Vietnamese Pho Restaurant

January 23rd, 2010

Vietnamese Pho Restaurant

3837 US Hwy 64
Tyler, TX 75704
(903) 526-1599

Having recently moved to Tyler Texas, I am always on the lookout for new places to eat. I am particularly fond of ethnic food, so when I heard about a new Vietnamese restaurant in town, I couldn’t wait to try it out. My wife and I met her two brothers and their wives for dinner there last night, and we all agreed that it was a great experience.

Pho Restaurant is located just outside W Loop 323 on US Hwy 64, across from the big super Wal-Mart. It’s right next to El Quatro Mexican restaurant, which I haven’t tried out yet. Parking is plentiful, and the lot is well lit at night. It is open Monday to Saturday from 11am to 8pm. There is a sister location on N. High street in Longview as well.

The atmosphere and décor leave something to be desired, but that is fairly common for small mom-and-pop Asian restaurants. The dining area was very clean – I didn’t see any food or trash on the floor or on any of the unoccupied tables. The restrooms were also quite clean. The fluorescent lights and drop-in ceiling detract a little from the overall dining experience, but what Pho lacks in atmosphere, it makes up in service and taste. (If you are looking for Asian dining with great atmosphere, try Julian’s in the Times Square Shopping Center on South Broadway).

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The menu at Pho Restaurant is clearly laid out and very reasonably priced. I think all of their entrees are under 10 dollars, and most of them are 7 dollars or less. A casual glance around the room can help you decide what dish to order – they have large pictures of many of their menu items posted on the walls. I ended up choosing my meal by looking at the pictures on the wall. I chose number 22 – stir fried vermicelli with beef, chicken, and shrimp.

One of the things that impressed me was the quality of the service. When the hostess noticed my sister-in-law feeding baby food to her one year old daughter, she brought a little child-sized plate for her to use. When our meals arrived, she recommended which sauces and seasonings to use with each of our dishes. The hoisin and sriracha sauces she suggested for my meal complimented it perfectly. They gave it a wonderful sweet and savory flavor with just enough of a spicy kick to make your lips tingle.

Now on to the good stuff! My stir-fried vermicelli with chicken, beef, and shrimp was absolutely delicious. My wife loved menu item 8b – shrimp and egg roll with vermicelli. The shrimp was grilled to perfection, and it came with some kind of vinegar/fish sauce that she mixed with the hoisin sauce to create a delightful and savory meal.

Pho Vietnamese Restaurant

For an appetizer we ordered the shrimp spring rolls. If you have never tried Vietnamese spring rolls, you simply must try them at Pho. They are incredibly cool and crisp and refreshingly unique owing to the fresh mint leaves they use to make them. The portions at Pho restaurant are generous, the ingredients are fresh, and the food is authentically Vietnamese.

All six of us who ate there last night said that we would order the same meal again next time, and all six of us ordered different things! I personally loved menu item 22, but I feel confident recommending items 8b and 10b as well. If you are looking for authentic Vietnamese cuisine at a fair price, you no longer need to drive to Dallas to get it. Go check out Vietnamese Pho Restaurant. You won’t be disappointed.

Tags: Asian Restaurants, Baby Food, Casual Glance, Dau, Dining Area, Ethnic Food, Feeding Baby, Number 22, Pho Restaurant, Restrooms, Sister In Law, Sister Location, South Broadway, Square Shopping Center, Times Square, Times Square Shopping Center, Tyler Texas, Tyler TX, Tyler TX Asian Food, Vietnamese Restaurant, wal-mart
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Tyler Movie Theaters

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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Times Square Cinema: The Grown-up’s Choice

November 11th, 2009

First, you must understand that Times Square in Tyler bears no resemblance in any way, shape, or form to the famous Times Square in New York City. It has always intrigued young Tylerites that this name was ever chosen. Times Square shopping center, featuring staples like Casa Ole, Racquet & Jog, and Double Dave’s Pizzaworks have exactly nothing in common with New York City. But that doesn’t mean that Times Square in Tyler is without merit. Not only are the restaurants good and the location accessible, but the the The Times Square Cinema is a long-standing staple in the city.

Times Square Cinema is a small, privately owned, old time-feel family theater, which is a rarity in the modern age of mega-30 screen cinemaplexes. It is considerably smaller than the Tyler Rose in west Tyler, and a fraction of the size of Carmike 14. Nevertheless, The Times Square Cinema is a nice alternative for those who get tired of the crowds at the other locations. The theater offers digital projection, and 3-D viewing for movies that offer it. The snack bar isn’t huge, but it’s good, and cheaper than the other theaters as well. The staff here are friendly and productive, keeping a smile on their faces, and popcorn off the floor. It is a clean and pleasant place to watch a movie.

This theater is the cheapest in Tyler. Adult tickets are $7.50, a full $.75 cheaper than Carmike. Granted, the screens are not as large, and the infrastructure not as impressive. But the experience should be good, nevertheless.

Who should come to Times Square Cinema? Grown ups. Times Square is no longer a hip hang out place for high schoolers who prefer to congregate in massive crowds. They go to The Tyler Rose or to Carmike. That is reason enough for me to go watch a movie at Times Squaare. I know I won’t have to put up with alot of loudness or nonsense. Unless the movie itself is bad, I know I will have a good experience every time at Times Square Cinema. Because I’m a grown up.

Tags: Carmike Cinema, Digital Projection, Good Experience, High Schoolers, Jog, Loudness, Massive Crowds, movies in tyler, Nonsense, Old Time, Popcorn, Rarity, Resemblance, Snack Bar, Square Shopping Center, Staple, Staples, theaters in tyler, Times Square, Times Square Cinema Tyler, Times Square Shopping Center, UPS, West Tyler
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The Vineyard Church of Tyler

October 14th, 2009

The choice of what church to attend, and which is right for one’s family, is a very personal one. These days, folks in Tyler Texas who are unable to find a church with which they can agree on absolutely everything, often opt to start their own churches. They open in store fronts, movie theaters, and the homes of parishioners, in the temporary absence or a building or property. Generally I encourage this type of religious and community participation. But in a town of nearly a thousand places to worship, our city does not need additional “start up” churches. Everyone should be able to find an existing church in Tyler where they can practice their faith in a community of relatively likeminded people. This is why I’ve started to write about area Churches, in the hopes that perhaps someone who’s looking around will stumble onto this site and find some useful information.

Having already written on my own church, it is difficult to write on a church with which I have little connection. I can speak to churches attended by my friends and family however. One such church is the Vineyard Church of Tyler. While located in Times Square shopping center, the Vineyard is no start up church, having been around for nearly twenty years now. The Tyler Vineyard is a part of the Vineyard USA Community of Churches, in effect a denomination all its own. The church holds to the standard points of doctrine of the modern Evangelical Church, particularly when it comes to the supremacy of scripture.

The Vineyard places a heavy emphasis on the importance of worship in the liturgy. The music is contemporary and central to the Vineyard experience. The church strives to be both culturally relevant and approachable to the Tyler area young people. The atmosphere is casual and informal. Gourmet coffee is served in the foyer prior to the service and during the peace, (or the greeting). The pastor’s homilies are brief but applicable to the congregant’s experience (again we see the emphasis on cultural relevance). The VCT is also involved in numerous community outreaches and local charities. They also support members of area missions organizations, who export the gospel around the world.

For those looking for a relaxed, low pressure, community involved, evangelical church The Vineyard Church of Tyler is a good option to consider. For more information see the churches website at www.tylervineyard.com, or call their office at (903) 534-8803.

Tags: Community Participation, Denomination, Evangelical Church, Gourmet Coffee, Homilies, Liturgy, Movie Theaters, Parishioners, Square Shopping Center, Store Fronts, Temporary Absence, Times Square, Times Square Shopping Center, Twenty Years, Tyler Area, Tyler Texas, Usa Community, Vineyard Church, Vineyard Church Tyler Texas, Vineyard Churches, Vineyard Experience
Posted in Non-denominational | No Comments »

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?

Tags: Bad Rap, Baseball Game, Cold Beer, double-dave's pizza tyler, Double-Dave's pizzaworks, East Texas, Football Game, Great Pizza, Heartache, Heartburn, Hot Roll, Large Tv, Mozzarella Cheese, Peaceful Place, pepperoni rolls, Pepperonis, Piping, pizza, Pizza Buffet, pizza in tyler, Sausage, Secret Weapons, South Broadway, Times Square, tyler tx pizza
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Vietnamese Pho Restaurant

Vietnamese Pho Restaurant

Tyler Movie Theaters

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The Vineyard Church of Tyler

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