Guajillo's On The Island — Restaurant in Corpus Christi

am updating my review in light of them being rightfully named third best restaurant in the whole state of Texas. My girlfriend and I have been eating there for about a year and consider these folks (the owners) like family. In fact, they came to my birthday party last month! There food is always awesome and the service is beyond friendly! That is what another customer told me yesterday when he came out. His family had driven all the way across town and he said, "This won't be the last time either, believe you me!" If you are a fan of true, authentic Mexican cuisine or maybe curious to try the real thing (not Tex-Mex) without traveling south of the border, you owe it to yourself to give it a try. There are other "authentic" restaurants in town, but they fall way short. My girlfriend (born in Monterrey) had to tell one place how to make queso fresco (fresh cheese) enchiladas! Don't waste your time and money. Go to Guajillo's on the Island, the little yellow building with a red chili pepper on the sign. All their food is very authentic, central Mexico food - not TexMex. They have wonderful moles (green and brown), great meatballs (albondigas) in Chipotle sauce. The hot sauce is great, both kinds - one not too hot for dipping chips and another very spicy if you request it. Even the beans are great and different from local cafes (taste home made, as does everything). For breakfast the Huevos Rancheros and Divorced Eggs are great. Also, the Chilaquilles Montados. The owner and chef is eager explain any questions and ingredients. Everything is gluten free for someone like myself. This is family run and very personal service. 5 stars for me and...

Santa Vaca! This was fun and tasty! Due to road construction didn't know if we'd get into the parking lot. So glad we did. Fun family atmosphere. Seriously authentic. It was in North Padre Island so expected but still. Very busy. Didn't think we'd get a space but a family moved to a smaller table for us so we could be seated right away. That speaks to the coolness of the clientele. The chips were a little small serving but we got a second batch. The salsa was spicy not the standard red stuff you get where I'm from. Green salsa. Good tasting. Wife asks "can we get cactus salad?" Never ate cactus before. To me tasted like spicy green beans. Had tomato onions and bits of cheese. Cool. Also came with corn tortillas. Wow those beat out the ones ive seen at stores or Mexican at home. I usually avoid those and go for flour but these were good. Man (in picture) and wife own this. Only been running for 16 months. Another similar spot they own in San Antonio. Thats been going for over 25 years. Fernando Rosas is owner. Now to the food... the owner heard I liked a little spice and suggested Asada de Puerco. Oh my... that was totally amazing. Not a bit left on the plate. It was a rich spicy pepper sauce. Nice spice... Two people got Enfrijoladas. They were a little spice challenged. Loved it but a little too hot for them. We all tasted everybody's. I was ok with it. Owner said if it gets too hot, time for cervrza. Mole poblanos is favorite dish in Mexico according to the owner. Kid1 got chicken enmoladas. He loved his. Think everything is gluten free. There's vegetarian options too.

Wonderful evening! They were great. Food atmosphere....

Tasty food although a bit rubbery at times ;-) - see below. Festive atmosphere with great music. Good service. Slightly higher prices. A place that seems to be a favorite with local and tourists alike. Also offers a midnight limited menu with tacos via the food truck parked in front of the restaurant. Tip: All day breakfast menu is currently only on Sundays! (Not both Saturday and Sunday as noted elsewhere as it was perhaps in the past.)

Only challenge was that I almost swallowed a rubber band we found in our Shrimp tostadas appetizer that we had ordered for the kids and fortunately i took a bite and found the rubber band before the kids did (or could have swallowed it) and reported it. Our suspicion was that it came from the cilantro bunch that was used to garnish the dish but who knows. However, it did leave a bad taste (literally) in our mouth. The Chef came and apologized to us personally and they took the dish off our bill. While we genuinely appreciated that, it tainted our experience.

As an aside, taking the dish off the bill is an expected courtesy under these circumstances. It questioned the level of hygiene and attention to detail in the kitchen where a rubber band shows up in a hot dish but we all understand mistakes do happen. We would have expected a bit more (significantly discount the entire bill or maybe even invite us back for a better experience on the house).

Overall, the family run establishment still seems to be well run otherwise and a local gem with most who visit swearing by the authenticity...