RESTAURANT REVIEW: Ronin Steak & Sushi House, Ruston, LA

RESTAURANT:Ronin Steak & Sushi House--Japanese Hibachi--(318) 255-8168
LOCATION:1419 Eagle Dr (Walmart shopping center, Ruston, LA 71270
ONE OF THE DATES WE VISITED THE RESTAURANT:05/05/10
PRICE RANGE:Moderate
FAVORITE FOOD:Calamari and Lobster
OTHER GREAT FOODS:Banana Fried Ice Cream
FOOD WE LIKED LEAST:None
MOST OUTSTANDING FEATURE:Your chef will prepare your meal on the hibachi grill
APPEARANCE: Clean
SERVICE: Excellent
UNIQUE FEATURES:Table-side food preparation by Hibachi Chef
COMMENTS:Great food and service. We'll be back!

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

If you find this review valuable, I'd love for you to leave a comment below. Thank you.

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.

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: 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!

RESTAURANT: China Wok, 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: 3-1-09

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: N/A

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!

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: Ryan's #2328, Ruston, LA | VERY POOR EXPERIENCE

RESTAURANT: Ryan's #2328, Phone: 318-255-3020
LOCATION: North Service Rd, East, Ruston, LA
ONE OF THE DATES WE VISITED THE RESTAURANT: 1-4-09
PRICE RANGE: Low to moderate
FAVORITE FOOD: The prime rib, salads, and desserts
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: Very poor, inattentive, and unresponsive. It appeared we were a nuisance to the service personnel.
UNIQUE FEATURES: N/A
COMPLIMENTARY RECIPE: N/A
COMMENTS: There were several buffet items that were consistently not refilled. We were told that the coffee was brewing, but when we elected to leave, it had been "brewing" over 15 minutes. This was a very poor experience and clearly represents bad management on the part of Chandra Smith. Perhaps we'll be back but it will only be when someone with whom we wish to visit wants to dine here.

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.

RESTAURANT REVIEW: Applebee's, Ruston, LA

RESTAURANT: Applebee's, Phone: (318) 255-5254

LOCATION: North Service Rd, East, Ruston, LA 71270

ONE OF THE DATES WE VISITED THE RESTAURANT: 1-11-09

PRICE RANGE: Low to moderate

FAVORITE FOOD: Chicken Quesadillas, Weight Watchers 7-point Steak & Portabella Mushrooms

OTHER GREAT FOODS: Queso Dip and Chips

FOOD WE LIKED LEAST: N/A

MOST OUTSTANDING FEATURE: N/A

SPECIALS: Vary—call for current ones

APPEARANCE: Clean

SERVER: Sarah P.

SERVICE: Good

UNIQUE FEATURES: Applebee's now has a box on each table for diners to hear the sound on any of a number of TV monitors. You can listen or not listen. How great is that?

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.

RESTAURANT REVIEW: 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:12-19-08

PRICE RANGE: Low to moderate

FAVORITE FOOD: Barbecued brisket

OTHER GREAT FOODS: Pecan and Cherry Cobbler

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.

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.

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.

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!

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