McAllen, the beautiful...

One of the most beautiful things about McAllen is the culture. You can’t get it anywhere else but the Valley. Some people may argue that it is boring, that there is nothing to do here, no Cheesecake Factory (yummm…)no Fiesta Texas, that our mall is too small (I do complain about the parking lot though, have they not realized that they could make a profit from making it at least 2 stories tall?)

But when you go to Houston, for example, can you get a home-cooked meal at a franchise restaurant? You simply cant. It is easier to find a franchise than it is to find a family operated business like you can here. That is precisely what I love so much about the valley, the culture, their beliefs, the way people are hard workers, and they take risks by opening up business. I love that…

When the Woodlands opened, I was so impressed with the place that I immediately assumed that it was a franchise, the owner told me that it wasn’t but that they were trying to make it into one. You can immediately see how much work and planning was put into that place.. it is beautiful. Ps. have you tried their fried mushrooms? Never in my life had I seen or tasted anything like that.

España Mediterranean Cuisine is another one of my favorites the environment in there is out of this world. It’s a little piece of Europe. Their food is exquisite, they are so diligent about their recipes.. when you get a dish from there you don't know wether to devour it immediately because it smells so good, or just sit there and look at it, and admire it because it is so pretty. At night.. it makes for a perfect hang out place.. you can talk over dinner, drink and enjoy their live music. Don’t have to worry about screaming while having drinks with friends just to carry a conversation with someone who is sitting right in front of you. It is by far the greatest place to end the art walk at... and when you go, please have a cucumber martini for me.. please.