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

Julian’s Asian Diner

August 10th, 2011

Julians Restaurant
 

Julian’s is an asian diner located in the Time Square shopping center in Tyler TX that has been in Tyler for seven years, changing management and remodeling once in October of 2009. Julians has been a popular Tyler dinner spot for years. The food is good, well cooked and with unique flavor  that distinguishes it from an average asian food restaurant. The food may be above average but that doesn’t apply to most other aspects of the restaurant.

The low lighting is nice and helps provide a calm atmosphere but it doesn’t completely distract from from the minimal lame wall decor or awkward arrangement in my opinion. However, the bar is pretty decent, it’s in a separate room entirely from the dining area and has an even darker sleeker feel than the restaurant. As of recently Julians has started doing drink specials with Texas Tuesdays and Monday Martinis for six dollars.

The good thing about the food though, is that in addition to be being flavorful and well made of good ingredients it is also not too expensive as long as you go at lunch or if you’re content with Julian’s exceptional fried rice a half order is only $5.50 and despite being a half it amounts to a decent meal.

But if you’re interested in something a little more substantial they have a very good honey seared chicken which is lightly battered and wok fired in a honey soy sauce with garlic. If you’re looking for s meal specifically healthy or even vegetarian then I suggest one of Julian’s health bowls such as the Apex Shrimp Bowl consisting of shrimp, carrots, broccoli, mushrooms and ginger or the Tofu bowl for the vegetarians.

Julians has good features, but it has not always had an excellent reputation for cleanliness, although it’s certainly not always the case. The service has been good as far as I’ve seen and the wait for food acceptable. However, the wait for a table can be long on certain nights so time your arrival well. The restaurant may not pull off the upscale look perfectly but the food is considered upscale for Tyler’s asian food scale which admittedly is not large.

Basil Thai Cafe in Tyler

January 31st, 2010

Basil Thai Cafe

1700 S SE loop 323
Suite 102
Tyler
75701
Tel: 903 504 5999

In an unlikely location in a strip mall behind McDonalds and Burger King you will find a hidden treasure – Basil Thai – Tyler’s only authentic Thai eatery.

Basil Thai in Tyler TX

Basil Thai in Tyler TX

It is called a ‘cafe’ for a reason that is obvious when you walk in – this is no spot for a romantic meal for two. The ambiance is non-existent, it is brightly lit with fluorescent lights in the ceiling, there is a TV in one corner, you order from the counter and the customer is responsible for getting their own drinks and silverware. There is no alcohol served.

But if it is good Asian food you are looking for, and lots of it, this has to be near the top of the list. Basil Thai serves appetizers such as egg rolls and edamame, Thai soups, salads, noodle dishes, curries and lots of different rice dishes with shrimp, salmon, chicken or beef.

As we approached Basil Thai Cafe we were greeted by the most delicious smells. The place was very spartan as I have already described and it was quite cold but it is clean and the food is served on china plates and chopsticks are available which is a bonus. The staff are very friendly and helpful and the menu has descriptions of the ingredients used in each dish for those unfamiliar with Thai food.

The entrees we chose were all under $10 and for that price you get a really big plate of delicious food. The ingredients were fresh – even down to the pineapple and the freshly toasted cashews in the fried rice. The Jasmine rice and rice noodles were wonderful and the vegetables were also crisp and plentiful. Even the Thai tea was good. The owners and chefs are Thai themselves and so the food is very authentic. Two of our party had been to Thailand and found the same flavors we had experienced there represented in the dishes served here in Tyler. However, instead of using parts from the whole chicken as they do in Thailand, the chefs here cooked us only the best chicken breast – definitely a good adjustment to the traditional methods in my mind! We liked the idea of ‘spicy ratings’ for the curries – very accommodating for the Texas palate – you can choose one star, two or three. One star is described as a tingling sensation, two is a stimulating kick and three is a raging fire! I chose two stars which was really quite warm, perhaps the 3 stars should be reserved just for the true ethnically Thai consumers.

I think the reputation of Basil Thai is catching on – we had the last available table last Friday night and the turnover of customers was quite fast. I also noted that there were several families there. Fried rice and noodles are a good option for hungry children.

My overall impressions are that this is a good place for a good fast feed. It isn’t in itself an evening’s entertainment despite the slightly exotic food but is good if you are going somewhere afterwards. Alternatively you could order a take-out and have it at home. You can phone in an order any time. I think I will do that whenever I have a craving for a taste of the Orient!

China King Tyler Texas

January 16th, 2010

China King, Tyler, Texas is located at 4542 S Broadway Ave and it’s a Chinese Restaurant buffet style. If you enjoy Asian food and you like lots of varieties, then you should go to China King. Going there for me is easy and convenient and I enjoy being able to select all kinds of food choices. They have a salad bar that boasts lots of good salad selections. They have a meat and veggie table that has fried rice, noodles, shrimp, sushi and a good selection of desserts. Soft drinks are also available for you for a small price. Anytime you are in a hurry, but enjoy trying new foods, then the China King is the place for you.

The quality of service and price will fit your budget. From my experience $25.00 will feed two people easily. I love the idea of not having to wait for your food to get prepared and just being able to go and eat right away…especially if you are starved. There is no limit on how much you can eat while you are there. You can go back as many times as you want.

The best thing is at the end of the meal when you get one of those fortune cookies. Those are always fun but of course, I don’t take it seriously, I just enjoy seeing what I get and then add something at the end of the saying and that makes it funnier.

Peking Chinese Restaurant

August 31st, 2009

Growing up in Tyler, I became quite an expert on Chinese cuisine by visiting the various buffets that come and go in town regularly; which is to say I knew nothing! Over the years I have waited tables at a good Asian restaurant, as well as lived in larger cities with more to offer in the way of genuinely good eastern cuisine, both dine in and take out. While I confess to occasionally visiting a buffet, Chinese food is so much better when eaten hot and fresh as opposed to off a bar under heat lamps. For those who remain undeterred devotees of buffets, I’ll list a few of my personal favs and explain why they are on that rather short list in another article.  

I recall working the lunch shift at a Chinese restaurant as a young man, and looking forward to the three o’clock break when the kitchen crew would cook up an authentic Chinese lunch for themselves and the wait staff. Of course nothing they cooked could be found on the menu. It was more like what they would have eaten in their own kitchens in the old world and thus far more authentic, hot and delicious. When it comes to good, fresh, inexpensive Chinese takeout, Tyler has one particular establishment that more people should know about.

 Peking Chinese Restaurant is located at 1021 East Fifth (appropriately enough) just up from Tyler Junior College.  A trip to Peking reminds me of my own college days, as well as the places my brother and I used to frequent during my time teaching in St Paul. While its not five star dining, it is classic takeout and far, far better than the buffets which are so popular around town. They carry all the usual menu items, (all of which are delicious by the way), and most patrons will leave the restaurant full for under ten dollars.
 
While Texas will never be famous for its Asian food since it’s obviously not native, Peking does bring to Tyler a bit of big city fare. So here’s to hoping that Tylerites will take a clue from area college students who spend their late nights sitting in corner of Peking cramming for the next morning’s exam. Skip the buffets with their hours old food warming beneath their heat lamps and try some genuine brain food. By the way, the phone number is (903)526-5208. I suggest calling ahead if you intend to pick it up and go.