January 16th, 2010
Do you tip at Sonic? That’s a discussion I’ve had with several people recently after discovering that the workers who bring you your food actually expect tips. Should I feel like a jerk for my ignorance in not knowing this already? In my defense, I usually use the drive through, but when I don’t, I usually don’t tip.
I know, they don’t expect a lot but the thought of tipping at a fast food restaurant just seems weird to me. When you go through a drive through somewhere, and they ask you to pull up because your food isn’t ready yet, do you tip the person that finally does bring it?
If I have about 50 cents or so left, I may let them keep the change but I’m not going to go out of my way to give an extra something. No offense, but unless you’re coming by and refilling my drinks, I just don’t see it as being necessary. Not to mention, if you expect a tip, you need to make that an option for people paying with a debit card. One point that’s been made to me is the fact that the workers usually get paid minimum wage. They’re not actual waiters and waitresses here.
Almost every time I have this conversation with someone, I’m reminded of something that happened to me. A couple days or so after my cousin and I had gone to Sonic on the Loop and 64 in Tyler, I was cleaning out my car which required me to pick take out the Sonic bag from just nights before. In it, I found some ketchup packets. On one of those packets was written a girls name and phone number.
This had us puzzled. Was it intended for me, or him, which one? Or was it not intended for either of us. Perhaps someone had written a name and number on several packets and threw them in there and we happened to be one of the (not so) “lucky” ones. Regardless, the possibilities were endless.
That night at Sonic, there was no flirtatious Sonic employee. There was no drop dead gorgeous woman for whom either of us would consider buying a Rout 44 strawberry limeade. We simply came to the conclusion if the number actually belonged to a girl worth calling, we would have remembered it and therefore, we decided to let it remain a mystery. Who knows, maybe she was just trying to get a tip.
Tags: 50 Cents, Conversation With Someone, Couple Days, Cousin, Debit Card, Drinks, Drop Dead Gorgeous, Fast Food Restaurant, Girls Name, Gorgeous Woman, Jerk, Ketchup Packets, Lucky Ones, Minimum Wage, Possibilities, Rout, Sonic, Sonic Drive-In, Sonic Tyler Texas, Strawberry, Tyler Sonic Drive-In, Tyler Texas, Waiters, Waitresses
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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
Tyler has three movie theaters. Each one differs in price, quality, cleanness, and sizes. Hollywood Theatre has 14 screens. They have not made the changes to the digital technology. I am constantly disappointed in how dirty each theater is. When I go spend $7 to go see a movie I don’t want to think what I am sitting in and why the arm rest in so greasy. I have worked back in the kitchen and it is really dirty and properly cleaned. I have been there a few times when the movie has broke and I had to sit in the theater and wait for the projectionist to get it started again. Hollywood theater is not very family friendly atmosphere. Most of the time there are people who just hangout around the building and start fights and cause trouble.
The quality of the movies are not up to date, the theaters and lobby are always dirty, and it is not a family friendly environment, although it is cheaper, I much rather prefer Carmike. Carmike theater also has 14 screens. Movies there are much more expensive than the other two theaters in Tyler Texas. All of their movies are projected digitally and not through the old film projectors that break easily and are the pictures are not as clear. The theaters are not always the cleanest, but at least I can somewhat relax, the kitchen is in sight of the costumers and seems to be kept somewhat clean. Although you have to fight the large crowds, I think Carmike is worth it for its quality alone. I think it is more family friendly than Hollywood but the large crowds does make it harder to balance the drinks, popcorn, and kids.
Carmike’s movies tend to have about 20 minutes of advertisement and previews before the actual movie starts, which can be frustrating.
If the price is a bigger issue than the quality there is the smaller theater, Times Square. It only has a few screens, so the movie that you want to see may not be playing there. Times Square’s small crowds makes the viewing experience less stressful and more personal. Time Square still gives a student discount on the price of certain show times. It keeps the previews to a minimum of a couple minutes, and gets to the movie. The quality has began to change over to the digital projection and even some of the movies are in 3D, but it still does not compare to the size and clarity of Carmike. The screens are smaller than the other two theater’s, and the rooms sit less. Times Square is usually very clean, and from a resent report, it’s seats were the cleanest under a “black light” test. It’s easy to relax when you know that the theater is being properly cleaned.
So next time you want to have a good night and go see a movie, think about what is important to you to have a fun and relaxing experience.
Tags: Arm Rest, Atmosphere, Cause Trouble, Cleanness, Costumers, Digital Technology, Drinks, Film Projectors, Hollywood, Hollywood Theater, Hollywood Theatre, Large Crowds, Movie Theaters, Old Film, Popcorn, Price Quality, Projectionist, Screens, Times Square, Tyler Movie Theaters, Tyler Movie Theatres, Tyler Movies, Tyler Texas, Tyler Texas Movie Theatres, Tyler TX Movie Theaters
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January 10th, 2010
Currents is a French and American Cuisine in Tyler Texas. It serves some of the finest entrees in Tyler Texas. If you enjoy French food then you will love Currents. The food was delicious. The presentation and atmosphere was excellent. The restaurant has unusual French antique furniture and overlooks a peaceful valley and woods.
The music was romantic and relaxing. The service was definitely top notch. The waiter escorted us to our table, pulled out chairs for all the ladies in the group, made sure our drinks never emptied, gave us great recommendations on food and wine, and didn’t get a thing wrong on the orders.
The price is a little on the high side (about $20 per meal) but is definitely worth it. I think that Currents is a great place for a date or other special event. Currents restaurant offers wine tasting and has a menu of some of the best tasting food in Texas. In fact they were in the Texas Monthly magazine. Currents restaurant is off of Fleishel near Front Street. For directions and more information, check out their website currentstyler.com.
Tags: American Cuisine, Atmosphere, Chairs, currents, Currents Tyler Texas, Currents Tyler TX, Drinks, Entrees, French Antique Furniture, French Cuisine, French Food, French Furniture, Information Check, Peaceful Valley, Restaurant Furniture, Texas Monthly, Texas Monthly Magazine, Top Notch, Tyler Texas, Tyler Texas French Restaurant, Unusual Furniture, Waiter, Wine Tasting
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January 8th, 2010
Tyler Green Acres Bowling located in the Tyler Texas area is lots of fun and fairly cheap. If you are looking for something fun and clean to do with your friends, I would strongly encourage you to try bowling.
I went there with some of my friends. The shoes only cost a couple of dollars and the game was $2.00 per game. Besides being cheap, it is very entertaining and lots of fun. Also it is a clean, environment, smoke free.
In addition to bowling there are also lots of other games you can play if you don’t like bowling.
There is a small area for food at reasonable prices and the taste is not bad. Also for a bonus there is free coffee. You can’t beat that. For those who would like to have a drink while they play a game there is a small bar area where you can order some drinks. Of course, I think it might impair your game so it’s probably better not to. But like I said that is available for those who like to mix the two together.
Next time you are thinking of something fun to do, but do not have lots of money to spend, gather some of your friends together and go to Tyler Green Acres Bowing. You won’t be disappointed, just thrilled.
In addition to the fun of bowling it will be pretty comical, watching your friends bowl. If you are the type of person that likes to make new friends, there are a lot of other people there that are bowling. You never know who you might meet. You just might make a new friend, while you are at it. And if you don’t have money for that, it never costs anything to go watch your friends and hang out. It beats being alone on a Friday or Saturday night.
Tags: Bonus, Bowling Green, Clean Environment, Drinks, Free Coffee, Game, Games, Green Acres, Lots Of Fun, Lots Of Money, New Friend, New Friends, Saturday Night, Shoes, Something Fun, Tyler Texas, tyler tx bowling
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