and steady trade-wind cooling. Sea-turtle hatchling releases (June-August) are the magic. Hurricane watches start mid-August.
Pros
- + Gulf water peak temperature
- + Sea-turtle hatchling releases
- + Schlitterbahn at full capacity
- + Long daylight
Cons
- − Highest hotel rates of the year
- − Hurricane watch starts in August
- − UV index 11+
- − Beach jellyfish washouts in southerlies
Autumn (September - November)
Crowds: Low to moderateSeptember is hurricane peak — cheap rates and risky weather. October and November are an under-rated sweet spot — warm Gulf, no crowds, year's best fishing.
Pros
- + Best fishing of the year
- + Mild dry weather October onward
- + Low hotel rates outside Halloween weekend
- + Sandcastle Days Festival in October
Cons
- − Hurricane risk through October
- − Some restaurants reduce hours late November
- − Schlitterbahn closes mid-October
Winter (December - February)
Crowds: Moderate (snowbird population stable)Mild Winter Texan season — daytime highs in the 70s°F most days, very little rain, RV parks full of Midwest snowbirds on multi-month leases. Gulf is too cold to swim but birding peaks.
Pros
- + Mildest US winter weather outside Florida Keys
- + Peak birding at Laguna Atascosa
- + Empty beaches
- + Lowest restaurant prices
Cons
- − Gulf swim too cold (60-65°F)
- − Some attractions on reduced hours
- − Cold fronts can drop 30°F overnight
🎉 Festivals & Events
Texas State Sandcastle Days
Early OctoberA three-day sandcastle competition on the beach with master sculptors building 8-foot pieces in Saturday and Sunday daylight. Free to attend.
SPI Kite Festival
Early FebruaryA weekend of competitive and recreational kite flying on the beach, including 100-foot show kites. Free.
Sea Turtle Hatchling Release Season
June - AugustPublic hatchling releases happen at sunrise on a few mornings each month when nests hatch. Sign up for the Sea Turtle Inc text alerts.
Splash South Padre
Mid-AprilAn LGBTQ-focused weekend of beach parties and pool events. One of the larger Texas LGBTQ events.
World's Largest Beach Party (Spring Break Coca-Cola Beach)
MarchSpring-break-era beachfront concert series at Coca-Cola Beach. Famously chaotic.
Ladies Kingfish Tournament
Early AugustThe longest-running all-women fishing tournament in the US, running since 1981. Three days, 800+ anglers.
Safety Breakdown
Moderate
out of 100
South Padre is generally safe outside the spring-break window; year-round violent crime is well below the national average and the year-round resident community is small and tight-knit. The biggest visitor risks are spring-break-related (alcohol, water, beach-driving collisions), Gulf rip currents, sun exposure, and seasonal hurricanes. Avoid driving on the beach without 4WD and proper tide knowledge.
Things to Know
- •Spring break (Mar 1-31) is famously rowdy — book a quieter property if traveling with kids or older adults; Coastal-South-Padre Realty maintains a list of family-friendly properties
- •Rip currents on the Gulf can be deadly — swim only at lifeguard-staffed Isla Blanca Park or follow the daily flag color (green/yellow/red)
- •Beach-driving (allowed in many sections) requires 4WD, a tire-pressure drop to 18-20 PSI, and tide awareness — every season vehicles are stranded by incoming tides
- •Avoid crossing into Matamoros, Mexico — the State Department has a Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory for Tamaulipas state
- •SPF 50 is mandatory — Gulf glare and trade-wind cooling fool visitors into severe sunburns
- •Box jellyfish and Portuguese man-of-war can wash ashore in summer southerlies — do not pick up blue-tinted "balloons" on the sand
- •Hurricane evacuation routes off the island are TX-100 to US-77 — leave 24+ hours before any direct landfall
Natural Hazards
Emergency Numbers
Emergency (Police/Fire/Medical)
911
South Padre Island Police non-emergency
956-761-5454
Beach Patrol (in season)
956-761-3000
US Coast Guard South Padre Station
956-761-2668
Costs & Currency
Where the money goes
USD per dayBackpacker = hostel dorm + street food + public transit. Mid-range = 3-star hotel + neighbourhood restaurants + transit cards. Luxury = 4/5-star + fine dining + taxis. How we calibrate these numbers →
Quick cost estimate
Customize per category →Estimates based on regional averages. Flight prices vary by season and airline.
budget
$70-120
Off-beach motel or RV park, Wave Trolley and walking, free beaches, taqueria meals
mid-range
$140-260
Beachfront hotel mid-tier, dolphin tour, sit-down seafood dinners, Schlitterbahn day
luxury
$400+
Pearl South Padre or Isla Grand condo, deep-sea fishing charter, fine-dining seafood, beach-house rental
Typical Costs
| Item | Local | USD |
|---|---|---|
| AccommodationOff-beach motel | $70-110 | $70-110 |
| AccommodationBeachfront hotel mid-tier | $140-220 | $140-220 |
| AccommodationBeach-house 2-bedroom (per night) | $220-380 | $220-380 |
| AccommodationPremium beachfront condo (3-bedroom) | $380-700 | $380-700 |
| AccommodationRV park nightly | $45-75 | $45-75 |
| FoodTaco-stand lunch | $8-14 | $8-14 |
| FoodBeachfront sit-down dinner for two | $60-110 | $60-110 |
| FoodPirate's Landing dinner for two | $50-90 | $50-90 |
| FoodRoyal Red shrimp per pound | $11-15 | $11-15 |
| AttractionsDolphin watching tour | $25-35 | $25-35 |
| AttractionsSea Turtle Inc adult | $14 | $14 |
| AttractionsSchlitterbahn day pass | $50-65 | $50-65 |
| AttractionsBirding & Nature Center adult | $10 | $10 |
| AttractionsHalf-day inshore fishing charter (per person) | $150-225 | $150-225 |
| AttractionsDeep-sea offshore fishing (per person) | $300-500 | $300-500 |
| AttractionsKayak rental (4 hours) | $25-40 | $25-40 |
| TransportWave Trolley | Free | Free |
| TransportBeach cruiser rental day | $25-35 | $25-35 |
| TransportRental car per day from BRO | $40-80 | $40-80 |
| TransportUber to BRO airport | $35-55 | $35-55 |
💡 Money-Saving Tips
- •Avoid March (spring break) for cheaper hotel rates everywhere except the spring-break party hotels
- •Beaches are free to walk and swim — Isla Blanca charges $5/car only at the south-tip park
- •The Wave Trolley is free — skip rental-car parking when staying mid-island
- •Stay in Port Isabel (across the causeway) for 30-50 percent cheaper rooms with an 8-minute drive in
- •Buy fresh shrimp at the Port Isabel dock and grill at your beach house — cuts dinner cost in half
- •Sea Turtle Inc hatchling releases (June-August) are free; sign up for the alert
- •Free fishing piers (Sebastian Street, Pirate's Landing) skip the charter cost
- •October-November rates are roughly 40 percent below summer for the same Gulf-water temperature
US Dollar
Code: USD
The US Dollar is accepted everywhere on the island and across the Rio Grande Valley. Mexican pesos are accepted at some Brownsville border-area shops but not on the island. ATMs are at every grocery store and beachfront hotel. Texas combined sales tax is 8.25 percent.
Payment Methods
Credit and debit cards work virtually everywhere. Tap-to-pay is widely accepted. Carry $40-80 in cash for fishing-guide tips, beach-attendant tips, and the rare cash-only food truck. Off-season some smaller bars run cash-only Monday and Tuesday.
Tipping Guide
18-22 percent is standard. 20 percent has become the default for sit-down dining.
$1-2 per beer, $2-3 per cocktail, 18-20 percent on a tab.
15-20 percent of the trip cost in cash to the captain at the dock. Their crew gets an additional $10-30 per person.
$2-5 per bag for bellhops, $3-5 per night for housekeeping, $5-10 per night for beach-house cleaning.
No tip expected on the free trolley.
$2-5 to the setup attendant.
$2-5 per short ride; 15-20 percent for longer airport runs.
How to Get There
✈️ Airports
Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport(BRO)
25 mi southwest (30-35 min by car via TX-48)Rental car is the primary option — every major brand on-site. Island Metro shuttles run $35-55 round-trip per person. Uber to South Padre runs $35-55 one-way. The closest airport but with thinner schedules than Harlingen.
✈️ Search flights to BROValley International Airport (Harlingen)(HRL)
40 mi northwest (45-50 min by car via US-77 and TX-100)Often has more flight options and lower fares than BRO. Rental car or Uber ($50-75 one-way) standard. Island Metro shuttles serve HRL too.
✈️ Search flights to HRLMcAllen International Airport (alternate)(MFE)
85 mi west (1 hr 30 min by car)Worth checking when BRO and HRL fares spike. Rental car only for the South Padre run; route is US-83 east then US-77 south.
✈️ Search flights to MFEGetting Around
South Padre is small enough to bike or walk end-to-end, and the free Wave Trolley loops Padre Boulevard most of the year. A car or scooter is helpful for grocery runs, off-island day trips, and reaching beach accesses farther north. The only road on or off the island is the 2.5-mile Queen Isabella Causeway.
Walking
FreeThe hotel zone runs about 5 miles north-south on Padre Boulevard. Walking the beach end-to-end (south tip to the open dunes) is a 4-5 hour project. Most visitors walk between hotel, bar, and beach.
Best for: Hotel zone, beach access, restaurant clusters
Wave Trolley
FreeA free shuttle that loops the length of Padre Boulevard during peak season (March-October), with stops at major hotels, Schlitterbahn, Sea Turtle Inc, and Isla Blanca Park. Off-season service is reduced.
Best for: Avoiding parking, hopping between south-end and north-end attractions
Bike & Scooter Rentals
$25-35/day cruiser; $50-75/day e-bikeSeveral rental shops on Padre Boulevard rent beach cruisers, e-bikes, and electric scooters by the hour or day. Padre Boulevard has a wide shoulder; the bay side has dedicated bike lanes.
Best for: Covering the island faster than walking, beach accesses, Padre Boulevard restaurant hopping
Uber & Lyft
$8-15 within hotel zone; $35-55 to BRO airport; $50-75 to HRLBoth operate but driver counts are very thin off-season. Wait times of 15-30 minutes are normal except during spring break. Local taxi companies are an alternative.
Best for: Late nights, airport transfers when not renting, post-bar rides
Rental Car
$40-80/day from BROMost rentals come from BRO or HRL airport. Brownsville rentals are typically $5-10/day cheaper than Harlingen. A car is helpful for off-island day trips (Brownsville, Laguna Atascosa, Port Isabel) and grocery runs to the H-E-B in Port Isabel.
Best for: Off-island day trips, grocery runs, north-island beach driving (4WD only)
Walkability
The hotel zone (south 4 miles of Padre Boulevard) is reasonably walkable in the cooler months — a flat sidewalk runs the entire length on the bay side, and most major beach hotels have pedestrian crossings. North of the hotel zone the road has shoulder but no sidewalk; bike or drive.
Travel Connections
Entry Requirements
South Padre Island is in the United States. Entry follows US federal immigration law — most international visitors need either a visa or an approved ESTA under the Visa Waiver Program. Brownsville/SPI (BRO) does have direct international service to Mexico (Aeromar previously); most international visitors connect through Houston (IAH), Dallas (DFW), or Atlanta (ATL).
Entry Requirements by Nationality
| Nationality | Visa Required | Max Stay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian Citizens | Visa-free | 6 months | No visa or ESTA required. Valid passport needed. |
| UK Citizens | Visa-free | 90 days | ESTA required ($21, valid 2 years). Apply online before travel. |
| EU/Schengen Citizens | Visa-free | 90 days | ESTA required. Apply at least 72 hours before departure. |
| Australian Citizens | Visa-free | 90 days | ESTA required. Standard Visa Waiver Program rules apply. |
| Mexican Citizens | Yes | 6 months on B1/B2 visa | B1/B2 tourist visa or border crossing card (BCC) required. BCC works for limited radius from border. |
| Chinese Citizens | Yes | Up to 10 years (multiple entry B1/B2) | B1/B2 visa required with US embassy interview. |
Visa-Free Entry
Tips
- •Apply for ESTA at least 72 hours before your flight
- •ESTA costs $21 and is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires
- •Do not casually cross to Matamoros, Mexico — Tamaulipas state has a Level 4 "Do Not Travel" State Department advisory
- •Border-crossing-card holders can visit the Rio Grande Valley but not South Padre directly without a full B1/B2 visa
- •Global Entry ($100, 5 years) speeds the connection city, not BRO/HRL itself
- •US Customs allows $800 in duty-free goods per person
Shopping
South Padre shopping is concentrated on Padre Boulevard with the usual island mix: T-shirt and souvenir shops, bikini and surf shops, beach-gear rentals doubling as retail, and a few genuinely good local artist galleries. Off-island, Port Isabel has a working shrimp dock with fresh-caught seafood, and Brownsville has the H-E-B Plus and the Sunrise Mall. Texas state sales tax is 8.25 percent including local additions.
Padre Boulevard
island main stripThe island's only main road runs 5 miles of beach-shop, bikini-store, taffy-shop, and surf-shop frontage, plus tackle shops near the Sebastian Street pier. Touristy but everything is on one street.
Known for: T-shirts, bikinis, surf wax, fishing tackle, taffy, beach toys
Port Isabel shrimp dock
working seafood dockThe Pirate's Landing dock and adjacent shrimp-boat moorage in Port Isabel sells fresh Gulf shrimp by the pound (Royal Reds, browns, whites) directly off the boats. Bring a cooler. Best mornings.
Known for: Fresh Royal Red and brown shrimp by the pound, fish carcasses for stock
Sea Turtle Inc gift shop
museum shopA small but well-curated shop inside Sea Turtle Inc with hand-made silver turtle pendants by Texas artisans, conservation T-shirts, and books. Proceeds fund the rescue.
Known for: Sea-turtle silver jewelry, conservation tees, kids' turtle books
Local Eclectic Boutique
independent boutiqueA women's boutique on Padre Boulevard with locally-printed coastal-themed clothing, handmade jewelry, and gift items that beat the surrounding souvenir-shop quality.
Known for: Coastal-themed apparel, locally-made jewelry, gift items
Sunrise Mall (Brownsville)
regional mallThe Rio Grande Valley's main enclosed mall with Macy's, JCPenney, and a 12-screen cinema. Useful for rainy-day shopping or back-to-school clothes runs.
Known for: Department stores, mall chains, cinema, food court
🎁 Unique Souvenirs to Look For
- •A Sea Turtle Inc silver turtle pendant — proceeds fund the rescue
- •A pound of Royal Red Gulf shrimp from the Port Isabel dock, packed on ice for the drive home
- •A handmade sand-castle kit from one of the bay-side artists (Sandy Feet sells starter kits)
- •A bottle of Pace Picante (originally invented in Port Isabel)
- •A locally-printed South Padre tide-chart T-shirt from Local Eclectic
- •Sand-dollar wind chimes from any of the Padre Boulevard art galleries
- •A Lone Star beer can koozie shaped like a Kemp's ridley turtle
Language & Phrases
English is the primary language but the Rio Grande Valley is roughly 90 percent Hispanic and Spanish is heard everywhere — many island-staff conversations switch fluidly between English and Spanish (the local term is "Spanglish"). Visitors do fine in English. Knowing a few Spanish food terms is appreciated.
| English | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| You all / all of you | Y'all | yawl — universal across Texas |
| A small flat-water bay between the island and mainland | The Laguna / Laguna Madre | lah-GOO-nah MAH-dray — Spanish for "Mother Lagoon" |
| Across the causeway in Port Isabel | On the mainland | on the MAIN-land — distinguishes from "on the island" |
| Retired snowbird from Midwest staying multiple months | Winter Texan | WIN-ter TEX-un — affectionate, not derogatory |
| Spring break tourist | Spring breaker | SPRING BRAY-ker — universal |
| A small flour-tortilla taco with grilled meat | A taco | TAH-koh — Tex-Mex tacos use flour, not corn, by default |
| Cheese-and-pepper queso dip | Queso | KAY-soh — order it as a starter at almost any Tex-Mex spot |
| Thank you very much | Muchas gracias | MOOCH-us GRAH-see-us — appreciated even in mostly-English exchanges |
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