102 a bistro

RESTAURANT: 102a bistro

LOCATION: 102 N. Monroe Street, Ruston, LA 71270
(318)254-1102

ONE OF THE DATES WE VISITED THE RESTAURANT: July 10 2010 (at lunch) PRICE RANGE: Lunch $5-$18, Dinner $6-$32

FAVORITE FOOD: Club Panini (Ham & Turkey with Avocado, Tomato, Red Onion & Bacon)

OTHER GREAT FOODS: Croque Monsieur ( Ham & Gruyere Chreese with Dijon Mustard, Sauce Mornay & Topped with a Fried Farm Egg)

FOOD WE LIKED LEAST: Marinated Vegetables -- tasty but a little tart

MOST OUTSTANDING FEATURE: Ambience

APPEARANCE: Clean. Decorated in a trendy style with modern art hangings. White table cloths.

SERVER: Excellent

SERVICE: Exceptionally good

UNIQUE FEATURES: A classy dining experience.

COMMENTS: Good food, 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: 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: JR's Place, Simsboro, LA

RESTAURANT: JR's Place; Phone: 318-247-6007

LOCATION: 1 mile south of I-20, Exit 77

ONE OF THE DATES WE VISITED THE RESTAURANT:4-4-09

PRICE RANGE: Low to moderate

FAVORITE FOOD: Cajun Ribs and the Boro Burger

OTHER GREAT FOODS: Open faced burger and the Fat Boy Burger

FOOD WE LIKED LEAST: N/A

MOST OUTSTANDING FEATURE: The new monthly specials

SPECIALS: Vary—call for current ones

APPEARANCE: Clean

SERVER: Kim

SERVICE: Very Good

UNIQUE FEATURES: N/A

COMPLIMENTARY RECIPE: N/A

COMMENTS: JR's Place now has great monthly specials that truly stand out in taste and quality. They preview the next month's featured special for the last 2 weeks of each month.

Good food and great specials! 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!

Cypress Inn Restaurant, Monroe, LA

RESTAURANT: Cypress Inn Restaurant

LOCATION: 7805 Desiard Street, Monroe, LA 71203

ONE OF THE DATES WE VISITED THE RESTAURANT: -1/24/08

PRICE RANGE: Moderate (Crawfish are not cheap!)

FAVORITE FOOD: Crawfish & the corn on the cob and potatoes cooked with them

OTHER GREAT FOODS:

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: N/A

COMPLIMENTARY RECIPE: N/A

COMMENTS: Good food, we'll be back.

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

Or go get The Collard Patch the only story cookbook devoted solely to collard greens and cornbread. If you think you don't like collards, you haven't tasted these collards!

We are available for professional mystery shopping for your restaurant either as a spot check or for a regular program of excellence.