South Padre Island shed a tear in 2013 when Jake Falgout closed down his beloved restaurant and bar to pursue other endeavors. But the groundswell of demand for favorites like his crunchy chicken-fried steak persuaded him to remodel a building on the main drag, add a beautiful new deck, and pick up right where he left off. The new spot has everything but the smoke from the old joint, including walls decked out with old photos chronicling decades of the island’s history and people. Most importantly, the food is just as comforting and delicious as we remembered. We went with the Mexican Plate, a hearty meal of beef enchiladas covered in yellow cheese, a soft beef taco, and rice and beans. Another good bet is a po’boy with fresh shrimp or fish.