Support local: Here are six new businesses in Corpus Christi area
Business is booming for local entrepreneurs, as five new businesses have opened, and one is opening soon, in the Corpus Christi area.
So, if you're looking for a new Mexican restaurant, tea shop or pizzeria, we have some news for you.
Aloha! Pacific Island Grill
6702 S. Staples St.
On the Southside, Carl Bernardo opened Aloha! Pacific Island Grill in March.
While he isn't Hawaiian, Bernardo said his Filipino heritage is found in the island state, along with other Asian influences.
Bernardo said he wanted to bring authentic cuisine to the city after seeing corporate businesses open shop.
"I see potential in Corpus Christi, especially on the Southside," Bernardo said. "I think it's good spot to start a business."
Bernardo said aside from Hawaiian food, like loco moco, Aloha! serves lumpias, spam musubi and a chicken katsu slider.
Website: facebook.com/alohapacificislandgrill
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily
Cha³ Tea
1702 US Highway 181, Portland
Stephanie Nguyen realized the city of Portland needed more Asian representation before opening Cha³ Tea — pronounced "cha cha cha" — in February.
From Rockport, Nguyen said she wanted to bring a small, woman-owned business to the area and provide a safe and fun hang-out spot for kids.
Aside from boba drinks, like teas and coffees, Cha³ Tea also offers taiyakis (stuffed waffles) and pandan waffles (coconut cream-based treats).
Website: chateatx.com
Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
Las Braza's
4425 S. Alameda St.
Having worked in restaurants all her life, Sarah Longoria and her husband, Franco, decided to open their own business, Las Braza's, and become their own bosses.
The Mexican American restaurant opened in late March and offers breakfast, lunch and dinner options.
"I wanted to provide a cozy restaurant with matching ambiance," Sarah Longoria said. "That's what I always look for when I go out, and I wanted to offer that for customers."
Website: facebook.com/SarahFrank1135
Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday
Odi's Pizzeria Napoletana
6313 Wooldridge Road
Joseph Garza, owner of Odi's Pizzeria Napoletana, said he and his brother, Raul, planned on starting a food truck that would eventually become a restaurant.
Raul passed a few years back, so Garza kept his promise and opened the food truck in memory of his brother with their father.
Now, Garza said his next step is opening the brick-and-mortar location in late June.
A year after starting the food truck, Garza said he will provide a one-of-a-kind pizzeria to Corpus Christi.
"It's the only one that will make the Naples-style of pizza in Corpus," Garza said.
He added that an international association, Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, will fly in from Italy to certify the restaurant's style of pizza as 100% authentic and traditional.
"We will be the only one like it here," Garza said.
Garza said the traditional Italian restaurant will also import small batches of wine from vineyards in Italy and provide limited quantities of pasta dishes, including cacio e pepe.
Website: facebook.com/odipzza
Hours: To be announced
Retro
326 N. Chaparral St.
Since he was a kid in the 1980s, Freddy Rodriguez has been enamored with arcades.
He said he noticed downtown Corpus Christi didn't have many family-friendly options in the area and wanted to bring something that could benefit the city.
Retro had a soft opening in May, but will hold its grand opening 7 p.m. Friday.
With about 50 games, including some having additional games in them, Rodriguez said he hopes Retro will continue the growing energy in downtown Corpus Christi.
"This is an opportunity for the downtown area to continue its revival," Rodriguez said.
Along with arcade games, Retro also offers two bars and a kitchen that will soon start serving pizza.
Patrons can pay a flat fee of $15 for an entire day-pass.
Website: retrocorpus.com
Hours: 5 p.m. to midnight Tuesday; noon to midnight Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday; noon to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday
Tacos y Carnitas "El Jefe"
802 West Point Road
Translating for her father, Marco Garcia Marquez, Marta Garcia said her dad's dream has always been to be his own boss and be independent.
Tacos y Carnitas "El Jefe" opened in February and specializes in authentic Mexican food, including carnitas, barbacoa and chicharron con carne.
"He wants to offer a good service to the community with good Mexican food," Garcia said of her father. "This place is good because there's not a lot of restaurants that offer authentic Mexican food to this community."
Website: Find Tacos y Carnitas “El Jefe” on Facebook
Hours: 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday
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John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com or Twitter @johnpoliva.
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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Food and fun: Here are six new businesses in Coastal Bend
