Community Grocery — Local services in Corpus Christi

UPDATE: (May 15, 2025) - I have increased the rating by two stars for the following reasons: The sandwiches are amazing! Seriously, you are missing out if you aren't buying their food. Yeah, it's more expensive than a regular sandwich, but it is totally worth the money. They listened to customers' concerns and reorganized their layout. The staff is super friendly and helpful.

ORIGINAL POST: To be completely transparent about my experience, I have to say that I feel mislead by the "grocery" designation in the business' name. I was expecting a more traditional grocery store layout with aisles of comparable food products. If this is what you are looking for, this location will disappoint. Honestly, a patron could locate similar grocery items in a typical convenience store and at comparable prices. This is a bodega of traditional New York City aspects.

Upon entering this business, I was immediately taken aback at the lack of items available for purchase. The fresh foods are scarce and perched upon small shelves scattered throughout the floorplan. One wall is decorated with long shelves containing a mishmash of books, general health, hygiene and other consumable products.

The items are loosely organized with some regard to the general perceived association of comparative goods. Kind of. For example, in the section containing granola, there is a discernably golden box sitting on the uppermost shelf. It is emblazoned with the words "honey" and "16 packets". Being in that is located with food items, one would assume that this box contains something honey flavored or of a honey derivative that would be consumed for nutritional value. Nope. It's "male enhancement" pills.

The interior of the floorplan contains a large kitchen-esque area designed for the preparation of food (sandwiches mostly) as well as the designated area for purchasing your items. Its central location makes it convenient for patrons to bring their selection of products and also place an order with the chef. This, in my opinion, is thoughtfully crafted to keep the customer engaged with all aspects of their shopping experience.

The rear of the store is expanded to house a small collection of prepackaged ramen noodles and refrigerated bottled drinks. There are bowls available to use as well as a machine to supply hot water for the ramen. The location of available serving trays is inconvenient, being located at the entrance of the small room, whereas the noodles and hot water machine are at the rear of the room.

To find the "toppings" for your noodle craving, you must follow a series of arrow signs posted in a rudimentary fashion around the walls of the store, similar to what you'd likely spot in the hallways at an elementary school. Why the toppings are not located in the refrigerators housing the bottled drinks is questionable.

Lining two walls of the store are several tables available for use, but they are quite small with each capable of comfortably seating two persons, but anything more than that would become cramped. One table is supplied with a chess board which immediately repels anyone wanting to sit and do anything other than play chess.

I have not ordered anything from the kitchen, so that will be my next quest, and I will update this review accordingly.

The staff are friendly and accommodating. I was given the "nickel tour" with much enthusiasm.

Overall, the guest experience will vary greatly depending on your needs and expectations. I welcome the new store to our little community as I live very close by and hope to see improvements over time. My reason for three stars is the scant selection of goods and decidedly questionable flow and location of items.

Oh, and if you find yourself running a marathon (in Corpus) past this location and are short of breath, you can dip in for a quick burst of canned oxygen as they maintain a very healthy supply of canned oxygen for your convenience. Available in two sizes. You know, for all you marathon runners. In Corpus. Yeah, Beach to Bay. It happens...

Where to start! Would it be the unique products you won't find anywhere else? The healthy and green choices? The varied and choice beer and wine array? The traditional shopping choices? The amazing ramen bar or other food menu choices? The eclectic charm of the entire place? It's definitely a mix of all these wonderful attributes that make it a one of a kind experience that you shouldn't miss but it's the people there that make it the perfect place to spend your time! They are the heart and soul and magic of Community Grocery!...

Great new addition to the downtown Corpus Christi community. Community Grocery has a diverse selection of ethnic groceries including oolong tea, pastas, quirky snacks and breakfast items like plant based pancake mix from Ghetto Gastro. They also have a ramen bar, selection of alcoholic drinks and a kitchen serving up good food as well. I had the Italian stallion sandwich which was great. Community Grocery is a great place to shop and eat at, look forward to...