CORPUS CHRISTI – Just a few blocks from the water in the sparkling city by the sea is the Lamar Park Shopping Center. Since 1955, it’s been serving the citizens of Corpus and a more recent edition is bringing back your friendly neighborhood postman, well sort of.
Susan Gonzales is originally from Aggieland but when she met her future husband, James, moving to Corpus was only a matter of time.
“I was totally College Station when I came in,” Susan said. “I was like is that TV commercial in Spanish. I was like oh my god I’ve got to get the lingo going. I totally could not have it for a while, but now I’m getting the grove.”
Together the pair has partnered up on several bars and restaurants and The Post is their hottest new package. Housed in a former Post Office, people still have fond memories of buying stamps under a quarter here.
“We get so many people that come in that are a little bit older and they’re like, ‘Man I remember coming here when I was a kid with my mom and getting stamps and sending the mail out,” Susan explained.
Apparently, people still do, frequently. You’ll still find some post office boxes outside The Post and parts of the old USPS are still around the restaurant. But just being housed in a building some had fond memories of wasn’t enough, and the Gonzales knew to succeed down south, you need a certain swagger.
“I’ve often said if it works in another city it’s not going to work in Corpus,” Susan informed us. “I don’t mean that in a negative way. It’s just that Corpus has its own pace, its own temperature, its own vibe.”
That’s when head chef Roberto Flores got shipped in.
“I like making people happy,” Roberto told us, “when they take that first bite and you see their reaction.”
With menu items like Alameda Street corn and Center Street tacos, the post does have some fun with their food offerings. Including Brussels sprouts!
You might be thinking, ‘Brussel sprouts, eww,’ but these Brussels sprouts are first class.
“I’m not a fan of Brussels sprouts, but I love our Brussels sprouts,” Susan said.
Each year, The Post sells nearly three tons of these little bodacious balls packed with flavor.
One taste of these Brussels sprouts left me thinking, Mom didn’t make Brussels sprouts like these. The earthiness of these vegetables paired with honey and sriracha send this dish over the top.
But alas it’s time for final delivery, the Heisenburger, a burger that knocks.
“I said I just want a good American hamburger,” Susan informed us when talking about the origins of this week’s burger of the week. “It can look great and it can be pretty and it can be this tall, but I said put something around my hands that I can fit in my mouth.”
Chef Rob starts with the beef. After it’s smashed down, the seasoning, salt, pepper, garlic, and onion powder, gets spread out. The burger is cooked to a medium rare, ““Because it’s nice and juicy,” Roberto shared. “Keeps it really moist and doesn’t dry out the meat. We want you to taste the meat in the burger.”
Wisconsin aged cheddar is added, the brioche bun is toasted and things are already starting to get wrapped up.
“If you want to dress it you can dress it. We suggest not to,” Roberto said.
After just a few minutes the burger is done, and we’re ready to take a bite. Like waiting for an important package, we took our time and enjoyed each and every bite.
“It’s a good solid burger,” Corpus Christie native, Gabney says. It’s one of the best burgers in town by far.”
And I’ll tell you one thing, it’s got my stamp of approval. I couldn’t have said it better than Andy, a regular at The Post.
“It’s a little treasure we have here in Corpus Christi.”