Waitress Miranda Gomez shows off a plate of traditional Tex-Mex at Taqueria Garibaldo
As the culinary capital of South Texas, Corpus Christi delights cross-cultural tastebuds with a mix of cuisines from Tex-Mex to seafood to barbecue to Asian. Fresh foods and local ingredients are the latest trend, especially in the newer eateries.
Favorite cuisines of every nuance include multiple variations on a theme.
Asian flavors offer favorites in Thai, Japanese, Vietnamese and Chinese. Italian interests range from pizza to penne. Barbecue boasts the best in brisket, beef ribs, pork and more.
Yes, we have your taquerias, probably the most of any city in the U.S. In fact, Tex-Mex may just rule the roost in Corpus Christi cuisine specialities.
1. Tex-Mex
Corpus Christi is loaded with restaurants that cater to the Tex-Mex loving crowd. Tex-Mex cuisine gives a Texas twist to authentic Mexican cooking. Tex-Mex usually consists of a tasty and creative combination of tortillas, rice, beans, spicy meats and lots and lots of cheese! Authentic Tex-Mex includes refried pinto beans, enchiladas, fajitas and chalupas. Order them separate or pick out your favorite combo plate.
In Corpus Christi breakfast comes with a tortilla, whether you'r eating a breakfast taco, migas or huevos rancheros. Taquerias dot the sandy landscape. In fact, Corpus Christi may have the most taquerias per capita than any other city in the U.S. just ask Guy Fieri of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.
2. Asian extravaganza
The number of Asian restaurants is growing, mostly in the Vietnamese and Thai cuisines. Vietnamese food is considered some of the healthiest eating around. The best will balance five fundamental taste sensations: spicy, sour, bitter, salty and sweet. It is cooked with fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs like lemongrass, mint, lime and cinnamon basil leaves.
Thai food is spicier than most Chinese or Vietnamese foods. Thai focuses on a balance between four tastes: sour, sweet, salty and bitter. Curry is a favored Thai flavor in either red, green or yellow. Coconut milk is another familiar Thai ingredient.
Chinese and Japanese restaurants are just as popular and some even combine both under one roof! From Chinese buffets to hibachi grills, Corpus Christi can suit any Asian craving.
3. Pizza, pizza
But if it's something a bit more basic you're craving, don't forget beach goers have made Corpus Christi a pizza haven as well. Make it a quest to visit all the area's pizza parlors and find your favorite. Pizzas Corpus Christi style comes with a dash of live music on the side, with locally brewed beer or even Brooklyn style with fresh ingredients and hand tossed crusts.
4. Barbecue
When it comes to barbecue, just like most Texans, Corpus Christi residents like their beef brisket. They'll take some beans and side of cole slaw or potato salad with that, too. Quite a few locally owned barbecue restaurants tout their own style of sauce and smoke, so make the rounds and pick a few favorites.
5. Seafood!
And, no, we are not forgetting the seafood. Corpus Christi is a coastal town known for its fresh and flavorful seafood. It is home to dozens of seafood markets and seafood specialty restaurants, many featuring a catch of the day fresh from the gulf coast waters. Some of the seafood restaurants will even cook up YOUR catch of the day. Local oysters and shrimp are a speciality, along with red snapper and mahi-mahi.
