Sakura Garden, Plano, TX

RESTAURANT: Sakura Garden Japanese

LOCATION: 8604 Preston Road,Plano, TX

ONE OF THE DATES WE VISITED THE RESTAURANT: 9/24/04

PRICE RANGE: Moderate

FAVORITE FOOD: Sushi—Louisiana Roll, which is crawfish with spicy sauce
There a huge selection of different types of sushi.

MOST OUTSTANDING FEATURE: Sakura, an authentic Japanese restaurant, is a classy place where the food is served with style and the employees go about their work with grace and style.

SPECIALS: coupon

APPEARANCE: Neat, clean, beautifully decorated

SERVICE: Excellent

COMMENTS: The portions were generous enough to require doggy bags. When we were there, a band was making its set. Evidently there is live music late in the evening.

Murphy’s, Hammond, LA

RESTAURANT: Murphy’s Seafood

LOCATION: 1700 N. Morrison Blvd., Hammond, LA

TELEPHONE: 985-345-9997

DAYS OPEN: Tuesday – Sunday, Closed Monday
ONE OF THE DATES WE VISITED THE RESTAURANT:

PRICE RANGE: Acceptable. Quality seafood can be pricey. Murphy’s food has quality.

FAVORITE FOOD: Oyster Po Boy

OTHER GREAT FOODS: Crawfish Salad

APPEARANCE: Neat and clean, interesting pictures

SERVER: Angelle

SERVICE: Outstanding

The Feed House, Ruston, LA

RESTAURANT: The Feed House

LOCATION: Farmerville Highway, Ruston, LA

ONE OF THE DATES WE VISITED THE RESTAURANT: 5/1/04

PRICE RANGE: Less than some other seafood buffets in the area

FAVORITE FOOD: Boiled crawfish

OTHER GREAT FOODS: Big, fluffy, tasty cinnamon rolls

APPEARANCE: Building in need of repair

SERVICE: Courteous

COMMENTS: The Feed House has closed, and another restaurant is at that location.

Hong Kong, Ruston, LA

RESTAURANT: Hong Kong Chinese Restaurant

LOCATION: 703 West California Avenue, Ruston, LA 71270

TELEPHONE: 318-251-9288

ONE OF THE DATES WE VISITED THE RESTAURANT: 6/06/04

PRICE RANGE: Moderate

FAVORITE FOOD: Seafood medley

OTHER GREAT FOODS: The egg rolls were better than average.

APPEARANCE: Neat and clean

El San Juans, El Dorado, AR

RESTAURANT: El San Juans

LOCATION: 721 Northwest Avenue, El Dorado, AR 71730

ONE OF THE DATES WE VISITED THE RESTAURANT: 6/03/04

PRICE RANGE: Inexpensive. Two people can eat lunch for $14.00.

FAVORITE FOOD: Chili relleno, which was better than average

OTHER GREAT FOODS: The salsa was especially good.

MOST OUTSTANDING FEATURE: A good amount of food was served promptly during lunch.

APPEARANCE: Mexican décor, crowded seating

SERVICE: Prompt and courteous

RESTAURANT: la Madeleine French Bakery and Restaurant—Baton Rouge, LA

RESTAURANT: la Madeleine

LOCATION: 6401 Blubonnet Blvd. Suite 1164, Baton Rouge, LA 70836
(In the Mall of Louisiana)

ONE OF THE DATES WE VISITED THE RESTAURANT: 11/23/04

PRICE RANGE: Lunch averages $8-$10 per person.

FAVORITE FOOD: Caesar chicken salad with low fat dressing

COMMENTS: The Caesar chicken salad is so delicious that it is addictive. The low fat
Caesar dressing is tasty and satisfying—so good that the regular Caesar dressing is not needed.

OTHER GREAT FOODS: The Caesar salad with salmon is not so tasty as the chicken.
The tomato basil soup is another favorite.

MOST OUTSTANDING FEATURE: Free bread with incredibly delicious blackberry jam

APPEARANCE: The little restaurant, which is inside the Mall of Louisiana, is clean and chic.
The tables are fashionably small.

SERVICE: To order at la Madeleine, it is necessary to go down a line with a tray. There are servers who check periodically to make sure all the diners have their needs met. It is easy to go back and get more tea or bread.
la Madeleine French Bakery and Restaurant

Zach’s Blend of the Bayou

RESTAURANT: Zach’s Restaurant

USP: Blend of the Bayou

LOCATION: 1917 Farmerville Highway, Ruston, LA 71270

ONE OF THE DATES WE VISITED THE RESTAURANT: 3/17/05

PRICE RANGE: Moderate

FAVORITE FOOD: Shrimp Napoleon

OTHER GREAT FOODS: Oyster po boy, shrimp po boy

APPEARANCE: Neat,well decorated

SERVICE: Excellent

COMMENTS: We were Zach’s first paying customers. We’re glad we ate at Zach’s when we did, because the restaurant closed.

COMPLIMENTARY RECIPE: For a recipe please visit Amazing Southern Restaurants.
Amazing Southern Restaurants

Sonic, Ruston, LA

RESTAURANT: Sonic

LOCATION: West California Street, Ruston, LA

ONE OF THE DATES WE VISITED THE RESTAURANT: 7/23/04

PRICE RANGE: Inexpensive

FAVORITE FOOD: Grilled Chicken Wrap

FAVORITE BEVERAGE: Lemon berry slush

FOOD AND BEVERAGE QUALITY: Excellent

SPECIALS: There are always great specials.

ATMOSPHERE: The view of the outside world is enjoyable. It’s also good to watch the teenagers at Sonic.

SERVICE: Good

COMMENTS: A review of the calories in fast food is shocking! See below.
Sonic Nutrition Guide

China King, Gramercy, LA

RESTAURANT: China King

LOCATION: 849 Pine Street, Gramercy, LA

TELEPHONE: 225-869-2000

ONE OF THE DATES WE VISITED THE RESTAURANT: 12/17/04

PRICE RANGE: Night buffet costs $7.50.

GREAT FOODS: We liked all the selections on the food bars.

MOST OUTSTANDING FEATURE: The food was fresh.

APPEARANCE: Neat and clean

SERVICE: Satisfactory, friendly

COMMENTS: Although the selections were limited, there was enough variety to make the meal interesting. Some all-you-can eat Chinese buffets have so many choices that it is impossible to try all the foods we want. China King had an adequate amount.

RESTAURANT: Chili’s Bar & Bites, Dallas, TX

RESTAURANT: Chili’s Bar & Bites

LOCATION: Love Field Airport, Dallas, TX

ONE OF THE DATES WE VISITED THE RESTAURANT: 6/25/04

PRICE RANGE: More expensive than other Chili’s Restaurants

FAVORITE FOOD: Fajita Beef Quesadilla

OTHER GREAT FOODS: Fajita Chicken Quesadilla

MOST OUTSTANDING FEATURE: Convenient location

APPEARANCE: Clean, spacious

SERVER: Miguel

SERVICE: Prompt

Grapevine Market & Cafe, Donaldsonville, LA

RESTAURANT: Grapevine Market & Cafe

LOCATION: Railroad Avenue, Donaldsonville, LA

ONE OF THE DATES WE VISITED THE RESTAURANT: 9/8/04

PRICE RANGE: The menu contains a variety of items with prices ranging from inexpensive to pricey.

FAVORITE FOOD: White chocolate bread pudding

OTHER GREAT FOODS: The soups, the seafood, the salads, the featured entrees; whatever anybody else is having that we wish we had ordered; the crawfish bread.

MOST OUTSTANDING FEATURE: The classy New Orleans region atmosphere.

SPECIALS: Lunch specials vary.

APPEARANCE: Cynthia Breaux has converted an old store into one of the finest restaurants anywhere. The spacious room has lavish furniture with clean lines. The walls are covered with art displays, which are constantly changing. The Grapevine is always clean, airy, and appropriately lighted.

SERVICE: Outstanding

UNIQUE FEATURES: Before the main course, there is a complimentary loaf of warm French bread waiting on the table for the diners to dip into olive oil.

COMPLIMENTARY RECIPE: To obtain an authentic copy of the recipe for white chocolate bread pudding, visit http://fwlcookbook.com/WhiteChocBreadPudding.

COMMENTS: For more information about the Grapevine, go to http://amazingsouthernrestaurants.blogspot.com.

Logan’s Roadhouse, West Monroe, LA

RESTAURANT: Logan’s Roadhouse

LOCATION: 201 Constitution, West Monroe, LA 71292

TELEPHONE: 318-361-9961

ONE OF THE DATES WE VISITED THE RESTAURANT: 7/5/04

PRICE RANGE: Since the food is of good quality, the prices are not too much.

FAVORITE FOOD: The sweet potatoes

OTHER GREAT FOODS: The rolls are outstanding.

APPEARANCE: Roadhouse décor.

SERVICE: Efficient

UNIQUE FEATURES: Complimentary peanuts

COMMENTS: There are several beautiful steaks to select, and the pork chops are delicious. The sweet potatoes with brown sugar outshine all the other great food served at the Roadhouse.

Logan's Roadhouse

Brandy House, Monroe, LA

RESTAURANT: Brandy House Restaurant

LOCATION: 2001 Louisville Avenue, Monroe, LA 71201

ONE OF THE DATES WE VISITED THE RESTAURANT: 10/20/04

PRICE RANGE: $10-$12 per person for lunch

FAVORITE FOOD: House Club Sandwich

MOST OUTSTANDING FEATURE: Elegant surroundings

APPEARANCE: Tasteful décor

SERVER: Kay

SERVICE: Very attentive

UNIQUE FEATURES: There was live music at lunch. Someone was playing the piano well.

COMMENTS: We were expecting the Reuben sandwich to be better. Although it was tasty, it fell short of our expectations.

IHOP, Monroe, LA

RESTAURANT: IHOP #4489

LOCATION: 4205 Pecanland Mall Drive

ONE OF THE DATES WE VISITED THE RESTAURANT: July 4, 2004

PRICE RANGE: Reasonable

FAVORITE FOOD: The Big Steak Omelette, which contains tender steak, hashbrowns, green peppers, onions, mushrooms, and tomatoes.



OTHER GREAT FOODS: Pancakes

MOST OUTSTANDING FEATURE: Consistent quality

SPECIALS: The specials are always changing. We are wondering what happened to that delicious omelet. We could probably order one of those build-your-own omelets and design a reasonable facsimile.

APPEARANCE: Always neat. The tables and chairs are spaced comfortably. At the same time, the closeness gives an ambiance of warmth and community.

SERVER: Frances

SERVICE: Courteous, efficient, cheerful

UNIQUE FEATURES: Breakfast any time

COMMENT: If you'd like to read more about IHOP, click here:
Welcome to IHOP!

New China Garden, Monroe, LA

RESTAURANT: New China Garden

LOCATION: 600 Highway 165 North, Monroe, LA 71203

TELEPHONE: 318-343-0308

ONE OF THE DATES WE VISITED THE RESTAURANT: 6/08/05

PRICE RANGE: Reasonable

FAVORITE FOODS: Shrimp dishes

MOST OUTSTANDING FEATURE: Beautiful surroundings

SPECIALS: Inexpensive lunch buffet

SERVICE: Courteous

COMMENTS: Monroe has an abundance of Chinese restaurants. Because of New China Garden’s proximity to Pecanland Mall, its cleanliness, and its delicious food, this restaurant is one of our favorite Monroe Chinese restaurants.

Sonic

RESTAURANT: Sonic of Grammercy

LOCATION: Grammercy, LA

ONE OF THE DATES WE VISITED THE RESTAURANT: January 31, 2005

PRICE RANGE: Inexpensive

FAVORITE FOOD: Breakfast Burrito Supreme

OTHER FOODS: Sausage Egg Sandwich on Texas Toast. The sandwich was dry. Some jelly would have helped.

FOOD WE LIKED LEAST: Orange juice. (It tasted watery and had an excess of crushed ice.)

MOST OUTSTANDING FEATURE: The coffee was delicious. We were glad that we didn’t need any cream or sugar because no one offered us any.

APPEARANCE: The parking lot was littered.

SERVICE: The service was roller-skate fast. We ordered sausage on the sandwich, but we were served bacon.

COMMENTS: We’ll try again. We like Sonic.

Quiznos Sub Store #8726

RESTAURANT: Quiznos Sub Store #8726; 10 to 9 Daily

LOCATION: Trenton St. S of I-20, Ruston, LA 71270; 318-255-3003

ONE OF THE DATES WE VISITED THE RESTAURANT: 3-7-05

PRICE RANGE: $4-$10

FAVORITE FOOD: Italian sandwich, toasted

OTHER GREAT FOODS: Smoked turkey ranch sandwich

FOOD WE LIKED LEAST: N/A

MOST OUTSTANDING FEATURE: Open under new ownership/management; good service; attentive manager, Robert Morse

SPECIALS: (see company website)

APPEARANCE: Clean

SERVER: N/A

SERVICE: Very good

UNIQUE FEATURES: N/A

COMPLIMENTARY RECIPE: N/A

COMMENTS: They seem to be working hard to overcome the poor reputation from the previous owner. They have an information card for weekly drawing; It remains to be seen whether they really know how to use this for marketing.