Tequila Coast, Corpus Christi

Those passing by Tequila Coast often hear melodies played on classical guitar drift out from behind the restaurant's towering stucco walls. After walking inside, guests see a sunlit courtyard, where guitarists wander between wrought-iron balconies, a four-tiered fountain, and a Talavera tiled staircase, serenading evening diners who linger over Mexican dishes and glasses of tequila drinks. In the kitchen, chefs fold freshly made tortillas, Angus steak, and gulf-water seafood into appealing arrangements of Mexican food. Behind the lengthy bar, drink-masters dole out beer and wine under the glow of flat-screen TVs. Guests can also snap photographs amidst the restaurant's rustic decor and artwork, posing alongside friends or the plate of seven enchiladas they've been double-dared to finish.