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517
517 Everhart Rd (361-991-7828)
Lunch Tue–Sat 11–3. Closed Sun & Mon.
map | latest review | access ++ |  add to library | |
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Tearoom /
Deli |
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(From April 2009) Teri and Zee Zepeda, proprietors of the popular Nuevo Café, have chosen for their encore this spare but attractive tearoom cum sandwich shop, where the approach to the standard lunchtime menu is refreshingly novel. Take the 517 BLT: The bread is fresh-baked brioche, the tomatoes green and fried, and the bacon cured in sweet apple cider. We like to start with a cup of the outstanding roasted-poblano soup, a welcome carryover from the menu at Nuevo. Finding 517 is an adventure, but it’s worth the effort; it’s hidden upstairs and behind Sister Sue’s boutique and can be entered via stairs or elevator in the shop or by its own rustic stairway from the rear parking lot. 517 Everhart Rd (361-991-7828). Lunch Tue–Sat 11–3. Closed Sun & Mon. |
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THE DOBSON CAFE
Art Museum of South Texas, 1902 N. Shoreline Blvd (361-825-3523)
Lunch Tue–Fri 11:30–2:30, Sat 11:30–3:30. Closed Sun & Mon.
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$ |
Sandwiches |
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(From October 2009) In a spectacular front row seat overlooking the intersection of Corpus Christi Bay and the Ship Channel, we had a satisfying light Starving Artist lunch of half a panino-style sandwich plus a (large) cup of outstanding roasted red pepper soup. One of our favorites, the Southwest Caesar—crisp romaine with chicken, black beans, tomatoes, crisp tortilla strips, Parmesan, and chipotle Caesar dressing—can be viewed as “light” only if you take home half in a doggie bag. Bar. |
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TANGO TEA ROOM
505 S. Water, behind Memorial Coliseum (361-883-9123)
Open Mon-Thur 10-7, Fri & Sat 10-9. Closed Sun.
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$ |
Tearoom /
Eclectic |
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(From December 2009) Aging flower children will find comfortable familiarity at the Tango Tea Room, housed in the Yin Yang Fandango shop cum alternative culture center. That is, if they don’t mind the company of banker types, who come for the excellent food and hospitality offered by proprietors John and Irene Jaan. The recently refreshed menu is an eclectic collection of exotic teas, mostly vegan cuisine, and beautiful American-style cakes and pies. Our favorite menu item, and one of the most popular, is a shredded chicken salad with sun-dried tomatoes served on a fresh croissant with a side of piquant salsa and corn chips. We also like the roasted vegetable sandwich (tomatoes, eggplant, bell peppers, artichoke hearts, and mushrooms). We broke diet vows for a slice of creamy Mexican chocolate cheesecake improved with a subtle blend of chile peppers, cinnamon, and secret south-of-the-border spices. |
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RAILROAD SEAFOOD STATION
1214 N. Chaparral, one block north of I-37 (361-883-6200)
Open Mon–Thur 10–10, Fri & Sat 10–10:30. Closed Sun.
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$-$$ |
Seafood |
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(From October 2009) The latest pioneer to stake a claim on the site of the lamented Hofbrau steakhouse, the RSS (original location in Odem) offers a nice variety of steak and seafood dishes in a warehouse environment (with regrettable acoustics). We enjoyed a grilled drum filet accompanied by passable mixed vegetables and an excellent coleslaw livened up with chopped broccoli and a sprinkle of bacon chips. We were also pleased with a copious green salad graced with fried popcorn shrimp and a generous slice of homemade chocolate cheesecake. Bar. |
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SHELLS
522 East Avenue G, Port Aransas (361-749-7621)
Open Mon 11:30–2 & 5–9, Wed–Sun 11:30–2:30 & 5–9. Closed Tue.
map | latest review | no access | add to library | |
$-$$ |
Seafood /
American |
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(From June 2009) It must be the food that keeps locals and visitors waiting for tables season after season, because it’s not the location (obscure), the view (a busy intersection), or the decor (nondescript). There’s something suited to every taste on the menu and the often overwhelming list of blackboard specials. Mango gazpacho seasoned with a hint of onion and a lot of cilantro was a satisfying way to set the stage for the always noteworthy griddle-sautéed crab cake, a skewer of succulent shrimp accompanied by a rich Key lime aioli, and grilled mahimahi with lime and green-chile salsa. Beer & wine. |
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WATER STREET
309 N. Water (361-881-9448)
Open Sun–Thur 11–11, Fri & Sat 11–midnight.
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$-$$ |
Seafood /
American |
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(From September 2009) Brad Lomax’s twin restaurants share a location, a menu, and a well-deserved reputation for excellent seafood. Whether you choose the lively Oyster Bar or the quieter Seafood Company, you can’t go wrong with the menu (we like the chicken vegetable caldo and the spicy creole shrimp) or the blackboard specials (like the superfresh catch of the day, cooked however you like it). These are two of the most popular venues in town, and with good reason. Bar. |
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LUCIANO’S
1821 S. Alameda (361-882-3191)
Lunch Mon–Fri 11:15–1:45. Dinner Mon–Sat 5:15–9:45. Closed Sun.
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$$ |
Italian |
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(From September 2008) Before his retirement, Joe Luciano cultivated a loyal following for his warm hospitality and dependable Italian dishes. Now his grandson carries the torch, having revived the name and recipes at a nearby location. We found notable among the old standards the baked lasagne, the stracciatella soup with spinach and Parmesan, and the generous antipasti platter of meats, cheeses, peppers, and olives. Beer & wine. |
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SULTAN MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE
The Market at Timbergate, 6646 S. Staples (361-993-6100)
Open Mon–Thur 11–9, Fri & Sat 11–10. Closed Sun.
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$$ |
Mediterranean |
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(From October 2009) Fady Shaheen and Mireya Tobar-Shaheen’s amazingly well-priced strip center restaurant now rivals some of the best dining places in the area, with admirable attention to detail and presentation. A tradi-tional parsley-flecked tabouleh salad was a notable overture to a top-notch entrée: a snapper filet lightly breaded, pan-fried, and served over a trophy-deserving house-made black pepper pasta. Even after all that, a strawberry-banana bread pudding disappeared in the blink of an eye. Beer & wine. |
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THE TORCH
4425 S. Alameda (361-992-7491)
Dinner Mon–Sat 5–11. Closed Sun.
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Steaks /
Seafood |
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(From January 2009) Recently refurbished and expanded, this dependable and affordable neighborhood steak and seafood house is in its fifty-third year (and the twenty-fifth under the flag of Telly Gialouris). You’ll start right with crisp lettuce served on a cold plate, although it’s difficult to decide on a dressing, especially when the choices include two popular house specials: the Lahala (a creamy blue cheese vinaigrette) and the Madras (a blend of mustard and curry). Among the entrées, the grilled salmon filet was excellent, and the tender Angus New York strip was cooked just as ordered. Although a side of grilled zucchini and carrots came off limp, angel hair pasta dressed with oil and roasted garlic was just right. Bar. |
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CAFE AEBY
The Village, 3815 S. Alameda (361-225-0329)
Open Tue–Sat 11–2 & 5:30–9:30. Closed Sun & Mon.
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$$-$$$ |
Eclectic |
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(From March 2009) Cafe Aeby always impresses with its high level of service and food that’s innovative and appealingly presented. A salad of roasted beets and organic greens comes embellished with candied walnuts, blue cheese, and turmeric vinegar; delicious poached salmon rests on a bed of paper-thin slices of marinated cucumber; hearty Italian sausage with a grainy mustard sauce sits atop sauerkraut and puréed potatoes. Warning: Call ahead to be sure the restaurant is open for dinner, as unannounced closings for private events are common. Beer & wine. |
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