100 THE COASTAL BEND MAGAZINE • January/February 2018 TheCoastalBend.com La Playa Mexican Restaurant & Cantina In a city with over 80 taquerias, the quest for fresh, high quality Mexican food, especially for out of town visitors, can be a hit and miss effort to say the least. La Playa on SPID, just south of Weber Road, is your first and final stop for great food, the best Margaritas in town and friendly, prompt service like one would expect in Mexico itself. Enjoy delicious, sizzling fajitas prepared from beef, chicken, shrimp and sausage; the house signature delicacy, the stuffed, fried avocado; giant shrimp cocktails; traditional Tex-Mex tacos, enchiladas and tamales; a fantastic selection of gourmet seafood dishes from both coasts of Mexico; wonderful salads and soups; steaks and barbecue including Baby Back ribs, and even decadent desserts like tres leches cake. Full cantina bar offering house specialty drinks. 4201 S. Padre Island Dr. near Weber Rd. • (361) 853-4282 • $$ nary bliss to their lucky customers. JB’s: 15137 S. Padre Island Dr. on Padre Island • (361) 949-5474 Strudel Mania: 2330 Airline Rd. @ Cimarron Blvd. (361) 947-6662 • JBsGermanBakery.com • $ Catfish Charlie’s For years this Southern-style fish house has delighted generations of diners who enjoy the very best, freshwa- ter pure water Mississippi Fried Catfish you will find in South Texas, along with crowd favorite fried shrimp and oysters. True to the Southern tradition, Catfish Charlie’s is one of the few local establishments where you’ll find Cajun style Frog Legs. Terrific Opelousas style seafood gumbo and those awesome Hush Puppies, along with Bayou Teche Creole Shrimp complete the simple but incredibly delicious menu. Beer, wine and homemade Sangria. 5830 McArdle Rd. at Airline Rd. (361) 993-0363 • CatfishCharlies.net • $$ Mr. G’s BBQ Catfish Charlie’s Takeniwa Asian Fusion Bistro One of the very few, non-chain establishments in the SPID commercial zone, Takeniwa offers an inviting atmosphere in which to enjoy elaborate and expertly prepared sushi and all your favorite, classic Chinese dishes. Live cooking shows take place in the bistro’s hibachi area, always a huge hit with the kids, and that offers fantastic beef, chicken, pork, shrimp and lobster. Takeniwa’s multiple hibachi stations are the city’s new- est and most finely constructed. You will find a sushi menu that offers something for every taste, from the safest California Roll to most exotic eel creations. Ex- pect excellent service, skilled chefs and great attention to detail at this exceedingly popular eatery. Full bar. 5216 S. Padre Island Dr. next to La Palmera Mall (361) 336-6888 • Takeniwa.com • $$$ La Playa Takeniwa