Sonic Fast Food Restaurant

February 15th, 2010

Sonic has several locations here in Tyler, Texas, but the one I am going to talk about is on the corner of Rt 64 W and Loop 323. It is directly across from the Super center Wal Mart. Sonic is a fast food type of place, where you can go and order outside. The have carhops who deliver the order directly to your car.

They have a sandy beach area for volleyball and soccer where you can go play anytime with your friends. Good entertainment and completely free. You don’t have to play on the playground equipment or the sandy beach area, you can just sit and enjoy the weather outside, or get the meal and leave if you prefer. The food is good and if you get the items from the dollar menu, they are very reasonable. Their drink selections are even better than the food menu.

There are other locations at 5611 S Broadway Ave., Tyler ; 2501 W Gentry Parkway; or 3210 Troup Highway, Tyler, Texas. If you would like to find out more about Sonic you can go to their website or any of these locations.

Sonic seems to be quite the hang out place during the summer when people like to go hang out or just play. So Sonic is not the best nutritious place to go, but exciting. If you are trying to work out or loose weight, this is not the place you are looking for. On the other hand, they do have some items that are good for you. Once in awhile it’s ok to go eat food that is fried or high in fat. Their burgers are really good and sometimes they have the brown bag special, where you get two for the price of one. Always nice to pay less and get more for your money.

Sonic has some great tater tots with or without chilli, mozzarella sticks, corn dogs, chilli and fries, and so much more. Their blizzards are good or their slushy’s plus their flavored teas. If you want quick and tasty, Sonic is it. If you have not tried Sonic yet, then maybe its time.

Tags: Blizzards, Broadway Ave, Burgers, Carhops, Corn Dogs, Fast Food Restaurant, Food Menu, Food Type, Fries, Loose Weight, Mozzarella, Playground Equipment, Sandy Beach Area, Sonic, Sonic Fast Food, Sonic Fast Food Restaurant, Teas, Troup Highway, Tyler Texas, wal-mart, Weather
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Posados Cafe in Lindale Texas

February 10th, 2010

POSADOS CAFÉ LINDALE

3201 S Main Street
Lindale
TX 75771
903 881 0493

Posados is one of Lindale’s most popular eateries. It is an American-style Mexican restaurant serving fajitas, tacos, burritos, enchiladas and some seafood, ribs and steak too. They also have hamburgers, chicken and even grilled cheese sandwiches, for those fussy children that might be dining with you!

The things I love about Posados – the food is good and not expensive. My favorite is the chicken fajitas and I love the tortilla soup that comes with it (if you want, you can choose beans as a side dish instead) plus the sizzling platter of chicken and vegetables with a side of guacamole, sour cream and salad. I rarely have room to eat it all – but that could be because I find it hard to resist scoffing lots of the complimentary fresh tortilla chips and salsa that keeps being refilled! Another bonus – the margaritas. Posados is licensed so you can have a drink with your meal and the fruit flavored margaritas are very good – especially on a hot day. Actually, there is even a bar at Posados where you can sit and drink and munch on some chips ‘n salsa chatting to friends or watching a game without having to order a meal. It is not in the slightest bit seedy.

For children – the never ending supply of chips is great, plus the coloring provided on the kids menu, and the sopapilla dessert and ice cream for treats after the meal. I dread to think what is in that ice-cream though, it’s probably full of additives and sugar and … well I mustn’t think about it as I know my kids expect an ice-cream if we eat there!

I like the atmosphere and lighting in the restaurant but I also enjoy eating outdoors and Posados does have a small covered patio area. Posados is often a bit cold for my liking so we nearly always eat outside in the warmer months. I wish the outdoor seating was round the back of the building and more open though, perhaps overlooking a little Mexican garden?!

Things I don’t like about Posados – it s always busy! Of course that is a result of it’s popularity but it does mean that you will have to wait to be seated at busy periods and we have been there when the ice-cream machine ran out and the staff were too busy to refill it (disaster for the children!) Personally I don’t think much of their tortillas – at Posados they take pride in the fact that they are made on site and the kids like to watch them being pressed by the big machine– but I find them flabby and rather greasy. Otherwise, the food is good quality.

Posados has a lighter lunch menu and will also cater your event. Gift cards are available – they are twinned with Mercados and there is a rewards card points scheme which gives you reductions from your check. It is easy to see why many Lindalites chose to dine at Posados.

Tags: Additives, Chicken Fajitas, Chips And Salsa, Covered Patio, Eateries, Enchiladas, Fussy Children, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Hamburgers, Hot Day, Kids Menu, Lindale Texas, Lindale Tx, Patio Area, Posados, Side Dish, Sizzling Platter, Sour Cream, Tacos, Tortilla Chips, Tortilla Soup
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Applebees Restaurant in Tyler Texas

February 10th, 2010

APPLEBEES

5502 S Broadway Ave
Tyler 75703
903 509 4848

Applebees is a chain of restaurants serving a variety of American cuisine. The one in Tyler is centrally located on South Broadway just a little way down from the Mall.

Applebees calls itself ‘casual dining’ which means that it is family friendly with no frills. The atmosphere is typical of many American eateries – with private booths, low lighting and a TV at a bar area. It is always clean, the food is pretty standard and, in my experience, the service is generally good.

The menu offers a variety of appetizers, burgers, pasta, chicken, beef and pork entrees and some great salads. One big bonus is that it also offers a selection of meals which are guaranteed to be under 550 calories and there are also Weight Watcher points listed on a selection of items. You can also order half portions, which is great for smaller appetites– but the reduction on price is not reflected in the reduced quantity of food, so you are better off splitting a full portion with a friend or taking some home in a carry out box.

My favorite meal is a Pecan crusted chicken salad. Complete with fruit and blue cheese, it really is mouthwatering. My husband prefers to order ribs or one of their selection of juicy burgers and fries.

Lunches are good value at Applebees – I like the lunch combo where you can pick a soup and salad or sandwich and pay around $6.
There is a kids menu at Applebees but sadly it offers nothing new – just chicken strips, mac and cheese, cheeseburgers and no vegetables. When are they going to wake up to the fact that we need to offer our children healthy alternatives as well as adults?

Applebees is fairly good value and they often have special deals so that you can dine without breaking the bank. Currently they offer a 2 for $20 deal which is an incentive to people who want to dine at low cost in pairs. It includes one appetizer (to share) and 2 entrees. There are also small desserts called ‘shooters’ which can be added to your order for an extra $2 each. These are a perfect size to treat kids too.

Applebees also has ‘Carside to go’ – a service for the strictly lazy which basically means you can order a carry out by phone and they will bring it to your car on your arrival.

All in all, Applebees is a safe bet for taking your family out to eat. The portions are a decent size, the menu is varied and the service good. It is a good venue for a quick and filling lunch too. However, for a date night, it is uninspiring and would disappoint most romantics – there are no surprises here. My advice -if you don’t have kids around – forget the chain restaurant experience and try something different – there are a few good unique places to eat in Tyler so why not take a risk and enjoy something different!

Tags: American Cuisine, Appetites, Applebees, Applebees Restaurant, Blue Cheese, Breaking The Bank, Broadway Ave, Burgers And Fries, Cheeseburgers, Chicken Salad, Chicken Strips, Half Portions, Healthy Alternatives, Juicy Burgers, Kids Menu, Mac And Cheese, Pasta Chicken, Pecan Crusted Chicken, Private Booths, South Broadway, Weight Watcher Points
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Jalapeno Tree Mexican Restaurant

February 10th, 2010

Jalapeno Tree Mexican Restaurant is located at 420 Loop 323, Tyler, Texas 75701. Inside is fairly large space and nicely decorated. Their booths are pretty large. They could easily fit six normal size people, or maybe 8 small people.

Before your meal, chips and two different kinds of salsa are served. A red and guacamole. Kinda spicy so be aware in case you are not a fan of hot stuff! I can not tolerate hot stuff.

Next to us there was a large party for a girl who I think was turning 21 years old. The only reason I am saying this is because through out the night people kept buying her shots of drinks. I remember thinking I never had so many people show up at my birthday. So they are able to manage a large party.

I went there lately and ordered an ala carte beef taco with a side of Charo beans with tortilla soup. To my surprise it was very filling. My brother and my sister in law shared fajitas. The place is great and a fun place to go and enjoy a meal with your family. Food is good, usually the company is even better. The service was also very good.

Here are some examples of food you can find in their menus: Salad and soup, Quesadillas, Fajitas, Grilled Specialty, Star dinners, Mexican favorites, burritos, lunch specials, American food, children’s menu. If all this is not making you hungry I don’t know what will. They also serve a complimentary ice cream with your meal at no charge.

I would suggest the next time you find yourself hungry and around the loop, stop by the Jalapeno Tree and eat. While you are there you can ask them about their Pepper Posse reading and eating for free there. I am sure if you ask anyone who works there, they will be able to tell you more about this. You can also find this information on the back of their gift cards.

Tags: Ala Carte, American Food, Beef Taco, Booths, Charo, Complimentary Ice, Different Kinds, Fajitas, Family Food, Fun Place, Gift Cards, Hot Stuff, jalapeno tree, Jalapeno Tree Mexican Restaurant, Lunch Specials, Mexican Favorites, Pepper, Quesadillas, Salsa, Sister In Law, Tyler Texas 75701
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Starbucks Coffee Shop

February 8th, 2010

Starbucks Locations

1817 East SE Loop 323, Tyler
(903) 939-8941

4925 South Broadway Avenue, Tyler
(903) 581-0072

113 Texas 323 Loop, Tyler
(903) 595-3748

On South Broadway and Rice in Tyler, TX there rests a Starbucks. I love Starbucks. I’m not really sure why, but I do, I follow suit with most everyone else. And usually everyone is nice and inviting. No problems, easy come and go visit. But there was one occasion this past Halloween that didn’t meet my expectations. My friends and I had decided to dress up as the 12 disciples and Jesus and pose as the Last Supper painting that Da Vinci painted. We had a table, a huge picture frame and all were dressed for the part. It was quite wonderful and everyone thought it was great. WE have a reputation for doing things lavishly.

The year before we had dressed up as Noah’s Ark. 22 people, just as many different animals and HUGE cardboard Ark, painted and cut out. We had made up a song and everything. The year before that we were the nativity scene. Anyways… So here we are as The Last Supper. I guess the weekend before that part of out group had been at this Starbucks doing a pumpkin carving contest and everyone was dressed in costume. It was quite wonderful and fun. So these same friends thought it would be great to visit them again in our group costume.

Well… we drove up, got out of our cars, I must admit this might have looked scary with three cars pulling up and 14 Jesus looking people with boxes (our table) and a huge picture frame walking toward the door. But as we approached someone from the store met us at the door and told us we couldn’t come in, that we couldn’t bring boxes into the building. We were so confused because it was so random and they had just had a huge costume party basically so what was different about today? She kept saying it was company policy, no boxes could be brought in. All we could do was turn around and leave, we were so confused.

Well there is another Starbucks location on the way home and we had already told our friends working there that we would come in to show them our costume. So we headed over there. We went in, planted our selves in front of the registers and sang our song and everyone clapped and cheered. They loved it, customers and all. We asked them if there was such a rule as the other store so adamantly proclaimed but they had no idea about it, so we laughed it off.

I must say that every time I’ve been in the first location since I’ve had a guilty a conscience. I haven’t even done anything wrong, but I feel like they will make up another excuse to kick me out or something. Even though I know that isn’t true. The second Starbucks remains my favorite, they are the most easy going.

Unfortunately next year I’m not going to be living here anymore and I won’t be able to be in another group costume. I’m a bit sad about that. But I can’t wait to see the pictures! We rock Tyler.

Tags: 12 Disciples, Boxes, Cardboard, Coffee Shop, Costume Party, Da Vinci, Halloween, Jesus, Last Supper Painting, Love, Nativity Scene, Noah S Ark, Picture Frame, Pumpkin Carving Contest, Reputation, South Broadway, Starbucks, Starbucks Coffee, Starbucks Locations, Tyler TX
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