RESTAURANT REVIEW: WOW Cafe and Wingery, Ruston, LA

RESTAURANT: WOW Cafe and Wingery, 318-255-2969

LOCATION: 1429 Eagle Dr, Ruston, LA 71270 (west of Walmart)

ONE OF THE DATES WE VISITED THE RESTAURANT: 3/30/10

PRICE RANGE: moderate

FAVORITE FOOD: None

OTHER GREAT FOODS: None; The jerk seasoned wings had a mild Jamaican Jerk flavor but was not as pleasant as it should have been. We were warned, though, that many people didn't like it. The Fajita Quesadilla was passable.

FOOD WE LIKED LEAST: The boneless wings were not fresh.

MOST OUTSTANDING FEATURE: Tableside sports TVs.

SPECIALS: Call to check.

APPEARANCE: Clean

SERVICE: Very slow with a college casual attitude.

UNIQUE FEATURES: Go for the TV, not the food.

COMMENTS: We may try it again, but it will be a while.

RESTAURANT REVIEW: Pho Paris, Ruston, LA

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RESTAURANT: Pho Paris, The Noodle Corner; 318-251-4004
LOCATION: 975 Tech Drive, Suite 7, Ruston, LA 71270
ONE OF THE DATES WE VISITED THE RESTAURANT: 10-24-09
PRICE RANGE: Low to moderate
FAVORITE FOOD: Fried Rice with Pork and Shrimp; Rice Vermicelli with Grilled Shrimp Bowl; They have delicious Hoisin Sauce and Chili Garlic Sauce
OTHER GREAT FOODS: Spring Rolls
FOOD WE LIKED LEAST: N/A
MOST OUTSTANDING FEATURE: N/A
SPECIALS: N/A
APPEARANCE: Very clean
SERVER: N/A
SERVICE: Very Good
UNIQUE FEATURES: Diners have a partial view of the cooks as they prepare the food. Every time we noticed they were wearing rubber gloves - a good sign.
COMMENTS: They have been open about 3 weeks. They do not have online ordering, though they are planning it. They have very good food. We'll be back.

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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: 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!

COFFEE SHOP REVIEW: Crescent City, Home of Stuffed Beignets, Ruston, LA

RESTAURANT: Crescent City Coffee

LOCATION: 1007 N. Trenton Street, Ruston, LA 71270

PHONE: 318-232-JAVA

ONE OF THE DATES WE VISITED THE COFFEE SHOP: 10/04/2007

PRICE RANGE: Reasonable

FAVORITE FOOD: The Stuffed Beignet! I always get the one with sausage. They have one with ham. Maybe eventually I'll graduate to that one.

OTHER GREAT FOODS: Smoothies, Muffins

WHAT WE DON'T LIKE: The policy is not to serve stuffed beignets after 11:00 am. I could eat them all day long. They stuff these little chubby squares of delight ahead of time, but they deep fry them just before they serve them. There simply is not enough time to cook them after 11:00. If I could eat them all day long, I would be so fat I would not be able to waddle out of the place.

MOST OUTSTANDING FEATURE: Free refills on basic coffee. I love the dark roast.

SPECIALS: Frequent Buyer Card. The tenth cup is free.

APPEARANCE: Immaculate. The coffee house ambiance is relaxing and yet stimulating, exactly like a fine cup of great coffee.

SERVER: Cricket

SERVICE: Good

UNIQUE FEATURES: Free WiFi!

COMPLIMENTARY RECIPE: I wonder whether I could talk them into telling me how they make their beignets. I'll work on this. If they tell me, I'll let you know.

COMMENTS: We love it here.

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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!

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