Where to eat on South Padre Island

The Dallas Morning News (MCT) - Padre Islanders like to eat, and even hamburgers can be a cut above expectations.

Here are eight dining spots to consider:

_Grapevine Cafe, 100 E. Swordfish St. A locals' favorite for breakfast and lunch. Omelets are popular, as is a generous two-egg breakfast plate ($4.44). Biscuits and gravy ($3.95) are filling, too.

_The Big Donkey (formerly Mamacita's), 4215 Padre Blvd. Even kinder to the budget are this Mexican eatery's potato and egg taco ($1.25), migas with beans ($3.99) and breakfast plate ($3.99), groaning under two eggs, bacon, sausage, beans, potatoes and flour tortillas.

_Daddy's Seafood & Cajun Kitchen, 3409 Padre Blvd. Blackened shrimp the size of golf balls cross cultures to nest in a bed of pasta in Italian marinara sauce ($11.99). Among spicy choices, the Bayou platter has a blackened fillet topped with crawfish etouffee ($10.99).

_Zeste Gourmet Cafe & Market, 3508 Padre Blvd. Here's where you come if you're looking for a healthful lunch or dinner. Build your own plate (entree and two sides, $8.95) from made-from-scratch choices in the chef's case. Artisan breads, bottled wines (most $10 to $30) and other gourmet groceries are available.

_Blackbeards', 103 E. Saturn Lane. Temptations are many, but the burgers (most $6.99) are musts. Half-pound patties are charbroiled and dressed to savor. Add fries ($1.99).

_Amberjack's Bayside Bar & Grill, 209 W. Amberjack St. Folk-art fish in bright colors make whimsy a side dish here. Among seafood choices, shrimp and crab enchiladas ($17.99) have low heat and rich flavor. Coconut shrimp have a crackling coating ($16.99). Sunsets over the bay are a bonus.

_Scampi's Restaurant & Bar, 206 W. Aries. Upscale but friendly. Peanut butter shrimp ($24.95) is the house specialty. Save room for flan made from executive chef Odie Troncoso's family recipe ($4.95).

_Cafe on the Beach (at the Palms Resort), 3616 Gulf Blvd. Start with Courvoisier crab cakes ($11.95) or homemade potato chips ($4.95) sprinkled with parmesan, then move on to a snapper sandwich ($13.95). Burgers are $8.95.

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© 2009, The Dallas Morning News.