Valley restaurants serve up big food

HARLINGEN — Many have tried to devour it.

But most have failed to eat it without some help from their family or friends.

That is the case at a few area restaurants that offer some really big food.

We have come up with a short list on where to order a breakfast taco, hamburger, pizza and burrito in a big way — all fit for a reality TV food show.

The Burger

When the Mega Burger is carried out of the kitchen, most guests pull out their phone camera and take pictures.

It’s the largest burger on a menu in town.

The meat is eight, large ground beef patties rolled up into one ball and it resembles a small bowling ball before it’s flattened and cooked.

“It’s the biggest burger I have ever seen in my life,” said Ester Pacheco, a Harlingen resident.

You have to call a day in advance to order the homemade gargantuan sandwich that serves 10 to 12 people at a time.

“Big families and large groups will order the Mega Burger,” said Patty Morrin, Toriz Wings restaurant owner. “Some of the guys will come in challenging themselves to eat it.”

But it has never been done, she said.

The burger originally debuted at SB Wings in San Benito in 2007. And in 2015 it came to Harlingen when Torriz Wings opened for business.

The larger-than-life burger is growing in popularity.

“Customers will order the Mega Burger for fun and for the chance to see it on the dinner table at least once,” said Adolfo Toriz, Toriz Wings management partner.

The Pizza

Stefano’s is still king when it comes to baking the largest pizza it town. Their 30-inch pizza pie has been a favorite for a long time.

Its nearest rival in Harlingen, Russo’s New York Pizza, recently opened its doors offering a 28-inch traditional pizza for their customers.

And a little farther down the road in Mercedes Formaicio’s Pizzeria also has a 30-inch pizza dubbed the “Tiger,” named after the local high school mascot. It has become popular Valleywide since opening in downtown Mercedes in 2012.

The Burrito

People go crazy for big burritos stuffed with their favorite ingredients.

And a little known restaurant on the outskirts of northwest Mercedes makes a burrito in a big way.

Better have a huge appetite to take care of this verde or rojo burrito in one seating at Pollos y Carne Asadas.

The Taco

A popular breakfast diner on Padre Boulevard on South Padre Island has the Supersize Tejano Breakfast Taco that still surprises customers by its sheer size.

The Grapevine Café packs the taco with five eggs made to order.

First-time customers are always surprised at its delicious and enormous sight.

The average person usually will share the taco in order to gobble it all up.