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Published: Monday, 17 November 2025 14:32
We always enjoy pulling into the parking lot at Victoria Palms Restaurant, and they are always happy to see you. They have wonderful food options, friendly staff, and a warm atmosphere. They’re always glad you come – whether for breakfast for omelets, lunch, or dinner. Over the years we have enjoyed the omelet station, pasta night, and other dinners as well – all worth the visit.
There is always a regular crowd, staff greeting the familiar faces, asking where the missing person is, and happily getting to know the new faces.
This Thanksgiving Victoria Palms Restaurant offers an All You Can Eat Thanksgiving Buffet. This buffet features herb roasted turkey, roast beef, pineapple glazed ham, and all the many trimmings you can think of – sides, salads, and desserts – all in one place. They’ll even have some sugar free dessert options.
You do have to purchase tickets ahead of time, as they usually see about 400 guests. Tickets are $29.50 plus tax and are available in the hotel lobby. The event will be held on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 27 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Art Kalifa, of Victoria Palms, says everyone looks forward to serving the needs of their guests year after year. He knows how much of a laborious task it can be for Winter Texans to prepare their own Thanksgiving meals, even for a small group. “There’s nothing like it,” he said about the buffet event, even adding that everyone is always 100% satisfied with their Thanksgiving meal offerings.
Keep up with the latest by following Victoria Palms Restaurant on Facebook or chat in real time with staff by texting (956) 782-3200. Victoria Palms Restaurant is currently open for breakfast Tuesday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. They are located at 3309 E. IH-2 in Donna.
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Published: Tuesday, 11 November 2025 10:23
By Anastasia Brunson
Arriving at this local eatery, you’ll first notice that it’s bright and homey. The building’s façade lets you know you’re in the right place right away with the eye-catching logo. Inside, from the warm welcome to the comforting flavors on every plate there’s a sense of home and local community. In one corner, there’s merch for sale, cute mugs and T-shirts if you want to rep your new favorite spot. Photos of patrons adorn the walls including an area with polaroids from their 3rd year anniversary celebration. It’s clear that this is a place that loves its community, and the community loves it back.
The Sunday morning I stopped by with my boyfriend, it was pretty packed. Despite that, the service was still fast and cheerful. I ordered the #1 Grandma’s Biscuits & Gravy Plate which has, as you guessed it, biscuits and gravy along with two eggs in any style, choice of bacon, ham, or sausage, and hash browns. My boyfriend opted for the #4 Texas Sized Breakfast, a large plate with three eggs any style, bacon, ham, and sausage, two pancakes or toast, and hashbrowns. Needless to say, we had leftovers.
The food came out within ten minutes of ordering, warm and fresh and comforting. You can tell that all portions are made to order, down to the freshly cracked eggs. I had to pace myself, wanting to try a little bit of everything including some bites off my boyfriend’s plate. He remarked that even the coffee was good.
While eating, I had a chance to speak with the owner, Dali. Some things she mentioned are that Biscuits & Gravy are branching out into catering and renting out their restaurant space for events. As well, they have been participating in Evenings at the Square which is a monthly Market Days event held in Donna. There are live music and local vendors to keep you and your tastebuds entertained, giving you further opportunity to try out this tasty establishment.
And yet another thing to bring attention to, Biscuits & Gravy will be giving out 20 free meals per day to SNAP recipients (SNAP ID must be presented). With the government shutdown impacting those already facing food insecurity, this local restaurant is boosting their community in a time of need. You can also purchase a meal to give away; the free meal ticket will then be hung up on the wall for those in need to use.
All in all, it’s good old homestyle cooking from the warm welcome to the warm food to the warm hospitality that extends past its doors. Be sure to make this restaurant a stop of yours. You’ll find them serving daily from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Val Verde Flea Market, at the intersection of Val Verde Road and Business 83, in Donna.
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Published: Thursday, 20 March 2025 14:01
What once was the best kept golf secret in the Rio Grande Valley, a diamond in the rough, has turned into a dynasty and is once again the Winter Texans favorite golf course not just in the mid-Valley but across the entire Rio Grande Valley. The course has now captured the top spot four times in the past five years.
However, for those who have played and visited the course, it’s not just the quaint course that’s challenging, but forgiving, peaceful yet haunting and plays with all your senses until you get to the clubhouse, it has that certain “it,” that immeasurable feeling that the course gives itself to you, a complete and fun experience.
Read more: Stuart Place wins Winter Texans' favorite golf course
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Published: Thursday, 27 February 2025 21:58
Maybe the best thing for those who want to stay and play in the Mid-Valley for golf is that there are a variety of choices and multiple “niches” – wide fairways, doglegs, scenic views, and tough challenges to easier, relaxing rounds – which they can go to for a game that fits their style.
Three of those courses are winners from last year’s Winter Texans Favorite Golf Course contest – Stuart Place Country Club and Treasure Hills in Harlingen and Tierra Santa in Weslaco.
These three courses are the crème-de-la-crème of courses not only in the mid-Valley but hang right up there with the best of the best in Deep South Texas. In fact, Stuart Place was named favorite overall golf course across the Valley last season. It’s no surprise – this course has exploded in popularity for the past six years or more.
While it is a country club, it’s open to the public. It’s refreshing, enjoyable and peaceful. Those who golf here also have a great time in the clubhouse – that’s where much of its growing fondness has come from. But the clubhouse and friendliness alone aren’t what gains its loyalty.
In fact, one could consider the clubhouse, the golf course and everything in between part of Stuart Place’s charm and what it provides – not just golf but a delightful golfing experience.
Read more: Mid-Valley golf courses offer an array of options
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Published: Wednesday, 19 February 2025 16:48
Mission Bell Resort was full of anticipation for this year’s Valley Star Awards. Some attendees came with signs and faces on sticks showing who their favorite Wintertainer™ was. Many attendees showed up early to save front row seats before enjoying a lunch provided by Mission Bell.
The entertainment for the event was ready to play and, well, entertain the crowd in between award announcements.
This year, attendees were able to see a couple of new faces they might not have seen before.
Read more: Steven May wins Entertainer of the Year
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Published: Thursday, 06 February 2025 10:36
The family band, The Warman Trio, will be bringing their old rock-n-roll and more to the Valley Star Awards stage on Tuesday, February 12. The group, who have been doing shows and special sock-hop parties at the parks this year, are thrilled to be a part of this year’s show.
The Warman Trio is a 1950s family band and show comprised of a father and two daughters that add their flair to the rock n’ roll and country hits from the 1950s and 60s.
The father, Rick, leads the band on the electric guitar and vocals. While the eldest daughter, Presley Jewell, slaps and dances with her doghouse bass (Rosie) and manages the group. And last, but certainly not least, is the youngest, Jessica, the heartbeat of the band bringing incredible energy to the stand-up drum kit.
Rick leads the family and has been in every type of band there is from 90s to country grass, to oldies rock, to 30+ years as a worship leader. He also has performed all around the world from Siberia, St. Petersburg, and Moscow, Russia, to Amsterdam, to the good ole USA from CA to TX to TN. In 2016, Rick started teaching his daughters music in church, Presley the electric bass guitar and Jessica the cajon box drum/percussion. As they say, the rest is history. Since then, they have, as Presley says, followed where the Lord has led them as doors keep opening for them along their path of playing music for others.
Read more: Warman Trio brings old rock-n-roll to VSA stage
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Published: Wednesday, 05 February 2025 21:43
The Valley Star Awards will be bringing a reader favorite to the stage this year – Steven May and the Southern Knights. They have been honored, and they say humbled, to have been nominated and voted, “Country Band of The Year” by readers for the Valley Star Awards in 2022, 2023, and 2024. They are honored again to have been nominated and are excited that Steven has also been nominated for Male Vocalist.
Steven May and the Southern Knights are a south Texas band playing a variety of country, rock and oldies. They play a variety of music that will have you up on your feet dancing and asking for more. They play everything from two stepping tunes to shuffles, waltz’s, line dances, polkas, rock-n-roll and good old belly rubbing favorites. There’s something for everyone at one of their performances.
You will hear songs that send you running for the dance floor, have you tapping with the beat, dancing in your chair, singing along, and even songs that will make you want to just sit back and enjoy the music and Steven’s velvety voice.
Steven May is the founder, lead singer and lead guitarist of the band and is a full-time entertainer. He was born and raised in Texas, where he grew up on a farm and continues to farm the land his great grandparents did along with singing and playing music. Over the years he has opened for big name acts, played and recorded in Nashville, and even played for a former First Lady.
Read more: VSA brings readers favorite to their stage
This winter marks Sister Luv’s debut RGV Winter Tour, and they are thrilled to receive such a warm welcome from the Winter Texan community. They’ll be bringing their love for decades of music to the Valley Star Awards stage on Wednesday, February 12.
Pat Davison and Tess are excited to be a part of the 2025 Valley Star Awards. They describe themselves as “the most fun show in the Valley.” The show includes comedy magic, juggling, audience participation and lots of laughs. Theu say the audience will laugh until they cry.
As we are gearing up for this year’s Valley Star Awards, we will be introducing you to our entertainers for the show. Kiley & Company have been performing a numbers of years, including jams like Maude’s Jams, and others.
