Tyler TX Facebook

Follow Donny on Twitter

Username:
Password:
  Remember Me   Forgot password?  Register
0-9  A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z  

Find or Refer a Contractor in Tyler

The Diner in Tyler Texas

August 14th, 2010

The Diner is like the Ihop but more of a local breakfast and American food establishment.

This morning I had their banana waffles and my son had there French toast.

This place is good in it’s own distinct way and comparable to Ihop.

And best of all they use real butter!

the diner Tyler TX

Jack In The Box in Tyler TX

August 12th, 2010

Well I’m returning to school in little over a week, but I’ve already been preparing for it by doing work on campus the past few days. As school starts up again I’m finding the quality of food I’m consuming is already beginning to suffer. This past summer I’ve done a good job of eating a healthy diet. One of the bigger stumbling blocks in my road to better health is the presence of a Jack in the Box a mere quarter mile from my school. To barrow a line from Cosmo Kramer, “I’ve got a big problem Jerry!” Prior to my school moving to its current location, I was not an advocate for the fast food franchise. But since breaking the ice with my first visit little over a year ago, the chain has become one of my favorite establishments for “good food quickly,” second only to Whataburger at this point in my life!

Certainly I have other options, but as demands on my time are increasing exponentially, my desire to do any prep work on what I eat falls proportionately. So as I see it I have a couple of options. First I can give into my baser instincts and eat at Jack in the Box every other day or so, and in the process gain about fifty pounds. I can look around for healthier options but arrive late to my post lunch break class every day. Or I can fight my way through a crowd of students to get to the microwave, where after a not so short wait; I can prepare a daily feast of ramen noodles and popcorn the primary food source on which I subsist during the school year. Given these as my only options, I’ll probably take the third, but I do love Jack in the Box.

For more information on Jack in the Box or to find their Tyler TX locations go to their web page at http://www.jackinthebox.com/. To read about my original Jack in the box conversion look for the title Confession of a fast food hypocrite, located elsewhere on this site.

Traditions Restaurant

August 11th, 2010

Traditions in Tyler TX is not much more than a more expensive and better quality cafeteria lunch line. I will be the first to admit that Traditions has some of the best meats around, and the unique sides and vegetables keep me wanting to go back. As you walk into the restaurant you grab your light tan tray and push it down the rows of metal bars, and select your food.

One of the best meats that I have had was a cheese stuffed chicken wrapped in bacon and lies in a bed of gravy. I was shocked that the different rich flavors were so compatible. There is not anything fat free or low fat about the dish, but the tastes is worth running the extra few miles to burn off the calories. If you are looking for a delicious low fat meat, I recommend the trout. The flavors are amazing but instead of being rich and heavy, the fish tastes clean and light.

If you are trying to find a new place to have a private party, wedding rehearsal dinner or small reception, or if you are trying to find a conference room, Traditions has two great rooms. You can decide to rent out the Piano room or the private Banquet room. The Piano room holds groups up to ninety people; the banquet room can be reserved for groups of twenty five to forty five people. If you are doing a presentation for your coworkers you will not have to carry around a projector or projection screen. Traditions will lend you a projector and screen for a $25 fee.

Traditions cater to parties and events. If you are having a themed party, you can search the many different menus that will make your party amazing. They have twelve different menus that you choose from. You can have a great party with a chef that has his own carving station or quesadillas grilled on site. You can have a menu that consists will a chocolate fountain, and outside grill (or picnic), pasta, potatoes, real Texan BBQ, or a Hawaiian Luau menu. For the wedding reception Traditions has a “Sweet and Simple” menu.

Traditions is a family owned and operated restaurant. It has offered Tyler a fine dinning restaurant since the year 2000. Many of the fresh vegetables are bought from the local farmers and farmer markets. I think that it is great to see bigger local businesses support the farmers and smaller businesses.

At Traditions you can see what you order before you eat, instead of just reading the description off of a menu. Enjoy an amazing dessert after your meal. Although you order at a counter and pick out your food as it is placed on your tray. You will have great waiters and waitresses that are very quick to help you carry your food to your table and get you seated. They will make sure that your drink is always filled and they are willing to get you any food that you have forgotten. Traditions is a great restaurant with amazing food and great service.

Coyote Sams in Tyler

July 30th, 2010

Restaurants open and close in Tyler like the blooming and falling of leaves in the trees. It seems that no week goes by when I don’t hear about some new eatery opening in this town. One of Tyler’s newer restaurants (not brand new mind you), is Coyote Sam’s.

Located at 5424 Old Jacksonville Highway in Tyler, it seems destined to be another cult fav for many Tyler residents. I think the bar is one of the main reasons why. It’s fairly large, well stocked, and open fairly late.

Personally I really like the outdoor patio area but it’s really only useable in the cooler months. Come fall it’s a tremendous draw, but during the summer months it provides no real incentive for me to eat there.

The food is a bit pricey, but good. It’s not something to inspire letters home in my opinion, but it is a locally owned, original establishment, far preferable to Appleby’s or the like. The menu consists largely of burgers, barbeque, and a little fish.

I also should point out by the way that they do have a great brunch menu, and it’s actually pretty reasonably priced. My experience at Sam’s was not a bad one. The food was fine and the atmosphere was great. As I recall the service was a bit slow the night I went, but that could have been due to the fact that they had only newly opened.

Like I say, the coming cooler weather should make the place more appealing to patrons like myself, who enjoy the outdoor dining. Some readers will probably disagree with me here, but based on my admittedly limited experience with Coyote Sam’s, I would have to give it a three, out of five stars.

But don’t take my word for it, try it out for yourself and leave your thoughts on this site. For more information on Coyote Sam’s, visit their website at www.coyotesamsbarandgrille.com/home.

Had Lunch at Los Gueros Over By The Original Brunos Pizza on Vine

July 28th, 2010

Los Gueros Mexican Restaurant

I ate lunch today at Los Gueros and it was another stellar meal.

This place is great. Get their tacos or burritos and of course a bottled Coke.

Something about that bottle makes Coke taste so much better.

If I had to pick I would be hard pressed between this place and Don Juan’s mexican.

They each have their own style and so it offers a little change up in authentic mexican food in Tyler without those smelly nasty chitlins all over the food that you get in the really authentic stuff over in North Tyler.

If you like chitlins more power to ya my brother I just hate that nasty stuff when I see them swiming around in some beans or something.