Airport District - McAllen, TX Area Guide

Spain granted the land in what now comprises the McAllen area to several families. Those families settled and lived on the land for decades. The family ranch was eventually renamed the McAllen Ranch, named for the son of the ranch owners. In 1911, the town was incorporated as the town of McAllen.

Historically, the area was ranching and agricultural land. More rapid development began in 1898, when irrigation was introduced, and in 1904, when the railroad was built. The area has experienced several periods of economic boom and decline around agriculture, manufacturing and oil since then, with the latest boom resulting from NAFTA and the area's proximity to Mexico.

The Veteran’s War Memorial of Texas, a five-acre site honoring Texas veterans that lost their lives in battle, lies within close proximity to the neighborhood.

In addition to a variety of national and regional fast-food and restaurant chains, the area around McAllen International Airport and the La Plaza Mall boasts some popular specialty dining options.

The Santa Fe Steakhouse and Cantina serves up top-notch steaks, cooked to perfection. Locals and visitors alike love Santa Fe Steakhouse, recognizing it as the best steakhouse in the region. The raving fans love the quality of the meat and the expert preparation. Santa Fe Steakhouse also offers low-priced drink specials, specialty drinks made with local Texas Vodka and legendary margaritas. In addition to exceptional food, a great atmosphere and a friendly and helpful staff help to give Santa Fe Steakhouse its stellar reputation.

Try Delia's Kitchen for the best tamales in the McAllen area. Specializing in only tamales, Delia's Kitchen serves up a wide selection of varieties. Try local favorites such as spicy chicken and cheese, cream cheese and jalapeno, spicy pork and sweet corn tamales. The tamales at Delia's Kitchen are steamed fresh throughout the day for perfect, moist tamales made with soft mesa. Tamale orders come in dozen and half-dozen sizes and the service is fast and friendly.

For solid sushi and reasonable prices, try Yasuke. Fresh fish and well-prepared sushi make this a popular choice for locals and visitors to the McAllen area. Known for their large rolls and a wide variety of specialty rolls, Yasuke also serves up a menu of pan-Asian cuisine including Japanese, Korean, and Chinese dishes. Friendly and personalized service helps to make Yasuke a gem.

Located just south of Interstate 2, this area of McAllen provides easy access to the Interstate for maximum convenience. The malls, shopping plazas, parks and entertainment destinations in the area provide ample public parking options.

Metro McAllen provides public transportation in the McAllen metro area, with several bus lines that service the area south of I-2. McAllen area taxicab companies service the entire area. You won't have much luck hailing a cab in the neighborhood, but you can call to request a pickup.

The Bicentennial Bike Path connects the area south of I-2 to the central and northern areas of McAllen, and the 2nd Street Bike Path connects south and north McAllen on the east side of the city.

The McAllen-Miller International Airport, conveniently located in the neighborhood, offers flights within the continental United States and to Mexico. The airport has recently undergone an expansion to provide additional flights and services.

The area hosts numerous parks offering a variety of recreation options as well as facilities for children and dogs. The Palm View Park boasts the new Palm View Splash Pad, an extensive above-ground water park with a rich blend of spray water features. The Palm View Splash Pad has quickly become a favorite with local kids and families. The Los Encinos Community Park offers children a large complex of playground equipment.

The McAllen Dog Park provides two off-leash recreation areas for big dogs and small dogs. Equipped with lighting, the park stays open late. The Palm View Gold Course hosts 18 holes and a driving range, as well as numerous golf tournaments.

The area also hosts the Quinta Mazatlan , a historic adobe mansion and park equipped with a nature and birding center. Quinta Mazatlan provides the perfect location for bird watching, as McAllen is on the migratory bird path between North America and South America. The nature center also hosts tours, educations programs and special events.

The average rental rate for a one-bedroom apartment in McAllen's Airport District hovers around $658 per month. Average gas prices run around nine percent below the national average. A ride via public transportation costs $1 for a one-way adult fare. The typical price for a pint of beer in the area runs around $4.

The south McAllen area hosts a high concentration of retail outlets including the La Plaza Mall. Operated by Simon, La Plaza Mall is the largest mall in South Texas. The mall serves as the leading shopping destination for the entire Rio Grande Valley and northern Mexico, with a wide variety of retail, dining and entertainment destinations. Anchor stores include Dillard’s, Macy’s, and JC Penney, and specialty stores include Banana Republic, Coach, Swarovski, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Guess.

Large retail destinations dominate the area, but you can still find independently owned and operated stores such as Montalvo Jewelers. The Montalvo family started selling jewelry door-to-door in the 1960s, and they have been serving the community with high-end jewelry services since then. Escala Boutique provides one of the best specialty dress boutiques in town for trendy prom dresses, cocktail dresses, and mother-of-the bride outfits.

For groceries, locals head to spots such as Sprouts and Sam's Club to pick up their necessities. Grocers such as the Tokyo Asian Market also serve the area, providing residents with all the specialty items needed to craft authentic cuisine. For items including farm fresh produce and handcrafted goods, go to the Market at McAllen, a farmers market with a large number of vendors and plenty of variety.