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Cicis Pizza in Tyler

February 8th, 2010

Cici’s Pizza

211 Texas 323 Loop, Tyler TX
Phone: (903) 526-9494

1938 E Southeast Loop 323, Tyler TX
Phone: (903) 533-9494

CiCi’s in Tyler is one of those places that may seem like a good idea at the time but never actually fulfills any decent expectations you may have had of it. CiCi’s combines pizza, buffet style dining, and screaming children into a one of a kind restaurant experience. CiCi’s may offer a pizza buffet at a decent price but they know that any sane person will be driven away within half an hour by the accumulated sounds of arcade games, whining kids, and several televisions all projecting angry sports announcers. The over stimulating environment is, I suspect, nothing more than a clever ploy developed by the buffet style restaurant industry to stop you from claiming the seven pizzas your four dollars gives you the right to under the eternal Law of Buffet.

They bombard you with flashing lights, constant loud ringing noises. A petting zoo themed restaurant would have a better family environment. CiCi’s doesn’t have bad pizza either, they show no shame in baking a funnel cake in a pizza oven and then pretending pizza was always covered in chocolate syrup. And I can respect the kind of courage it takes to offer decent quality dessert at a buffet, I imagine strawberry chocolate cheesecake has brought many a great franchise to its knees. CiCi’s could definitely improve its atmosphere. But If you can handle the overwhelming surroundings they have some good pizza.

The Granary in Tyler TX

February 5th, 2010

The Granary

1700 S Southeast Loop 323
Tyler
TX 75701
903 566 5562
Store Hours: M-F 10-7
Closed weekends

The Granary is a health food shop located in a strip mall behind McDonalds just off SE loop 323. It is THE place to buy healthy food and dietary supplements in Tyler. There is also a small branch of the Granary in Lindale – but it’s opening times are limited and frustratingly it is not open on a Saturday morning.

Granary Health Food Stores

Granary Health Food Stores

The store in Tyler is small and slightly dark (as all the shelves are loaded with products) but the service is great – the assistants know so much about health and can make recommendations for you at the drop of a hat.

There is a large section for dietary supplements, vitamins and herbal remedies, protein powders, almost a whole aisle of tea! and also organic produce, which is locally grown. They also have refrigerated items like goats milk, free range eggs, tofu and organic yogurts. In the chest freezers lining tone side of the shop there are cuts of frozen meat and other freezer food, including our favorite Ezekiel bread. Of course the Granary stocks other health foods – lots of cereals, nuts, beans and pulses and dried fruit too.

The Granary has some cosmetics and beauty products too plus essential oils. They have cruelty free and environmentally friendly cleaning products.

I buy lots of things at the Granary but here are 2 of my favorite products – Sambucol (it really works to prevent colds!) and Focus vitamins for my son – who, whilst not ADDH, does have a tendency to drift in class. I frequently fail to resist buying some organic almond butter which by the way, is a better price than at the usual grocery stores.

Last week I had to find some food for a friend who follows a gluten and dairy free diet – plus she has some allergies to other things too. The assistant was so helpful in finding me things to send to her – I was amazed that there are so many alternatives to ‘normal food’ out there!

Finally the Granary is a good source of information for alternative medicine and has details on local organic food co-ops, massage therapists and so on.

Granary Store Hours

Granary Store Hours

You will be surprised at how reasonable the Granary is on price. Eating healthily can cost a fortune but the Granary does not overcharge. If you want a more healthy lifestyle – the Granary is a good place to start.

The Texas Roadhouse

January 14th, 2010

Texas Roadhouse in Tyler TX

The Texas Roadhouse

2101 Southeast Loop 323
Tyler
TX 75701
903 509 0053

Opening hours M-T 4pm-10pm
Friday 4-11pm
Sat and Sun 11am-11pm

If you’ve lived in Texas for long you will have tried the steaks at the Texas Roadhouse, in fact, you’re probably a regular customer. The Texas Roadhouse is known for it’s hand-cut steaks, cooked to your specifications and it’s delicious ribs – all priced very reasonably. The Tyler Roadhouse keeps up this reputation; in fact, it probably adds further credit to this chain of restaurants.

If you have visitors to Texas, an evening at the Texas Roadhouse is a must, part of the cultural experience. Our family from England LOVED it.

First, there is the whole shelling the peanuts and throwing them on the floor thing. Then there is the atmosphere –loud and fun, our waitresses even did a short line dance while waiting for the food to be ready for them to serve. And last but not least, there is the food. We tried a cactus blossom which sounded very Texan. It was! Deep fried, of course, it was a huge battered onion with a spicy dip. There was plenty to share. The salads were good, as was the baked potatoes ‘loaded’ literally with sour cream, bacon and spring onion shavings. We enjoyed our steaks – cutting into my fillet was like cutting butter – and the ribs were a hit too. One criticism – the fries were way too salty. Perhaps it is to encourage you to drink more ice cold beer or maybe a margarita. We did have to re-order fries for the children without seasoning.

There is more than enough food for every size of appetite – The Texas Roadhouse in Tyler must have to buy a lot of ‘take home’ boxes for it’s customers. I had the pleasure of eating steak two days in a row – the second time reheated in my microwave, but still very tasty! I can’t comment on the desserts – I have never been with anyone who has room to order one, but I know that they do have a selection of traditionally southern sweets.

One great thing about the Roadhouse is that it is family friendly. On Tuesdays children eat free and sometimes they have a visiting ‘Andy Armidillo’ or a balloon modeller. Consequently, the place is PACKED, so if you don’t have kids, Tuesday might be a night to avoid. It is certainly good for a family budget too as the food is great but inexpensive. You can make a further saving by eating between 4 and 6pm with their Early Dine menu.

On the downside – you cannot make reservations at this restaurant. ‘Call ahead seating’ is the best they will do and it often still involves quite a wait in the lobby before you are seated. I guess that’s just a symptom of it’s popularity. However, once inside, the service is speedy and the servers are efficient and friendly.

All in all I recommend an evening at the Texas Roadhouse and give it a thumbs up!

Estes in Tyler TX

January 12th, 2010

If you are a farmer, rancher, nurseryman, tree grower or pest control professional in east Texas, Estes Inc. should be your supplier for all your pesticide and fertilizer needs. Dennis and the staff are very well informed of all the latest products and application techniques. Not only does Estes carry a full line of insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, rodenticides, termiticides and fertilizers they also sell tanks, pumps, spreaders and other equipment. They can even repair and clean your tank and application equipment.

Estes is conveniently located about 2.5 miles west of loop 323 at 12570 Hwy. 64 West in Tyler, Texas. Estes also delivers to your farm, ranch or place of business. You can call Estes at (903) 531-9304.

As a licensed pest control professional for the last 20 years I have always had a good experience dealing with Estes. Estes always has what I need, whether it is pesticides, parts for my equipment, animal traps or advice on controlling anything from Armadillos to Bed Bugs.

Estes also offers classes for the licensed operator and applicator at which you can receive CEUs to maintain your TDA or SPC license.

If you are a do it yourself homeowner and have some pests that you want to eliminate, Estes is not the place to go. Estes only caters to farmers, ranchers, commercial growers and pest control professionals. Home Owners may want to check out Center Chemical on the southeast loop in Tyler or your favorite home improvement store. A home improvement store has a wide variety of products but nearly no professional advice. You may pay a little more at Center Chemical but when it comes to applying pesticides safely, professional advice may be priceless.