In 1960s/70s, we lived about mile from a popular Mexican restaurant called Old Mexico which was down Leopard maybe a mile. The scenery inside was drab, but no one would complain as the real star here was what came out of the kitchen.
We had a few "good" Mexican restaurants then battling for your Corpus Christi dollar. I have mentioned a few of them, but at risk of repeating myself as often do (ask wife) Spanish Kitchen on North Beach, Rays on Louisiana Parkway, La Azteca on Morgan and while not a Mexican restaurant at all, a big nod goes to Donut Hole across from Wynn Seale for carne guisada.I worked at Spanish Kitchen in 1970s as low life dishwasher, the brothers Rabago, Jesus & Emilio lived next door to us on Doss, waitress Maria with beautiful green eyes, and the Harrises ran the place.
I didn't get to eat there at Old Mexico until was about 17, and had own job and some of us guys went over to try it out, or at least me try it out. Never got to go again though, as moved first to west side Lexington Manor, then The Landing, so plenty of places to eat that neck of woods, then moved to Houston.
The enchiladas & nachos are what I remember best. Sure, Snapka's tacos still best in Corpus Christi (you can tell em their loudmouthed AMC car friend in Houston sez so) but the tacos were standout too, maybe just me but I like crispy beef tacos with the cheese melted on top, can hold taco 45 degree angle and watch the grease run out!
I was sitting in my 68 AMC AMX facing Hi 9 icehouse bar one day at corner of Leopard at Nueces Bay Blvd, Old Mexico was to my left, and Texas Star (how many remember THOSE?) to right, I had just got gas 79 cents gallon, & a six pack of Billy Beer. Yes, cold, delicious Billy Beer, which was still better than Lone Star armadillo pee. And Billy Beer was $1.59 a six pack! A guy coming from north on Nueces Bay ran stop light, and the car in front of me, a black guy in the land before cell phones, started turning in his Pontiac. He got hit, and I am still sitting at light, the Pontiac turned and went right towards Old Mexico and hit side of building, punching hole in it. I remember the fellow with hands up in air like he had lost control of a Pontiac, all he had to do is step on brake, but then again, maybe didn't want to spill that Schlitz Malt Liquor tall boy, don't blame him. The other car was barely damaged sitting in middle of intersection. I didn't hang around, as didn't want anyone to know I was drinking Billy Beer. The hole was in wall for weeks.
Anyways, I do not know when Old Mexico closed down, as seemed to have a solid, good Corpus Christi, possibly Robstown, Calallen, Annaville following. The old barely readable ad says "enchanted surroundings' ha ha what the hell is that about? You can see some folks eating there and I have spent hours looking for anything enchanted except it says they seat 300 people!
Maybe just me but I like enchiladas on hot plate with cheese dripping off it, waiter tells you its hot don't touch and of course you do duh. If any of you ever come to Houston, the two best places I know for Nachos are Fajita Flats on Fondren & Café Jaurez on Gessner. For enchiladas, Café Juarez, any Papasitos & Taqueria Cancun. Shameless plug department! Don't lick the screen.
PHOTOS: Photo #1. In Austin it is El Matamoros restaurant but in Corpus Christi it is Old Mexico. I wonder why they didn't name it same place as in Austin? Or which came first? Or why I never saw 'enchanted surroundings?' Or why I drank Bill Beer from Texas Star gas station across street from Old Mexico?
Photo #2. Inside Old Mexico on Leopard. Nothing fancy, but most Mexican restaurants aren't. This looked a lot like Spanish Kitchen I worked at on North Beach in 1977, except we had some bullfighter fighting bulls velvet paintings from Woolworth's downtown, and some big sombreros to make it 'enchanted'. The lack of margaritas in this photo bothers me. What does not bother me is no one looking at damned cell phones, texting friends, or taking photos of food. Wait, I do that a lot, but I don't play games or selfies now, I enjoy whoever is with me, company. The lady in back in white tee and bow in her hair looks like my lovely wife Paige. Except when this photo was taken, Paige would have been only 14 years old ha ha. Damned minors.
Photo #3. As you get older, sometimes but not all, supposed to eat stuff like this. Doctor said I can have a enchilada plate a month, maybe two, just don't cover it with pound of sour cream and bacon. And I like it when the restaurant puts plate in oven before serving, sometimes bubbling beans, and whatever else. Or is it just me?
Photo #4. This is how I like nachos. I have worked in a LOT of restaurants thru decades, same as with enchiladas, like nacho plate tossed in oven, the chip crisp, beans, cheese melting, then toss lettuce, tomatoes, jalapenos on it. This photo comes from Fajita Flats on Fondren in Houston, but Kiko's on Everhart in Corpus serves them same way. Yea, don't write me 'deer meesteer ette!' letter telling me I forgot YOUR favorite Mexican food place, just name it in Corpus Christi. Maybe will try it next time visit!
No photo: to this day, people STILL TALK about the PUFFY TACOS.....