Incognito Critic

Starplex Cinema in Forney (Next to Wal-Mart)

2008-04-25T07:02:00.000-07:00

600 N. FM 548
Forney 75126

Rapid Dose:
If you frequent the Starplex Cinema in Mesquite, and are tired of the smell of stale urine and your feet sticking to the floor – drive the extra 10 minutes down 80, and shell out the extra few bucks to have a much more pleasurable movie viewing experience.

Review (More FYI though):
Okay… so you want to see a movie, but you are not sure exactly what to do. OH! THE PRESSURE!
* Do you spend the mega bucks and go to AMC 30 in Mesquite?
* Do you save some money, see an older movie, and endure the nasty, broken seats and horrid ambiance of Starplex Cinema in Mesquite?

OR…..

* Do you drive 10 minutes down 80 to the Starplex Cinema in Forney where everything is nice and clean (including the employees), and you STILL get to see a new release movie for a fraction of the price?

Here is a breakdown of prices…
AMC 30: All shows before noon: $5.00 everybody
All shows after noon: $8.50 adults $6.50 seniors $5.50 children

Starplex in Mesquite: All shows before 6pm: $1.25
All shows after 6pm: $1.75
TUESDAY’S: .50 cents! All day!

Starplex in Forney: All shows before 6pm: $5.00 for everybody
All shows after 6pm: $7.00 for adults. Seniors and kids are still only $5.00.

So, what is your poison? Do you prefer comfort to filth? Deal over wallet buster? Or perhaps you like to flash that cash like you are rich (and don’t have to fill that SUV up with gas) and stick with the AMC 30. You have all the facts now. Be warned… all places have OUTRAGEOUS prices for concessions – but I bet you already knew that.

I personally recommend that you give the Starplex in Forney a try. It is not that far away, and it can save you some money. Of the 14 theaters it has, all the movies were the exact ones playing at AMC 30; so they do always show the new release movies. However, I will hands down choose to sit in dried up pee on Tuesdays just to enjoy a .50 cent movie. You just cannot beat that with a stick!

I give Starplex Cinemas in Forney 8 out of 10 points. The place is clean and nice just like the people who work there, and the prices are right for new releases.

Wood Pit BBQ & Grill (Past the High School on Davis St.)

2008-04-18T21:38:00.000-07:00

1151 E. Davis
Mesquite 75149

Rapid Dose:
Short and quick: if you are looking for some good, tasty BBQ… go somewhere else.

Review:
I was really looking forward to doing this review; after all, I always smell the wonderful smoky aroma coming from the Wood Pit Bar-B-Que. I was so excited; I was even to prepared to dote on this restaurant because they have two parking spots designated especially for motorcycles. (I have not even ever been on a motorcycle before, and I was fired up to tell you of these parking spots!) Even walking into the establishment, I was ready to tell you how clean and well presented this walk up and order restaurant was. In fact, I was so worked up… I almost missed just how poor Wood Pit Bar-B-Que really is.
Let me take a step back… it is not horrible. The food was fairly average. The service was VERY slow. We were the only people waiting inside, yet we had to wait a good seven minutes to pay for our food after we ordered. Then, after we paid, we finally got our food and the order was not even completely correct. I had ordered a turkey sandwich – I got brisket. (At this point, I was still in the honeymoon stage. I did not want to upset the mother type figure who was serving us so I stuck with the brisket.)
My daughter got a sausage sandwich (which she liked), macaroni and cheese (which she did not like) and potato salad (which she loved). My son got a rib sandwich. Please allow me to explain what this rib sandwich consisted of… two thick pieces of toast with ribs thrown in the middle. Bones and all. His favorite part of his meal was the toast. And as for my brisket sandwich? I ended up taking off all the meat, cutting off the fat and cutting out the blood vessels. I also got scalloped potatoes, which were greasy, and the bacon in the scalloped potatoes consisted of they chewy, fatty pieces. Yuck!
We all left with a good portion of food on our plates; and that just does not happen with us – we normally are pretty good about finishing the food that we buy. Not at this place though! In fact, if we did not care about our health, after we left the Wood Pit Bar-B-Que, we would have gone to McDonald’s to get something to fill us up and satisfy our appetite.

I give Wood Pit Bar-B-Que 4 out of 10 points. Don’t bother going. Stick to something you know.

Troubador Music (In Forney by the big o' Jackrabbit)

2008-04-15T06:38:00.000-07:00

106 S. Bois D’Arc
Forney 75126

Rapid Dose:
Troubador Music will enlighten students and give a purpose to all people who have ever entertained the idea of playing a musical instrument.

Review:
I have to admit it… I was going to try to juke you all. I was planning to write a somewhat deceitful review, pretending not to have any ties with Troubador Music, or Kevin Curtis. Allow me to explain why…

In today’s world, it seems that somebody is always out to make a buck. If you know somebody who knows somebody and you scratch their back, you will get something in return. That simply drives me crazy. While networking is great – I really despise that fact that some people will relentlessly do or say anything to benefit from an underhanded advertisement or conversation.

So, why then was I going to try to pull the wool over your eyes? It is because I know of a great business, owned and operated by a wonderful person and I want you all to know about it. I figured that if I came across as not actually knowing the owner, you would believe me, and see what a superb business Troubador Music is. Well, I am telling you now… I am not getting anything special, I am not receiving monies for this review, I am simply spreading the word about the best thing that has ever happened to my son (outside of our own family of course!), and that happens to be Kevin Curtis – who owns Troubador Music.

In a nutshell, my son started taking lessons with Mr. Curtis when he was only 7 years old; and he took the lessons at an elementary school. It was “Guitar for Beginners”. While in that class, he learned how to play “Sweet Home Alabama”, and boy did he play it well! The next step was the next guitar class that Mr. Curtis was teaching. I forget the name of it, but for the sake of this article, we will call it “Guitar Two”. My son excelled in that class as well. (Keep in mind that neither my husband nor I carry any musical talent whatsoever.) Unfortunately, those were all the classes that Mr. Curtis was teaching for kids. Well, it was unfortunate for only a couple of months until my son started taking private lessons from Mr. Curtis. With private instruction, he started to really take off. Now, he has been taking lessons for a total of about 4 ½ years from Mr. Curtis. And it shows…

I am not bragging about my kid here, just conveying the ability of Mr. Curtis. Since he started taking lessons, he has not only gained an unbelievable amount of confidence, knowledge, and purpose – he has actually started playing gigs in the area. He has been asked back several times by the city we live in, he has played in several venues that Mr. Curtis has set up for all of his students to perform at, he has participated in teen open mic nights, and he has even played at “The Door” in Deep Ellum, where he was paid $40! None of this would have been possible without the instruction, support and guidance from Mr. Kevin Curtis.

We have watched Mr. Curtis literally grow his business, Troubador Music, from the ground up. We have seen his business explode from him giving lessons in his apartment to what it is today. He now has two studios, and an additional guitar / bass instructor named Nick Nykoruk and a piano instructor named Betheny Miles. He has students that start with him, and never leave – and not all of his students are kids! If you are… ahem… “older”, don’t let that stop you! There are several students that take lessons at Troubador Music that can keep you company!

In closing, let me say that my son is a sensitive kid. Very sensitive. Kevin Curtis has listened to him cry and helped him through his musical problems. (Actually, with musicians, I have found that the problems they are having with their music can be closely related to problems in their lives.) Mr. Curtis has spent hours not only teaching him, but also being his friend.

If you have ever wanted to pick up a guitar (or bass or piano) and play, this is the place to go. You owe it to yourself to follow your soul’s desires and express yourself through the harmony of music.

If you go to http://www.mesquite-garlandfyi.com/DynamicPages/Website_TroubadorMusic_Mesquite/Coupon.html, you can read more about Troubador Music and find a coupon for 25% off your first month of instruction. If you simply want to hear Mr. Curtis play his guitar, you can go to http://www.kevincurtismusic.com/.

I give Troubador Music 10 out of 10 points. The passion that we all seek in life, you will find here.

Norris Family Music (In strip mall with CVS and Long John's on corner of Kerney and Galloway)

2008-04-11T17:34:00.000-07:00

64 Broadmoor Plaza - Mesquite

Rapid Dose:
Norris Family Music is a nice music store with even nicer owners. It is tucked away in a tiny grove in Mesquite that is easily passed up by the speeding motorist. Take your time and slow down so you can find and stop by this music store. Not only will you find musical instruments and necessities, you can also take lessons on several different types on instruments.

Review:
Let me announce my first review ever that stages two guest reviewers along side myself. They are my kids… and I think they are plotting to take me over. I better hide the duct tape and knives.

Norris Family Music is an efficient store with plenty of inventory for the average musician. I will leave the nitty gritty up to my kids, but let me say that the reason I loved the store so much was because of the respect they extended to my son. He is not very old, but they trusted him enough to let him play a beautiful guitar, then once it was realized that he knew what he was doing, the gentleman in charge not only got him another guitar to “have in his hands”, but spent the time talking with him the art of playing guitar. Anybody that is going to treat either one of my kids like an actual person, and not a good for nothin’ kid deserves a gold star in my book. The owners obviously have a passion for music, and it comes through their eyes. Passion. It is a beautiful thing.

I give Norris Family Music 8.5 out of 10 points.

Guest Reviewer #1
Norris Family music has a distinct welcoming feel. The two people who own the store are friendly and helpful! They told me about some very old, mint condition guitars they had. Like a 63' Gibson SG, and a vintage redone Fender Stratocaster, with all the vintage works! I didn't see a lot of name brands in there, but I did see a few. Fender, Epiphone, Yamaha, and Washburn were among the several kinds in the store! Plus, they had a variety of straps and picks, and other instrument accessories. They also had quite a few steel guitars in there as well.
Just before we left, the co-owner of the store took me to the back of the store, to watch a quick video of steel guitar with distortion. Back in the room, it gave me the feel of an old time jam room with brownish / orangish shag carpet and a small TV, a couple of desks and some posters on the wall.
If you’re in Mesquite, I would stop in at Norris Family Music, and see what they are all about!
Although they are short on variety of advanced guitars, they make up for it with personalized attention and respect. For that reason, I give them 8 out of 10 stars.

Guest reviewer #2 is here!
When you walk into Norris Family Music, if you look to the back right of the store, you will see a Jimi Hendrix poster right beside a Kurt Cobain poster.
Just a few of the instruments you can find at Norris Music are: harmonicas, clarinets, french horns, electric, acustic, and steel guitars, and even a banjo or two. You will also be delighted to find free coffee toward the back of the store!
I found Norris Family Music to be a wild ride of fuzzy purple guitar straps (one of which sold for $63.17). Anything musical you can think of was there! Except those dang flutes that you play with your nose… I wanted to start a collection.
Overall rating: 8.7 out of 10. If you are in the town of Mesquite, and you are a searching musician, stop at Norris Family Music. It will be a fun, exiting ride!

Habitat for Humanity Home Improvement Outlet Store (On 30 and Beltline in Garland)

2008-04-08T07:13:00.000-07:00

451 W. I-30
Garland 75043

Rapid Dose:
This Habitat for Humanity Outlet Store is a mish-mash of many different items that you could need around your home for either everyday life or home improvement. While not all their items are the most current, it is worth a trip here before you venture off to your local Home Depot so you can see if you can save some money.

(Allow me to apologize for not getting this out to you for my regular Friday review. I have been socked with my first UTI and a just as terrible cold for the past week.)

Review:
When you walk into the Habitat for Humanity Outlet Store, you might be a bit confused on which way to go – only because there seems to be SO MUCH to look at. My advice is to just jump in, and plan on spending at least a good 30 minutes browsing the isles. You will find a bit of this, and a bit of that on your trip through the store. For example:

Bulldog Shovel: $9.00
Grandfather Clocks: $160.00 - $280.00
45 sq ft. stick & peel tile: $17.00
Bedroom furniture set: $1131.00
Suction Cups: $0.25
Cabinet Knobs: $0.25
Elongated Toilets: $70.00
Large Rugs: $30.00 - $55.00
Kitchen Dining Set: $250.00 - $400.00

And the above is just a short list!

Habitat for Humanity is a wonderful business to support because of all the good it does for our neighborhoods, and the people lucky enough to move into the homes that are built by volunteers. The next time my husband and I do any type of home improvement (and there WILL be a next time!), we will definitely go to this outlet store before we make our purchases anywhere else. Not only are the prices good, it will make us feel good to know that we have in some small part helped support the organization.

You can go to their website: www.dallas-habitat.org for information about their organization and to find out how to volunteer.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Margaret Mead, Anthropologist (1901-1978)

I give Habitat for Humanity Outlet Store 8.5 out of 10 points. Great company, great purpose, good prices, limited selection.

Dos Panchas Mexican Restaurant (In old downtown Mesquite)

2008-04-01T12:10:00.000-07:00

103 Broad St.
Mesquite 75149

Rapid Dose:
Dos Panchas has the potential to be a great evening full of south of the border fun… if they would only try. While the décor is exceptional, the food is lackluster and the initial service is slower than a turtles pace. Cross your fingers that this Mexican restaurant will soon step out the mediocrity and take us on a fun trip to Mexico.

Review:
Walking into Dos Panchas, you will think you are in for a real treat! The walls are orange and yellow, the floor a burnt brown ceramic tile, and there are fun pictures that you must take a good long look at so you can see what they are really made of. The air is filled with Mexican music coming from the overhead speakers that will whisk you away. As you look to either side of the restaurant, you will see awnings with seating underneath them. It really lends the feel of an outside eatery – with little stringed puppets hanging down from the awning. There are rope lights on the ceiling, as well as around the awnings. All of this décor lends to a very festive feel. They did that part right.

Now we sit down at our table (unfortunately not under the fun awning). We get our menus and realize that we are about to settle down to read the novel that has been laid before us. There was WAY too much selection. (Remember Jadyn’s Deli? This place had more selection that that… MUCH more!) If you watch “Hell’s Kitchen” you are well aware of who Chef Ramsey is. Well, he would have a fit over the amount of choices Dos Panchas has on their menu. I honestly can’t remember the last time it took us that long to look over a menu and decide what we wanted to shove in our mouths.

Oddly enough – the kids menu did not have much of a selection at all. Our kids actually ordered off the adults menu. It was rather kooky that they did not have that much to choose from; after all, it did seem like the author of the menu really enjoyed putting different dishes together, then got bored when it came time to do the kids menu.

Some other oddities about the menu… drinks are $1.50 and you only get one free refill. One of the drinks was “rice and cinnamon water” for $1.75. I was going to try it so I could explain it to all of you, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. Sorry, everybody! Also, there are daily specials Monday through Thursday. I think the most special day is Tuesdays when they offer a whopping .60 cents off the cost of fajitas. Come on, now. Sixty cents off?! Insane.

The food… it had an authentic Mexican taste. That ‘taste’ also includes the smell of the grease, and the pools of fat that my taco left on my plate. The food was unexceptional. Blah. Nothing really to write about except that my husband said that if he had 5 places that he could go and get fajitas, Don Panchas would be #5 on his list. Yikes.

If you do venture in to experience the décor… you have to make a trip to the bathrooms. It is fun to walk allllll the way back and you get to see inside the kitchen, the storage room, and a couple of other “peeks” that you normally don’t have the opportunity to see at a restaurant. Plus the walk back there can feel like a maze. There are several turns that you make, and I have never seen as many restroom signs with arrows in my life.

If I could offer up just a little of advice for the owners, it would be this…
· Give your employees a reason to enjoy their jobs.
· Invite a mariachi band to come and serenade your patrons – at least on the weekends! (Let them keep all tip money so you don’t have to pay them out of your pocket. There are plenty of bands out there just looking for this type of opportunity.)
· Clean up your back hallway on the way to the restrooms. If we, as customers, must see inside all of those rooms – we would like to know that they are clean and maintained.

I give Dos Panchas 5.5 out of 10 stars. Nothing special in the food – although that could be looked over if the environment was better.

Candle Hut (In Kroger parking lot - across the street from Toys R Us)

2008-03-28T05:08:00.000-07:00

Towne Crossing Center
3600 Gus Thomasson, #180
Mesquite 75150

Rapid Dose:
The Candle Hut is a nice, quaint gift shop that will fill your needs from soy candles, to high school spirit items, to gift baskets with crafted chocolates. You will pay a little more than going to a large chain, but the items at the Candle Hut are clearly made with love and respect to the craft. This is a wonderful place to stop when you need that “something special” whether it is for Mother’s Day, Homecoming, or a special present for numero uno: YOU!

Review:
I walked into the Candle Hut to be greeted by the owner, Pauletta, and her dog, Oreo. (Oreo is a yelper, but apparently, it is only because she just had her second surgery for breast cancer. Other than that – she won’t bother you!) Pauletta is a wonderful woman who left her life in the corporate world to do something she has always enjoyed – candles and chocolates!
The aroma in the Candle Hut is amazing… it smells so fresh and relaxing. And why shouldn’t it smell so wonderful with tons of candles?! Pauletta has many sizes of candles ranging from about $20 down to $2.49. She offers candles, chocolate CD’s, chocolate roses, “spirit” items (for local schools), mylar balloons, aromatic oils, car fresheners, some religious items… and many other treats too! Pauletta will also fill your favorite containers with her gloriously scented candles for only .75 cents per ounce.
This is a place you really have to visit to appreciate. You really have to take in the ambiance of the Candle Hut, and browse around to see what tickles your fancy.
Most of my time in the Candle Hut was spent talking with Pauletta. She is a wonderful woman just trying to live the American dream – and isn’t that what we all really want? Wouldn’t you love to be the one getting out of bed in the morning to do something that you love to do? It is for that reason I encourage you to support the Candle Hut. Aside from the nice items that are sold there, we need to step up as proud American’s and back those who are fighting the large chains and trying to live the life of their soul’s desires.
By the way, as I write this I am pleasantly pre-occupied by the scent of the candle I got – “Floral Garden”. It was only $2.49 and worth every penny. In today’s world, we have to take our pleasures where we can find them – and this is truly a pleasure!

You can see pictures of what is offered at the Candle Hut by visiting: www.candlehutonline.com.
I give the Candle Hut 8 out of 10 points.

Getting the Heck Out of Dodge

2008-03-21T08:05:00.000-07:00

The Incognito Critic will be out of town over Easter weekend. My next review will be posted on Friday, March 28th.

Art Hair (Next to the Papa John's on Beltline and Cartwright)

2008-03-21T07:51:00.000-07:00

1433 S. Beltline 75149

Rapid Dose:
Art Hair is a run of the mill salon that offers no more / no less than all of the other salons in the metroplex. They are nice people who work there, but not worth the extra distance to travel if you are looking to get all “prettied up”.

Review:
Walking into Art Hair, you will be taken back a few decades. The décor is reminiscent of the 80’s, with white walls and black furniture. Oh! And how could I forget the numerous long mirrors on the walls? There are also styled prints of people all done up to the nines on the walls – you remember the type – dramatic hair, lipstick, and the expressions on the model’s face as if she was about to kill you. If Drew Carey had not been hosting “The Price is Right”, I would have sworn I had entered a time continuum.

Speaking of “The Price is Right”… it was airing on a flat screen TV that they had mounted close to the ceiling. Let me tell you – it was LOUD! Trying to keep my focus was very difficult with all of the noise. Granted, they are not trying to cater to the local critic so I can get my notes written, but even just sitting in there not doing anything else, it was very loud.

On one wall, they had several photographs of women’s hair that they have styled into “Art". Due to the quality of their work, I am sure they are hopping with business just before prom, or before a local wedding. If you are not sure what type of fancy hair style you want, I am sure you will be able to find it on their wall of pictures.

Art Hair specializes in (straight off their business card):
* Salon-style haircuts
* Waxing
* Shampooing
* Up-do’s
* Highlights
* Color
* Perms
* Nails

They even cut boy’s hair, and do dry haircuts. I know this because my son is the one who got his hair cut here. He is very particular about his hair, and often times will put off a trim due to fear of his hair being ruined. I must say that his stylist was very good about giving him what he wanted. That was a big plus in his book, but in my pocketbook – at $18 (including tip) – I am not sure we will be going back.

I give Art Hair 7 out of 10 points. Just another average business.

Jalapeno Tree - REVISITED!

2008-03-18T17:48:00.000-07:00

Rapid Dose (For those of you in a hurry!)
Do you play Russian roulette? If you go to the Jalapeno Tree, you do! Please don’t bother going if you are in the mood for customer service, because you might not get lucky enough to have an efficient server. If you only care about some good Mexican food, and lots of food to fill you up – go and indulge yourself.

Review:
The Jalapeno Tree is much like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. If you have read the previous review about the Jalapeno Tree, you will see that it was very good! I enjoyed it so much, that is where I picked to go eat for my birthday. It is just too bad the employees at the Jalapeno Tree had to muss it all up.

It still took forever to be seated. There was no reason why it should have taken that long – it was not busy. (Actually, there is a reason, and it will be revealed to you shortly.) We finally go our seat, and to make a long story short, it took a ridiculously long time for our waitress to make it to our table, to get our drinks, and to get our refills. (I am normally a very patient person. I got upset because it seemed that our waitress had a “favorite” table that she devoted all of her attention to… and we were an inconvenience.)

As usual, the chefs deserve an A+. The food was delicious, and I still think they should serve the butter sauce for a drink.

However, while we were waiting for our check (which took about 15 minutes after we were done eating), the manager came and asked us if we wanted a refill. We told him what we all had, then about 5 minutes later, a different server came by and dropped off our drinks. Not one of the drinks was correct. The server told us that he brought us what the manager told him we wanted…

So THAT must be where the poor service was coming from. The MANAGER.

We gulped down our drinks, and the check came. (Finally!) I went to the restroom before we left and WHO DID I SEE IN THERE TALKING ON HER CELLPHONE?!

THE GIRL THAT IS SUPPOSED TO SIT PEOPLE AT THEIR TABLES WHEN THEY COME IN. Ah Ha! It all began to make sense! She is always to busy being a chatty Cathy to take time out to actually DO HER JOB.

I give the Jalapeno Tree 5 out of 10 points. The service was horrid. Sorry chefs, you deserve a 10.

P.S. To the owner / manager of this Jalapeno Tree... Consistency is VERY IMPORTANT! I will be doing another review... what kind of postcard to you want next time? I guarantee that I am not the only person who notices the faux pas - but I am the only one telling THE WORLD about it.

Country Burger (Just south of downtown Mesquite - on Galloway)

2008-03-14T07:55:00.000-07:00

308 S. Galloway Ave.

Rapid Dose: (For those of you in a hurry!)
Country Burger is a great burger joint that includes some old fashioned love in their burgers. It exudes a home like feel with endearing service and surroundings. Voted “Mesquite’s Best Burger” of 2007, it is a place you don’t want to miss!

Country Burger
Voted “Mesquite’s Best Burger” for years, Country Burger is sure to please.

When you walk into Country Burger, you will feel like you are in an old farm house that has turned itself into a business – and that it is proud of it’s community (there are pictures of Mesquite High School’s sports teams on the wall). It is a homey feel.

The woman, that I believe is the owner, is the quintessential grandma type. When we first started going to eat at Country Burger, she was very watchful, much like a grandma. I guess she had to make sure we were “good people”. After we had been in there a couple of times, she started to warm up and actually smile at us! (She either liked us, or stared taking some meds.) It was a feeling of approval. She is always nice and makes you feel like you have come for a bite to eat and a visit. In fact, I wish she would just sit down with us and let us talk so she could tell us how proud she is of us!

When you get into the “eating area”, it is dimly lit – but where possible, they use the new type of light bulbs. Some walls are white with a green trim around the mid-section. Other walls are wallpapered in a flowery décor, with a maroon border at the top. There are accents on the wall that include old lanterns, old kitchen utensils, teapots, roosters, chickens, old saw blades that have been painted with scenery, and a big screen TV that has been on a sports channel every time we have visited. You will also see framed prints of old country scenery that adds to the whole “Country Burger” feel.

When you first walk in to Country Burger, if you are aware it is there, you will see the “Special of the Day” on the wall straight in front of you. (We have never had any luck with the specials, but we always walk away happy when we get the burgers and fries.) When you go up to the register, you order, and they write what you want on a brown paper bag then ask your name. You pay – get your drink cups – then go into the dining area.

Country Burger has Pepsi products (which is a nice bonus for us Diet Pepsi lovers!), and a condiment station. The condiment station has little packets with mustard and the likes, plastic silverware, cup lids and straws and a few other things. BEWARE! I think the ol’ nice grandma has hired on an employee that’s soul purpose is to be the “Condiment Station Watchdog”! She is always sitting over there, and never speaks. She might as well be handling a nightstick with apparent authority. Just her presence there keeps you from over indulging in the mustard.

While waiting for your food, you will notice people dining there dressed in business suits to grubby cleaning clothes. We always see firefighters there, and frequently see the 5.0 (that means police for you people not as hip as me), and even military soldiers. You used to see people hanging out in the smoking section – though the smell was not apparent. Last time we went, however, it seems they have done away with the smoking section. I did not see any more ashtrays anyway.

Before you know it, somebody is calling your name, and you go up to grab your brown paper bags filled with your food. Now, you can indulge in “Mesquite’s Best Burger”! And, yes, it is good! It is not greasy, but it is full of flavor, lettuce, tomatoes, onions and the perfect amount of pickles. The fries are good too! You will get full on a burger and fries.

Like I said earlier, you have the feeling of walking into an old farmhouse. With every farmhouse, filled with love, you will find items in need of repair and some walls that might need wiped down. For example, we always sit in a corner booth. Ever since we began sitting there, there has been this stuff on the wall – we have yet to figure out if that stuff is ketchup or boogers. It is not gross – it is homey. What other restaurant could you feel put at ease by possible boogers on the wall?! As far as the repair aspect – there are some MINOR ceiling issues, and the bathroom needs some work done. Those things are not deal breakers by any means… just a paucity of repair.

If you make it in there by April 30th, you can eat for cheap with your kiddos. Until then, Country Burger is having a “Spring Deal”. From 5pm to 8pm, if you buy one adult combo meal you can get a free kids meal. Kids are categorized as 12 and under.

I give Country Booger (Just a little fun) – I mean Country Burger 8 out of 10 points.

Yoga Synergy (On the corner of Beltline and Garland Rd - in N. Garland)

2008-03-11T07:05:00.000-07:00

1456 Beltline Rd. Garland 75044 (Inside the Calico Kids Dance Studio)

Imagine… a peaceful soul, light by candles, the fragrance of wonderful incense filling the air, relaxing music, stretching your body to release your stresses, and the enticing aroma of patchouli and eucalyptus at your fingertips. Take a few breaths in, while envisioning all of this. Really feel the freedom of your soul. Wonderful, isn’t it?

Now… imagine how wonderful you are feeling, only to hear a big ol’ loud fart, followed by a grown woman laughing under her breath, snorting, and crying uncontrollably – for at least 10 minutes. That really changes the mood, doesn’t it? I have to admit. I was the one laughing like an idiot.

My daughter and I decided to try Yoga Synergy last Saturday, and before we started, we were talking about how we hoped we didn’t fart – because we have heard that it happens. (Not that we would judge anybody else for the toot – we just didn’t want it to be us!) Well, we were about ¾ done with our yoga class when my daughter let one rip. She turned and looked at me just as quickly as I turned and looked at her. Her fart was funny enough, but what threw me over the edge was the look on her face – it was shock, embarrassment, laughter, and humility all rolled into one very hilarious facial expression! So, there I went. Laughing like a 7 year old boy… at a fart… in the middle of a wonderful yoga experience.

I only tell you about this because I absolutely must apologize to the instructor, Robin, and the rest of the class that had to put up with my inappropriate laughter. I am so sorry. I am sorry, I am sorry, I am sorry.

I can’t say that I would take it back though, because I am still laughing about it! I just wish the people in the class, and the class itself would not have been so wonderful! I wouldn’t feel as bad about it if - things were any less of what they were…

But, alas, Yoga Synergy was near perfection. Please allow me to get the one bad thing out of the way first… they deserve a much nicer facility. They need a place that they can mold into their own and make it into everything that the class encompasses. That’s it. That is the only bad thing I have to mention.

We walked into the room with a big black mat on the floor, a mirrored divider, white walls, and blue benches. Robin, the instructor, had us fill out our waivers and information cards while she turned up the heat (to take the chill off), set alight tea light candles all over the room, lit several incense, and started the relaxing, Asian inspired music. She asked our names… and actually remembered our names all throughout the class. She handed us our mats, and a dry washcloth. I though the washcloth was to wipe away any sweat, but it wasn’t. It was for aromatherapy! She told me to smell it, and it smelled wonderful – like patchouli and eucalyptus!

We took our places on our mats and waited for others to trickle in. In all, there were about nine students. If there were any more, it would not have been nearly as intimate as a setting. Right on time, we started. Please be advised, that although my daughter and I have done yoga DVD’s at home, we have never been to a real class. We didn’t really know what we were doing. That was not a problem. Robin always described exactly what everybody was supposed to be doing, and she did it in such a calm, reassuring voice. Plus, she always made sure to tell everybody of alternate movements, just in case you wanted to make it harder, or easier.

The class was about an hour long, but you never would have guessed it. It seemed to fly by. (Maybe because I was trying to unsuccessfully hold in my laughter for what seemed to be forever!) When the class was over, she told everybody to relax on the floor, and she would come by and give each person a massage. Yes, you read that right. A massage! She went person by person and rubbed our necks, pressed gently on our shoulders, and picked our feet off the floor and rotated them in a circular motion (it felt very good).

And the most surprising part? Robin even treated me kindly after I disturbed her class, telling me she hoped that we would be coming back soon!

I could go into detail about what moves we did, but that is not what is important here. What is essential is that you know how loving, accepting, and relaxing this class is. You felt at home, and you sure did not feel like an idiot for not being a ‘regular’, or even knowing basic yoga moves.

The first class is FREE – and worth going… even if you have to drive a bit to get there. You can visit http://www.yogasynergyspa.com for directions and more information. I even heard from the owner that they will soon be starting a class just for kids!

This is a wonderful class, business, and group of people. If you read these reviews regularly, you know that I have only given a “10” to Farmer’s Market. Yoga Synergy falls just slightly short of a 10 because of their building. Please, everybody, go and sign up for classes at Yoga Synergy so they can afford their own building. They so deserve it.

I give Yoga Synergy 9.5 out of 10 points. Go there; it is like a loving hug.

Windsor Florist, Inc. (Downtown Mesquite)

2008-03-07T14:05:00.000-08:00

Full Service Florist & Gift Shop
201 W. Main Street

I spent a lot of time in hospitals as a kid. Not because I was sick; but because my parents drug me there whenever somebody they knew was in the hospital. One of my favorite parts of going to the hospital was that they would always take me to the gift shop so I could help to pick out flowers for their loved one, and most of the time, I would get a little something as well. The gift shop was the highpoint of my time spent there! (What else would a person enjoy about being in the hospital?)

I only tell you that tidbit of personal information because when I walked into Windsor Florist, I felt like I was in a hospital gift shop. (I don’t know if that is what they were going for… but if so… congratulations to them – they pegged it!)

Upon entering Windsor Florist Inc, I thought I was going to be in for a real treat! It was a very soft, pleasant feel. The smell of dried herbs comforted me, and the gifts of Easter were nicely placed around the store. So far so good, right? Well, hold on to your britches because the aforementioned are the only nice things I have to say about the place.

They have plenty of trinkets in there. For example, a candle called “crackling wick”. It is a scented candle that makes noise – just under $7 for a little bit of ambiance in your home. My eyes were drawn to these pretty little vases that come in blue, green or peach. Just the perfect little vase I have been searching for, until I saw they cost $6.95. (I am cheap – I guess I will keep scouring thrift stores for my perfect little vase.) Then, I saw a bag of beautiful potpourri (I am normally not the potpourri type) – the flowers and fruits were still in their whole form… $16.95! Oh, how could I forget the “feather balls”? There was a big container holding styrofoam balls covered in brown feathers. I can see how these could fit nicely into some people’s décor, but for $7.95 each, I would not expect to actually see the styrofoam ball. Rip-off. There was also some country type of items, and of course, some religious items. Windsor Florist did have a pretty cool idea… there was an old, claw foot bathtub that was filled with little bathing luxuries. But get this… one of those reed diffusers (that sell for $10 at Wal-Mart), was almost a whopping $20! You will also find those small Mylar balloons on plastic sticks, and a rack of greeting cards.

Stick with me for a second… when I go and review a business, I dress in normal clothes - for me. That normally includes shorts and a sweatshirt. I am not a big make-up wearer, and my hair is never “done” to Texas standards. Perhaps, I did not fit the “type” of clients that Windsor Florist prefers to cater to…

When I walked in, the woman at the counter did not say, “Hello”. She did not tell me that she would be right with me. She did not tell me to look around and if I had any questions to let her know. She did not acknowledge me at all. Finally, after about five minutes, she did say, “I will be right with you.” I told her I was just looking around. She never muttered another word to me at all. Nothing. I found that incredibly rude. My money spends just like the next gal’s money. I would have even purchased that overpriced “perfect” vase if she just would have spent a few seconds pretending like she was happy that I was there.

Since the sales woman offered no guidance, I figured I would come home and check out their website to see what else they have to offer (http://www.windsorfloristmesquite.com/). Well, their website clearly wants you to know that they sell “Webkinz”, and that they are a FTD florist. And to their defense, on their site, it clearly states: “Mesquite's #1 FTD Florist...Reader Choice Florist since 1999.” I guess those people just ordered from their site, and did not frequent the store. (Or maybe those people wear makeup and prissy clothes...)

I would tell you how they cater for events from weddings to sympathy, but you can check out their site if you are interested to do so. I am done wasting my time talking about the snoots.

I give Windsor Florist, Inc 5 out of 10 points. In my book – THEY FAILED.

Taj Mahal Indian and Ethnic Groceries (Corner of Galloway & Hillcrest behind 7-11)

2008-03-04T06:57:00.000-08:00

1741 N. Galloway Avenue

Would you like to share a cup of Indian tea with me? I am about to taste the Masala tea that I got today at Taj Mahal… are you ready? It smells like… cloves. (The smell takes me back to the old coffee shops in Boulder Colorado off Pearl Street.) Now, it is time for the tasting… ummmm. Yes, it tastes like cloves as well; and it is very strong, even though it is in a large cup. There is another flavor in there, but I just can’t put my finger on it. Another taste reveals perhaps a bit of anise star. This is a tasty, strong tea. I am glad I got it! I got a few more things too, I will tell you about them in a bit.

When you walk into Taj Mahal, you will be taken aback by the amount of Indian and ethnic groceries you have to look at, and at a quick glance around, you will probably know that you will not have much of a clue as to exactly what you will look at! There are:
· Indian Spices
· Nuts
· Fish (fresh and frozen)
· Individual sized ice cream
· Teas
· Biscuits (I think they are like cookies?)
· Vitamin powder (several kinds)
· Indian hair products
· Indian bath soaps
· Grated coconut
· Rice, rice, and more rice
· Prints of Christian art (The Last Supper and more)

When I got home from visiting this store, I told my husband that I didn’t know what I was really going to say about this place. After all, I didn’t even know many of the things I was looking at! How am I supposed to explain the essence of a store that I am not really sure about myself?

I can tell you that it reminded me of one of the “cheap” dollar stores. You know the kind – there are a lot of items in a very small space, with no rhyme or reason as to where they are. Also, there was a distinct smell. Not a bad smell, just unfamiliar.

I started to walk around slowly; carefully looking at all there was to offer. Because I was unsure of the products, I read all over the packages, trying to see exactly what you do in order to use them. Unfortunately, some of the items had expired. That was okay though – I just passed on those items and continued looking for something I knew I could use.

I ended up with two teas. The first one you know about – Masala. The other one I got was ginger. I thought ginger tea would be interesting to try. I will tell you that yes, ginger tea is in fact interesting. I do not believe I will be drinking it as tea anymore, but it would add a wonderful flavor to chicken noodle soup perhaps. I also got a garlic relish. It smells very strong not only of garlic, but of chili peppers as well. I think I will be using this garlic relish on bread for a different taste to garlic bread. It suggests on the bottle to mix it with some mayo for a dip. That would make a special dip in our home! Plus, the oil used is canola oil, so it is good for our hearts too – that is a bonus!

So, if I were to bottom line Taj Mahal for you it would be this…

Taj Mahal is a small Indian grocery store with lots to look at. If you enjoy cooking with authentic spices and flavorings, this is the place to go. If you are in need of a specific, hard to find Indian item for that special meal, you will have no problem finding it here. (A nice man had told me that he goes to Taj Mahal to get what he needs to make hummus.) Going to Taj Mahal will spur your imagination, and perhaps inspire you to cook something outside of the normal chicken and broccoli!

I give Taj Mahal 7 out of 10 points.

Tortas La Hechizera (On NE corner of 635 and Gross - Across from Diamond Shamrock)

2008-02-29T07:22:00.000-08:00

1012 Ridgeview Ste. 101

Are you looking for more than a tasty restaurant… one that could double as a field trip for your kids as well? Look no further. You must visit Tortas La Hechizera. It is as if you have stepped into a time warp tunnel and ended up in Mexico. Well, a time travel tunnel without the actual cost and wind blown hair.

Pulling up to Tortas La Hechizera, my kids and I were a little apprehensive about actually going in. It looked a little small and dingy from the outside. But we pulled up our boot straps and entered in the name of getting this review to my people!

Boy, were we surprised when we walked in. It was HUGE in there! And it had a definite smell of cleanliness – mixed with the odor of grease from the kitchen. Nothing fancy – no frills of the large chain restaurants, but the lack of ambiance actually added to the ambiance. (Like I stated above, this place is like a field trip to Mexico!) The walls are a brownish orange, and the floor has brown with a hint of orange ceramic tiles. There are Mexican chips, nuts, ice cream and candies on display for purchase with your meal, or after it. On the walls, you will see prints of old Mexico as well as three TV’s. The televisions all played the same thing… a Spanish soap opera.

The woman who was running the place motioned for us to sit down, and she brought us our menus. Now, I have to touch on this. If you are anything like me, and are not very well versed in Spanish, you just might want to take somebody who does know Spanish with you… just so you can navigate the menu more effectively. There is some English on there – but not enough to know what everything is. We stuck to tacos. “Taco” is the same in English as it is in Spanish – at least I knew that much!

Next, it came time for us to order. My son ordered a quesadilla, my daughter barbacoa tacos, and I ordered the chicken tacos. She asked how many we wanted, and then my son changed his mind. Geesh – it would have been so much easier if he had just stuck to his original plan… she admitted that she did not know much English, so getting his order changed was an ordeal. It was not unpleasant… just an ordeal. Actually, it was kinda funny! She also asked us if we wanted cilantro and onions on our tacos. We all did, and she was off! After a few minutes, our drinks came and my kids were SO happy! They got theirs in a large, 500ml glass bottle – straight from Mexico. They thought it was the coolest thing ever. I, however, got a diet soda and it came in a normal plastic bottle.

It wasn’t long until our food came out. We each got two tacos, and they came on little Styrofoam plates that you would normally find in the butcher department with ground beef packed on them. On the plates were two lime wedges, our tacos, and LOTS of cilantro and onion piled inside of the tacos. We also got what looked like a picnic ketchup bottle, but instead of ketchup, it contained hot sauce. Very hot hot sauce! The taco shells were corn tortillas. We normally don’t eat corn tortillas unless they are from Taco Bell and of the fried variety. For some reason though, we loved them here! They had a little grease in them, but they were still soft. I don’t know that if we had the option for flour tortillas. Perhaps if there was some sort of common language that was shared between us and our waitress I could have asked for them. I am glad that the corn tortillas were just given to us though, because I would not have ordered them if I had been given a choice.

The food was very good! I it was different than normal because it was real Mexican food – not American Mexican food! We will go back, only next time, we will be taking my husband so he can tell us what all is actually on the menu!

I give Tortas La Hechizera 7 out of 10 points for the restaurant part.
I give Tortas La Hechizera 8 out of 10 points for the adventure part!

BodyShapers (Behind the Whataburger on Bryan-Beltline by the railroad tracks)

2008-02-18T19:26:00.001-08:00

Please see updated review at the bottom of "BodyShapers".

Are you over 60 and in need of some exercise? If so, go check out BodyShapers.

Well, perhaps I am not being completely fair… after all, I did not actually try any of the equipment. (We will get into that later.)

I always drive by BodyShapers while I am out and about doing my errands. I have often wondered exactly what it was all about because on the windows it says:

"Fitness Center

Relax

Reduce

Relieve

Stress

Tone &

Tighten"

They have also had signs out in front of their building that advertises their "body wrap". (I am sure you have heard of a body wrap before… they are supposed to be the miracle cure to cellulite and get rid of inches in one session.) So, BodyShapers has peaked my curiosity enough that I would have probably stopped in eventually anyway. Actually, the only reason I have not yet visited is because I thought it was a "gym". I am not quite the gym type. If this describes you… don't worry about it. You will not find the typical "gym barbies" in here.

What will you find? Well… I was not quite sure what I was looking at when I walked in… I felt as if I was scratching my head trying to figure out exactly what it was that I was eyeballing. It is a rectangular shaped building with a mauvish-purple color painted on the walls. They didn't have many lights on, and the door was left open to let in the cool air – and the noise from the close by street. In the background, you could hear a TV, and when you could actually find where the noise was coming from, it was a little black and white TV hanging on the wall near the front of the store. There was one woman in there "working out", and she did not seem like she was enjoying herself very much. There was a treadmill, a stationary bike, an all-in-one weight resistance machine, exercise bands, and these tables. Lots of weird tables. They were a dark pleather. Very odd…

Finally, an employee walked up to me and started right in on her sales pitch. There was not a warm welcome. There was not any excitement in her voice. I didn't really feel like she believed what she was telling me. That is never a good sign.

I asked what BodyShapers was all about and she explained that during physical therapy, patients would be placed on these tables to do the work for them when they were not physically able. (Right then, I saw the woman on a table and her legs began going up and down – like scissors.) She said that the people in charge of the physical therapy realized that their patients were losing inches and weight while being placed on these machines. These tables work your body for you. They "defy gravity", and there is no stress to your joints.

The benefits to using the machines are:

Tighten and tone
Increase oxygen
Improve blood circulation

The tables work numerous parts of your body including your hips, inner/outer thighs, upper body, and your butt. The butt machine looked especially odd… you lay on your back with your butt on these two elevated pads, and then the pads move up and down. That is all that particular table does. There were probably 13 tables in there, so you can be sure that every body part will be worked. How well they will be worked… I don't know. I have to go back in there for a free demonstration.

That's right! You get a free 2 to 3 minute demo on each of the tables. I am going back so I can let you know exactly how these tables work. You are welcomed for that! I wouldn't just wouldn't feel right sending people in there not knowing exactly what was going to happen to them…

If you hurry in before February is over, you can sign up for $25 for the first month. After that, it is $45 per month plus tax, which makes it $48.71 per month. You can go as many days as you like, but they only recommend going 3 times per week. They are open Monday – Friday from 8am to 8pm, and Saturday from 9am until Noon. They are closed Sundays. Perhaps one of the best parts is there are no contracts.

I would suggest to BodyShapers that they change up their interior to attract some additional / different clientele. They could really go for the baby boomers who are into Pilates or even yoga. A little change in their décor, music, and personalities could do wonders for them. As of now, it is really "old" feeling. Like in Seinfeld when Jerry had to work out with the old man in Florida. In fact, I am surprised this place does not have the old-fashioned medicine balls… of course though, that would put stress on their joints….

Please check back in a few days to see how I felt about actually using the machines. The truth is though, I cannot see this being a good "workout" for anybody except the elderly, those who cannot move very well, or for those who are so out of shape they actually need somebody else to move them for their fitness. Diabetic patients would probably benefit - if they are not already doing some sort of exercise regimen.

This was a very odd experience, and I am a little frightened to go back in to do the demonstration.

I give BodyShapers 5 out of 10 points. It was very offbeat.

I am embarrassed that I have to make this a short update... but I wanted to be fair to BodyShapers and get this posted as soon as I could.

I went back in to have a demonstration of the tables. I told my kids that I wouldn't be in there long - that I would just try one or two and we would be out of there. I was wrong!

My whole experience was completley different. First off, the lights were on, and I could see that the walls were not purplish. They were a dusty green. A soothing green. I was greeted warmly by a nice woman working who immediately put me on the machines for my demo.

So, how were the machines? Fabulous! I was relaxed from the moment she started them. In fact, when I left BodyShapers, I was tired. All I wanted to do was go home and take a nap. (I was not tired in the form of working out so hard... I was tired in the relaxed kind of way.)

I found out that even though there may be many tables in there, you only use about 7 of them when you go in for a "session". The other tables are duplicates. I also found out some additional information:

1. When your body begins to itch (it only happened to me on two tables), that means the blood is flowing in your body.

2. You do not have to pay for a full month. If you want - you can just stop in and pay $5 for one session. One session normally lasts about 1 hour and 10 minutes. This is well worth the price to go in and relax!

I still stick with my original thoughts that this is not a place for the normal person to go and get in a good "workout". It simply does not work your body enough. However, if you have a reason, any reason, why you cannot move your body very fluidly on your own, this is the place to go! The nice woman that gave me the demo was walking on a crutch when she started working there 3 years ago. Now, she is walking on her own and has lost over 80 pounds just by using these tables!

I don't know what it is with business owners and them not marketing their business to it's fullest potential... the owner(s) of BodyShapers could get a lot more business if they spruced up the inside, and marketed towards:

1. The physically incapable

2. Any person wanting to relax

3. An alternative to massage

4. Take insurance for physical therapy (this might be more complicated than it seems, but if possible, it would be a great idea for them.)

I will go back to BodyShapers on occasion to relax myself. You definitely owe it to yourself to go in and have a FREE 30 minute demonstration. They are not pushy about signing up or anything. You will go back for more. I am almost certain.

I now give BodyShapers a solid 7 out of 10 points. (This would go up if they spiced up their decor!)

Bennigan's (By AMC-30 off of 635 & Gross)

2008-02-18T15:56:00.000-08:00

I did not want to write this review because it is a large chain restaurant; however, my husband was very persistent on me doing this. For that reason, here is a short review of our horrible Valentine’s Day thanks to our not so good friends at Bennigan's…

First, we went to Texas Roadhouse for our special Valentine’s Day supper. It was a two hour wait… we decided to go elsewhere; so we drove the 1/8 of a mile down the road and went to Bennigan’s.

Big Mistake.

Actually walking in via the revolving door was fun. Being seated was quick – no wait. We now see why we so quickly got seated at our table. The establishment is NOT one for a special day such as Valentine’s Day. Everybody else was at the Texas Roadhouse. I am sure they all waited - as we should have too!

We sat down, and waited.
We waited.
We waited some more.

Then, two wait staff stood directly by our table asking each other if another waiter was going to “get” us. This had been 20 minutes since we sat down. An additional 15 minutes later, somebody finally came and asked us what we wanted to drink. Yes, you did the math right. It took 35 minutes before they even asked us what we wanted to drink. Fortunately, for my daughter and me we wanted a simple soda from the soda machine. Unfortunately, for my son and my husband, they both ordered something that came from the bar. (They ordered a rootbeer and a sour apple soda…) It took an additional 10 minutes for the two guys in my life to get their drinks. Forty-five minutes for a drink. Unbelievable.

Soon after the “difficult” drinks arrived, our food got there. The food was good! Thank goodness it was good or I think my husband would have taken somebody’s head off.

I have to touch on the “feel” of the restaurant. It was off. You know when you walk into a place and get your bearings only to look around and realize that you are so glad you don’t have to work there? That was this place. The wait staff was not happy, the smiles were fake when they did make it to our table, and the manager was like a cousin of Dwight from "The Office". (If you don’t watch that show, think of a nervous guy with control issues…) It was obvious the manager was the root of all of this turmoil. He needed an attitude adjustment.

We will never, I repeat NEVER go back to the Bennigan’s in Mesquite. The food was good, but I have to base my critique on the service.

I give it 0 out of 10 points.

Farmer's Market 1010 S. Pearl Street (Right off of I-30)

2008-02-12T06:30:00.000-08:00

Don't be turned off by driving to Dallas. This is an easy, short trip and it can provide a fun afternoon for the whole family.

Is it between 7am to 6pm? If so, you need to drop everything and go to Farmer’s Market.

My family and I have lived in the Dallas area for just about a decade and just went to the Farmer’s Market for the first time. What wasted Sunday’s we have been living… we should have been going there from the second we moved here. The amazing part? It only took 12 minutes to get there from 635 and 80.

This is a great place to go… you can sample just about everything healthy there is to eat… pineapple, apples, beefsteak tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, red grapes, green grapes, cantaloupe, cherries, onions, cucumbers, jalapenos, peaches, pears, watermelon… you name it, and it is sure to be there! And apparently, there is even a meat and international area there. We didn’t even see that. Perhaps it is only there in the “busy” months.

Just walking into the large, covered vending area you feel your blood being cleaned by the aroma of fresh and healthy foods. The fragrance is so enticing that your nose is drawn in so many directions; you are not exactly sure where to start. Never fear though – start anywhere and walk through the entire area before buying anything. I only say that because there are some vendors who sell the BEST of the best – and at a slightly better price as well. (They all let you taste their goods too, so you can tell which ones are the best!) The prices are much better than at your local grocery store. When we went this past Sunday, this is what we got, and how much it all set us back…

Pineapple: $2.00
Cherries: $2.00 (about 1.5 lbs)
Oranges: $2.00 (8 of them)
Bananas $2.00 (About 2 lbs. This is the only thing that was more expensive than the grocery store)
Peanuts: $2.00 a bag (About 2 pounds)
Cherry Tomatoes: $2.00 a basket (About 2 pounds)
Vine Ripe Tomatoes: $3.00 a basket (About 2 pounds)
Strawberries: $3.00 a basket (About 1.5 pounds)

Not bad for some great tasting, healthy food – and some well deserved time to spend with your family in a cultural wonderland.

The people there are almost as diverse as the food it’s self. You will find all walks of life both shopping, and selling food. This is not a bad or scary thing. It is a feeling of being united by the quest of good, inexpensive produce. I know, that sounds crazy. It is true though. It is not like when you are at the mall and pushed to the side by rude shoppers. People here are truly respectful of you and your space. It is a wonderful feeling down there. You must go and experience it yourself. Plus, it is a great thing to expose your kids to if you have any.

I have mentioned the samples… oh the glorious samples! Everybody is giving them out, and if they are not, you can ask for a taste of what you are eyeing. It is like an orchestra of flavor bursting on your taste buds. A great time to go is right after a light lunch. The Farmer’s Market is like isles of dessert for free.

Along with the surplus of produce, there are also hot dog vendors that sell more than hot dogs. They also offer nachos, pickles, corn on the cob and things like that. There is a Mexican restaurant and an ice cream shop as well. This past Sunday, there was even a young man sitting at a small table selling iced tea out of a pitcher! It was quite a site. And if you want some natural honey, it is there as well… and yes, they give samples.

Just off the beaten path of the Farmer’s Market, you will see a beautiful old building that sells flowers; and right across the street, you will find a tropical plant area that sells, well, tropical plants! They also offer those large flowerpots and chimineas. That is quite a beautiful picture to see. When you are standing by the big “Farmer’s Market” sign, and look down toward the tropical plant place, I hope you will realize the beauty of the scenery. It is picture of the past competing with the fast growing pace of the present. It is a site to marvel.

For me to give you directions to the Farmer’s Market would be a mistake. Please go to http://www.mapquest.com/ to get the directions. You might also want to check out the Farmer's Market website: http://www.dallasfarmersmarket.org/.

Since you will be making the long, 12-minute trek to downtown Dallas, take a look around! On the weekends, the streets are not busy and it is interesting to see what the fuss of the “big city” is all about.

I give the Farmer’s Market 10 out of 10 points. Yes. It is that good.

Jadyn's Deli 910 Tripp Rd. (By Hobby Lobby)

2008-02-05T06:58:00.000-08:00

Updated Review: Scroll down to end of review to read!

I was not quite sure how this review was going to turn out. I really didn’t have a lot of things to say about the uniqueness of the place… it is fairly common. I really didn’t have anything bad to say either. Then, after thinking about it, I realized that I do have something to say… and it's not very nice.

On their take out menu it says, “Eat Fresh and Healthy”. Well, there are burgers there. Burgers are most definitely not fresh, nor healthy. In addition, really, how can a hot dog be fresh and healthy? And fries? Come on! I think this restaurant is having an identity crisis. They are new, and wanting to bring in as many customers as they can. You can’t blame them for that. But, they would do much better if they stuck to their slogan from their menu and just served fresh and healthy items! Looking over their menu, the fresh and healthy options are at about 40% of their food choices… MAX!

The place looks really nice. It is in a good location. I would just like to see more of a deli “theme” instead of more of a roadside diner feel.

With that being said, let me tell you about our visit to Jadyn’s Deli.

Walking into Jadyn’s Deli I was reminded of an upscale deli from the big city. Rich burnt orange accents, stainless steel counter, and textured brown and golden brown walls emitted an air of a distinguished eatery. On the wall hung a plasma TV, but it was not turned on. Instead, the music of the “Red Hot Chili Peppers” faintly rang throughout the deli. Come to find out, they rock out to 97.1 the Eagle. Do not be turned off by the tunes though if you don’t like that kind of music… the volume was low enough to ignore it.

This being our first time to visit Jadyn’s Deli, we were not quite sure what to expect outside of the normal sandwich and chips that is normally served at this type of restaurant. We were surprised to see that there is a large variety of choices when deciding what you want to eat. In fact, there was too much of a choice for us to decide quickly what we wanted to eat…

Breakfast Foods including (but not limited to):
Sausage patty w/ french toast $2.59
Ham, egg & cheddar with french toast $4.49

Appetizers / Side including (but not limited to):
6 piece nugget $2.99
Waffle Fries or onion rings: small $1.29 medium $1.39 large $1.69

“Dawgs” (That is hot dogs to us normal folk) including (but not limited to):
Corn Dawg $1.49
Chili Dawg w/ cheddar cheese on bun $2.95

Jadyn’s Deli Burger (comes with green leaf lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, mayo) including (but not limited to):
Hamburger $3.49
Avocado Burger $4.49

Gourmet Chicken Sandwiches (grilled or crispy) including (but not limited to):
Wrap Chicken with cheese, lettuce, tomato, mayo) $4.09
Jadyn BLT $3.99

Junior Menu (All burgers come with mayo and pickle) and this IS all they have on their Junior Menu!
Jr. Cheeseburger $1.99
Jr. Hamburger $1.39
Add a small drink and a small fry to Jr. Burgers for $1.79

Hoagies including (but not limited to):
All hoagies come with your choices of white or wheat bread, dressings, vegetables, and cheese.
Roast Beef 6” $4.49 12”$6.99
Teriyaki Chicken 6” $3.69 12” $6.19

Wings (lemon pepper, butter buffalo, garlic parmesan, B-B-Q)
6 wings $3.99
12 wings $6.99
Side of celery & ranch $1.99

There are also Soups, Salads, Extras (like chili, bacon, burger meat…), Drinks, Desserts, and Smoothies! And, I have to tell you that you can add fries (or chips) and a drink to your meal for an additional $2.49. See, I told you there was a lot to choose from! Please don’t expect me to list a menu for each restaurant I critique, but this was a special circumstance. You kinda need to know what you are getting yourself into before you need to quickly rush into this deli. I highly recommend going in and getting yourself a menu!

Let us get down to the details here… how was the food? Well, my kids each got the “Chili Dawg on a Bun” with a side of chips and a drink. They really liked their meals. They are thick hot dogs, with a good amount of chili on there. You can eat it with your hands, but you would be better off sticking to a fork and a few napkins.

My husband and I each got the “Avocado Burger” with a side of fries and a drink. He really liked his. I don’t think I will ever order a burger from there again. They taste like cheap frozen patties that you get at the grocery store, and the bun was a little stale. The flavors did not really blend together. Overall, the burger reminded me of one you would eat from a hospital cafeteria. The avocado on the burger was delicious though. It was fresh and chunky. I wanted to open up the burger and lick it off the bun, but honestly, I probably would not have eaten the burger if I had done that. The fries were really good! They were shaped like those from the golden arches we all know so well, but the flavor came from a slight seasoning instead of a lot greasy fat! (That is a good thing!)

Jadyn’s Deli is not a showstopper (although it could be with a few revisions); it is not a dive either. This is simply a new establishment. They are just getting their feet wet, and hopefully will alter their menu to cater more toward a healthy lifestyle. Granted, I did not get a healthy meal – it was because it was taking me too much time to go over the menu, and I went with something familiar. To be fair to the owner, managers and employees, I will go back and order a hoagie. They are, after all, a deli! After I do that, I will update this review.

This is a MUST mention here… Jadyn’s Deli gives Seniors a 10% discount, and Firefighters and Police Officers a … 50% discount! You gotta respect them for that!

Please, support your local businesses and try them. I wouldn’t go out of my way to give them business, but if you are in the area, by all means stop in.

I give Jadyn’s Deli 5 out of 10 points. (To be updated after I actually eat a hoagie!)

Updated Review:
I went back into Jadyn's Deli today to try one of their Hoagies. Let me say - marked improvement over their burgers! I purchased the Turkey Hoagie with swiss cheese, all the veggies, mayo, fat free Dijon mustard, and got it toasted on wheat bread. It holds the potential of a gourmet hoagie!

In fact, if I could be so brazen to suggest anything to Jadyn's Deli, it would be to get rid of the rest of the unhealthy food and move into the gourmet deli sandwiches. They are right there... they almost have it!

The employee that helped us was very nice, and even remembered us from the other day. She said since we were in there two days in a row (kinda embarrassing), that we are now considered regulars.

I don't know what it is about this place that makes me want to see them "make it". They are like The Little Engine That Could. You can tell that the place has heart and soul... they just need to follow that heart and soul and stop worrying about trying to please everybody.

I now give them 7.5 out of 10 points... for their "Fresh and Healthy" Hoagies!

Paperback Plus Used Books and Music 108 E. Davis St. (Downtown Mesquite)

2008-02-01T15:35:00.000-08:00

My kids and I walked into Paperback Plus to be greeted by the sound of country music and the smell of old books and my grandma. That is right – the smell of my grandma. (This is not necessarily a bad thing… it really made me miss her. I wanted to give the old woman a big ol’ hug.) There was also a mobile made up of CD’s, DVD’s, and some old 45’s, hung with metallic ribbon, from some sort of vent system.

Walking through the door gives you the feeling of hidden possibilities. This is the type of old bookstore that would imagine being in a movie.

When you walk in, you are not quite sure where to go. There are all sorts of bookshelves stuffed with books. You just have to pick a direction and move. Otherwise, you will stand there and be somewhat taken aback. If you look up, past the bookshelves, you will see all kinds of informative posters and book jackets. Still, at this point, it is difficult to forget the smell.

Normally the people that work in a store should not be this large of a part of the critique. However, in the situation, the people that work there ARE part of the store. We have ventured in to Paperback Plus before to be in the presence of two 20 somethings. It seemed as if they were both recently out of college, and full of ideas and a sense of total understanding of what the world is about. My son asked about the “back room” (we will get to that freaky side later), and wondered if they had noticed any ghostly happenings in that area. The people who worked there that day had a lot to say, much of which did not relate to my son’s original question…

Today when we went in though, it was a very different feel. As you know, there was an older woman working there who reminded me of my grandma. There was also a man in his late 20’s to early 30’s. He is unshaven, a definite accent from the country, a red flannel shirt, jeans, and no shoes. He never wears shoes. I find it quite endearing – my kids find it creepy. My point being with the staff is they seem to be married to their job. They all seem to really love working there, and they are all most certainly an asset to the store.

So, what is the actual store like? There are rows and rows of romance novels. A complete bookshelf lined with science fiction – including the Star Trek and Star Wars series. There are magazines in three areas of the store. Women’s interest magazines are in the front, right behind the young children’s area. Right outside of the kids area (which is hidden in the middle of the store boxed in with more shelves of books) and those magazines are more for kids. Then in the back room, there are even more magazines that range from “Native People’s” to “Birder’s World” to “Kiplinger’s”.

As you continue your adventure discovering the gems in this store, you will see numerous VHS tapes and audio tapes. There is a table that has old 45’s on it, and almost the ENTIRE back wall (in the scary back room) is packed from top to bottom of records. For all of you people out there that are really holding on to the music of yesteryear, there are even eight tracks. Yes – eight tracks. Towards the front of the store, you will find a decent amount of CD’s, and a very small basket of DVD’s.

Other neat things strewn throughout the store is a rack called, “Oprah’s Book Club”, a large table with MANY boxes filled with comic books, and sometimes you will even find a newer book like Harry Potter or a book from the Chicken Soup series.

So, now for the information you have been waiting for… the BACK ROOM! There is an unseen force back there. Call me crazy – commit me to the loony bin if you must, but there is something back there. The hair on my neck stands up whenever I am in the paranormal section. (How fitting!) My kids won’t go in the dreaded back room by themselves – they feel it too. You go and see for yourself. It is a weird feeling back there. I will leave it at that.

So, would I recommend “Paperback Plus” to you? I most definitely would if you are NOT the type of person driving their SUV, scheduling an appointment on your BlackBerry, and drinking your Starbuck’s latte. This is not a glamorous store. It is a nifty maze of books that will make you either want to stay all day with your nose in several books, or hightail it out of there just as fast as you can.

As a quick side note, they have free books on their sidewalk. You can just take them – really. I found a marvelous “Desk Diary” from 1960 in there. A woman (whose name I cannot find) had written her expenses in it from 1960 to 1962. It is very interesting… 10 gallons of gas went for $2.35… TOTAL.

They have a book trade/consignment/buy program, but you are much better off asking them the details of that. Moreover, while you are asking them questions – ask them about their pricing. I do know that most items are ½ of publisher’s price. Then, both clerks started explaining to me at the same time about the blue and red stickers. I am not sure, but I think they both told me different things. One more pleasant surprise about this little bookstore is their website. www.luckydogbooks.com. They have all sorts of events listed, but most of them are for their store in Dallas. The majority of the events are geared towards novel writers and poets. It was a surprise to find such an informative site compared to the little bookstore hidden in the age of downtown Mesquite.

I give an encouraging 7 out of 10 points. (This could vary greatly though based on the “feel” you get from the store.) Go try it!

Jalapeno Tree 1530 N. Peachtree Rd. (By AMC 30)

2008-01-29T09:02:00.000-08:00

I was really hoping that my first review would be a real mudslinger, but I am afraid it is not.

My family and I reluctantly went to the new restaurant in town… the Jalapeno Tree. We figured it would be just a run of the mill Mexican restaurant. Much to our surprise, it was not!

We walked through the doors to the sound of classic rock and to be dizzied by the speckled floor, and taken across the border by the vibrant colors of the décor. Our initial greeting was not very nice. I do not think the greeter was happy to be working there. Perhaps, her boyfriend just broke up with her. Whatever the case, I don’t know, and it didn’t matter after we sat down.

Our waiter came up to greet us. His name was Joe. He has been waiting tables for about a month now, and has learned his trade very well. Just as he was taking our drink order, a very quiet woman came and delivered us our first freebie of the meal – our tortilla chips, salsa, and “green sauce”. The green sauce is a nice, creamy avocado concoction. Not only was it nice, but it was also very tasty. The salsa was not tear jerking hot, nor did it have the taste of bland tomatoes. In other words, it was the perfect blend of flavor and spiciness. The green sauce was creamy, not thick, but a delicious flavor. Our drinks arrived quickly, and we were well on our way to a great meal.

We had just put the straws in our drinks when our free tortillas arrived! Those tortillas were homemade, fresh, and downright delicious! On the table was a squeeze bottle of butter that we put on our tortillas, and then we dipped them into the salsa and green sauce. Mmmmmm.

Finally, we could draw ourselves away from the free food for long enough to check out the menu. Kids 12 and under eat off the kids menu and the price for all kids meals are $4.99 – drinks included. The “grown up” menu was a bit of a shocker. Prices really are comparable to other area restaurants, but they really don’t have the “cheaper” alternatives of the other restaurants. You can pretty much count on about $10 or more per adult meal.

We ordered our meal. Our kids each got a meal off the kids menu, and my husband and I each got the lunch sized fajita meal. We got there just before 5pm, so we were able to get the lunch price of $9.99. (If we ordered the lunch fajitas after 5pm though, we would have just been charged an extra buck.) We were slightly concerned that the lunch sized fajitas would not be enough to fill us up for supper, but with all the other free food, we were stuffed walking out of there.

In the short 8 minutes we were waiting for our meal, our waiter Joe replaced our tortilla chips, salsa, green sauce, drinks and hot tortillas before we actually needed them replaced. Joe was very attentive, but did not hover and make us feel uncomfortable. He was there just the right amount, and at the perfect times as well.

We got our food, and it was very good. The kid’s plates were full of food that they could not finish. That is saying a lot for our kids – they can eat! Our fajitas were tasty… but the part that made them stand out was the butter sauce that came with them. The Jalapeno Tree should consider serving that butter sauce instead of hot coffee! By the time the meal was over, we were all very full and my pants were unbuttoned.

We are a family of gluttons though, and went for the free ice-cream cones after we finished stuffing ourselves. The ice cream is really more like ice milk. Not creamy, not much flavor. You guessed it though… we ate it anyway, and with pleasure.

The moment of truth… the bill came. We were pleasantly surprised when it rang in at $38.82. Not bad at all for some great food, and tons of freebies!

Overall, the majority of the food (sans the butter) was typical. Good, but typical.

So, would I go back? Absolutely YES! Although the food was good, but just like all the other Mexican restaurants out there, the freebies and service that we received will make this our new Mexican “eat out” stop.

I give it 8 out of 10 points!