Mikel Mays Too — Restaurant in Corpus Christi

As a local resident of North Padre Island, we take pride in knowing the hidden gems and avoiding the tourist traps. So, when Merida's Tapas & Cantina opened up, we were cautiously optimistic. Here's our honest take after a few visits:

The Good:

Fresh, flavorful food: Merida's tapas are the real deal. The portions are perfect for sharing, and the ingredients taste high quality and super fresh. The ceviche is some of the best I've had on the island.

Great spot for sunset drinks: The waterfront deck is fantastic, especially for catching a sunset with a margarita in hand or Espresso Martini (BEST EVER)!

Friendly service: The staff at Merida's is always friendly and attentive.

A Local's Warning:

Pricey for the island: Let's be honest, North Padre Island isn't exactly a fine-dining destination. While the food is delicious, be prepared for prices that are a bit higher than your average island joint. It's a great option for a special occasion, but maybe not your everyday go-to.

Can get crowded: Merida's has become quite popular, especially on weekends and during peak season. If you want a guaranteed table with a view, especially for sunset, make a reservation beforehand.

Overall:

Merida's Tapas & Cantina is a solid addition to the North Padre Island dining scene. The food is delicious, the atmosphere is fantastic, and the service is friendly. However, be prepared for slightly higher prices than usual on the island. For a local, it's a great choice for a special occasion or a night out with friends when you want something a little more upscale. Just remember to make a reservation if you don't want to wait...

I was super disappointed in this place. We went to have dinner this Sunday. Food was very disappointing. We ordered my son some chicken tenders which were dry and over cooked, which he did not eat. They served him a side of “fresh” fruit that was really fruit garnishes that they took straight from the bar ( ex: cherries pineapples that bartenders stick there hands in to garnish drinks, gross) The turkey melt I ordered was a little too pricey in my opinion. It fell short on presentation and taste, Turkey had a fishy kind of flavor or maybe is was the sauce? My husband ordered a cheese burger on flat bread which is an odd combo when really all he wanted was a burger, and it was ground beef spread out on a flat bread like a pizza. That was around 18 dollars, by itself. No fries which my husband asked for and didn’t get. I asked for tomatoes to kind of try to enjoy my sandwhich and spruce it up and tomatoes were old. Tasted spoiled. I looked over the menu and it’s pretty pricey and it just opened I believe. I ddnt see a front of house manager, food took too long to come out as well. I really hope they view this and try to pay more attention to food fast and presentation because it’s falling short. Hopefully they have a good chef that does dialy walk through as of the kitchen daily to make sure food is...

Title: Good Service, but a Disappointing Experience

I recently visited Merida's Tapas & Cantina in Corpus Christi, and I have to say, while the service was commendable, the overall experience was quite disheartening.

The atmosphere left much to be desired, with a bizarre mix of beach-themed decor, Italian paintings, and country music blaring overhead. There was nothing that remotely resembled or respected the origin of the food the restaurant claimed to serve.

As for the food, it was a complete disaster. The preparation was all wrong and did a poor job representing the culture it aimed to appropriate. While a few tapas were Spanish, most of the offerings were American foods misleadingly labeled as "more tapas" - ribeye steak, macaroni and cheese, and Mexican shrimp cocktails.

I believe more respect needs to be given to the names American’s put on their restaurants if they plan to represent a specific culture’s cuisine. This is NOT A TAPAS RESTAURANT. This misrepresentation feels like stolen honor. On a positive note, the service was good, but unfortunately, it couldn’t make up for the disappointing experience. Spain, I apologize on behalf...