116 THE COASTAL BEND MAGAZINE • Early Summer 2018 TheCoastalBend.com Texas Flame Steakhouse In 1942 Papa Louie and his family came to Corpus Christi after escaping war torn Greece. Twelve years later his son opened The Astor restaurant on Leopard St., which stood as a city landmark for decades. This family tradition of serving great food at a great price is carried on today at Texas Flame Steakhouse, which has operated at its current location on SPID for over 30 years. Your hunger level will jump three notches when the smell of Mesquite smoke hits your nose in the parking lot, and once inside your next challenge will be choosing from a broad menu of mouth watering options. Steaks at Texas Flame are USDA Choice, Certi- fied Angus Beef only—the best quality for the price that the pickiest consumer will find—and the entire range of cuts are offered here, from sirloin and rib eyes to filets and the porterhouse. 4535 S. Padre Island Dr. • (361) 853-5664 TexasFlameSteakhouse.com • $$$ Texas Flame Steakhouse Black Diamond Oyster Bar This reviewer remembers his first time eating at the Black Diamond in around 1975, at its original location at Gollihar and Airline Roads. It had been open for just seven years at that point, but had made its name as the best place in town for awesome Texas seafood at a price you could afford. Fifty years later, this family owned seafood house has made its name once again, now tucked away on NAS Drive in Flour Bluff. This kid’s favorite was always jumbo fried shrimp, and here it is prepared perfectly every time, as are the fried oysters, grilled fish, steaks and as well a number of highly creative menu selections that might not be expected. Try the crab stuffed floun- der or the Ahi tuna burger for a delicious meal you will not soon forget. 418 N.A.S. Drive in Flour Bluff Dr. (361) 353-4210 • $$$ Black Diamond Oyster Bar The Post at Lamar Park A new high level of dining and mixol- ogy made its way onto Corpus Christi’s culinary scene when this first“gastro- pub”opened at the old U.S. Post Office location in Lamar Park Center. So many facets of The Post set it apart from other local establishments, starting with one of the best stocked bars south of San Antonio, and bartenders who take their profession seriously. Both classic and modern fusion cocktails are created with great skill, from the Old Fashioned and classic Mojito and Brandy Alexander, to innovative martinis like the Mexican and the Cucumber. Food offerings at The Post are equally interesting and well done, including terrific burgers, unique takes on fish tacos and egg rolls, and even a first class Tenderloin sandwich. 411 Doddridge Street @ Alameda in La- mar Park Center • (361) 452-0907 • $$$ The Post at Lamar Park Crawdaddy’s For over twenty years this downtown favorite fed hungry seafood lovers at its old location on Starr St., and recently moved to its new, larger home on Mes- quite St., where the Crawdaddy’s tradi- tion continues, now under the newly energized ownership of Mike Connor. This place is all about fantastic, down- home Louisiana seafood, from fried catfish and shrimp to their famous Cajun seafood boil with crawfish (in season), shrimp, crab, fish, sausage, potatoes and corn—all the great stuff everybody loves. Families love Crawdaddy’s for its casual atmosphere and big portions, and at lunch you can enjoy the best shrimp and oyster po-boys in town. 317 N. Mes- quite St. • (361) 883-5432 • $$$ El Jalisco Grill In a city with over 80 taquerias, it seems that everyone has their favorites, and some are kind of the same as most of the others. That’s not the case at El Jalisco Grill on Ennis Joslin Rd. at SPID, where the traditional Mexican cuisine is among the very best in the city. Here you will find all the favorites, and the quality of the beef used in their asada, fajitas and other dishes is outstanding, and prepared like you expect in a real South