Most Viewed Stories
HOT SPOTS: The Patio on Guerra
Reservations have booked The Patio on Guerra solid since it opened Oct. 15, as weekend diners clamor to try McAllen's newest restaurant with upscale posh.
But The Patio serves as more than a restaurant. This beautifully designed steakhouse and seafood spot doubles as a chill nightspot.
You know you've seen it. You have walked out of the Boiler Room, headed south on 17th Street and seen it to your left.
- READ MORE ABOUT THE NEW NIGHTSPOTS IN DOWNTOWN MCALLEN, OR WATCH A VIDEO
On any give weekend, the door to the Patio stands agape, a small group of revelers inside. Heaters warm the outdoor area, as a bartender serves up wine and beer. And if imbibing under the stars turns you off, just head inside, where the bar drinks continue amid a veritable hall of fame of local lore.
Finally, the Valley has a nightspot that stays true to local roots while catering to modern tastes.
The Patio on Guerra
116 S. 17th St. (956) 661-9100
Hours: 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, and 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.
The Recipe: Lansky and Brats + local flavor and history - a few dollars off the price
THREE OUT OF FOUR STARS
The Patio: The outdoor area stars in this show. Heaters even make it comfortable in the winter. You can easily come and go, thanks to a large door that opens directly to 17th Street. It's relaxed yet upscale. Really a nice addition to outdoor nightlife in the Valley.
Prices: A little on the high side, but definitely manageable. If you're looking for a classy place to drink a wide selection of wine, this place blows the competition away. Wine glasses run between $7 and $12, a low mark when compared to uptown restaurant and lounge Lansky & Brats. Even bottles stay somewhat affordable, starting at $30. If you're looking for an appetizer with your drinks, you're probably going to spend between $7 and $12. A bit pricey, but the food is worth the cost. Domestic beers cost $3.50 and imports run $4.50. Not so bad.
History: The Guerra family built this place in the early 1900s. The Guerra brothers sold a pack of mules in San Antonio, and they built a mercantile store here with the proceeds. The building has changed over the years, housing businesses ranging from grocers to pharmacies. But the Guerra family has maintained ownership, and retired state district judge Arturo Guerra revived the spot this year with his cousin Che Guerra. Together, they have worked hard to infuse the restaurant with family and local history. Bricks on the front sidewalk commemorate the Guerras that have come before them. Original beer and tobacco advertisements from earlier times line the walls. Look for the Buffalo Brewing Company flier near the bar, our personal favorite.
Location: Very good. It sits next to Boiler Room and within throwing distance of the Shine Martini Lounge. It gives nightlife denizens a chill spot to unwind, should those two locations overwhelm with raucous atmosphere. A year ago, the Patio's spot would have scared business away, sitting in a sleepy, dangerous street. But entertainment has awoken the area, and it now sits in the hub of McAllen nightlife.
New Year's Eve: Make sure to consider The Patio for your end of the year festivities. The restaurant features specials on current menu items that come with the customary champagne. Organizers have also booked music inside and out. Local pianist and songstress Dulce Maria Gonzalez will play inside, and a cumbia band will do musical duties outdoors. Just a few blocks away, the city will host its first ever New Year's Eve ball drop. In the style of New York City's Times Square, an enormous glass ball will descend atop McAllen's parking garage, marking the beginning of 2009. Owners say they've already taken several New Year's Eve reservations, and customers would do well to call ahead.
The Verdict: The Patio fits a need here in the Valley. It spares no expense on the classy feel. And at the same time it honors the flavor and history of this unique area. The outdoor bar area feels great, and its position between Boiler Room and Shine put it at a top spot. Sure, beer and wine costs a little much here. But look around, you get what you pay for.
Zack Quaintance covers features and entertainment for Festiva. You can reach him at (956) 683-4447.
Read these other recent Festiva Hot Spots reviews:
* MARTINI'S, McAllen
Also check out:
* City Lights Bar & Grill
* Pier 67
* CKs Bar
* Club Tao
* Smokin Aces
* The Boiler Room
* Buffalo Wings and Rings
* Moonbeans
* Agave Azul
* Desperados Sports Bar
* Hot Spots Entertainment Restaurant
* Bar and Grill at the Grove
* Peppers at Uptown
* Big Daddys Bar & Grill
* Barcode
