Buffalo Wild Wings

December 30th, 2009

When it comes to sports bars in the tyler area, my list starts and ends with Buffalo Wild Wings. In a dry county it is becoming increasingly harder to watch a ball game drinking a beer on my couch in my home. Beer runs on a sunday often have me coming in after the first half is already over. So I’ve adopted a new tradition of enjoying football games in the comfort of my local buffalo wild wings.

There is a variety of sauces that make a simple selection of a plate of wings an exciting new choice every trip I make, so I’ve come to enjoy the taste of their reasonably priced wings and throwing back a couple of drinks to the sound of cheers and taunts as everyone watches the cowboys game. Although there will be other games and sports showing on seperate tvs, be prepared for the Cowboys game to take precidence over say the Detroit Lions.

Do not expect to go to Buffalo Wild Wings dressed as your favorite figure skater expecting to watch the figure skating championship I’ve found that not to be a good idea. This is after all a man’s sports club. For those too cheap to pay for cable and wish to still see their favorite game this is the perfect place for it. Buffalo Wild Wings will often charge cover charges for pay per view fights and other events hosted. The food quality is good and I can’t say I’ve ever had a problem with the service, the true problem comes in the fact that it is treated like a restaurant by the employees, so delaying a 45 minute meal into two and a half hours to watch the whole game, becomes a bit of a hassle.

With the amount of beer guzzling that is often associated with football, Buffalo Wild Wings has surprisingly few drunks. If you are just in the mood for wings swing by, you may be charged just to get a table, so take caution to only go when you are certain there’s not a big fight or a bowl game going on. The quality of the wings rival that of their competitors Wing Stop and prices are even as well. Since the prices are low making the transition from your monotaneous life to a crowd that makes you feel like you are at the game can easily become a tradition. So the next time you are in the mood for a plate full of juicy wings and want to take in a relaxing boxing match or ball game, stop by Buffalo Wild Wings.

Tags: Amount Of Beer, Ball Game, Bowl Game, Buffalo Wild Wings, Buffalo Wild Wings Tyler TX, Buffalo Wings, Cowboys Game, Detroit Lions, Favorite Game, Figure Skater, Food Quality, Home Beer, New Choice, New Tradition, S Sports, Sports Bars, Sports Club, True Problem, Two And A Half Hours, Tyler Area, wing stop
Posted in American Food, Barbeque, Restaurants | No Comments »

Applebees A Neighborhood Grill In Tyler

December 14th, 2009

Applebee’s

5502 South Broadway Avenue
Tyler, TX 75703-4355
(903) 509-4848

Applebee’s is known as the “Neighborhood Grill”. I would not ever say that I feel like I am eating with Tyler TX neighbors or feel comfortable. More times than one have I sat in frustration for much to long with no food nor drink and waiting for service.

In Atlanta Georgia the first Applebee’s was opened by Bill and T.J. Palmer in 1980. Now almost 30 years later Applebee’s is one of the largest restaurants chains in the United States. Applebee’s claims to focus on good food and great service, only a couple of the times that I have gone there and the service has been good.

The menu is full of a large selection and great prices. For the most part, you can not go wrong with the food. I have not had anything that I did not like. Pick from the many different appetizers, salads, steaks, pastas, ribs or steaks, chicken, or seafood. Also top off your meal with a delicious dessert. Try one of the three dessert shooter, strawberry cheesecake, chocolate mousse, or hot fudge sundae. Or try one of the delicious baked desserts. Let your kids choose between a kid’s size Oreo cookie sundae, or Oreo cookie shake. Applebee’s has it’s own section of the menu for Weight Watchers. Each item has less-calories.

If you want to have a place to go out with your friends watch a game or hang out and talk, Applebee’s has an large bar with all your favorite beers on tap; Miller, Coors, Bud Light, Budweiser, Corona, Blue Moon, Michelob Ultra, Heineken, and Samuel Adams. Or sit back and enjoy a Margarita, Sangria, Cocktail, Martini, or one of their other “refreshing favorites”. Enjoy a glass of white or red wines.

When you walk into the Applebee’s Tyler restaurant you will enjoy the décor of the antique pictures and fun antique pieces. Many times that I have been to Applebee’s, the servers always got something wrong; over-charged, orders came out wrong, and it took forever for drinks to be filled. It seems like the best service you get is when you call for “carside to go service”. In 2004 Applebee’s started the “Carside To Go”. This is one of the greatest ideas in the causal-dining business world. You simply call in, order, and they bring your food right to your car.

Though I do not enjoy the frustrating service and at times long waits, the food is great and prices make the food even better. If you want to enjoy food at home and not mess with the cooking, or clean the mess, call and pick up a great meal!

Tags: Antique Pieces, Applebee, Applebees Tyler TX, Baked Desserts, Blue Moon, Bud Light, Budweiser, Chocolate Mousse, Coors, Delicious Dessert, Heineken, Margarita Cocktail, Michelob, Neighborhood Grill, Red Wines, Samuel Adams, South Broadway, Steaks Chicken, Strawberry Cheesecake, Tyler TX, Weight Watchers
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Great food is not relative

November 15th, 2009

Well it’s happened. There’s a new restaurant chain in Tyler Texas that I’m excited to have here. I realize that for years I’ve complained that we need more local eateries and less corporate food. As a general rule I remain devoted to this idea, however unlike the Chile’s, Applebee’s, TGI Friday’s genre, the new establishment will fill an otherwise empty niche. The new restaurant is Einstein Bros Bagels.

Einstein took over the ailing Blockbuster video location in the French Quarter, A building that had become something of an eye sore inspite of its prime real estate. While I enjoy bagels, I’ve not had a really good one since moving home from St. Paul, Minnesota. Einstein offers a tremendous menu of breakfast and lunch time sandwiches, as well as plain bagels that are anything but. They also serve great coffee.

Admittedly the prices are a little high, (I’d say a bit higher than what you’d spend on a Whataburger breakfast), but they are not unreasonable. Look for Einstein to quickly become the favorite hangout of Tyler yuppies and Starbucks moms. I must confess I felt a bit like just another member of the local herd heading for the newest culinary curiosity, but at least this one is unique in Tyler.

The surprising thing to me is that it’s taken this long for a good bagel place to open here. Considering the quality of the food and the central location on South Broadway, expect the new establishment to do well. Einstein is more than worth checking out. For more information on Einstein Bros Bagels, see their website at www.einsteinbros.com, or walk into the new location. They can be found at 4500 South Broadway in Tyler.

Tags: Applebee, blockbuster video, Central Location, Corporate Food, Einstein Bagels, Einstein Bros Bagels, French Quarter, Great Coffee, Hangout, Inspite, Lunch Time, Moving Home, Plain Bagels, Prime Real Estate, South Broadway, St Paul Minnesota, Tgi Friday, Tyler Texas, Tyler Texas Breakfast, Tyler TX Bagels, Video Location, Yuppies
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Breakfast at 3

November 10th, 2009

Pancakes, eggs and bacon for dinner? Or steak and fries for breakfast? At the International House Of pancakes (IHOP) you get the freedom of choice.

Most of the times I have gone to IHOP there is a line out the door. The “A” shaped building is a land mark for fresh, thick, fluffy pancakes. The obnoxious commercials stick with you, so when you are in the mood for the stuffed French toast with strawberries and cool whip, you know to go straight to your town’s IHOP.

You never quite know what kind of service you will get from IHOP. I was impressed the most resent time I visited the breakfast paradise, when our waitress remembered our table’s entire order with out writing it down. I do not think I could remember one person’s order, no less a party of six. There have been other times that I have gone there and have had terrible services, when the waiter forgot have our orders or took forever to bring the food out.

IHOP has added so many items onto their already long menu. They have been advertising the dinner items. I prefer to enjoy the wonderful breakfast items rather than the less than decent dinner items. Watch for great deals, and new delicious food. One of the most famous breakfast deals in Tyler is IHOP’s unending pancakes. On each table there is a delicious selection of fruit or hazelnut or maple syrup.

When I go to IHOP, I usually get the same thing and I am always satisfied with my meal. IHOP does not just have a long menu, great prices and good food, but you always get your money’s worth. Meals are huge served with a large side of eggs made your way, and bacon or sausage, and a huge pile of hash browns. I don’t think I have ever finished eating a meal there.

So stop by and enjoy a coffee and a huge breakfast, anytime of the day, and since it is opened 24 hours, anytime of the night.

Tags: Breakfast Deals, Commercials, Cool Whip, Delicious Food, Delicious Selection, Eggs And Bacon, Fluffy Pancakes, Freedom Of Choice, Fries, Good Food, Hash Browns, Hazelnut, Ihop, Ihop Tyler Texas, International House of Pancakes, Maple Syrup, Sausage, Strawberries, Stuffed French Toast, Waiter, Waitress
Posted in American Food | 1 Comment »

Daniel Boone finally comes to Texas

October 29th, 2009

Ok I realize it’s nerdy but one of my first thoughts upon hearing about Daniel Boone’s “Texas Tavern” was, why name a “Texas Tavern” after a man who never set foot in Texas. I can see how in many ways, the man embodies the values which appeal most to Texans, but why not call it “David Crockett’s Texas Tavern?” Well I’ve since discovered that Dan Boone is the owner and operator of the not- so- misnamed establishment.

I recently had a pleasant visit to D.B’s. The burger was good, the beans tasty, and plentiful, and the Blue Bell ice cream refreshing. They also have a pretty nice bar, although it’s a little cramped back there and the service was good, considering I was part of a huge crowd.

The funny thing about Boone’s is, first off there doesn’t seem to be any middle ground when it comes to people’s opinions. Some swear by it as the absolute best eatery in Tyler, a claim I find a bit unrealistic. Others say the food and service were terrible and vow never to eat there again. This is also an extreme reaction I think. Personally I find myself undecided about the restaurant. This is a rare occasion for me, but I simply can’t make up my mind. The rustic decor is similar to that of the Texas Road House, but it’s not really a steak house. It clearly bills itself as serving Texas style dishes, but they don’t serve barbeque. So what kind of restaurant is Daniel Boone’s?

In terms of the casual atmosphere I’d probably compare the place to Chilies or Applebee’s without the institutional trendiness. The menu is simpler, but the burgers and portions are similar. I can already hear the Boone’s apologists ramping up, so let me say the food is better in my opinion, but the prices are compatible. The thing I do really like about D.B’s. is the hometown, locally owned pride of the place. I typically do everything in my power to avoid the monster Tyler Texas restaurant chains. If I want microwavable food, I’ll go to Sam’s Club. But Boone’s is definitely not one of those. While I remain undecided on how to classify it, the Texas Tavern is definitely a better choice than another faceless franchise.

On a scale of one to five, I personally would give Daniel Boone’s a three and a half, out of five stars. Ultimately, since no seems to agree, the reader will have to pay a visit and decide for his or herself. Boone’s is located on the loop, next to Albertson’s and across from Hobby Lobby.

Tags: Apologists, Applebee, Blue Bell Ice Cream, Burgers, Casual Atmosphere, Chilies, Daniel Boone, Daniel Boone Restaurant, Daniel Boones, David Crockett, First Thoughts, Funny Thing, Rare Occasion, Restaurant Chains, Rustic Decor, Steak House, Style Dishes, Texas Road House, Texas Style, Trendiness, Tyler Texas, Vow
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