In our monthly Table Talk series, we gather local food and drink news into one place for your convenience. From restaurant openings and closures to new offerings at local establishments, here’s what we’ve got our eyes on in the Coastal Bend food and drink scene this month.
Marty McPies Set to Open Brick and Mortar Location
On the eve of its third anniversary, Marty McPies announced exciting news. The popular local food truck is set to open a permanent location in downtown Corpus Christi inside the Best Western Hotel where Blimpie was previously located. In a Facebook post regarding the news, owner Martin Flores shared, “I cannot express enough how grateful I am to have grown this much with your support, Corpus. Being Corpus born and raised, [it] means the world to me to be a part of a beautiful, growing city.”
Martin went on to say making pizza for the community has been one of his life’s greatest joys. “I’ve served this country and have gone to war, worked in our refineries in Texas and the Virgin Islands, maintained our railroads across the country, but this…this is what I was meant to do. You have never made this feel like a job. It brings joy. I created a pizza and y’all liked it. Thank you. Thank you for believing in us,” he said in the post.
Marty McPies is one of the latest recipients of the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone #3 incentive program, and according to the Downtown Management District, will use the funds to make interior improvements to the space such as new drywall and countertops, in addition to exterior renovations including an outdoor patio and new landscaping. The restaurant is tentatively set to open in the fall of 2024. In the meantime, folks can still satisfy their McPie cravings from the food truck itself.
Two Women Business Owners Team up for New Project
The Coastal Bend community at large was saddened by the closure of 8TE, a longtime favorite restaurant, in the summer of 2023. However, 8TE’s owner and head chef Megan Lee, along with Betty and June owner Jessica Quintanilla-Jackson, are teaming up for their next project, Daily Fix Cafe. The talented friends are opening a new cafe offering coffee, matcha, smoothies, yogurt bowls, sandwiches, salads and more.
Located at 6237 Kostoryz Rd. Ste. B, the cafe will feature a cozy atmosphere and a variety of items for breakfast and lunch. Lee even announced via her personal Instagram Story that a handful of fan favorites from 8TE will be available at Daily Fix. The cafe is set to open sometime this month, so keep an eye on its social media pages for the latest updates.
El General Heads Back to Corpus Christi
Fans of the popular food truck, Birrieria y Mariscos El General, rejoice! The local business is heading back to Corpus Christi to once again offer its delicious comida to the community. After serving the San Antonio area since the summer of 2023, El General is popping back up in its old location at 6110 Ayres St. starting Feb. 3, 2024 at 11 a.m.
El General’s menu includes ceviche, birria torta, aguachiles, birria minis, coctel de camarones, flour quesibirria and so much more. Plus, one of the best micheladas in town can be found at El General.
New Restaurant and Bar, Prohibition Corpus, Opens for Business
With a soft opening planned for Feb. 2, 2024 during ArtWalk, Prohibition Corpus is officially opening its doors. Located at 326 N. Chaparral St. Ste. 100, the new restaurant and bar features a speakeasy theme, taking patrons back to Prohibition times. Owner Domenic Catalan, originally from New York City, has owned and operated restaurants for over 43 years and is incorporating his generational family recipes from Calabria, Italy into Prohibition’s menu.
The soft opening event will provide a glimpse into its offerings with brick oven New York and Chicago style pizzas, calzones and a variety of cocktails. Prohibition Corpus will open at 4 p.m. and those 21 years of age and up are welcomed.
