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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.

Waiter Surprise

November 10th, 2009

In the past I have written about my Olive Garden experiences, but because of my most recent visit to the well-know Italian restaurant I feel a need to re-write about the popular hotspot. I never really was very impressed with the moderate service that I endured.

This past week I was dining with my husband when a young man approached our table. He introduced himself to us and offered us a delicious wine, which we probably never would have ordered if he had not offered the small sample. Many times when I have eaten at Olive Garden I have had no idea what to order so I just order the usual. Even if I ask the waiter what they recommend, usually they just look at me like I have asked the most complicated question. But our waiter, Shaun, knew just what to order. I was impressed at his recommendations.

My drink was never empty, the delicious food was quickly delivered to our table, even though he had many other tables to tend to, our waiter never left us waiting on anything. Service is one of the most important things when going out to eat. Even if the food is great, I would not return to a restaurant if I have had terrible service. I was waiting for him to do something wrong so that I would not have to leave a large tip. My drink was almost empty, but the very moment that I drank the last sip of my glass he set down another drink.

I would not be writing this if it was not for my impression that a waiter actually did his job and much more. Next time I am dinning at Olive Garden I will wait the extra time just to be seated in Shaun’s section.

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.

Confession of a fast food hypocrite

November 7th, 2009

                The following article is something of a confession, or a coming out column for me. For years I’ve been vocal about the fact that I hate the fast food restaurant chain “Jack in the Box” due largely to the store’s advertising campaign. I have openly declared my unwillingness to eat at any of the store’s Tyler locations regardless of the quality of the food they serve because I so detest their commercials… that is until recently.

            When my workplace moved to a new building, I found that “Jack in the Box” was the closest available eatery. One day, while on my lunch break, and without the time to visit one of my regular favs. I reluctantly swallowed my dislike for the franchise and made that infamous right turn into the small parking lot. I rationalized the decision by telling myself it would be a one time thing. Besides, I didn’t have to tell anyone, right? Except that the food was great! I had a problem, or rather I still do. As fast food goes I like “The Box” (not as much as Whataburger by the way), but it’s close to my work, the prices are reasonable and they serve breakfast all day, on the other hand, those commercials are just more than I can take, a sentiment shared by my whole family by the way.  

            So why make this confession now? Because I can live the lie no longer! I like Jack in the Box’s food! There I said it. The menu is unique, and the quality good. I still make no excuses for the company’s ads however. In fact, they are the ones who should be ashamed, not me or those like me. We are just the victims, the users if you will. I call on the corporation to do the right thing and fire the current ad agency and find another. Please, make it easier for those of us who enjoy the product, but whose consciences object to the mindless temptation they use to appeal to the masses. A step like this can only bring in those stronger than I who would ordinarily never set foot in a Jack in the Box restaurant.

            So please don’t judge me! Pity me, and remember you may be one sausage egg and cheese biscuit away from becoming a “Box” fan as well. Tyler Locations can be found on Broadway next to Burgfield Park, and on the west loop next to CIci’s.

Chili’s in Tyler Texas

November 5th, 2009

One of the many restaurant chains that stretches through the U.S. and reaches into our little city is the Chili’s restaurant. No one forgets the “Baby back ribs”; but I am not sure if it is because of the taste or because of the obnoxious little song that stays in your head for months at a time.

You can always find any food that you are craving on the long listed Chili’s menu. You will always be able to find great barbecue, ribs, steak, and chicken. Try one of their great barbecue sauces. Great pasta, Mexican, or burger, have your favorite food here.

But Chili’s is much more to me than the prices, decent foods, or annoying songs. My most fond memories happened at this restaurant. When I walk into the restaurant, memories flood my mind of my first date, or when we ate there right after my husband proposed. My family ate there right before my brother was sent over seas with the military. I was even eating at Chili’s when I went into labor with my oldest child. I used to go to Chili’s every week to hang out with a big group of friends. Most of my most happy and fond memories have something to do with Chili’s.

I have had the best service here, but also I have had the worst service, and not to mention the most odd. It seems like when I am in a smaller group for some reason the service is so much worse than if I am with a bunch of people. One time I went to Chili’s for my dad’s birthday with just a few people. There was probably five of us that day. I remember the restaurant was not very crowded and there seemed to be a lot of people working, you would think that the service would be really great. But of course, we are blessed with the most obnoxious person as a waiter in the city of Tyler. When I told him that we were the celebrating my dad’s birthday, he laughed and walked away shaking his head. I just wanted to embarrass my dad and have to annoying waiters and waitresses yell their own version of “Happy Birthday” through the whole restaurant out of key. I don’t really understand why he wouldn’t believe me or why he made it such a big deal.

If this was the only strange issue I would not have any issues. I would have been happy with the service if my food was how I ordered it or if it came out with in the forty five minutes of ordering. I probably would not be writing about this situation if this was the only time Chili’s slow services disappointed me. But sadly this has happened a few times and I have left upset, but it was nothing compared to the times I have left confused by the extremely strange waiters that I have had.

One time I was eating dinner their with my husband and we had the weirdest person that I have ever met as our waiter. He would repeat our orders so loud you could hear him throughout the restaurant and all through out the parking lot. He would try to make us laugh with corny jokes. He did come to our table a lot but I really did not want him to. That was extremely frustrating and did I mention annoying?

Though I have had very different experiences each time I go there I do really like Chili’s for the food and the prices. You can relax and have a drink in the bar and watch the game. You can not find prices like these anywhere else. So come on by Chili’s and be sure to have an experience, even though it might not be the greatest experience.