5830 McArdle #12
We've been going here my entire life. It's known for it's fried Catfish, but they also have great Cajun food. I have always been a catfish devotee for this restaurant, going straight for the catfish feast. Every once in a while, I'll have a bowl of gumbo. This time, for my father's birthday I decided to completely forsake the scrumptious white fish and try their creole shrimp. Amazing.
After eating way to many fresh hush puppies dressed with tartar sauce and gumbo file, my dish arrived. It was a beautiful color of red, and poured over a bed or fluffy rice. The spice was just right, subtle, and caught you in the back of the mouth as good creole shrimp should. I had to order extra rice to break the heat because I tend to be a bit of a wimp when it comes to spicy food. The overall meal was very good and satisfying, the portion was almost too much, and the price reasonable.
Try the Sangria. 3 Stars.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Eating: Hester's Cafe and Coffee Bar
Place: Hester's Cafe
Location: 1710 S. Alameda, Corpus Christi, TX
Hester's is a great little spot for Breakfast and Lunch Monday-Saturday. When I say little, I mean little. Having been there once during the lunch rush (around 12pm) and walking into a line that was almost out the door along with every seat taken, I learned to hit up this spot closer to 1 or 2.
The room is cozy and quaint, with vibrant colors on the walls, and a case filled with all kinds of tempting deserts(I'm not sure how long I'll be able to resist the buttermilk pie). They offer daily specials, and a daily flavored tea (my favorite is Hibiscus) along with a daily rotation of soups.
My current obsession from their menu is the Hannah Savannah Salad. A WONDERFUL chicken salad made with chicken breast, celery, pecans, and grapes brought together with a slightly sweet poppy seed dressing. It's honestly one of the best that I've tasted. I order it as a sandwhich which comes out on thick slices of homemade sourdough or wheat bread, and pressed with a side of salad or homemade potato chips. Also good is their club sandwhich, though a little decendant because of the fact that after it's cut they melt cheese over the trianlges.
On the other side, their food is not always spot-on. Their quiche is hit or miss, and the mushroom soup could be thicker. The prices are also a little steep for fare they sale, but when you find a good item you are paying for the quality and getting a large quantity.
Bottom line: Go, a deffinate breakfast/lunch spot if you're there on time.
Food: 4 Starfish
Atmosphere 5 Starfish
Location: 1710 S. Alameda, Corpus Christi, TX
Hester's is a great little spot for Breakfast and Lunch Monday-Saturday. When I say little, I mean little. Having been there once during the lunch rush (around 12pm) and walking into a line that was almost out the door along with every seat taken, I learned to hit up this spot closer to 1 or 2.
The room is cozy and quaint, with vibrant colors on the walls, and a case filled with all kinds of tempting deserts(I'm not sure how long I'll be able to resist the buttermilk pie). They offer daily specials, and a daily flavored tea (my favorite is Hibiscus) along with a daily rotation of soups.
My current obsession from their menu is the Hannah Savannah Salad. A WONDERFUL chicken salad made with chicken breast, celery, pecans, and grapes brought together with a slightly sweet poppy seed dressing. It's honestly one of the best that I've tasted. I order it as a sandwhich which comes out on thick slices of homemade sourdough or wheat bread, and pressed with a side of salad or homemade potato chips. Also good is their club sandwhich, though a little decendant because of the fact that after it's cut they melt cheese over the trianlges.
On the other side, their food is not always spot-on. Their quiche is hit or miss, and the mushroom soup could be thicker. The prices are also a little steep for fare they sale, but when you find a good item you are paying for the quality and getting a large quantity.
Bottom line: Go, a deffinate breakfast/lunch spot if you're there on time.
Food: 4 Starfish
Atmosphere 5 Starfish
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Eating: Harrison's Landing
Place: Tavern on the Bay at Harrison's Landing
Location: 108 Peoples St Thead, Corpus Christi, TX
This place is fairly new, located on the T-Head behind the Corpus Christi Yachting Center. The entire restaurant is located outside on the dock, covered by tents. They are pet friendly and have a good bar. When I say pet friendly, you're four-legged best friend can join you at your table, and enjoy a nice bowl of water while you enjoy the view of sail boats on the water and the Corpus Christi Skyline.
I've been there a few times, and tend to keep my selections to their seafood menu, though there are several options of American style food if seafood's not your cup of tea.
To me the idea of being practically on the water (because this place is merely attached to the concrete Thead not a part of it) just calls for a good plate of Coconut Shrimp. Theirs is served with a delicious cranberry coleslaw and homemade potato chips and a homemade marmalade dipping sauce. The shrimp are fresh and HUGE! The 4 that you are served are more than enough for lunch or dinner. The fish tacos are also good topped with a spicy sauce and fresh coleslaw. These tacos are not just a plank of fish wrapped in a tortilla, they are Mahi Mahi cut to size and cooked perfectly. On that note, the fish sandwich is a little on the plain side. Though the bun is freshly made, and the fish inside well seasoned, there is a blandness to the whole affair. Where other options on the menu have delicious, creative sauces (a spicy remoulade sauce, a tangy marmalade sauce, a great aoili) this has a thin tartar sauce on the side. Honestly it's a bit of a let down from a place that takes such great care to make their dishes unique in a city saturated with seafood restaurants.
That being said, for a small place, their services is inconsistent at best. Some days (early afternoon Saturdays, between the lunch and dinner rush) the service is good, others (lunch rush especially) the service couldn't be worse. I've had experiences where myself and my party have sat ourselves and there was immediately someone there with menus and silverware. Other times, such as my latest visit with my grandma and aunt, we found a place to sit and the waitress and the helper pass us more than once before we were given menus and asked for drink orders. I wish I could say that it was because there were to many tables and not enough servers, but that's sadly not the case. I have seen on more than one occasion groups of servers just standing around and patrons looking for some kind of service.
My verdict is: this is a place for a late weekend lunch when you have time to sit back, order a cocktail, and take your time.
Food: 4 1/2 Starfish
Atmosphere: 3 Starfish
Location: 108 Peoples St Thead, Corpus Christi, TX
This place is fairly new, located on the T-Head behind the Corpus Christi Yachting Center. The entire restaurant is located outside on the dock, covered by tents. They are pet friendly and have a good bar. When I say pet friendly, you're four-legged best friend can join you at your table, and enjoy a nice bowl of water while you enjoy the view of sail boats on the water and the Corpus Christi Skyline.
I've been there a few times, and tend to keep my selections to their seafood menu, though there are several options of American style food if seafood's not your cup of tea.
To me the idea of being practically on the water (because this place is merely attached to the concrete Thead not a part of it) just calls for a good plate of Coconut Shrimp. Theirs is served with a delicious cranberry coleslaw and homemade potato chips and a homemade marmalade dipping sauce. The shrimp are fresh and HUGE! The 4 that you are served are more than enough for lunch or dinner. The fish tacos are also good topped with a spicy sauce and fresh coleslaw. These tacos are not just a plank of fish wrapped in a tortilla, they are Mahi Mahi cut to size and cooked perfectly. On that note, the fish sandwich is a little on the plain side. Though the bun is freshly made, and the fish inside well seasoned, there is a blandness to the whole affair. Where other options on the menu have delicious, creative sauces (a spicy remoulade sauce, a tangy marmalade sauce, a great aoili) this has a thin tartar sauce on the side. Honestly it's a bit of a let down from a place that takes such great care to make their dishes unique in a city saturated with seafood restaurants.
That being said, for a small place, their services is inconsistent at best. Some days (early afternoon Saturdays, between the lunch and dinner rush) the service is good, others (lunch rush especially) the service couldn't be worse. I've had experiences where myself and my party have sat ourselves and there was immediately someone there with menus and silverware. Other times, such as my latest visit with my grandma and aunt, we found a place to sit and the waitress and the helper pass us more than once before we were given menus and asked for drink orders. I wish I could say that it was because there were to many tables and not enough servers, but that's sadly not the case. I have seen on more than one occasion groups of servers just standing around and patrons looking for some kind of service.
My verdict is: this is a place for a late weekend lunch when you have time to sit back, order a cocktail, and take your time.
Food: 4 1/2 Starfish
Atmosphere: 3 Starfish
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