RESTAURANT: Maxwell's, Ruston, LA

RESTAURANT: Maxwell's, Mo-Sa 6 a.m.—2 p.m. & 5 p.m.—9 p.m.; Su 6 a.m.—3:30 p.m.

LOCATION: (in Ramada Inn) I-20 @ US 167, North Service Rd East, Ruston, LA 71270; 318-255-5901

ONE OF THE DATES WE VISITED THE RESTAURANT: 6-11-05

PRICE RANGE: Low to moderate

FAVORITE FOOD: Veggie skillet breakfast; Denver omelette

OTHER GREAT FOODS: Grits

FOOD WE LIKED LEAST: N/A

MOST OUTSTANDING FEATURE: N/A

SPECIALS: N/A

APPEARANCE: Clean

SERVER: Mark

SERVICE: Good

UNIQUE FEATURES: N/A

COMPLIMENTARY RECIPE: N/A

COMMENTS: Good food, we'll be back.

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RESTAURANT: Old Mexico, Ruston, LA

RESTAURANT: Old Mexico; 318-254-2090; (call for hours)

LOCATION: 207 North Service Rd East, Suite 2, Ruston, LA 71270

ONE OF THE DATES WE VISITED THE RESTAURANT: 6-10-05

PRICE RANGE: Low to moderate

FAVORITE FOOD: Shrimp chimichanga

OTHER GREAT FOODS: Fajita beef chimichanga; white queso

FOOD WE LIKED LEAST: N/A

MOST OUTSTANDING FEATURE: N/A

SPECIALS: Vary—call for current ones

APPEARANCE: Clean

SERVER: N/A

SERVICE: OK, but order mixed up; Ordered chicken fajita chimichanga, but the beef was OK

UNIQUE FEATURES: N/A

COMPLIMENTARY RECIPE: N/A

COMMENTS: N/A

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RESTAURANT: Applebee's, Monroe, LA

RESTAURANT: Applebee's; 318-398-7319; (call for hours)

LOCATION: 4911 Pecanland Mall, Monroe, LA 71203

ONE OF THE DATES WE VISITED THE RESTAURANT: 6-9-05

PRICE RANGE: Low to moderate

FAVORITE FOOD: Shrimp alfredo; Blue ribbon brownie

OTHER GREAT FOODS: Steak fajitas

FOOD WE LIKED LEAST: N/A

MOST OUTSTANDING FEATURE: N/A

SPECIALS: Vary—call for current ones

APPEARANCE: Clean

SERVER: Wendi

SERVICE: Very Good

UNIQUE FEATURES: N/A

COMPLIMENTARY RECIPE: N/A

COMMENTS: Good food, we'll be back.

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RESTAURANT: Hot Rod Bar-B-Q, Ruston, LA

RESTAURANT: Hot Rod Bar-B-Q; Mo-Sa 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; 318-254-8010

LOCATION: 1911 Farmerville Hwy., Ruston, LA 71270

ONE OF THE DATES WE VISITED THE RESTAURANT: 6-8-05

PRICE RANGE: Low to moderate

FAVORITE FOOD: Chicken and sausage 2-meat plate

OTHER GREAT FOODS: Chopped beef sandwich

FOOD WE LIKED LEAST: N/A

MOST OUTSTANDING FEATURE: N/A

SPECIALS: Vary—call for current ones

APPEARANCE: Clean

SERVER: N/A

SERVICE: Good

UNIQUE FEATURES: Email: hotrodbbq@cox-internet.com

COMPLIMENTARY RECIPE: N/A

COMMENTS: Good food, we'll be back.

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RESTAURANT: Chili's #1052, Ruston, LA

RESTAURANT: Chili's #1052, 318-242-1134 (call for hours)

LOCATION: 649 N. Service Rd E.

ONE OF THE DATES WE VISITED THE RESTAURANT: 6-6--05

PRICE RANGE: moderate

FAVORITE FOOD: N/A (see COMMENTS below)

OTHER GREAT FOODS: BBQ burger, Mushroom burger, seasoned french fries

FOOD WE LIKED LEAST: N/A

MOST OUTSTANDING FEATURE: N/A

SPECIALS: Vary—call for current ones

APPEARANCE: Clean

SERVER: C.J.

SERVICE: Poor

UNIQUE FEATURES: N/A

COMPLIMENTARY RECIPE: N/A

COMMENTS: In the middle of the afternoon it took 30 minutes to get our food after sitting down and ordering. Our waiter was casually visiting with his friends dining at another table. Having had better service at this Chili's we hope this is an isolated problem rather than a failure of management.

The burgers were too stuffed juicy to be handled and eaten "two-handed." They were better handled piece meal with a fork. Though the flavor was good, we'll order something else on our next visit.


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RESTAURANT: China Wok All-You-Can-Eat Buffet & Mongolian Barbecue, Ruston, LA

RESTAURANT: China Wok All-You-Can-Eat Buffet & Mongolian Barbecue; Daily 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

LOCATION: 601 S. Vienna St.(@ California Ave.), Ruston, LA 71270; 318-251-8378

ONE OF THE DATES WE VISITED THE RESTAURANT: 6-5-05

PRICE RANGE: $6-$15

FAVORITE FOOD: Mongolian Barbecue; Seafood medley

OTHER GREAT FOODS: Sesame Chicken, Egg Foo Yong, Crab Mayonnaise, General Tso Chicken, Crab Rangoon Wontons, Honey Chicken, Seafood Bun

FOOD WE LIKED LEAST: The China Wok doesn't have any mediocre food!

MOST OUTSTANDING FEATURE: Delicious food, Blue Bell ice cream, clean restaurant, and friendly, attentive service; Other Asians dine there—always a good sign.

SPECIALS: Tailgating specials (call); 10% discount for students, faculty, firemen, police, and seniors >62 with ID.

APPEARANCE: Neat and clean

SERVER: Shawn

SERVICE: Excellent—warm and friendly

UNIQUE FEATURES: Delicious Mongolian Barbecue—the only one in the area; though they specialize in the Chinese buffet, they also have an extensive menu from which you can order. They have buffet or menu, take-out, & tailgating specials for picnics or sports fans.

COMPLIMENTARY RECIPE: N/A

COMMENTS: They serve all-you-can-eat Blue Bell ice cream—usual flavors = chocolate, butter pecan, chocolate mint, strawberry, vanilla. Their food is DEElicious. There is no other Chinese food to compare in north Louisiana. . . and we've tried them all! We WILL be back!

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