across the border
Actually it is Acuña but, unable to add it to the map with the character over the n. After about 5 attempts I finally was able to add it to the map with an almost accurate lat and lon. really, this was quite difficult, originally the latitude and longitude given on the internet placed it somewhere on the Texas coast. so then I attempted to place it more or less where I tought it was getting horrible results, finally I noticed it said, zoom the map in for better placement...... well, gee! Yes, there are about 5 different Acunas on the travbuddy map now (Eric, you may need to clean up after me lol!!!) Anyways, here is a little about Mexico and my reviews from across the border, enjoy!
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In the 1930s, Ciudad Acuña (then known as Villa Acuña) became the home of XERA. A radio station also known as a "border-blaster" because it broadcast with power far superior to those licensed in the US. The station was founded by John R. Brinkley, a medical doctor from Kansas who became famous for his male sexual enhancement operations and treatments which he advertised by radio. XERA was closed by the government of Mexico in 1939 upon pressure from the United States.
In 1947 the radio station came to life once more when the government of Mexico licensed XERF-AM, the super-power border-blaster run by Mexican investors. They made most of their money by selling its airtime after nightfall to American Evangelists broadcasting in English to the United States. In 1959, a group of Texas investors formed the Inter-American Radio Advertising, Inc. They boosted the power to 250 kW, which was unheard of in the US. This massive radio station gave fame to disc jockey Wolfman Jack between 1962 and 1964. The radio station is now back in the hands of Mexican investors and they play Spanish music and programs.
Now if you have not heard of all this perhaps then you’ve heard the song called "Mexican Blackbird" by ZZ Top. The song tells the story of a few men from Texas crossing the border to visit a prostitute in Acuña.
Well, then how about the song "Blame It on Mexico" by George Strait, which tells about one night in Acuña/Del Río and references Crosby's, a historic restaurant in Acuña.
If music is not your thing then are you a movie aficionado perhaps?
Here are some movies titles you may recognize, which were filmed in Acuña
El Mariachi (1992) filmed on the streets of Acuña
Desperado was filmed in Acuña and the scene where Antonio Banderas kills everyone in the bar was filmed at the Corona Club
Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004), the lead character Beatrix Kiddo travels to Acuña to meet with Bill's friend Esteban Vihaio.
Like Water for Chocolate was filmed on Presa de la Amistad (Amistad Lake) in Acuña.
Well, even if you have never heard of this place before, if you are ever in Del Rio I completely recommend you cross the border and see this little city. It is well worth it!
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In 1985 or so it was sold to the current owners and at the time being that it was no longer to be owned by the Crosby family they changed the name of the place to Cafe Central but, when the clientele started dwindiling because it was no longer the "famous Crosby's" the new owners quickly bought the rights to the old name. It was around this time that the hotel portion which was almost falling apart anyway closed down as well. Now it is just a restaurant and bar.
The restaurant has it's menu in English as well the prices are in dollars but, the prices are to Mexico's standards so it is pretty cheap. They serve a wide variety of food including seafood, steaks, chicken you name it but, it is all cooked Mexican style! Really good, there is nothing I would not recommend there. The menu gives a pretty precise description of the food so you don't have to worry about any surprises! One thing that anyone who's ever been there or heard of this place knows about is their famous "fishbowl" margaritas. There is a saying, that no one can get past two before hitting the ground! Well, that's pretty much true, it is mainly tequila with just a splash of their margarita mix! I certanly can't get past one but, that's mainly due to the taste! Try having straight tequila of the cheapest well tequila you can ever find and that's pretty much a Crosby's margarita. However I can't even recommend you not try one! Leaving this place without having at least a sip of one of these humongous margaritas, would basically be leaving the place without the full Crosby's experience!
Crosby's also goes by the name of Malt Crosby's and Ma Crosby's. By the way I could be a little off on the year it opened by just a couple of years afterall, I was getting my history lesson from one of the waiters, who has been working there since my mom was a little girl!
