When the DPS officers won't eat at a restaurant in Zapata or even recommend one, then you know the food sucks. They go to Subway because they can watch the food being made,,,,,,their words, not mine. After many years of going down there and trying every restaurant in town and all the things suggested at each one,,,, I either bring my own food or eat at the Stripes.
I love authentic Mexican food,,,,,I wish there was a good place in Zapata for good authentic Mexican food. Give me a name,,, I'll try it in 3 weeks when I go back.
I am in the "food business",,,,,been around it all my working days,,,,,food is what I do for a living,,,
But hey,,,,food is just a matter of taste to each person. It is not like there is some 3 Star dining place in Zapata.
the best eating in town is the back porch of Bassin Billy's place with either a grilled Rib-Eye or some good homemade skirt steak fajitas.

okay guys, let's knock off the "who likes to eat where" bickering....you are taking away from the OP about his first trip to Falcon

Since the OP is already at Falcon, as of yesterday, I guess we will see how he did on the lake when he returns, if he post. Doubt very seriously if he is reading this down there while he is fishing.
PM sent to the OP Jerry C

I've been really wanting to fish Falcon but the horror stories have me nervous about taking the family. Is that all in the past or is it still something you need to be careful about?

Fishing Falcon is NOT a horror story. I go on a regular basis.
BUT,,,,,being careful is a must.
If you must go to the Mexico side;
be sure to have a Mexico fishing license
do not be on the Mexico side near dusk
don't go back into the creeks in Mexico without a second boat being around.
be prepared to cut away gill nets, because you will run into some if you are not real observant

there are plenty of fish on the American side that you don't even need to venture into Mexico waters.
you cannot fish all the American spots in 5 days of fishing I can guarantee that.

AND fishing Falcon is a lot of fun. get a guide the first one or two trips down. It makes for a much better trip.

Thanks for the advice Nutman. I really appreciate it.

We have been fishing down there for 5 or 6 years now and we always go to the Mexico side to fish. Like Nutman says, just go with at least another boat and be smart. There's almost always a guide or 2 back there as well. I've never once seen a Mexican official back there but we always bring our Mexican license to stay safe.

My Report long read.

We fished Wednesday afternoon thru Friday around 1 PM.

Wednesday got there around 4:30, fished close around county ramp caught several on
white spinnerbait in 3 ft or less, mostly small males. Caught a few deeper on XD-5
in 12-15 foot off point. Water temp 71 shallow.

Thursday the wind BLEW and BLEW. trying to find a place out of the wind and waves was tough.
Did manage to catch some fish in 5-8 foot of water on Chartreuse Sq Bill fish were tight
to the brush. Caught these fish in I think its called Beacon Cove. Got off the lake around
4:00. I was frustrated with the wind, I was ready to go home, lol. Wife talked me into staying
another day. She was catching more fish.

Friday morning we traveled to Falcon State Park and went to Tiger Creek.
Water was really clear on this end of the lake. My Wife got it started early
on that chartreuse sq bill. Once again in 5-8 ft close to the brush, near a rocky
shoreline. She broke off a good fish never saw it, but rod was bowed up. I'll
take the blame for that one, should have retied earlier.
Water temp over in Tiger 64-68.

I did pitch the brush all three days, without much success.
Overall I took a beatdown from my wife, with her consistently throwing that Sq bill.

Biggest fish was about 4 lbs.
Mostly 13-15 inch fish overall.

Since everyone seemed to be concerned about the breakfast tacos, we did go to Stripes and
got some. They were ok nothing special. lol. The fried shrimp at Roberts tackle and restaurant were good.
Went to Lake Falcon Tackle really nice people.

My wife liked it so I'm sure we will go back.
Myself I can't wait to go back to Toledo, however since we moved down closer to San Antonio,
Falcon is closer.

Thanks for all the advice given guys.

Ok I have a question. I fish there about 3 times a year. I always get a Mexican license, but what does the Mexican game warden look like?. If any boat starts heading to me I leave the areas when I'm on Mexico side. If a boat that looks like a Mexican police or Mexican game warden came I don't know what I would do. Has anyone ever been checked by a Mexican official?

Yes, TFF members have been checked. They've mentioned several military-garb guys in an old Nitro bass boat typically. I understand they are more interested in checking for guns or drugs, and your Mexican fishing license. NEVER go into Mexican waters out of compliance. It's not just a ticket there. I understand they may search boats, which is their right in their country. I have not read of any encounter that has been a problem for US fishermen.

Ok thanks ! The bit of info could be more valuable than anything I ever find. Appreciate it!

What's the easiest way to get a Mexican License? I'm toying with the idea of going next weekend

There is a store right on the lake that sells them Lake Falcon tackle

Two ways: (956) 765 4866
- Call and have Falcon Lake Tackle mail it to you.
- Pick it up when you get there. Pay for it ahead of time, so it will be there when you arrive and not a chance of being sold out.

They don't look like our lake patrol or border patrol.
Their boats have no markings, they wear no identifying clothing.
On Dec 5th one of the boats in our Vererans outing was stopped and "questioned" by men in black garb with machine guns. They asked for Mexico fishing licenses and then went on their merry way. Pretty scary for that boat load of fishermen.
You cannot tell Mexican Federales from Cartel.
Just don't be on the Mexico side when it gets late, dusk, dark ..... Period