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Double-Dave’s: Improving Tyler, 1 Pepperoni Roll at a Time

October 8th, 2009

East Texas often gets a bad rap for it’s light social scene. People say “there’s nothing to do in Tyler except go to restaurants and watch movies.” I used to complain in this way until I found a gem called “Double Dave’s Pizzaworks” in Times Square off South Broadway, a place where I could hang out day and night for months on end. Easily.

While I cannot speak for women, Double-Dave’s Pizzaworks certainly offers guys exactly what they want: Excellent pizza, cold beer, large TV’s and video games. Who could ask for more?

“But wait,” you might argue. “That’s not unique at all. One pizza joint can’t make Tyler cooler all by itself.” Technically, this is true. Even if I was to rave about Double-Dave’s outrageously good lunch pizza buffet, you might still object. But I would smile confidently. Because I know something you do not know: Pepperoni Rolls. Double-Dave’s secret weapons. Many places have great pizza. Only Double-Dave’s can offer spicy pepperonis blanketed with hot, smooth mozzarella cheese and wrapped in a piping hot roll. Okay, other places have them too. But not like this.

How good are they? Good enough to make Tyler a cooler, happier, and possibly more peaceful place to live.These babies will keep you up at night, not from heartburn but from heartache and regret. You could have eaten one more. You should have eaten one more. When can you go back? Is there a football game coming up which would give you an excuse to go back? No? A baseball game then? Soccer? A reality show? Perfect. Because even that kind of visual nonsense would be worth an order of Pepperoni Rolls.

If you can enjoy a football game at Double-Dave’s, you should plan on it. The big screens are more than sufficient, and the scoreboard makes the experience seem even more realistic somehow. Throw in a large Pepperoni-Sausage-and-Mushroom and a drink–they have a modest selection of Coke and Beer–and you’re set. If your kids get bored during the second half, slip them five bucks in quarters and they will disappear into the game room, leaving you alone with your buddies, the game, and your boy’s half-eaten pepperoni rolls all to yourself.

And after the game is over and you find yourself at home and half-hungry already, thank your lucky stars that Double-Dave’s will now deliver more of those perfect pepperoni rolls directly to your front door.

Isn’t Tyler awesome?

Cheddar’s in Tyler

October 5th, 2009

Cheddar's Casual Cafe

Cheddar's Tyler TX

If you love causal dining, you are probably familiar with this decision: do I choose Chili’s, Applebee’s, or TGI Fridays? It’s a difficult call. All three have a bar inside, have exciting food choices, and are chock full of pep. They each have good food, and are fun places to go. So let’s be honest: they are essentially the same restaurant.

Between these three titans stands Cheddar’s, a national chain with a location on South Broadway in Tyler. Unlike its 3 older brothers, Cheddars is not decorated with Elvis vinyls, shiny hub-caps, or posters of the cast of Friends sharing a malt. Whether you’re eating outside next to the classy fountain or inside in the elegant decor, Cheddar’s actually allows your senses to relax while you eat. That’s a novel concept for casual dining fans who are used to sensory overload.

Wherever you choose to sit down, you simply must have some chips and salsa. They will come complimentary, but you would pay for them even if they didn’t. What you need to pay for is the cheesy Santa Fe Spinach Dip, as long as you know when to stop. It is creamy and intoxicating. You won’t regret it. The only downside is you might not have room for any other appetizers, like the Chicken Fajita Quesadillas or fabulous Texas Cheese Fries.

The main menu, while not earth-shakingly original, is filled with delicious options. The soups and salads are fresh, and the burgers are terrific. Their Great Plates menu is full of cant-misses, like the Grilled Chicken Fettucini Alfredo, which would make the Olive Garden proud. But for this customer, it’s Cheddar’s sandwiches that set it apart from its competitors. Whenever I go, I struggle mightily between the Monte Cristo and the Philly Cheese Steak. I’m not going to tell you that the Philly is better than anything on the east coast, but it is plenty authentic enough for me, and I’ve had a Philly in Philly. And the Monte Cristo–a perfectly concocted blend of batter, meat, cheese and raspberry preserves–is one of those meals you feel you can’t go wrong with.

There are better restaurants in Tyler than Cheddars, but there is no better meal for your money. The portions are large, and the prices are alarmingly small. You can easily get filled up on a very nice meal for less than $10.

When I took my friends from out of town to Cheddars, they wanted to bottle up their salsa and take the whole restaurant home to Minnesota. It’s a well-run establishment, committed not to flair but to value. The only gimmick you’ll find is a great meal at a small price.

Sonic: Tyler’s Drive-In, Too

October 1st, 2009

Like a John Wayne western, Sonic Drive In restaurants somehow manage to make us feel nostalgic for things we never actually experienced. Granted, many people do remember the 1950’s, where car-hopping waitresses wore roller skates and Franky Avalon crashed every beach party. But for the generation that thinks a “Drive In” is only a place where teenagers make out and tornadoes strike, Sonic reintroduces the good-old days in tantalizing Technicolor.

Tyler Sonics have four locations. As the name implies, they won’t have lobbies. You will drive into a spot, roll down your window read the big colorful menu, and give your order over the intercom. You can pay by credit card at that time, or wait for the “car-hop.” In a few minutes, she will walk out with your food (sorry, but rollerskates are rare nowadays), offer condiments from an impressive cargo belt, and take your money, leaving you to eat inside your car and have semi-witty conversations for 30 seconds.

“So,” you might ask, “if there is no lobby, why would I go? Why would I pay to sit in a parking lot and eat in my car?” There is a simple answer: the food is flat-out impressive, and the drinks are unbelievable. How else could Sonic become America’s Drive-In restaurant?

Sonic’s burgers are hot and delicious. They are light years ahead of Big Macs an barely shy of Whataburgers. Their fries are equally tasty, as are their chicken sandwiches. But these items are just Sonic’s obligatory staple foods. Most people come to Sonic because of all the unique things they offer, like Coney and Tots. Officially, that’s a hot dog and small potatoes. Sonic offers these without a shred of embarrassment, again claiming Nostalgic Rights. Who doesn’t have great memories of eating hot dogs on a Saturday afternoon? And I can promise you that Sonics are better than your memories.

Keep moving down the menu and you’ll find the glorious Toaster fleet. That’s a big burger, club, or breakfast sandwich between two golden pieces of Texas Toast. And speaking of Toast, you can get breakfast food all day, which is always appealing to people like me. The sides are fantastic, too, with onion rings, mozzarella sticks, chili cheese tots, and my favorite: jalapeno poppers.

But it’s Sonics specialty drinks that will keep you coming back. Don’t settle for a Coke or a Sprite. You can get those anywhere. Go for something big, like a Signature Limeade. Cherry, strawberry, lime, apple, cranberry… so many choices. Can’t pick one? Pick them all. Sonic’s Limeades are legendary because they actually put fruit into the drink. My favorite is the STRAWBERRY LIMEADE, a drink whose name demands capitalization. There aren’t just bits of strawberry mixed in, there are chunks, so that after you finish the drink itself, you’ll have a healthy desert mixed right in with your ice. It’s a beautiful thing.

All of Sonic’s drinks are fully customizable. There are thousands of possible combinations that have never even been though of before. Be creative. And do the same when desert time comes. Sonic’s Frozen Favorites menu is as unique and appealing as the drinks menu. I recommend going beyond the obvious sundaes and milk shakes and opt for a Sonic Blast, a Cream Slush Treat, or a Java Chiller. You can’t go wrong. Just don’t skip it.

I seriously doubt that the 1950’s ever tasted this good, but when you are holding a Toaster Sandwich and a Mocha Chip Java Chiller, it really doesn’t matter. If you really want to feel like a 50’s beach party-goer, head over to Sonic on 64 & the NW Loop or on South Broadway Tyler Texas. There are outdoor tables, a fine playground for the kids and a beach volleyball court for you. But if you go there, I can’t guarantee Franky Avalon won’t show up to mooch a Mozzarella stick or two. You’ve been warned.

Rudy’s Bar-B-Q: An Authentic Texan Experience

September 24th, 2009

In my book, there is one food that, by its very nature, defines Texas: Barbecue. Think about it. There is a reason Hank Hill can make a pretty decent living selling propane even in a small town like Arlen. Everybody has a grill. Everybody uses it. And everybody loves red meat.

Rudy’s BarBQ in Tyler Texas is about as Texan as they come. The original Rudy’s Country Store was founded more than a hundred years ago near San Antonio. But it wasn’t until 1989 that the owners added Bar-B-Q to the outfit. Today, you can find Rudy’s all over the Southwest. What makes it so good? Two words: Slow burning. Rudy’s roasts its meats over an oak flame, which is said to burn even longer than mesquite. The results are irresistible.

When you walk in Rudy’s on the West Loop 323, you will hear country music, see lots of picnic tables, and smell the sweet aroma of grilled beef. You’ll order meat by the half-pound. The cashier will repeat your order to the big guy in the back, and he’ll cut it up fresh. (Get the brisket. Seriously.) He’ll give you your cut of meat on wax paper and throw in a loaf of white bread.

If brisket isn’t your thing, there’s also Turkey Breast, Pork Loins, Chopped Beef, Ribs, Chicken and Sausage (regular and jalapeno!) With these choices, you really can’t go wrong. Grab a side, too: Potato Salad, Corn Slaw, Beans… or even a Jumbo Smoked Potato! You’ll find a wide variety of specialty barbeque sauces to slather on your makeshift sandwich at the table. Be bold and try some different flavors, including the hot stuff.

If you can, try to make your Texas experience count with your beverage also. A glass of sweat tea, a Dr. Pepper, or a cold beer would all be in order.

Finally, eat slowly. Say hi to the good folks behind the counter. Make a joke about filling up your gas tank (Rudy’s sells gas, but it’s always expensive.) And when they say, “Y’all come back now,” go ahead and admit it. Because you will.

Rank and Review Rudys BarBQ from 1 – 10 stars by clicking here

The Many Faces of Whataburger in Tyler

September 24th, 2009

When you come to Texas, you’ll see the white and orange A-frame roofs all over the place. There are almost as many them in Texas as there are Texans, which is good news for everyone who lives there! Call it Texas’ own In ‘n Out Burger. Call it a slightly higher class, more expensive fast food option. Just don’t call it “Water Burger.”

Whataburger was founded in the 1950’s in Corpus Christi by a man who wanted to impress his customers so much by the size and quality of his food that they would exclaim “What a burger!” The restaurant took off and made a name for itself by making fresh, quality burgers to the exact specifications of each customer. Their plethora of condiments was never stale and always at your disposal. In other words, they were giving burgers “your way” long before burger king ever did.

Today, Whataburger restaurants can be found all throughout the South, and they are still committed to that principle. When you order, they’ll suggest “all the way, mustard,” but you can can tell them exactly what you want. Scratch the pickles and add jalepenos. Lots of ‘em. This is Texas, after all!

I would be remiss if I didn’t recommend the #1 with cheese and bacon. If you’re really hungry, go ahead and make it a double meat. You won’t be disappointed. They don’t have much use for heat-lamps because they still make it fresh when you order. And the fries are terrific, just like everything else on the menu.

In Tyler, Whataburger is a more interesting option than most other fast food restaurants because of the individual themes of the various locations. Do you love music? Are you a fan of Elivs Presley? Try the 50‘s Whataburger on the East Loop next to El Charro. The walls are filled with memorabilia and vinyls from from the golden age of Rock ‘N Roll, and posters of the movie starts like James Dean and Marilyn Monroe. The 50’s Whataburger is guaranteed to bring back memories for the elders, and create new ones for the young.

Need something to get your motor running? NasCasr fans rejoice! There’s a Whataburger for that! Stop into the Hot Rod Whataburger on South Broadway in front of the WalMart Supercenter for a breakfast burrito a cup of coffee, and some high-octane decor. Come really early if you want, because this Whataburger, like the others, is open 24 hours.
Or maybe you’re just feeling especially patriotic about Texas. (This is a peculiar phenomenon, found in almost no other state.) There’s a Whataburger for that, too, on the south loop across from Broadway Square Mall. The Texas theme Whataburger features long horns and oil references galore–a visual history of the state of Texas. Put on a Rangers hat while sitting in there with a #2 double meet, and even Nolan Ryan would be impressed with your Texan authenticity.

And hey, speaking of Nolan Ryan, the All-Star Whataburger is on the West loop between Hightways 64 and 31. This one is my personal favorite, not just because I used to go study there in the middle of the night, but because it is littered with sports memorabilia and TV’s tuned to ESPN. My favorite display, more than the motorcycle or the Cowboys pictures from their 1990’s Super Bowl teams, has to be the framed picture of the aged Nolan Ryan, pummeling the head-locked Robin Ventura after the much younger man charged the mound. It was not only one of the funniest, most unforgettable moments in recent baseball history, it was also vintage Texas. Just like Whataburger.

If you show up to the All-Star location for a game, see if you can coax the manager into cranking up the volume. They didn’t used to do it for us, but they just might, now, if you promise to buy a shake with your meal.

There are more locations too! Check out the original Tyler franchise on South Beckham, or the new one on 155, just off the loop. I think you’ll agree that Whataburger is one the best fast food franchises in the country.

Rank and Review Whataburger in Tyler Texas from 1 – 10 stars by clicking here