Our readers love hearing stories from the culinary world. Maybe it’s because camaraderie around the table transcends other kinds and giving readers insight into the “why” behind local establishments provides a personal connection that keeps people returning. As Corpus is a coastal city, it’s no surprise the first food issue of The Bend — in May of 2014 — focused on seafood in the Coastal Bend. That cover feature told the stories of local favorites like Glow Rockport (now Gabriela’s), Yardarm Restaurant, Roosevelt’s at the Tarpon Inn and Morgan St. Seafood. Though we could dedicate countless features to just seafood, for now, here is a list of seafood dishes in the Coastal Bend in hopes of inspiring your next culinary adventure or reminding you of these local mainstays.
Dokyo Tower
Dokyo Dauntaun
The Dokyo Tower at Dokyo Dauntaun is an elevated take on an ahi tower with sushi rice, spicy tuna, avocado and seasoned blue crab with three special sauces and topped with tempura crunch. Order it alongside a theatrical craft cocktail and the Red Dragon sushi roll.
424 N. Chaparral | @dokyodauntaun
Ceviche Fusion
Costa Sur Wok & Ceviche Bar
The seafood fare at Costa Sur is unlike anything else in the Coastal Bend. Don’t go here without trying the Ceviche Fusion, which takes the typical lime marinade and adds coconut milk and mango for sweetness alongside the tender, fresh fish of choice topped with bright pickled red onions.
Wild Gulf Oysters
Water Street Oyster Bar
A round-up of seafood dishes wouldn’t be complete without the oyster varieties from Water Street. From raw to wood-fired and Rockefeller presentations, oyster lovers, meet your match.
309 N Water St. | @waterstreetoysterbar
Fish ’n Chips
Snoopy’s Pier
The Fish ’n Chips at this open-air, waterfront restaurant is a Padre Island staple. Flaky fish is tossed in beer batter for a light-as-air, crisp finish. A squeeze of lemon and a dunk in housemade tartar sauce provide the finishing touches.
Cajun Snapper
Blue Clove Seafood Bar & Grill
The Blue Clove specializes in seafood and sauce pairings, and the Cajun Snapper is one of the best. Sauteed snapper is topped with jumbo shrimp, baby scallops, mushrooms, capers and a cajun cream sauce for a spicy, savory and flavor-packed bite.
5884 Everhart Rd. | @bluecloveseafood
Fried Shrimp
Black Diamond Oyster Bar
Ordering fried shrimp at any local establishment is a no-brainer, but especially at Black Diamond Oyster Bar. The quaint outdoor seafood bar serves up cornmeal-battered gulf shrimp that are fried to golden perfection and are best enjoyed with housemade tartar and cocktail sauces.
Wild Prawn
Wild Prawn
Wild Prawn is one of Rockport’s best-kept secrets, where Chef Le infuses Vietnamese flavors into seafood. The restaurant’s namesake dish takes deep-fried shrimp tossed in a creamy chile sauce to perfectly encapsulate the essence of the establishment.
