La Playa
[the beach], excellent mexican seafood at three locations in town. all started from the original location near the intersection of south padre island drive s.p.i.d and rodd field road and have grown within the last five years. expect to pay $15-$25 per person.
Yardarm Restaurant
Great seafood and dining experience. Rich, French-style seafood, views of the bay, and an attentive staff. And you can wear shorts.
Blackbeard's
In north beach near the u.s.s. lexington, well-known locally for its burgers. local legends say the restaurant is haunted. family atmosphere. good food.
B&J's Pizza
At two locations: the original on spid and the new one on staples. great pizza and sandwiches with an enormous beer selection.
Cafe Maya
2319 morgan ave., +1 361 884-8374. excellent mexican food in an unexpected strip-mall location. try the stuffed avocado and the fried ice cream. live music on weekends. $10-20.
City Diner
On water street. good, classic american food such as burgers, steaks, chicken-fried steak, seafood, etc. in a classic 50's-style diner atmosphere and building. expect to pay $10-15 per person.
Crawdaddy's
Cajun food on starr street across the street from k space contemporary art gallery. crawfish, shrimp, red potatoes, sausage, boudain, beer, karaoke frequently (though most singers here are not very skilled. loud, obnoxious outdoor speaker blaring the bad karaoke up and down the street lets you know when you are within one-two blocks. don't let that put you off though. the food is still good, though a little steeply priced for the amount you get.
Doc's
Seafood on padre island under the jfk causeway. good seafood and usually a singer. expect to pay $20-$30 per person including a drink.
Golden Kitchen
On staples, good chinese buffet and mongolian barbecue stir-fry. some american food available. reasonable prices around $11 per person including drink. no alchohol.
Hu Dat
Excellent vietnamese cuisine at reasonable prices at two locations: on ayers and next to the d'lounge near the corner of staples and saratoga.
Island Italian
Good italian food on park road 22 on north padre island. reasonable prices, good amounts. wine and beer available.
Aka Sushi
On water street downtown and on everhart near spid. good sushi. good atmoshpere.
Padre Pizzaria
Gourmet pizza on park road 22 on north padre island.
Dantonios Pizza
Awesome food,Good price. Right in downtown.
Water Street Oyster Bar
Gulf seafood fresh daily. Nice place to eat in the marina area of CC. Kind of loud. Excellent happy hour from 4-7 with 1/4 pound peel and eat shrimp for $3 and a dozen raw oysters for $3. One of the top places locally for seafood.
Taqueria Jalisco
Good mexican food in a clean, family atmosphere at reasonable prices $10-$15 per person. this is a local chain so there are several locations throughout town.
Thailand
Thai food at staples and saratoga, very good phad thai and unique thai iced tea.
Thai Spice
Good thai food.
Portabella
Good italian food at reasonable prices on north padre island drive. good, very clean atmosphere and family friendly.
don't forget other options
Though there are some excellent seafood restaurants locally, don't forget other options, like buying your own seafood from one of the many small, local seafood markets which buy their seafood from local fishermen, oystermen, and crabbers, and prepare it yourself. Not all the restuarants buy their supplies locally. You can also buy shrimp directly off the back of the shrimp boats as they come in with the morning's catch around 11AM at the t-heads downtown on the bayfront.
Corpus Christi is a good place to get gulf seafood -- especially shrimp and oysters. In addition to the local places mentioned and the hundreds of others not mentioned , there is a large variety of the usual nationally-known chains, usually to be found on S.P.I.D. or on Saratoga: Outback, Cracker Barrel, T.G.I. Friday's. Golden Corral, Western Sizzler, Macaroni Grill, Johnny Carino's, Olive Garden, etc. plus all the usual fast-food and pizza delivery chains.