Find happy memories at Tienda La Mexicanita in Weslaco

WESLACO — I woke up Monday morning not feeling great. I needed a hearty breakfast to get me through the fog of the work week. Also, I was forced to do a food review, and I elected to wait until the day it was due. Oops.

With no time to spare, I drove to Weslaco to try a restaurant that prides itself in homestyle Mexican food. That means love.

Tienda La Mexicanita is located at 623 North Airport Drive, Suite A, inside what used to be a gas station. The small parking lot was full, but I managed to secure a spot next to one of the old gas pumps.

Tienda La Mexicanita was busy and seating was limited Monday morning, April 21, 2025, as dozens rushed in and out with their orders. (Francisco E. Jimenez | The Monitor)

I couldn’t help but feel a bit overwhelmed upon entering the small restaurant. Most of the tables were filled with patrons enjoying their breakfast. A line of hungry customers curved from the main counter where the food is ordered to the display refrigerators along a far wall underneath a wall painting that read “Bienvenidos.”

The line moved at a relatively quick pace. I grabbed a bottle of Coca Cola from one of the refrigerators, and before long it was my turn to order. I did not have much time to ponder my choices, of which there were many, but I was immediately drawn to the steaming menudo directly in front of me.

The woman who was helping me scooped a few ladles of menudo into a small bowl. She asked me a question, but I could not hear what she said. Her question was drowned out by the sound of multiple conversations being had all around me, the clatter of pots and pans, and the Tejano music playing from a speaker.

I could feel everyone in line staring at me as I my mind raced to process what she said. Sweat dripped down the side of my face and my heart rate accelerated to a near catastrophic rate. I was taking too much time. I simply nodded my head yes and hoped for the best.

She stuck her ladle back into the menudo and scooped up a large piece of bone and meat onto my bowl. I then realized that she’d asked me if I wanted a “pata.” The woman gave me an encouraging smile and asked if I wanted tortillas de maiz or harina. I chose maiz.

The menudo was served with a large “pata,” some corn fresh corn tortillas, and a side of cilantro, onion, jalapeño and a lime. (Francisco E. Jimenez | The Monitor)

Not wanting to take any more time away from those behind me with more important things to be doing, I quickly moved on down to where the tacos were made. I already knew that I wanted to try a chorizo con huevo taco, but I was having some trouble deciding on another.

I studied my options, and was quickly drawn to a warmer with hotdogs and eggs, or salchicha — something I haven’t had since I was a child. It was a no-brainer. With a bowl of menudo in one hand and a plate of tacos in the other — and a bottle of Coke secured under my arm — I stood unsure of what to do next.

I awkwardly shuffled toward the counter where others were paying their bills. Another worker must have noticed the helpless look on my face. She kindly told me to sit down and eat first, and then to pay my tab.

Tienda La Mexicanita offers homestyle Mexican food and fresh made tortillas. (Francisco E. Jimenez | The Monitor)

There was an open table in a corner under the speaker that played the Tejano music. I sat directly under the speaker so that I could have a full view of the restaurant.

My stomach rumbled and my head throbbed, which the persistent hiss from the speaker just above my head did little to help, but I had some greasy goodness in front of me and I was ready to go to town.

The menudo was served with a side of cilantro, chopped onion, chopped jalapeno, lime, and some fresh-made tortillas de maiz. The honeycomb tripe seemed to melt on my plastic spoon. It was so tender, and with a dash of salt, the broth completely rejuvenated me. I felt like Popeye opening a can of spinach.

I followed the menudo with another artery clogger. The chorizo con huevo taco was needed a drizzle of salsa, but all was remedied. The ratio of eggs to chorizo was not quite to my liking, but it was still hearty and tasty.

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A Hispanic staple, the weenies with egg (or salchicha), was something I hadn’t had since childhood. I felt a rush of nostalgia like Anton Ego, the Ratatouille critic, and quickly remembered the joy of Saturday morning cartoons and a warm, quick homemade meal. (Francisco E. Jimenez | The Monitor)

The chorizo and huevo taco was served on a tortilla de harina. It lacked a little something, but with a drizzle of the red salsa the taco was compete. (Francisco E. Jimenez | The Monitor)

Tienda La Mexicanita is located at 623 North Airport Drive, Suite A, inside what used to be a gas station. (Francisco E. Jimenez | The Monitor)

Tienda La Mexicanita was busy and seating was limited Monday morning, April 21, 2025, as dozens rushed in and out with their orders. (Francisco E. Jimenez | The Monitor)

The menudo was served with a large “pata,” some corn fresh corn tortillas, and a side of cilantro, onion, jalapeño and a lime. (Francisco E. Jimenez | The Monitor)

Tienda La Mexicanita offers homestyle Mexican food and fresh made tortillas. (Francisco E. Jimenez | The Monitor)

The last victim of my breakfast massacre was the salchicha con huevo taco. I ordered this clearly for nostalgia. The eggs were fluffy, and the hot dogs were… hot dogs. It’s simple, yet satisfying. I don’t think I’ve had one of these tacos since I was a child.

I was immediately taken back to my youth — Saturday mornings sitting in front of the TV watching X-Men: The Animated Series and Spider-Man while chowing down on some hot dog and egg tacos.

It felt, and tasted, like home, and it doesn’t get much more comforting than that.

Tienda La Mexicanita is open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, and from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

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