We Didn't Appreciate Halal Guys
Like the title says; it is actually crazy that we had a New York-based beloved business in one of the least gastronomically-diverse areas in TX. (Well relative to population I feel) Time has made that describer less true, what with Afrospice, OhCha! with regularly available K-Dogs & recently saw a post about I think Puerto Rican food being sold in Harlingen and Brownsville, but I don't think a lot of people are willing to drive that long usually to try something like that, unless they are a dedicated foodie or just incredibly curious.
Recently we had the Curry Fiesta restaurant open up, and Universal Market and Kabob Guys help fill the niche of Indian food in the valley, but those are two restaurants that I feel are different compared to what Halal Guys had, yes you can get their food to go but there's a difference in the presentation and the concept of Halal Guys that, in a place where Chipotle still gets filled out at the convention center, mcallen, etc. they offered a "slop-bowl" that truly did not apply to the concept of "slop," it was just in a sturdy aluminum bowl with a good lid, neatly put together in small sections. It was convenient, it was good! But I honestly never ever saw anyone go, or it was just a small clientele; I was young and unable to drive when it was around, otherwise I would've made it a very regular spot, but I think it was just indicative of a problem in the Valley.
Zaxby's is open, unsure of its traffic, we have 2 Dave's (why is it a combo if it don't got a drink champagne papi more like champagne brokie), rumors of more Greasy Style American Food coming in, but it seems when it comes to diversity the buck honestly stops at Indian and Viet. Maybe I'm not well traveled enough through the valley to really speak on this, but I am not necessarily thinking of fine dining experiences like Mikhuna and Espana, some people just aren't receptive to that kind of sit-down eating, even if they offer take-out, its not the same.
Sometimes you just want to try Mofongo and not drive an hour; maybe you wanna get falafel but you live far from Fares and dealing with that area of 10th street can suck; sometimes you just want to try SOMETHING new something you've NEVER had before, only to realize you've already used up all the variety spice in your rack, which, if you're a foodie, is likely to happen.