Santa Rosa Restaurant

I've been here a handful of times…read more Visit 1: carne guisada plate ordered through the drive-thru, delicious and love convenience. Visit 2: dined in and ordered carne asada plate, delicious. Visit 3: got breakfast thru the drive thru, chilaquiles with egg mixed in, no salsa ranchera They made the corn tortilla chips very soggy and there were ONIONS which I do not like and which was not disclosed, only ate a quarter or the top layer of the plate. Visit 4: was sick with vomiting so got tortilla soup. Chicken was cooked but not tenderized. I liked the one from Cancun's better. Visit 5: brought hubby here. He commented that carne guisada was overcooked, I tasted and agreed. I put this place to the true test by ordering menudo... and they failed. Menudo tasted like they didn't wash tripas after parboiling them. Each bite was initially good follow up by an uncomfortable, dirty aftertaste. My verdict: not bad, just mid. Maybe some issues with quality control. I'll be back to try the seafood though.

Wow awesome place. Great food fast service. You alot of people comming at all hours of the day. I…read morehave never been there early enough to catch the breakfast which I hear is spectacular but for lunch and dinner was exceptionally good. I mean the steak was well done but yet juicy almost impossible to do. The enchiladas were flavorful and stuffed with chicken. Pro tip don't forget to ask about their sauce selection it really elevates any dish

Number one contender

See all

Delicious top shelf margarita and chips and salsa!

Fridas Mexican Restastaurant

4.4(76 reviews)

2.5 mi

This downtown spot is indeed filled with Kahlo and Kahlo-esque decor, bright and funky in the best…read moreway. The salsas rate from "pleasantly hot" to "make your head tingle" to "am I crying?" so be wise in your consumption. Service was attentive and pleasant, and the drinks were very reasonably priced. My family got basic fare. The green and red enchiladas both looked great (the green with chicken tasted great too), and my wife's "morning in a bowl" would have fit in at a fancy brunch. However, my Molcajete was the star of the show. Sizzling and filled with delicious meats, cheese, peppers, and onions. It was a serious amount of food, and everything was kept piping hot throughout the whole meal. Dessert was pretty legit too. The churros are big and perfect. The Sopapillas were light and delicious, though I was left wishing for powdered sugar. Overall, this place is a new favorite for our frequent trips to Corpus.

We came here specifically because they clearly labeled their items as vegetarian (this is actually…read morea huge win for Corpus Christi where several other Mexican restaurant menus left me guessing if I could even eat there). Overall, the food was decent and I appreciated that it came with extra salsa (the salsa girlies get it). We did run into two snafus: 1. They had 2 items in the vegetarian section and the one that I ordered (enchiladas) were no longer available which left me with the quesadilla. This was a bit of a bummer because I was really looking forward the enchiladas! 2. I got a margarita flight which was listed at $13. It was delicious! However, when the bill came, it was listed at $16 which took me by surprise. The server was apologetic and was able to figure it out with management. I am grateful for how they handled the situation.

Sizzling skillet was delicious!

See all

El Jalisco Grill

4.3(234 reviews)

6.7 mi

I was pleasantly surprised by this cute clean place…read more We visited on a Friday evening and were immediately sat. Our waitress was very kind, attentive and even answered our questions since it was our first time visiting. The beef fajitas were delicious and at a great price too! The flour tortillas were yummy as well! We will definitely be back and recommend others try this place!

I think this has to be one of my favorite Mexican restaurants in Corpus everything they brought out…read morewas delicious The salsa, the beans, the rice the fajitas. Everything was on point. The staff was very sweet , The best part I noticed in this restaurant is the staff works together as a team an actual team

Dining area

Spam & egg plate w/skirt steak

See all

Menu

Guajillo's On The Island

4.6(289 reviews)

15.4 mi

This place came HIGHLY recommended to us from my family. They said this is where you get authentic…read moreMexican cuisine. As a vegan, that made me excited because actual Mexican food usually has less cheese and can be made vegan. The business is quaint. There was a friendly hostess to welcome us in and our server was very hospitable. We ordered the chile relleno without cheese, zucchini in pasilla pepper sauce, and mole verde off the vegetarian options on the menu. We also enjoyed guacamole and chips. Our server was happy to accommodate our vegan modifications and it was really easy to communicate with him. The flavors are just WOW! Hands down the best guacamole of my life. The sauces are vibrant and rich. Everything tasted so fresh. And the prices for this quality of food cannot be beat. My husband and I literally licked sauce off the plates to make sure we did not miss one ounce of that authentic Mexican flavor. This place is top of our list of businesses to visit next time we are in town visiting family. We had an incredible experience and cannot wait to continue to explore the vegetarian menu options.

Highly Rated, But Unfortunately Not For Us…read more My mom and I are in Corpus Christi for a little girls' weekend, and after seeing how highly rated Guajillo's On the Island is, we decided we had to give it a try. It was conveniently located near us, so it seemed like the perfect spot for lunch. When you walk in, you immediately get an old-school, homey feel. It's a small restaurant and definitely has that "this place has been around for a while" kind of charm. We went on a Monday afternoon, so it was pretty quiet and we were seated and greeted quickly. Our server was friendly and attentive throughout our visit. We started with the complimentary chips and salsa. The red salsa was delicious--great flavor with just the right amount of spice. Unfortunately, the chips were a miss for me. They tasted like they had been fried more than once and had a slightly burnt flavor. For lunch, I ordered the green enchiladas, while my mom got the chilaquiles verdes. Unfortunately, this is where the meal really fell short for me. The food came out quickly, but the texture made it seem like our dishes had been reheated rather than freshly prepared. My enchiladas had good flavor, but the tortillas were extremely soggy, which really took away from the dish. The rice was also more of a steamed-style rice than the traditional Mexican rice I was expecting. The refried beans, however, were probably my favorite part of the meal. They had great flavor, a little bit of spice, and were honestly very good. My mom's chilaquiles had the same issue with the chips. The chips were already on the softer side, and once covered in the green sauce, they became very mushy. She also had the beans, which she enjoyed. I really wanted to love this place because of all the great reviews, and I'm glad we gave it a try. But for me, the biggest disappointment was the lack of freshness and the texture of the food. I don't mind a small, casual restaurant at all--in fact, I really liked the cozy, old-school atmosphere--but I do expect my food to taste freshly prepared. Maybe we caught them on an off day, because clearly a lot of people absolutely love Guajillo's, and it has some very loyal fans. Unfortunately, based on our experience, I don't think I would return. Still, it was fun getting to try another spot on the Island during our girls' weekend!

See all

Yola Cocina Mexicana

4.2(203 reviews)

1.8 mi

My boyfriend and I recently visited Yola for lunch after having it on our list for quite some time,…read moreand it truly exceeded our expectations. From the moment we walked in, we were welcomed by a warm, inviting atmosphere and a beautifully designed space that made for the perfect date spot! We started with the Queso Fundido and Nachos con Carne, both of which were recommended to us--and absolutely did not disappoint! For our main course, we shared the Tacos de Asada and the Birria Lunch Special. Not only was the lunch special a great value, but it also came with some of the best beans I've had in a while-officially my new favorite! Everything we tried was rich in flavor, and I'm already looking forward to coming back to explore more of the menu. If our first visit is any indication, I know we won't be disappointed!

I took my girlfriend to YOLA for lunch today, and it exceeded every expectation. The restaurant…read moreitself has a beautiful atmosphere--welcoming, stylish, and the perfect spot for a great meal. I ordered the lunch special: two tacos with rice and beans for just $12. Incredible value! I chose the asada and birria tacos. It was my first time trying birria, so I wasn't sure what to expect, but one bite completely changed my mind. The flavors were rich, bold, and layered in a way that kept surprising me with every bite. The rice was perfectly fluffy and packed with flavor--honestly, it was almost as good as my mom's, and that's saying something! The charro beans had just the right amount of spice and were absolutely delicious. Even the presentation was impressive; every plate looked as good as it tasted. Huge compliments to the chef and the entire team for creating such an amazing dining experience. Great food, great value, and wonderful service. We'll definitely be back, and I can't wait to try more of the menu!

The bar! Don't for get to get the guacamole it's the best in town.

Birria and Enchiladas Verdes

See all

Bella the Bartender is beautiful inside and out and so was this lovely cocktail shemade me

Mi Casita

4.8(20 reviews)

5.3 mi

This place may look like a little hole in the wall, but WOW -- the food was absolutely delicious…read moreand so fresh! Everything tasted authentic, flavorful, and made with care. The presentation and service were just as amazing as the food itself. It was our first time trying this spot while visiting Corpus, and coming from McAllen, we definitely approve! We'll absolutely be back whenever we're in town. Hidden gems like this deserve all the love!

Two foodies from Houston,…read more We were in Corpus Christi and of course we were hungry. Restaurant is in an older building. However, everyone was welcoming and friendly. We ordered Chicken Flautas (chicken rolled up in a corn tortilla that is then fried) and Carne Guisada (stewed beef) which came with fresh flour tortillas (with a browning ingredient- no raw looking tortillas) with two Mexican cokes. While it was not to our liking, everyone had different taste buds. Also, the restaurant did have a good share of customers. Sorry, I didn't take pictures. Give it a try for yourself and let us know which dishes you tired and your thoughts. Happy Eating!

Now a Mi Casita!

Steak, eggs & bacon (à la carte)

See all

Spam, bacon & eggs (à la carte) (Spam is an underrated & cheap "superfood")

Jalapeno's Mexican Bar & Grill

4.0(29 reviews)

14.8 mi

I had a very enjoyable dinner at Jalapeño's last weekend while visiting friends. It was happy hour…read moreso they had a great price for their frozen margaritas...I had two! Chips and salsa, also very good; I love that they serve the red salsa cold. For dinner I had the shrimp soup and it was excellent. Wish I could eat there more often!

Jalapeno's exceeded expectations. My wife and I we typically judge a Tex Mex restaurant based on…read moretheir salsa and Jalapeno's salsa is very good! I also got one of the combo plates that consisted of ground beef enchiladas and a crunchy beef & cheese taco. They were good but the rice and beans stole the show here. They also brought out some salsa that you can add to your food, which I did, and it added a nice kick and made it better. I will try something different next time but looking forward to going back.

The inside

Great chips & salsa

See all

Beef enchilada + 1 taco plate.

Kiko's Mexican Food Restaurant & Cantina

2.8(392 reviews)

3.9 mi

Had meant to post review for Tina, our server and Kiko's a few days ago…read more She is amazing has a lot of positive energy and make sure your order is right and your food is hot As far as the food, I see a big improvement with the quality as I had noticed a while back the food wasn't as tasty and hot as should be I'm not sure what happened, but it looks like Kiko's has their act together now

Kiko's isn't the same sadly. I have lived here in CC and this was a frequent place to go with the…read morefamily. The food quality has changed and just isn't hitting the mark anymore. The Kiko's 2.0 isn't the same. Service is great. Same ambiance as the interior didn't change just the owners, QAQC of its food.

Moldy ceiling tiles

Fajitas special

See all

Front of establishment parking lot

El Potro

4.3(40 reviews)

3.9 mi

Food is great and reasonably priced. Service was fast. For great authentic Mexican food this is…read morewhere I come. My favorite dish is the parillada tarascó

Had the Texas plate with a beef taco. Carne Guisada and enchiladas were so so. Rice and beans were…read moregood. Beef taco was inedible. It was so greasy when it was brought out, the shell fell apart on its own. The seasoning of the taco was also awful. Not bad, but far from the best Mexican food I have had in the area.

Fajitas Tarascas

Brunch

See all

Churros

Linda's Restaurant

4.1(151 reviews)

2.3 mi

What an amazing find! This place was clean, the staff was nice and the food was amazing! I had the…read moreenchiladas-cheese and beef. Also had the green chicken enchiladas! I heard the enchilada were the way to go and they didn't disappoint!! The beans were delicious and they have HOMEMADE FLOUR TORTILLAS!!

So good I had to go twice. The staff is very friendly, making Linda's feel extra homey. Even though…read moreI was impressed with my dine in experience, I was blown away by my togo experience! The breakfast tacos are a MUST and surprisingly so are the pancakes. I would definitely come here again the next time I'm in town.

Things to do in Corpus Christi

Inside dining area...

Cheese enchiladas with beans

See all

Grilled chicken breast w veggies

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

7 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Pinky S.

17

26

21

6 years ago

My husband and I always come here for a good Mexican food, and we've never been disappointed. Love everything on their breakfast, lunch and dinner menu. The staff here are very accommodating too. read more

Jennifer O.

46

5

0

7 years ago

Completely surprised! This place is delicious and the wait staff is great. Super fast!

Monica R.

0

2

0

12 years ago

good food for the price you pay, staff is always fast and friendly. Kuddos to all!

Flor H.

5

11

1

9 years ago

To bad food To bad food To bad food read more

Rothy M.

3

2

0

15 years ago

Good chalupas, great guacamole!

Rg G.

10

2

0

14 years ago

Friendly service, & great food.

Johnny C.

330

2

1

13 years ago

Good service, good food.

Santa Rosa Restaurant - mexican - Updated September 2026

Best of Corpus Christi

People found Santa Rosa Restaurant by searching for…

People who viewed Santa Rosa Restaurant also viewed

Mi Nueva Casa

4.0

(48 reviews)

Always a favorite. Great food and friendly efficient service. Went for lunch today while my…read moredaughter is here from out of town. Enjoyed it.

Mi Nueva Casa is a cozy Southside taqueria located off of Staples right past Yorktown and adjacent…read moreto the Stony Brook suburb. It opened at the same time I moved in the area. When I first tried the place right after they opened, I was not entirely impressed. I suppose they were getting their operations together as new restaurants often do. Fast forward a few years later, and they have become a neighborhood staple for good Tex-Mex (taqueria) food at fairly decent prices. It's not fancy, but that's not what one would expect from a neighborhood taqueria. They also have really good service and a drive-thru if you're in a hurry. I probably wouldn't expect most people to go out of their way for this place, but if you're passing by or in the area for whatever reason, it's worth giving it a shot, IMO.

Los Compadres

4.6

(31 reviews)

The food 10/10, the service 20/20, and the Dr Pepper 1000/10. It's a very hole in the wall joint,…read morebut it's an amazing hole in the wall.

Hole in the wall restaurant with big dog energy!! We had…read moreabout 6-7 people with us and everyone enjoyed their meals. Service was nice and quick. Zero issues and would highly recommend!

Taqueria Jalisco #1

4.0

(52 reviews)

Food is always good regardless of what you order. Restaurant very generous with homemade guacamole…read more(pure avocado, not filtered down with sour cream as some restaurants). Food has been good at lunch and near closing hours. We always receive fresh food, not obvious leftovers that had been sitting under a heat lamp all day. Staff always friendly. Restaurant clean

Well this visit wasn't so great. Was overcharged for an extra taco that I have to go back to get…read moremy money for. Then, my pastor taco was upgraded to an extra greasy taco at no charge...sucked. The line was fairly slow, but finally got through. Lots of stray dogs in the parking lot, so be prepared if you have a fear of dogs. Not a fan of this location.

Taqueria Guadalajara

3.7

(60 reviews)

We have been going to this restaurant for several years off and on, visiting when we could stop by…read moreto eat either breakfast or dinner. They have been pretty consistent, in reference to good food and service. The ambiance is decorated quite nicely, especially after the renovation several years ago.

Born and raised in Corpus Christi and now live me of Dallas. I can't find carne guisada up there…read moreso when I come down I eat it almost every morning. So good!!

El Sol De Mexico

3.2

(34 reviews)

The food was so good and the waitress was amazing very polite and informative .. will be back for…read moresure...

The place was full of flies. I ordered a Chalupa and it came without cheese. When I asked why I had…read moreno cheese I was told that when you add meat the cheese is omitted. This makes no sense period! They charge extra for the meat and the meat is an addition. I ask when your there look up at the ceiling and notice all the mildew and fungus

Yoli's Tacos & Barbacoa To Go

3.5

(39 reviews)

I love this place! Women owned and operating, don't get wrong the cooks are great but the women are…read moreso friendly and welcoming; I always find a way to tip them equal to my order or 3xs my order. Women supporting women -Sonya and Randy from across the street

Best breakfast tacos! Always come here when I'm in town…read more They give good portions and it is so tasty! The salsa is delicious! Not so spicy but tons of flavor. I order a taco with chorizo, egg, cheese, potato and avocado. They don't look pretty but they are delicious!

Taqueria Guadalajara

3.4

(45 reviews)

Unfortunately, my experience was disappointing. The service was slow, and the staff didn't seem…read morevery attentive or welcoming. The food took a long time to arrive, and when it did, it wasn't fresh or flavorful. The restaurant also could have been cleaner. Considering the prices, I expected much better quality and service. I hope they make improvements because the place has potential.

I feel like this spot is a hit or miss and just not worth it when they miss. Salsa also not…read moreconsistent. Sometimes it's great and sometimes it's watered down with no spice or flavor. Service is good.

Hacienda Vieja

3.7

(88 reviews)

Stopped by to eat with my husband, ordered the quesadilla plate. Took a bite and there was a…read morewhite hair . The "person in charge" she was a lady with black hair came by and said that no one in the kitchen had white hair which was irrelevant. She then said that we had to pay for one quesadilla, the quesadilla that had the hair in it!! I will never stop there again. Management has no customer service skills. I do want to say that the waitress was amazing, she even knew that the lady was being unfair. No more Hacienda Vieja for our family . Pass this on. I can't even rate this place a 1 I rate it a BIG 0 Time was 5:17 pm on 7/11/2026

Was looking for a new to me local Tex-Mex restaurant and this place is now among my favorite…read moreplaces. Excellent chips, salsa, queso, home made flour tortillas. Had the Carne Guisada. They even gave me some salsa to go with my leftover queso. Huge menu. Breakfast all day. Definitely will be back with friends & family.

Feliz Amanecer

3.6

(46 reviews)

Food and service is so good! Little noisy when busy but not as bad as other restaurants.read more

Food was delicious and the service was great. Restaurant was very clean. Our food was hot and fresh…read morewhen it was served. Tortillas are homemade.

Taqueria Alteño

4.2

(25 reviews)