Matamoros - Post Report Question and Answers
What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
In both Matamoros and Brownsville there are numerous places to have tacos and Mexican food including Mexican style seafood. Brownsville has a nice pizzeria (Dodici), a crepe place, mediocre sushi, and terrible Chinese, and some higher-end fare. There is a more experimental/artisanal taco place in Olmito right outside Brownsville called "El Santuario." If you venture to South Padre Island there are some more options including the fine dining establishment F&B. McAllen, which is one hour west of Brownsville, has more international offerings including Asian food and places like PF Changs. - Aug 2021
There aren't a lot of options, but the options that are available are fine. Mi Pueblitos, Bigos, Garcias are all good and have been there for ages. There is an Irish Pub, a sushi place which wasn't great but not terribly bad. Every restaurant delivers to your home. There are fast food chains like McDonalds. There is also a Papa Johns. A few of newer restaurants have opened, two Italian and an Argentinian one. Frankly, if it's steak, meat, fajita or pollo, everything is authentic Mexican and good. If none of those are appetizing, then cross the border into Texas. - Apr 2018
Within our "green zone" there are a few restaurants used frequently by consulate staff but I have not personally eaten in any of them. Tacos are supposedly amazing here in Matamoros. Many places will deliver. - Aug 2016
Brownsville has to have more fast food per capita than just about anywhere else in the world. If you have been craving fast food after a tour in the middle of nowhere, Brownsville will not disapoint. Although the chances that they get your order wrong is high. Also, some of the food was actually not edible. That being said, there are strip malls that have Panda Express next to Wendy's next to McDonalds with a Taco Bell around the corner. Decent restaurants are another story, but it is relative. The restuarants are hit or miss and sometimes it depends on what you order. There are some major U.S. casual dining chains, but you shouldn't expect DC quality or service. There are also some adaquate places in Matamoros, and some good places to get tacos, but when most people eat out, they eat out in Brownsville. - Aug 2015
Of course, all American fast food can be found in Brownsville. A few chains are here in Matamoros, including Domino's Pizza, Church's Chicken, Burger King, etc. Most fast food places in Matamoros deliver (even Church's and Burger King!) - Feb 2012
