Texas Roadhouse
1200 W. Church Street
Newark, Ohio
740.344.1885
Hubby and I are big fans of Texas Roadhouse steaks. I don't know what they do to them but the flavor is outstanding and they normally do cook them as ordered. I have only had to return one steak for overcooking in all of my visits there. (I prefer mine firmly medium rare)
I am also a HUGE fan of their seasoned rice. It took me forever but I did find a recipe for it and then tweaked it some more. For anyone interested in how to make Texas Roadhouse rice at home here is a link to the recipe.This copycat recipe for Teaxas Roadhouse Rice is even better than their version!
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/8223205/texas_roadhouse_seasoned_rice_recipe.html?cat=22
My main complaint with Texas Roadhouse is the young ladies working the hostess stand and their "call ahead seating" Our experience at the Newark restaurant is that they hire very young teen girls to answer the phone and do the seating. Nine times out of 10 they screw it up. And they are very snippy and often just outright rude. Give a young teen a little bit of power and watch what happens. To date I have never had any luck at all with call ahead seating so I really do not know why they bother.
The waitstaff is usually very good and only a couple times have we had bad service once we get past the hostess stand.
I do not like that many of the side dishes are obviously microwaved. I have gotten the vegetable that were warm on top and very cold in the middle. Someone needs to teach them that you have to stir things when you heat them up in a microwave.
I will give them huge kudos for their ice tea. If you have read this blog you know I have a constant battle getting a decent glass of ice tea. Theirs is really good!
So bottom line if you want a great tasting steak for a great price go to Texas Roadhouse. If you use call ahead seating just know it probably didn't work and you will still wait a long time if you go on the weekend.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Food Review for Mi Fiesta Mexican Restaurant Heath Ohio
Mi Fiesta Mexican Restaurant
957 Hebron Rd
Heath, OH 43056
740.522.0691
Unlike most restaurants this one gets better the longer its open. While they have always had good food, sometimes the service was really lacking.
I have noticed on my last couple visits that they are really getting better organized and the service is getting much better.
I will happily say this place has great food at a good price. Their white queso cheese dip is divine.
Even when it is really busy you always get your food very quickly and rarely have to wait.
They now have a lunch buffet and while I am not a huge fan of buffets theirs is quite good. They generally have tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, chimichangas, beans, rice etc. Yummy stuff!
Took some friends to lunch there yesterday and we didn't even have to wait or ask for a check. Just the way I like it!
Head on over there for some good Mexican food at a good price.
Oh and for those with small children they do have a good kids menu with chicken strips, grilled cheese etc.
957 Hebron Rd
Heath, OH 43056
740.522.0691
Unlike most restaurants this one gets better the longer its open. While they have always had good food, sometimes the service was really lacking.
I have noticed on my last couple visits that they are really getting better organized and the service is getting much better.
I will happily say this place has great food at a good price. Their white queso cheese dip is divine.
Even when it is really busy you always get your food very quickly and rarely have to wait.
They now have a lunch buffet and while I am not a huge fan of buffets theirs is quite good. They generally have tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, chimichangas, beans, rice etc. Yummy stuff!
Took some friends to lunch there yesterday and we didn't even have to wait or ask for a check. Just the way I like it!
Head on over there for some good Mexican food at a good price.
Oh and for those with small children they do have a good kids menu with chicken strips, grilled cheese etc.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
La Paloma Mexican Restaurant Newark Ohio
La Paloma Mexican Restaurant
19 South Park Place
Newark, Ohio
740.366.6118
When I first moved to Ohio a friend was so excited to take me to La Paloma restaurant. So I went. And I was so dissapointed! This is NOT Mexican food! Why do Ohio people love this restaurant? I don't get it?
Its more like a loose meat pie. There is absolutely nothing Mexican about putting fried hamburger in a pie crust. The meat is not even seasoned. At least not that I can tell?
My son ordered Nachos and we got a plate of skimpy corn chips with some shredded cheese on top that wasn't even melted. They call that nacho's?
Months later another friend begged me to go. Since I try to keep an open mind I went again. And again I was disappointed. I just don't get it and never will.
And both times the service sucked. Took forever to get drinks and food. And then of course my number one pet peeve we had to beg for the bill. Then they told us they only take cash but they have an ATM in the lobby. How nice of them.
If you want real Mexican food this is not the place to go. If you like loose hamburger inside a pie shell, then I guess go for it.
19 South Park Place
Newark, Ohio
740.366.6118
When I first moved to Ohio a friend was so excited to take me to La Paloma restaurant. So I went. And I was so dissapointed! This is NOT Mexican food! Why do Ohio people love this restaurant? I don't get it?
Its more like a loose meat pie. There is absolutely nothing Mexican about putting fried hamburger in a pie crust. The meat is not even seasoned. At least not that I can tell?
My son ordered Nachos and we got a plate of skimpy corn chips with some shredded cheese on top that wasn't even melted. They call that nacho's?
Months later another friend begged me to go. Since I try to keep an open mind I went again. And again I was disappointed. I just don't get it and never will.
And both times the service sucked. Took forever to get drinks and food. And then of course my number one pet peeve we had to beg for the bill. Then they told us they only take cash but they have an ATM in the lobby. How nice of them.
If you want real Mexican food this is not the place to go. If you like loose hamburger inside a pie shell, then I guess go for it.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Stacy's Homestyle Buffet Heath Ohio
Stacy's Homestyle Buffet
833 South 30th Street
Heath, Ohio
740.522.3317
I have been to Stacy's two times now. Once for breakfast and once for lunch. There is a lot I like and a lot I don't like.
When first entering the restaurant a smell hits you. It almost smells like a nursing home. Strange thing to say I know - but it's the truth!
This buffet is HUGE and includes soup, salad, fruit, many main dishes, your drink and a desert bar.
I have to say that the breakfast buffet is much better than the lunch buffet. For sure this restaurant caters to an older clientele. Some of the food is just too bland for my tastes.
My usual complaint about food buffets is the food not being kept hot or cold enough. Having worked in the food industry for years this is always a worry to me as I know that food borne illness is more common on buffets than ordering off a menu. I will say that they do keep their hot food hot and the cold food cold.
I am a huge fan of their sweet potatoes on the lunch buffet. Very yummy. The macaroni is too dry and gummy. Pass on that. Vegies are okay but overcooked and lacking any seasoning.
Fried chicken is again just okay.
The breakfast bar is much yummier with some good biscuits and gravy, sausage, bacon, eggs etc.
The desert bar is not that great and I think its mostly frozen stuff thawed out. Kinda of a big disappointment.
Overall its a fair price for such a huge buffet but if you like highly seasoned food probably not your kind of place.
833 South 30th Street
Heath, Ohio
740.522.3317
I have been to Stacy's two times now. Once for breakfast and once for lunch. There is a lot I like and a lot I don't like.
When first entering the restaurant a smell hits you. It almost smells like a nursing home. Strange thing to say I know - but it's the truth!
This buffet is HUGE and includes soup, salad, fruit, many main dishes, your drink and a desert bar.
I have to say that the breakfast buffet is much better than the lunch buffet. For sure this restaurant caters to an older clientele. Some of the food is just too bland for my tastes.
My usual complaint about food buffets is the food not being kept hot or cold enough. Having worked in the food industry for years this is always a worry to me as I know that food borne illness is more common on buffets than ordering off a menu. I will say that they do keep their hot food hot and the cold food cold.
I am a huge fan of their sweet potatoes on the lunch buffet. Very yummy. The macaroni is too dry and gummy. Pass on that. Vegies are okay but overcooked and lacking any seasoning.
Fried chicken is again just okay.
The breakfast bar is much yummier with some good biscuits and gravy, sausage, bacon, eggs etc.
The desert bar is not that great and I think its mostly frozen stuff thawed out. Kinda of a big disappointment.
Overall its a fair price for such a huge buffet but if you like highly seasoned food probably not your kind of place.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Leghorns Restaurant Heath Ohio
Leghorns is pretty much a copy of Roosters and almost a copy of Hooters. I have to say they did an excellent job with the remodel. The atmosphere is fun and energetic.
Upon walking in the door about 5 different people greeted us. Might be a little overkill there. We went about 2 pm so the restaurant was not busy.
I got the rueban sandwich (of course cus you know I am on a quest) and my friend got the grande nachos.
The rueban as usual was nothing to write home about and for the high prices it should have been. How these places think they can charge 8.00 or so for an average sandwich is beyond me. Fries were very good. Ice tea like most area restaurants sucked.
The nachos are very good and a generous portion. Oddly they do not come with sour cream. We asked twice for sour cream but got a side of salsa instead. Our waitress just seemed very distracted (even though we were practically the only table) Never got drink refills until we were done eating.
And my ultimate pet peeve is we had to ask twice for the check. Again customers should never have to beg to pay. Its wrong on so many levels. This has to be my ultimate pet peeve. If a restaurant is extremely busy I can be a little patient, but if its slow I have none. Nada. Zilch. Put the damn check on the table! Don't make me beg you for it.
A waitress should recognize that the bill is their last interaction with a customer. If a customer has to beg and still has to wait to get the bill, its going to be reflected in the tip.
Why restaurants do not properly train wait staff I have no idea. Its not that hard. Many years ago I was the trainer and dining room manager for Shoneys. There is a method to training wait staff. If you do it right, they will increase their tips and your restaurant will get people coming back. Take the time to train your employees!
If the owner reads this I am offering to come down for a day and train your staff for you for a consultant fee. :)
Its really not enough to just hire pretty young girls. They do need to know how to be a waitress.
Upon walking in the door about 5 different people greeted us. Might be a little overkill there. We went about 2 pm so the restaurant was not busy.
I got the rueban sandwich (of course cus you know I am on a quest) and my friend got the grande nachos.
The rueban as usual was nothing to write home about and for the high prices it should have been. How these places think they can charge 8.00 or so for an average sandwich is beyond me. Fries were very good. Ice tea like most area restaurants sucked.
The nachos are very good and a generous portion. Oddly they do not come with sour cream. We asked twice for sour cream but got a side of salsa instead. Our waitress just seemed very distracted (even though we were practically the only table) Never got drink refills until we were done eating.
And my ultimate pet peeve is we had to ask twice for the check. Again customers should never have to beg to pay. Its wrong on so many levels. This has to be my ultimate pet peeve. If a restaurant is extremely busy I can be a little patient, but if its slow I have none. Nada. Zilch. Put the damn check on the table! Don't make me beg you for it.
A waitress should recognize that the bill is their last interaction with a customer. If a customer has to beg and still has to wait to get the bill, its going to be reflected in the tip.
Why restaurants do not properly train wait staff I have no idea. Its not that hard. Many years ago I was the trainer and dining room manager for Shoneys. There is a method to training wait staff. If you do it right, they will increase their tips and your restaurant will get people coming back. Take the time to train your employees!
If the owner reads this I am offering to come down for a day and train your staff for you for a consultant fee. :)
Its really not enough to just hire pretty young girls. They do need to know how to be a waitress.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Bangkok City Restaurant Buckeye Lake Ohio
Bangkok City
11189 Hebron Rd
Buckeye Lake, OH 43025
740.928.3883
The best kept secret of Central Ohio! This restaurant is a real blue ribbon winner. However be forewarned THEY DO NOT ACCEPT DEBIT OR CREDIT CARDS. Cash only. They will even direct you to the local ATM should you forget.
The hassle is worth it though as the food is that good. Owned by a husband and wife team this restaurant has been a staple in Buckeye Lake Ohio for over 20 years. The husband is the chef and the wife was our hostess and waitress. Very charming woman and her husband made an appearance to see how we liked the food. Now how often does that happen anymore? We were treated like celebrities!
Known for Thai food they do have some Americanized Chinese staples such as their variation of General Tso's chicken. The wife makes all of their dipping sauces herself and they are to die for.
Hubby wasn't quite as thrilled as I was with the food but he is way too accustomed to the Americanized version of Chinese food.
The place is pricey for sure. It was about 45.00 for two of us to eat two entrees and one appetizer. But again I don't mind high priced food as long as its good. And we did have enough to bring home leftovers for our son.
I will say the place could use a remodel and does have a funky smell when you first enter. But being so close to the lake I suspect that is where the "damp" smell comes from. You will forget though once you get a plate of food.
I can't wait to go back and try something else from the menu. Since it is in the higher range I do have to limit my trips but it is worth looking forward to.
11189 Hebron Rd
Buckeye Lake, OH 43025
740.928.3883
The best kept secret of Central Ohio! This restaurant is a real blue ribbon winner. However be forewarned THEY DO NOT ACCEPT DEBIT OR CREDIT CARDS. Cash only. They will even direct you to the local ATM should you forget.
The hassle is worth it though as the food is that good. Owned by a husband and wife team this restaurant has been a staple in Buckeye Lake Ohio for over 20 years. The husband is the chef and the wife was our hostess and waitress. Very charming woman and her husband made an appearance to see how we liked the food. Now how often does that happen anymore? We were treated like celebrities!
Known for Thai food they do have some Americanized Chinese staples such as their variation of General Tso's chicken. The wife makes all of their dipping sauces herself and they are to die for.
Hubby wasn't quite as thrilled as I was with the food but he is way too accustomed to the Americanized version of Chinese food.
The place is pricey for sure. It was about 45.00 for two of us to eat two entrees and one appetizer. But again I don't mind high priced food as long as its good. And we did have enough to bring home leftovers for our son.
I will say the place could use a remodel and does have a funky smell when you first enter. But being so close to the lake I suspect that is where the "damp" smell comes from. You will forget though once you get a plate of food.
I can't wait to go back and try something else from the menu. Since it is in the higher range I do have to limit my trips but it is worth looking forward to.
Dragon's Buffet Newark Ohio
Dragon's Buffet
597 Hebron Rd # 4, Heath, OH
740.788.8833
About a year ago this wasn't a bad restaurant. But something has gone very wrong. DO NOT waste your money on this buffet.
Two weeks ago my son and I went there for lunch. It was horrible. I am not going to go into gruesome detail but will say I found a critter in the buffet food that looked like he has lots of friends running around. It was all I could do not to get ill.
I didn't dare tell my son as he had already ate quite a bit of food and like me he has a very sensitive stomach. If he reads this blog he will probably kill me for not telling him. I did tell the waitress while my son was occupied but she acted like she could care less. And it shows.
Stay far far away from this restaurant. Realistically my hope is it will be shut down by the health department soon.
597 Hebron Rd # 4, Heath, OH
740.788.8833
About a year ago this wasn't a bad restaurant. But something has gone very wrong. DO NOT waste your money on this buffet.
Two weeks ago my son and I went there for lunch. It was horrible. I am not going to go into gruesome detail but will say I found a critter in the buffet food that looked like he has lots of friends running around. It was all I could do not to get ill.
I didn't dare tell my son as he had already ate quite a bit of food and like me he has a very sensitive stomach. If he reads this blog he will probably kill me for not telling him. I did tell the waitress while my son was occupied but she acted like she could care less. And it shows.
Stay far far away from this restaurant. Realistically my hope is it will be shut down by the health department soon.
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