How Victoria, Texas Has Changed Over The Years

Over the years, Victoria has changed so much. I remember when Walmart, now Hobby Lobby, was the last thing on Navarro, and when the Victoria Stingarees and the Stroman Raiders had a heated crosstown rivalry. Victoria used to have two malls, and you could get a chicken fried steak with that epic yellow gravy at Hungry Jacks. We really miss Hungry Jacks, and several other restaurants that used to be in Victoria.

@southtexasbloodsport Old school Victoria High and Victoria Stroman #texashighschoolfootball ♬ original sound - South Texas Bloodsport

The Victoria Mall is a shell of yesteryear.

Back in the nineties, the Victoria Mall had the most personality. Watching the big carousel while enjoying a corn dog from Corn Dog 7. Stopping and buying the latest $10 shirt from Old Navy, or just spending a Saturday afternoon playing games at Tilt or Aladdin's Castle Arcade. Who remembers enjoying that mountain of nachos at Chelsea's Street Pub?

Is it just me, or does it feel like the mall of today has no energy? Many have said mall culture is on its way out.

@yourfavtravelingmom #corndog7 #80sthrowback #goodeats #fyp ♬ Don't You (Forget About Me) - Simple Minds

Even Houston Highway is getting a facelift.

If you are drIving down Rio Grande/Houston Highway, that has also changed a lot over the past 15-20 years. Chick-fil-A and Freddy's gave south Victoria a little update. Now, there's construction of an insanely huge carwash for no reason at all.

A little further down Houston Highway, the Walgreens at the corner of Ben Wilson and Houston Highway used to be a Mexican restaurant. The UHV Dorms, soon to be Texas A & M University - Victoria dorms, used to be a Holiday Inn Hotel. Popeye's today was Pelican's Warf back then.

Here is a look at many restaurants that we miss and want back in the Victoria area. We need to add Luby's to the list. What restaurant do you miss being in Victoria? Let us know, send us a message.