RESTAURANT REVIEW: Chili's Grill & Bar, Ruston, LA

RESTAURANT: Chili's Grill & Bar; 318-242-0155
LOCATION: I-20 Service Road North, east of Exit 85
ONE OF THE DATES WE VISITED THE RESTAURANT: 7-2-09
PRICE RANGE: moderate
FAVORITE FOOD: Chocolate Molten Cake
OTHER GREAT FOODS: 1/2 order Jalapeno Steak Quesadillas, Chicken Bites on the new "less than $7 menu"
FOOD WE LIKED LEAST: N/A
MOST OUTSTANDING FEATURE: N/A
SPECIALS: Vary—call for current ones
APPEARANCE: Very Clean
SERVER: Justin, 009, T035
SERVICE: Excellent
UNIQUE FEATURES: N/A
COMMENTS: Unlike Applebee's and some other restaurants, Chili's gives its wait staff all their tip rather than taking very large percentage of any tip put on credit and gift cards.

Great food and service! We'll be back!

Here's more information.

Complete your Southern eating experience!

1. Get This Amazing Southern Cookbook, Flavored with Love, Now!

2. Get the world's only cookbook devoted to collard greens and cornbread with stories of a Texas boy's misspent youth, The Collard Patch, while they are still available!

RESTAURANT REVIEW: Cracker Barrel Store #278, W. Monroe, LA

RESTAURANT: Cracker Barrel Store #278; (318) 325-5505
LOCATION: Exit #114, I-20 & Thomas Road, then to 309 Constitution Drive, W. Monroe, LA 71292
ONE OF THE DATES WE VISITED THE RESTAURANT: 7-2-09
PRICE RANGE: Low to moderate
FAVORITE FOOD: They have added delicious skillet breakfasts. We liked the Veggie Skillet an the Smoked Sausage Skillet
OTHER GREAT FOODS: The Old Timer's Breakfast
FOOD WE LIKED LEAST: N/A
MOST OUTSTANDING FEATURE: N/A
SPECIALS: Vary—call for current ones
APPEARANCE: Clean
SERVER: Ruthie M.
SERVICE: Very Good
UNIQUE FEATURES: N/A
COMMENTS: Great addition to their menu. We'll be back.

Complete your Southern eating experience!

1. Get This Amazing Southern Cookbook, Flavored with Love, Now!

2. Get the world's only cookbook devoted to collard greens and cornbread with stories of a Texas boy's misspent youth, The Collard Patch, while they are still available!

RESTAURANT REVIEW: J. E. Moon's Grocery, Hwy 9 NE of Homer, LA

RESTAURANT: J. E. Moon's Grocery ... and package store; 318-927-3687
LOCATION: 6979 Highway 9 -- NE of Homer, LA, toward Junction City, LA
ONE OF THE DATES WE VISITED THE RESTAURANT: 7-1-09
PRICE RANGE: moderate: $16 for 1.25"; $18.50 for 1.5"; & $22.50 for 2"
FAVORITE FOOD: Rib eye steak & baked potato -- their main fare; all manner of sauces and seasonings
OTHER GREAT FOODS: They serve ribs, too, but the steak is so good we haven't tried the ribs.
FOOD WE LIKED LEAST: N/A
MOST OUTSTANDING FEATURE: N/A
SPECIALS: N/A
APPEARANCE: Clean but "tattered"
SERVER: N/A
SERVICE: Good
UNIQUE FEATURES: N/A
COMMENTS: Good food, we'll be back.

It's best to call your steak order in (318-927-3687) about 30-40 minutes before your arrival. They serve steak only Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday nights. Plan to arrive before 6 p.m. if you want a seat!

NOTE:

On Wednesday they take orders from 5 to 6 and close at 7 p.m.
On Friday and Saturday they take orders from 5 to 7 and close at 9 p.m.

Here are some pictures.

Complete your Southern eating experience!

1. Get This Amazing Southern Cookbook, Flavored with Love, Now!

2. Get the world's only cookbook devoted to collard greens and cornbread with stories of a Texas boy's misspent youth, The Collard Patch, while they are still available!

RESTAURANT REVIEW: Peking Chinese, Ruston, LA

RESTAURANT: Peking Chinese Restaurant Buffet
LOCATION: Highway 167 North of the I-20 north service rd., Ruston, LA 71270
ONE OF THE DATES WE VISITED THE RESTAURANT:6-28-09
PRICE RANGE: Low
FAVORITE FOOD: Pudding
OTHER GREAT FOODS: none
FOOD WE LIKED LEAST: most of the buffet
MOST OUTSTANDING FEATURE: N/A
SPECIALS: Vary—call for current ones
APPEARANCE: Dirty carpets
SERVER: N/A
SERVICE: Fair
UNIQUE FEATURES: N/A
COMMENTS: The food was over-cooked from having sat on the steam table too long. The selections were meager and flavored with salt and pepper. There were few healthful dishes in the building--flour and grease dominated.

They have abandoned their birthday program and their discounts for seniors and college students. They are clearly headed downhill.

We'll not be back.

Complete your Southern eating experience!

1. Get This Amazing Southern Cookbook, Flavored with Love, Now!

2. Get the world's only cookbook devoted to collard greens and cornbread with stories of a Texas boy's misspent youth, The Collard Patch, while they are still available!