Texas Monthly Recognizes La Feria’s Texas Rose Bar as One of Best Honky-Tonks in Texas

by Tony Vindell/LFN

The Texas Rose is a place in La Feria where people meet, come to relax, to chat and to enjoy a cold brewsky or other spirits.

It’s also place where endless groups hold fundraising events to support worthy causes in benefit of veterans or organizations concerned about health-related issues.

The usually quiet bar has a faithful clientele from throughout the Rio Grande Valley, from Minnesota and from other places in the country.

On their walls are countless pictures of western characters such as John Wayne and a signed photograph of President Donald Trump and first lady Melania thanking Texas Rose owner Dennis Perhson for his dedication to the cause.

And to make matters more interesting, the local hangout made it to the Texas Monthly list of the best little honky-tonk joints in the Lone Star State.

“Situated about a mile off the interstate on a quiet road between La Feria and Harlingen, the Rose and nearby American Legion Post 439 are the last two watering holes on what was once a bustling strip of honky-tonks,” the magazine said in a story published in its September issue. “Railroad tracks and a grazing pasture sit across the street, and there’s a caliche-pad RV park to the rear. Pulling up, you feel as if you’ve just arrived at a country bar that’s actually in the country.”

The magazine writer went on to this, “Afternoon in a good honky-tonk can be as fine a time as a Saturday night, though for inverse reasons. A certain stillness settles over the bar like a saddle blanket. The jukebox plays softly, pool shooters circle their felt battlegrounds with quiet contemplation, and conversation, when it comes, flows in slow, easy currents. If you’ve ever stepped inside the Texas Rose at midday, you know what I mean.”

Ann “Miss Annie” Gurklis, a veteran bar staffer for the last 14 years, said people like Texas Rose for its environment.

“We let people hold fundraising for veterans, for law enforcement and for other events,” she said. “We have a regular crowd, Winter Texans, retirees and so on.”

Gurklis said the place opens at 10 a.m. every day, but joked that some patrons are at the door at 9 a.m.

She said popcorn is always free but they have chicken wings, pizza and BBQ every Sunday.

“We usually ask for donations to carry us to the following week,” she said. “We also have different bands playing on Friday.”

A band, called Over the Hill, plays Saturday and Sunday, Gurklis said.

Harlingen resident Jeri Pursley said she has been stopping at the Texas Rose for as long as she remembers.

“I used to come by with my late husband,” she said. “Now I am here with my boyfriend.”