AIN'T BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S, MORE LIKE PLATON AT THE 9-11

(Ed.'s Note: We were pleasantly surprised when we stopped into the 9-11 Cafe at 1043 E. Washington to partake of their delicious nopales con huevo a la mexicana con dos tiritas de tocino con torillas de maiz hechas a mano when these two gents showed up and started playing traditional norteño music table to table. They worked themselves through a couple of tunes and passed the yellow cup for voluntary donations.

Aside from a dollar or two, they were also asked for their business cards for future events like birthdays, or other family events. The grouch next to us quipped that he'd rather pay them not to play, but he pitched in a dollar bill anyway. They then made their way down the road to the next downtown restaurant.

On any given day in downtown Brownsville, these troubadours ply their songs for restaurant patrons, or like below, someone hires them to play right on the sidewalk. You can give, or just ignore them. Oh, by the way, the portions at the 9-11 were generous, the hand-made corn tortillas delicious and the salsa verde is killer.)