Spec’s Wine, Spirits, & Finer Foods

Spec’s is great! The selection of beer is some of the best I’ve found in Corpus. Wine and liquor selection aren’t disappointments, either. The prices are on the high side of average, but because the store stocks a wide variety of quality imports from around the world a bit of a mark-​up is to be expected. To pair with your beverage you will find a number of appetizers, finger foods, meats and cheeses. Spec’s is a great place for quality beverages — you won’t be disappointed.

Love the selection. The olive bar is awesome. They have what you need for a small
Party to a big party. Don’t forget to get the spec card plus pay with cash and save money. Love this place.

What pleasant surprise to find this place!
I admit having less than stellar expectations for local wine offerings, coming from the DC metro area to South Texas. I am happy to have been wrong thinking in this regard! Imagine my delight to walk into this clean, well-​organized warehouse with an extensive selection of old and new world wines and liqueurs!
The logic layout boasts well-​stocked aisles, informative signage often with WS, W&S, and WE scores! The more I drink, the more my palate evolves away from California and I was very pleased at the large proportion of well-​labeled, reasonably priced international offerings represented among the featured varietals and blends.
Although I was pleased with Spec’s selection of gourmet flavored vinegar and olive oils and happy to find Castelvetrano olives anywhere in the city of Corpus Christi, I was less than overwhelmed with the prices in this section! DC has spoiled me to expect much higher quality and broader variety for substantially less $. Still, when I’m craving quality pomegranate balsamic, I’ll know where to find it.
Spec’s employees are well-​informed and eager to share their knowledge or pass along guidance in an easy and non-​pretentious way the average consumer can easily understand! These oenophiles can give you advice on the perfect red to serve with barbecued spareribs or leftover enchiladas with the same easy grace they can recommend an accompaniment to foie gras or duck l’orange –who eats foie gras anyway! – and are knowledgeable well outside the realm of classic pairings and the big six! AND they honor our country’s servicemen and women by offering a military discount.
So, for featuring a formidable selection, knowledgeable customer service, logical layout and reasonable price points on wine and spirits, I give four energetic stars to this wine warehouse emporium!

The place to go for your liquor needs… it’s like a kid in a candy store but as an adult. Whatever you want they got and make sure you fill out an application for your discount card, it takes you about 3 minutes to fill out.

Great SPECS in Corpus Christi
Fast
Great Service
LOTS OF OPTIONS
This place is huge
Cigar Humidor
In the shopping center with Chuck e Cheese
Staples/​SPID
Ask for specials/​coupons usually at the front.

I love Spec’s stores. This location is not the sprawling expanse I am used to in Houston, but that’s is what I would expect from a much smaller town. The selection is still great and I enjoy the atmosphere. They have everything I go in there looking for as far as drinks and the food/​deli area is nicely stocked as well. Their humidor is GREAT. I can find stogies here that people in larger cities claim are difficult to find. PERFECT place to stop by on my way home, when I need to relax that evening.

I visited Corpus in November 2010, one year after moving away again to Austin. I was shocked when I saw that now Spec’s has moved into town. Hell, I was surprised they were in San Antonio… that’s Don & Ben’s country for Christ’s sake!
Definitely not as varied as the Spec’s I shop at in Austin (290 and Airport), but it’s alright. And I have to agree with Anthony Z’s review, Liquid Town was the best place for liquor in Corpus in my experience… I liked the one on Alameda because its right next to HEB, one I shopped at a lot, and it was super convenient… Spec’s is next to an HEB also, but it’s across the street from it on a road that is almost always busy as hell during the day.
So I guess now Spec’s is expanding all throughout parts of Texas it has never been seen before, but in my honest, humble opinion, Corpus doesn’t need a Spec’s, even though the city gets bigger more and more every year. I really kind of agree with this one, as far as the spirits business goes, Corpus needs to stay local and rely on shops like Liquid Town. I like that more business is headed to Corpus, but I don’t want to see them get too big for their britches too soon.
For the record, Spec’s is the only store I know of that sells my favorite vodka of all time, Enchanted Rock made in Fredericksburg, TX and so now I know I can get it in Corpus too. So yes, there is an advantage to a Spec’s in Corpus.

Just a lot of space. Definitely not the biggest selection of wine and beer in town, that title belongs to the Liquid Town on Alameda. Not a local business, just a big box store trying to hurt the locals. The employees are borderline clueless and are just trying to sell you what they get paid extra on. Not a fan, keep it local Corpus.

While not as large of a store as you might find in Houston or Austin, this store is still a good place to go when you want to try a new beverage. The staff is generally pleasant and friendly, as well as knowledgeable. If you pay attention, you can enjoy a beer or wine tasting to learn and sample beverages you have never tried. They had a beer tasting this evening. 20 samples and reduced rates if you purchase a beer you tried that night.
The deli section is a bit small, but still has some great items.

My only complaint is that they do not sell Yuengling but that is all of Texas from what I see… I was honestly excited to see that they opened up a store like this. I am used to them from up North but totally surprised to see one here in Corpus. It has everything you need for a party. They have mixers, liquors, wines, appetizers, specialty items, and even cigars. I like that they have employees that actually specialize in some of the areas to help you out. I love that they give a discount for cash/​debit! I love their discount member card. I don’t go often enough but I wonder if they do wine tastings? If they did I will re-​review and give them a 5 star rating. I really did enjoy this place and even got suggestions on certain vodkas while I was there. I am not even a bigger drinker but this place makes me spend for some reason.

What «bad» thing can I say about Spec’s? Really, nothing! Their selection is second to none in this town. Their prices (for wine and spirits) are comparable, and sometimes better, than that of the others. Their «party fare» items (cheeses, sausages, etc) do tend to run a little higher but, for a one stop party supply place with the greatest selection of wines (including TEXAS wines, thank you very much!) around, it’s pretty hard NOT to be a fan of Spec’s. You most certainly can’t do better than their friendly sales staff; always there to offer good ideas or tips for any occasion.
The only real reason this is 4 stars and not 5 is they are higher on the grocery side and the store is not nearly as big as their «super stores» I’ve seen in Houston. It would’ve been nice if they bought the space next to them and put in their deli/​grill counter. Maybe that’s «Phase 2»?
However, I WILL go back to Spec’s ANY time I’m looking for a good wine, need to stock up on the booze, or get some good party provisions without making extra stops elsewhere.