Born in the Philippines and deeply rooted in Corpus Christi, local food blogger Christie Marie—better known as the Texas Food Explorer—discovered her love for food through a strong connection to culture and family. That early spark grew into a lifelong passion fueled by curiosity and nostalgia. “I grew up watching ‘Bizarre Foods’ and ‘No Reservations’ on the Travel Channel,” Marie shared. “That inspired me to seek out bold, adventurous flavors and share my experiences.”
As an adult, she became an avid traveler and transformed that passion into a business, documenting her restaurant adventures and culinary discoveries. Today, her food blogger Instagram, where she primarily shares her content, has grown to nearly 50,000 followers, and she guides fellow food lovers to their next great meal.
Kylie Cooper: Your blog covers several cities both inside and outside Texas. What brought you to Corpus Christi?
Christi Marie: I was born in the Philippines; my family moved to the U.S. when I was young, and I have lived here since then. I am not sure if you can call me a local, but I feel that I am. This city is my home and it helped shape my love for food and diverse culture. While I travel often, Corpus Christi is my starting point—and I will always be proud of where I am from, a place where my love for discovering and sharing diverse flavors first took root.
KC: How do you decide which restaurants to spotlight?
CM: I choose restaurants based on what sparks my curiosity—whether it’s a unique dish, an interesting concept or a standout interior. I love uncovering hidden gems, spotlighting creative menus and sharing places that offer something different. If it excites me, I know my audience will be as well.
KC: What is your favorite thing about being a food blogger? Biggest challenges?
CM: My favorite part of being a food blogger is being able to share my experiences and let my audience follow their own curiosity. Food brings people together; it is a way to experience other cultures and meet new characters. It is such a privilege to be able to travel and uncover exciting new dishes and tastes. The biggest challenge? There’s never enough time! Visiting so many places means I can’t always film every spot I want to, so I have to be strategic about what makes the cut.
KC: When did your online presence begin gaining traction, and how did you grow your following to what it is today?
CM: My online presence started gaining traction when big brands began reaching out for videos. I grew my following by creating content I genuinely love—sharing food, travel and unique experiences. It never felt like a job; it’s a passion that naturally connects with people who share my curiosity for food.
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KC: Have you had any surprising moments of virality or engagement with your posts?
CM: Some of my posts have unexpectedly blown up—whether it’s a unique dish, a hidden gem or a funny, relatable moment. Sometimes, the videos I least expect to go viral get the most engagement. It’s always exciting to see what resonates with people and sparks conversations about food.
KC: What is something people might be surprised to know about food blogging?
CM: People might be surprised to know that food blogging isn’t just about eating—it involves a lot of planning, filming and editing to create engaging content. There’s also a time crunch when traveling since there are so many places to visit. You have to be strategic. It’s fun and rewarding, but there’s a lot more work behind the scenes than people realize.
KC: What meal do you find yourself craving the most right now?
CM: I always find myself craving a home-cooked Filipino meal. There’s just something comforting about dishes I grew up eating, like lumpia, pancit, sinigang or adobo—flavors that remind me of home and bring a sense of nostalgia no matter when or where I am in the world. Here in Corpus Christi, Taiwan Restaurant is a good spot for this.
KC: If you had to give someone a recommendation for breakfast, lunch and dinner, what local restaurants would you recommend?
CM: For breakfast, I’d recommend Andy’s Kitchen—a true Corpus Christi staple known for its cozy atmosphere and hearty morning plates. For lunch, I would say visit a place close to the beach like The Cuban on the island. For dinner, nothing beats a home-cooked meal, but Taiwan Restaurant is my go-to spot for my Filipino cravings.
KC: Any upcoming projects or collaborations you can share with us?
CM: I’m excited to be partnering with Visit New Braunfels for a weekend of food and adventure. I’ll be exploring the city’s unique food spots and activities, showcasing hidden gems and must-try experiences. By the time you’re reading this, the video is probably already out, so go check it out!
