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Black Lamb Chef Table secures Texas mixed beverage license in Corpus Christi

Black Lamb Chef Table secures Texas mixed beverage license in Corpus Christi

Money Moves Corpus Christi, TX local

State record shows the reservation-only tasting restaurant holds a license at 1336 S Staples St

5 days ago: Texas ABC issues Black Lamb a mixed beverage permit

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

Texas issued Black Lamb Chef Table a mixed beverage license on September 28. The record, filed with the state's alcoholic beverage commission, shows one approval — it does not show whether the restaurant has opened.

Black Lamb is a reservation-only tasting concept from chef Thomas Mandzik, who describes himself as an artist-turned-chef with more than 30 years in cooking. The restaurant markets Friday and Saturday tasting evenings for a small number of guests at 1336 S Staples St.

Why it matters

One license among several a Texas restaurant needs, but the clearest official record yet of Black Lamb's plans in Corpus Christi.

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Key Indicators

1
Mixed beverage license issued
Texas ABC record filed September 28, 2026.
2
Service days per week
Friday and Saturday only, per the restaurant's website.
30+
Years of chef's culinary experience
Thomas Mandzik's stated background in cooking, per his restaurant bio.

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People Involved

Organizations Involved

Timeline

1 event Latest: 5 days ago
  1. Texas ABC issues Black Lamb a mixed beverage permit

    Latest Licensing

    Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission records a mixed beverage license for Black Lamb Chef Table at 1336 S Staples St, Corpus Christi.

Scenarios

1

Black Lamb Chef Table opens and takes reservations

Likely Resolves by Sep 28, 2027

Discussed by: Local Corpus Christi food media and the restaurant's own website

The restaurant completes whatever inspections and setup remain, announces reservation dates, and starts seating guests for its Friday and Saturday tasting service at 1336 S Staples St. The license already issued covers the alcohol side of service.

2

Black Lamb's opening slips past spring 2027

Possible Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: Local food writers tracking the venue's launch

Licensing, staffing, or build-out push the start of service beyond the first half of 2027. The restaurant remains without guests into the summer, with no posted reservation dates.

3

Black Lamb's license lapses without service

Unlikely Resolves by Sep 28, 2028

Discussed by: A tail risk noted in the thin licensing record itself

The restaurant never opens, and the mixed beverage permit drops out of the state's active license records. The limited history of the record leaves this as a low-probability but possible end state.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

May 2005

Alinea (2005)

Chef Grant Achatz opened Alinea in Chicago serving only tasting menus, with no à la carte choices. At the time, a freestanding tasting-menu-only restaurant was almost unheard of outside the biggest coastal cities.

Then

Alinea drew national attention and booked months ahead.

Now

It became one of America's most decorated restaurants and proved a tasting-menu format could anchor a stand-alone venue away from New York and San Francisco.

Why this matters now

It is the model Black Lamb is trying in Corpus Christi: a chef-driven tasting room that asks guests to give up choice and trust the kitchen.

2009

Chef's Table at Brooklyn Fare (2009)

Chef César Ramirez turned a few tables inside a Brooklyn grocery store into a reservation-only chef's counter serving a long tasting menu.

Then

The tiny room earned three Michelin stars.

Now

It showed that a small, reservation-only room with no traditional service could reach the top of fine dining.

Why this matters now

Black Lamb follows the same playbook: a small room, no menu choices, and reservations as the only way in.

Sources

(3)

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