January 13th, 2010
Well what can I say about Starbucks that you haven’t already heard. Starbucks is a wonderful place especially early in the morning when you are having a hard time waking up and have to go to work or school. Starbucks is open early for business if I am not mistaken. I think they open up around 6:00 a.m. in the morning. I don’t think that most people go to work any earlier than that. I especially love the Starbucks that is located around Highway 64 because the people are very friendly and make sure that you are satisfied with their service.
I know that Tyler has several other locations around town, but the one on Hwy 64 is close to where I live and is also near a gas station, Jack in the Box, and Brookshires. If you have to go shopping you can stop in and get a cup of coffee. They have so many selections on coffee that even if I could list them all I would not want to. My point is that they have lots of varieties to choose from. If you like it hot they have it hot or if you prefer it on ice they can do that also and if you prefer frozen they also can do that.
If you are not a coffee drinker they have teas and smoothies. Their smoothies are not that good and I believe they should stick to the coffee business when it comes to drinks. They also have a variety of food that you can order from that are all pretty tasty. Muffins, coffee cake and other snacks are available. They often have a coffee tasting, where they allow you to taste their coffee for free so they can get your opinion on their flavors.
This past Halloween they had a pumpkin carving contest and they gave out candy, did face painting, and other cool stuff. The winner of the carving got a free coffee for getting first place. Well they all got a little something even second and third place. I know that lots of people love to go hang out at Starbucks with their friends while enjoying a cup of coffee. The coffee price could be a little cheaper, but I guess that is the price you pay for the quality of Starbucks.
The cost does not seem to stop people from going and buying a cup of coffee. So I guess it’s worth the money. I must admit that I enjoy going once in a while and getting a cup of coffee. I call it my treat. I can’t afford it that often, but once in a while it’s a must do. Some things are worth paying a little more for. So be nice to yourself and treat yourself to a Starbucks cup of coffee. They also sell gift cards which make excellent birthday gifts and holiday gifts. You could also buy a gift card just to say thank you to someone special in your life. Starbucks also sells their coffee and other items such as coffee cups, mugs, etc.
If I haven’t sold you yet on a cup of coffee, then better not get a job as a sales person or marketing. Now all jokes aside, we all know that Starbucks is awesome and people love hanging out there because it’s the place to be.
Tags: brookshires, Coffee Business, Coffee Cake, Coffee Drinker, Coffee Price, Cool Stuff, Cup Of Coffee, Drinks, Face Painting, Flavors, Free Coffee, Gas Station, Hard Time, Jack in the Box, Pumpkin Carving Contest, Snacks, Starbucks, Tasty Muffins, Teas, Tyler TX Halloween, Wonderful Place
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January 12th, 2010
There is a restaurant in Edom TX about 18 minutes outside of Tyler called The Shed. It is a small town place with a flavor of mama’s kitchen. They have a varied menu that includes things like…roast beef, meatloaf, chicken fried steak and chicken tenders. The servings are large with a modest price on the pocketbook. They have some of the yummiest pies and cobblers if you want dessert. You won’t go away hungry if you decide to eat there. The waiters and waitresses are very attentive to what your needs are while you are eating.
The interesting thing is if you visit them on Tuesday evening they have a dozen or so musicians that play and sing country music and bluegrass. The musicians play guitars, fiddles, mandolin’s, and accordions while you eat your meal and you are welcome to sing with them or just listen. This is a place that you can take young children to and they will enjoy the entertainment and the food.
During the summer they occasionally have a car show in Edom and when we ate there we were lucky to be there while the car show was going on. After eating we walked around and looked at the cars, and walked off some of our eating.
After eating at The Shed you can walk through the hallway to their country store. There at the country store you can buy something for yourself or purchase a nice gift for someone. This is not a fancy place, but a very comfortable place to eat, enjoy music without hurting the pocket book.
Tags: Accordions, Car Show, Chicken Fried Steak, Chicken Tenders, Cobblers, Comfortable Place, Country Music, Dessert, east Texas bluegrass music, Edom, Edom Texas, Edom TX, Fancy Place, Fiddles, Hallway, Mama, Pies, Pocketbook, Roast Beef, Shed, The Shed, The Shed Restaurant, Tuesday Evening, Tyler TX bluegrass music, Waiters, Waitresses
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January 12th, 2010
Villa Montez has now expanded their patio to wrap around some of their amazing old growth trees that are some of the largest trees of their type in the East Texas area. Since Villa Montez sits up on a mansion on the hill they have trees that grow down in the valley up past the top of their mansions roof. With the new porch wrapping around two of their large post oak trees they have one of the best views and outdoor patios in East Texas. When you order something from Villa Montez you consistently get one of the nicest food presentations that any Tyler Texas restaurant can dish out. I honestly have not seen anything quite like the food presentation that Villa Montez offers their customers. The closest thing to it is Kiepersol restaurant which is another fabulous Tyler restaurant. Kiepersol is located in Bullard and is a bit of a vacation to travel to but the experience is on par with Villa Montez. The difference between the two is price. You will pay an arm and a leg when visiting the Kiepersol winery and restaurant while you will be able to get away with an affordable classy meal and view when at Villa Montez. I recommend asking to be seated on the patio as long as the weather permits as you just can’t beat the fan misters, the view, and the trees while eating a delicous meal presented in a truly remarkable way.
My wife ordered a pork tenderloin dinner at Villa Montez and there were these white crispy things that I had no idea as to what they were but made the overall presentation just right and the little things tasted pretty good as well. I ordered the Sea Bass after many requests by the owner on several different occassions and although I am not one to normally order fish on a menu I was pleasantly surprised. The Sea Bass is now one of my new favorite menu items at Villa Montez and I think you will find it fresh and filling if you order it for yourself. If you are not a fish person and especially do not like the “fishy” taste that most fish give off than the Sea Bass is just right as there is no fishy after taste. If you like to order an appetizer before your meals then please take a look at the Chino rolls. They are basically southwestern egg rolls that come with a jalepeno jelly. These egg rolls are delicious and I order them almost every time. My father in law ordered the steak salad and unlike other restaurants, Villa Montez does not have you asking, “Where’s the beef!” He loved the salad from what I could tell and everyone liked sitting out on the patio.
After dinner, my wife and I shared a creme brule. Villa Montez gets the creme Brule right and not all places do. The creaminess was just the right amount. It was not too sweet and the caramalized sugar on top really hit it over the top. They usually put a couple of berries on top with a dab of whipped cream to make this the top desert in my list on their menu. After you get up I recommend taking astroll around their grounds. They have a very nice fountain and cement bench as well as an herb garden and water fall. The whole facility is truly amazing and I always wonder just how much it cost for the facility and refurbishing it to the degree that Villa Montez has done. The whole experience is remarkable and I really don’t have many complaints. The service there has always been spot on and you will usually see that the waiters participate as a team helping each other with making sure glasses are kept full and the food is delivered on time and to the right table. I assume tips are split up among everyone as the team participation in providing service is always consistently the same unlike most Tyler restaurants who seem to get this major part of the dining experience wrong.
The only thing I don’t like about Villa Montez is their pasta meat combinations. It is only personal preference but I just don’t like the combination and recipe of some of their pasta dishes. I think as long as you order anything else you will be more than happy and you may even like the pasta I am just an italian only type of person when it comes to pasta. Having a latin blend with pasta just doesn’t do anything for my taste buds. Do not be surprised to find one of the chefs or the owner coming by to personally meet you and shake your hand while you are here. When you first arrive you will have a large room with tables to wait before you are seated. You can order an appetizer or drink while waiting for your table and may end up meeting someone new in this little hangout. Expect Thursday – Saturday at Villa Montex to be packed but also expect a wait time for a table at a convenient 20 – 30 minutes at the most. This Tyler Texas restaurant truly gets it right on verey level. Come to Villa Montez and expect to have a 5 star dinner without the 5 star price.
Tags: Bullard, Closest Thing, Delicous Meal, Down In The Valley, East Texas, East Texas Area, Fan Misters, Food Presentation, Food Presentations, Growth Trees, Kiepersol Winery, Latin Cuisine Tyler, Latin Restaurant, Mansion On The Hill, New Porch, Oak Trees, Outdoor Patios, Pork Tenderloin, Restaurant Style, Sea Bass, Style Mansion, Tyler Texas Mexican Food, Tyler TX Villa Montez, Villa Montez, Villa Montez Restaurant
Posted in Mexican, Steak and Lobster | 1 Comment »
January 11th, 2010
This is not just a normal coffee shop experience. Usually they fall under two extremes, either something pristine and new age like Starbucks or completely opposite and decorated as a complete mess of art (my favorite, so beautiful). Yet this is something entirely new and lovely. There is no doubt of the artistic vision the owner has throughout the entire shop, expressed in the floors, furniture, items sold and service given. And yet there is no sense of dark chaos. Much rather organized delight.
Coffee Shops in Tyler Texas
It is a precious place to hang out, visit, sit and think and browse. Through the front door (street front) you will be greeted by the all the fun, creative and catchy items that due fully express the funny side of the Texas way. If you are looking for a gag/unique gift, I suggest popping in here to find one. In this room you will make all your purchases, the food and drinks are all up to par, quite tasty and worth your while. Next is a huge sitting room with old fashioned furniture, chairs, tables and benches. Hard wood floors and windows in the walls between rooms, which adds to the fun atmosphere.
This facility also has the capacity to be rented out. I myself have thrown a rather large Pride a Prejudice party involving dancing and food and crochet. The owner Denise is easy to work with and eager to help people. It sits next to the road just off of 110, it is well worth your time to check it out.
Mount Sylvan Coffee Shop also has their very own Farmers Market on Saturdays. Call and ask when booths are open at this unique Tyler Texas coffee shop!
Tags: Artistic Vision, Benches, Booths, Coffee Shop, Coffee Shops, Dark Chaos, Extremes, Farmers Market, Funny Side, Furniture Chairs, Gag, Hard Wood Floors, Mount Sylvan Coffee, Mount Sylvan Coffee Shop, New Age, No Doubt, Precious Place, Prejudice, Saturdays, Shop Experience, Starbucks, Tyler Texas, Tyler Texas Coffee, Tyler Texas Coffee Stores
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January 11th, 2010
Today I write to you world with a heavy heart and a tear in my eye. For January 11, 2010 is the final goodbye to a dear friend. This friend has been there for us all in times of hunger, in times of cramping, and in times of A-1 cravings. Whataburger fans across Texas are mourning as the “A-1 thick-n-hearty” burger is being lowered into the ground.
I have great memories of you my friend. Many late, late night cravings during the second trimester of my pregnant life, we stayed up late talking and crying over a sappy movie. You were always there to comfort me. The couple months a year that you were around made my world a little brighter. Well, most of the time, exception being when I found you half eaten and smooshed in an orange and white paper bag under the seat of my car, and my whole car smelt like a new born baby’s soiled pants. I could not look at you for a few weeks. But through it all, my friend, you kept returning into my loving hands. But you are leaving me now; many say you will never again return. My hopes are still high that we will meet again, if not in this life, surely in the next. For you, dear friend, are simply “Heavenly”.
You are no mere Tyler burger. You are like a king among all other fast food peasant burgers. You were a revelation, steak sauce in fast food, who would have thought? Inspiration, pure inspiration. Your double meat patties falls apart in our mouths as we hear the melody of rhythmic trumpets, your cheese playfully dances with our taste buds, the strips of bacon satisfies your unknown “heart attack cravings“, and your onions cooked perfectly to a light brown to ensure pure pleasure, now the sauce, the finishing touch that puts the A-1 in the “A-1 thick-n-hearty” makes you who you are. You are the reason my stomach stayed full and my wallet empty.
We will never forget you. We will try to keep your legacy alive. It is hard to imagine what we will do without you. Well, I guess we could just get a Whataburger cheese burger with bacon and onions and just bring A-1 steak sauce. That might actually work; it would probably be about the same price, maybe cheaper. Well so long my friend.
Tags: A1 Thick and Hearty, Burgers, Cheese Burger, Cravings, Dear Friend, Double Meat, Final Goodbye, Finishing Touch, Great Memories, Heart Attack, Heavy Heart, Loving Hands, Meat Patties, Mouths, New Born Baby, Onions, Peasant, Pregnant Life, Second Trimester, Steak Sauce, Taste Buds, whataburger, whataburger tyler tx
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