Landed at MFE at 9 AM on a Sunday, stopped here on our way to South Padre Island about 11 AM. What an amazing delicious surprise local small business.. went for the traditional Papa Joe's brunch and decided to order two Sunday tacos one Barbacoa and the other Chileaguile (sp) should've stuck to the tacos. Breakfast was delicious chicken fried steak was delicious but those tacos were like something I've never had before. Very sweet staff I felt like I walked into someone's labor of love. Thank you for my first meal in South Texas. read more

See all

Our favorite place to eat in the valley. The food is great and very reasonable. I have breakfast at least once a week while in the valley. The egg,bacon,beans, potatoes, and toast are under 5 dollars. The owners greet you when you arrive, the service is fast and friendly. The restaurant is clean and has numerous decorations. read more

Great little Mexican cafe on the outskirts. Great food and excellent service. We had the daily special and the chicken enchiladas were very tasty. Great service. I would go back if traveling in the area. read more

Everyone is really nice and attentive to what you need and food is always good it's always clean

We sat for at least 10 minutes and never got service. I know they saw us walk in, the man that was at the front counter saw us as well. 2 other couples walked in and the waitress attended them right away. We walked out when they attended the people that sat right next to us. Will not be returning!! read more

Dining here was an a fabulous experience. Needing breakfast ahead of a trip across the border to Nuevo Progreso, Mexico we stopped in at a place we had heard about, but never stopped by. Finally, we got here. And I regret not coming sooner. Simple, delicious inexpensive meals in a cafe-diner style motif that has a Tex-Mex twist with a bit of cross cultural cuisine cookery.... From pancake stacks to huevos rancheros, Papa Joe's shines. Every meal seems to come with refried beans, and they are spot on. The flour tortillas are perfect, as are the corn. Bacon was cooked just right and I have to say the Barbacoa tacos were freaking awesomeness. The funny thing we noticed was all the Hispanic families were ordering American breakfasts while the Gringos were chowing on Mexican breakfasts - which speaks to the beautiful cultural mix in our great State of Texas. Careful finding the joint, Google is worthless to assist you as Google puts it facing the wrong side of the building.... Look for the Little Cesar's next to it for ease of finding. Lastly... Skip ordering the sausage patties. Too dry. But, not a deal breaker and still.... Five Stars for Papa Joe's read more

See all

Tiny place nestled between Bealls and Little Caesar's Pizza in a strip mall. We came for breakfast. Food was cooked perfectly and was a good value. Lots of breakfast options. Didn't care for the bottled orange juice, but everything else was ok. Flour tortillas stayed soft, beans were different than most places serve but had a good taste, bacon was nice and crunchy, hash browns weren't greasy. I would eat here again. The place was packed when we left and it is easy to see why. read more

See all

Delicious breakfast. I had the huevos divorciados. Good prices. Nice local place with plenty of seating.

The food is delicious, especially breakfast you get the best of both countries Mexico and USA. Coffee is good, Joe has the best waitresses in town. read more

A local favorite with the heart of Mercedes intertwined with its dining experience. Should you go here? Do you like home-made Mexican food? Do you like fresh tortillas? Do you like great prices? Do you like the Beatles? Okay that last question wasn't necessary but if you said yes to any one of those questions give this place a try. You won't regret it and you just might find your new favorite breakfast spot. read more

After trying a few other restaurants in the area I decided to try Papa Joe's. I forever judge restaurants in the Rio Grande Valley for their tortillas. If the tortillas are no good, the food doesn't taste as good to me. (I know, I've been spoiled that way, I grew up in this area). Papa Joe's serves fresh home made flour and corn tortillas on all their tacos and they are delicious. They also come with every meal. They also serve a tasty cup of coffee, always fresh, never bitter tasting. I went there with my mom who is serious about her coffee and she was very pleased. The servings are big and you will not go home hungry. They also serve the best carrot cake I've ever had! Mom and I have a favorite spot now when I'm in town! Thank you ladies at Papa Joe's for the excellent customer service! We love ya! read more

The food was amazing! Our server Fermin was very attentive and made us feel right at home. Their tortillas were really good and food was very reasonably priced. read more

We enjoyed our lunch. Service was quick, food was good and ample. Papa joes was a little hard to notice. In a little strip shopping place on the west side of the street between a dollar store and little Caesar's pizza. We love local businesses! Definitely better than a chain!! read more

Wonderful breakfast with perfect tortillas and beans. The coffee has a unique, crisp flavor that I really loved. Service was prompt and friendly. I had three different breakfast tacos (potato and egg, ham and egg, and sausage and egg) and I really can't say which was my favorite they were all so fresh and delicious. Mi Casa right down the road is my very favorite in this area....but this one might be tied. read more

We love this place and take all our friends to breakfast and lunch. We also go to dinner but not as often. The breakfast is unique because most come with beans. You can also get potatoes but I really like the beans for a change. All the servers are very good and keep your coffee topped off. The restaurant is clean ,organized, and homey. The two owners greet you at the door and make sure you feel welcomed. read more

We love to eat here. The owner is friendly and greets you at the door. The food is really good and always fresh. It's just a nice, hometown cafe. read more

Another RGV gem!!! First visit today. Owner and staff are all wonderful, service is great, but the food!! It is wonderful! Wife had fajita beef taco and said it was best ever. I had the carne quisado. It was fantastic! Will be back for more! read more

This place was pretty good!!! I really enjoyed their fajita panchos!! The only reason I didn't give them a 5 is because the service was less than satisfactory. The waitresses barely spoke any English. The food is wonderful, though. Give it a try if you are ever in the area. read more

Papa Joe's Cafe - Panchos :) - American Near Me - Mercedes, Texas

I've been here for breakfast a couple of times and enjoyed my food and the atmosphere. I've heard about the buffet which I really need to try. This place has soo many photos on the wall that give it a warm feeling of a family place to eat. I like it here. read more

One of our favorite places to get together for a good meal! Food is consistently delicious and their daily specials are top notch! It's usually busy, of course, but you will get attentive service. Food is very reasonably priced and for so much variety available, it's ALL good! Seriously one of our favorites! read more

My colleague and I stopped in for a quick lunch. Service a bit slow since they were so busy but our orders arrived quickly. I am currently craving chalupa at restaurants and Papa Joe's were pretty good. My colleague enjoyed her special of enchiladas suizas. Will definitely return when in Mercedes. read more

Came here for breakfast yummy breakfast big breakfast tacos & cute beatles memorabilia

I enjoy eating at this place whenever I am in Mercedes. They have good food at good prices. The restaurant is clean and the owner is very friendly. read more

Papa Joe's is a great place for breakfast!!! The prices are very reasonable, the place is not fancy but very clean, and everyone from the cooks to the wait staff provide very good service. read more

Went for breakfast this morning and everything was very good. The coffee was delicious. There were 6 of us and all enjoyed our different breakfasts. One thing is the bacon, it could be a bit more crispy. Service was great and the place was full. I will be back. read more

Wait was way too long, bad service, my family wasn't served until 15 after we sat down

The tortillas are the BEST in the Valley! All their food is authentic and delicious! And the buffet at lunch time is a great deal!

The fish buffet is the best here. Love the Caldo de Mariscos.... Great breakfast tacos too, no more stripes for me. Owner and employees are friendly and serve well. read more