Ok, so this place is one of my favorite places to eat. It's already a bit loud so my loud kids rarely bother people there. Also it is a family steakhouse so there are other kids there. The food is pretty darn good! I love the Logan's Chicken, and I order it with extra peppercorn parmesan dressing. The steaks are decent. They have a good selection of sides and a fantastic kids' menu with ton of choices! Now lemme work out a quick rating system...
Service: ***-*****
I have had great service there and I have had ok service there. Poor service is rare! I eat here often enough that I would have gotten bad service by now. The managers are really nice, the servers normally are great with kids and squat down to talk to my toddlers. My daughter even told our last server she loved her, now that is rare!!
Value: ****-*****
Yeah, the prices are good. But that doesn't necessarily denote a good value for the price so there is my rating for pricing. They've got a pretty good range of dish price points, all of their entrees are large enough to share, and like I said, the food is good. The entrees come with two sides and the sides aren't too expensive, so if you split a steak and just HAVE to have a salad and baked potatoe, it won't break the bank. I haven't tried to order a kids' meal for myself, but I imagine it wouldn't be too much of a problem. I'll even pay a couple dollars more for one for me, that normally hushes grumpy servers and managers up.
Food: **-*****
They have things they do well and things they need to work on. And it totally depends on who's cooking. Their grill cooks know how to cook a chicken breast, always tender and juicy and never overcooked. The steaks tend to veer towards a little more cooked than you request, so if you want medium well, order medium. The soups and salads are good, the veggies have been a little too salty and buttery lately. The baked potatoes are awesome, and yes you can screw up a baked potatoe. Their popcorn shrimp are yummy, their baby back ribs are finger sucking ridiculous!! The sweet tea is perfect and don't even get me started on the rolls... they bring free sourdough rolls to the table. They are hot melt-in-your mouth little bits of loveliness that make every meal stretch further. Eat more than two and you WILL have leftovers...
Bathrooms: Women's *-***
Depends on what time you go. Normally they are very clean, though they need remodeling pretty badly. At their worst there has been paper on the floor, full trashcans, a few drops of wee-wee on the seats, and an old pee smell mingling with the smell of cleaner. At its best, and it is usually not far from this, its worn but spotless and very clean. My toddler went in there barefoot last time and I didn't cringe (much). There is a changing table in the handicapped stall (I hate when they put them in there) and it is very high up on the wall, troublesome if you are short. I'm 5'1" and if I were an inch shorter, I would have been too short to use it. My husband has not been in the men's but he says men's public bathrooms in general are nasty.
Waiting area: *****
While you wait you can watch them grill which is fascinating, and there is alot of seating and peanuts to snack on. Unfortunately there is the temptation of a set of stairs that lead to the nearby bar that gets my oldest in trouble every time. I can't keep her off of it. The servers and manager seem very used to that and rarely seem to mind.
High Chairs: ***
I normally have to ask for a new high chair because the one they brought has a broken buckle. They are always clean, never sticky or greasy. They do clean them.
Restaurant layout and atmosphere: *****
They have several set off areas for large parties and I find them great if the restaurant is loud, because my oldest doesn't do well when it is loud. They play classic rock/country mix type music. Since it is supposed to be a "roadhouse" there are murals sprinkled intermittently throughout the rough hewn wood siding depicting scenes from a bayou roadhouse. Drunks playing darts, dancing, etc. Nothing too bawdy, but there are a few chuckles to be had.
Ok. Hope that helps. I love this place. They also send out coupons in the paper and mail. Later!
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Ya see?!
So, I told you when things are crazy I may not post for a while! Well things have been insane!! I've been working, of course (Or trying to), working on my daughters' birthday cake, I lost my purse, had dental work done, have been packing to move, and looking at houses. I have too much for one post, so I will break it down into several. I also have a couple of Restaurant reviews for you moms! So check it out!
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
No kids allowed... just a note...
A note to those who want to ban my ill-behaved children from your establishments...
I agree. Wholeheartedly. When my toddler is kicking and screaming, I want to, and often do, grab her and haul her outside to finish her fit. However, I can't help but be struck with the impression that these same child-phobes are a bit schizophrenic...
Wasn't it only a few years ago that everyone was screaming, "Don't spank your kids!!!" Mothers were arrested, caught on camera and villified, humiliated, and labeled awful things for disciplining their kids. I watched on the news as one mother had gotten to her van from the mall, grabbed her toddler, set the child inside and proceeded to tear its little butt up!! She was arrested for child abuse. So now, a few years later we are inundated with ill-behaved little banshees running around like drunken monkeys. I am a spanker for defiance. If my children defy me (which obviously has multiple outlets) they will receive a spanking. I also recently introduced a new tactic. I will count, as many mothers do, but each number I reach means a spanking. As long as I am consistent with it, I normally only have to say 1 before my hyperactive little girl stops and sits. Obviously I am not very consistent (I hate spanking my kids) since normally I reach 6 or worse, 10!! I prefer to use a wooden spoon. They have very little mass and produce and nice spank rather than a hit. This however has led to the disappearance of most of my wooden spoons...
Lately I've noticed very few childless people being mortified at the sight or sound of a kid being spanked. Now they seem to only nod with that knowing smile (what!?). So onward to the decision of certain places banning kids...
If you market you place as a family restaurant, ever! I would say you'd better not ban kids. That is just stupid. You can seat me in a secluded section in the back with other kids, so long as it is just as awesome as the rest of your restaurant. As a parent, I would like this option. I don't like disturbing other people's meals anymore then they like it. Oh, and be mindful of childproofing. Here are some other tips...
I'm not done, but I have to go to work. Thanks for reading! See you soon!
I agree. Wholeheartedly. When my toddler is kicking and screaming, I want to, and often do, grab her and haul her outside to finish her fit. However, I can't help but be struck with the impression that these same child-phobes are a bit schizophrenic...
Wasn't it only a few years ago that everyone was screaming, "Don't spank your kids!!!" Mothers were arrested, caught on camera and villified, humiliated, and labeled awful things for disciplining their kids. I watched on the news as one mother had gotten to her van from the mall, grabbed her toddler, set the child inside and proceeded to tear its little butt up!! She was arrested for child abuse. So now, a few years later we are inundated with ill-behaved little banshees running around like drunken monkeys. I am a spanker for defiance. If my children defy me (which obviously has multiple outlets) they will receive a spanking. I also recently introduced a new tactic. I will count, as many mothers do, but each number I reach means a spanking. As long as I am consistent with it, I normally only have to say 1 before my hyperactive little girl stops and sits. Obviously I am not very consistent (I hate spanking my kids) since normally I reach 6 or worse, 10!! I prefer to use a wooden spoon. They have very little mass and produce and nice spank rather than a hit. This however has led to the disappearance of most of my wooden spoons...
Lately I've noticed very few childless people being mortified at the sight or sound of a kid being spanked. Now they seem to only nod with that knowing smile (what!?). So onward to the decision of certain places banning kids...
If you market you place as a family restaurant, ever! I would say you'd better not ban kids. That is just stupid. You can seat me in a secluded section in the back with other kids, so long as it is just as awesome as the rest of your restaurant. As a parent, I would like this option. I don't like disturbing other people's meals anymore then they like it. Oh, and be mindful of childproofing. Here are some other tips...
- Raised booths are not highchair friendly.
- Put outlet covers on exposed outlets.
- Put locks on any cabinets (unless you want hear the door being slammed repeatedly followed by a mother yelling, "Come here, now!!!")
- Do not put glasswear in their reach, ever!
- Train your waitstaff! They don't have to goo goo over the child, but teach them to be polite and tactful if they have to ask a parent to contain their child or something similar. Be helpful. If the food arrives and little Sue needed to pee, "right now!!" or was just not listening and needed a timeout in the bathroom, please put a cover on the parent and child's plates to help retain heat.
- Have actual kids cups and teach waitstaff to only fill up what they're willing to clean up, but to check back often for refills. This is not normally needed for older toddlers, just little'uns. I have had a pint of milk land on the floor under my kids chairs and go everywhere. I feel awful, the child is sad and the staff is not happy. Also, my kids rarely finish that much of any beverage (except chocolate milk)
- Be prepared to offer different sides and I would suggest watching the sugar and red dye content on everything. This is for your own sanity.
I'm not done, but I have to go to work. Thanks for reading! See you soon!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Alarming... your word for the day...
Alarmed is a word we have all read in novels from time to time. "She was very alarmed..." "It was very alarming to..." However not all of us have ever experienced the set of emotions behind that word to truly understand and comprehend it to the fullest extent. I have now... yay?
This is day 3 of rerouting the plumbing through our attic. My brother and another tech from my family's A/C business are doing the work. Both of then are highly knowledgeable, and skillfull. Accidents do happen, however...
It all started this morning when I went to look for boxes to pack stuff up to move into storage. Since it has been raining for over a week like we're suddenly living in the rainforest every place that I normally go for boxes had nothing but soggy boxes, and the other places crush theirs before they can allow anyone to take away the .002 cents they recoup as a store by selling them to a recycler or returning them to the vendor. I finally returned home, defeated and found my wonderful grandmother at my house cleaning...
Now my grandmother helps me clean my house. I don't care what you think. I like things to be clean, but with kids around cleaning is kind of like fighting a dragon with a toothpick... freaking impossible. The number of times I have been cleaning up one mess only to hear that wonderful crashing sound we as mothers dread, or worse, The Silence... Only a mom can identify what kind of mess they are about to clean by the sound of what just fell. Anyway, I see little point to constant cleaning. My grandmother however claims that in addition to working a full time job, she chased five children (my father, uncle, and their cousins) and kept her house immaculate, was active in civic duties, and still had time to not only serve a hot dinner every night, but she cooked lunch!! Sandwiches apparently are for lazy people to feed their children. So to help me out, since I am so _________, ____, and ________ (use your imagination), she comes over once or twice a week to help me with laundry, dishes, and to sweep and mop. Since our washer was not hooked up, she took all of our laundry with her to clean and bring back tomorrow. What a wonderful woman!
I did my weekly grocery shopping, this week adding to it the things I will need to make the ginormous castle cake that was requested by my princesses for their birthdays. I have always wanted to make one!! I managed to speed thruogh the store and get everything I needed before the kids reached meltdown mode (they hit it as I was swiping my card to check out). At least I think I got everything. My list was on my phone, and the kids were playing with it the whole time, and I'm too scared to look and see what I forgot. The kids fell asleep in the car on the way home (YAY!!!! Oh... yay!) I get home and bring the groceries in, letting Brad and the other tech finish up before bringing in the kids. I bring in my heavy sleeping, Diana, and lay her down. As I shut her door I hear water squirting under pressure, like out of a sink. I smile thinking the water is hooked up, as the sound is coming from my hall bathroom, but no one's in there. I look in and realize the water is in fact not coming from in there. I look down to see water rushing out of Dani's bedroom and BAM! My heart skipped a beat and my eyes widened. All I could manage to say was, "Uh, GUYS!!" with my voice getting higher with each passing nanosecond. I leaped over the growing pool in my hallway (on my wood laminate floors!!!) and hurried to the front. The other tech saw me and looked behind me. They shut the water back off and I realized, my sweet grandma took all but two of our towels. I have no way to clean it up. I grab one of the two towels, the reject of all of our towels, the one with the most wear that is misshapen, faded horribly, tattered, and frayed and I layed it in the middle of the water, feeling helpless is it seems only to sink. My brother says he has a shop vac, but its loud. I said I'll just sit with the kids in the car. As I carry my sleeping toddler to the car I realize it. I was alarmed!! I have never before understood the defination until now!! Amazing! Understanding the true meaning of that word was akin to being simultaneously healed from blindness, shocked by static, and lifted off my feet!! Wow! I truly understood that word to its fullest extent! What an amazing epiphany! Alarmed. I was alarmed!! It was like when I met and fell in love with my husband and for the first time ever understood where the phrase head-over-heels-in-love came from. As I calmed down I realized I was a total nerd. So here I sit, in my car, listening to the radio, with two sleeping girls behind me. My brother and the tech just left, so I'm gonna bring them inside so they can wake up and ruin my chances at a brief nap. See you guys later! Next time I'll review a few restaurants I've enjoyed lately! Maybe tonight, maybe not. We'll see!
This is day 3 of rerouting the plumbing through our attic. My brother and another tech from my family's A/C business are doing the work. Both of then are highly knowledgeable, and skillfull. Accidents do happen, however...
It all started this morning when I went to look for boxes to pack stuff up to move into storage. Since it has been raining for over a week like we're suddenly living in the rainforest every place that I normally go for boxes had nothing but soggy boxes, and the other places crush theirs before they can allow anyone to take away the .002 cents they recoup as a store by selling them to a recycler or returning them to the vendor. I finally returned home, defeated and found my wonderful grandmother at my house cleaning...
Now my grandmother helps me clean my house. I don't care what you think. I like things to be clean, but with kids around cleaning is kind of like fighting a dragon with a toothpick... freaking impossible. The number of times I have been cleaning up one mess only to hear that wonderful crashing sound we as mothers dread, or worse, The Silence... Only a mom can identify what kind of mess they are about to clean by the sound of what just fell. Anyway, I see little point to constant cleaning. My grandmother however claims that in addition to working a full time job, she chased five children (my father, uncle, and their cousins) and kept her house immaculate, was active in civic duties, and still had time to not only serve a hot dinner every night, but she cooked lunch!! Sandwiches apparently are for lazy people to feed their children. So to help me out, since I am so _________, ____, and ________ (use your imagination), she comes over once or twice a week to help me with laundry, dishes, and to sweep and mop. Since our washer was not hooked up, she took all of our laundry with her to clean and bring back tomorrow. What a wonderful woman!
I did my weekly grocery shopping, this week adding to it the things I will need to make the ginormous castle cake that was requested by my princesses for their birthdays. I have always wanted to make one!! I managed to speed thruogh the store and get everything I needed before the kids reached meltdown mode (they hit it as I was swiping my card to check out). At least I think I got everything. My list was on my phone, and the kids were playing with it the whole time, and I'm too scared to look and see what I forgot. The kids fell asleep in the car on the way home (YAY!!!! Oh... yay!) I get home and bring the groceries in, letting Brad and the other tech finish up before bringing in the kids. I bring in my heavy sleeping, Diana, and lay her down. As I shut her door I hear water squirting under pressure, like out of a sink. I smile thinking the water is hooked up, as the sound is coming from my hall bathroom, but no one's in there. I look in and realize the water is in fact not coming from in there. I look down to see water rushing out of Dani's bedroom and BAM! My heart skipped a beat and my eyes widened. All I could manage to say was, "Uh, GUYS!!" with my voice getting higher with each passing nanosecond. I leaped over the growing pool in my hallway (on my wood laminate floors!!!) and hurried to the front. The other tech saw me and looked behind me. They shut the water back off and I realized, my sweet grandma took all but two of our towels. I have no way to clean it up. I grab one of the two towels, the reject of all of our towels, the one with the most wear that is misshapen, faded horribly, tattered, and frayed and I layed it in the middle of the water, feeling helpless is it seems only to sink. My brother says he has a shop vac, but its loud. I said I'll just sit with the kids in the car. As I carry my sleeping toddler to the car I realize it. I was alarmed!! I have never before understood the defination until now!! Amazing! Understanding the true meaning of that word was akin to being simultaneously healed from blindness, shocked by static, and lifted off my feet!! Wow! I truly understood that word to its fullest extent! What an amazing epiphany! Alarmed. I was alarmed!! It was like when I met and fell in love with my husband and for the first time ever understood where the phrase head-over-heels-in-love came from. As I calmed down I realized I was a total nerd. So here I sit, in my car, listening to the radio, with two sleeping girls behind me. My brother and the tech just left, so I'm gonna bring them inside so they can wake up and ruin my chances at a brief nap. See you guys later! Next time I'll review a few restaurants I've enjoyed lately! Maybe tonight, maybe not. We'll see!
Monday, July 25, 2011
Wow... finally!!
Ok, I finally did it. I created a blog. I won't lie, I used to say how stupid this was. How much of a waste of time. I get it though. My hunger for creativity and writing finally got the best of me. The posts I will post will vary in content, here are some (not all!) topics...
Stay hungry!
- Restaurant reviews: Yes, I eat out waaay too much!! I also have two kids, so I have experienced the animosity "families" receive when walking into a kid-unfriendly establishment. One waitress even took something from my toddler, then looked shocked when the child began crying (precisely what did you expect?!?). I will talk about places I go only after eating there twice. I will talk about the food, the condition of the high chairs (greasy, sticky, broken), the variability of the kids menu (what do you mean they can only have fries!?), the service (this is the reason for needing to eat there at least twice, I know there are off-nights), and everything else I experience. I will not post anything untrue or grossly exaggerated. I will not post names, unless I receive permission from the person. I may or ay not post the restaurant namt, I may only put hints as to the restaurant. I hope this garners laughs and good decisions in eating out!!
- Selling my house: I am about to list my house for sale. I am also about to purchase a new home. Having two kids, three kittens, and an aging chihuahua only adds to the stress and I'm sure will allow for some humor and aggravation. I will allow the world to be privy to it only if you promise to laugh.
- Kids stuff: I will post tips, tricks, reviews, etc about kid related stuff. Trips we take, toys we try, books we read, problems we have, and shows we watch will be reviewed. I've noticed a have a sense of... foresight when it comes to noticing potential problems in toys and such. I saw that the bumpo baby seat was hazardous before they yanked it off the market and "tweaked" it for safety. (I own one now, and it was fairly useful.)
- Life experiences: God has given me a wonderful, trying marriage, and two very lovely needy children. I am truly thankful for them (no really!!) Through my trials with them, I am learning alot and normally the hard way. I am more than happy to share these with everyone so that you can chuckle, or learn.
- Growth in Christ: Yes, I'm Christian. No, I am not perfect. Far from it actually, much to the chagrin of my husband and destruction of my kids' psyches. I have very strong Christian beliefs, and will be sharing those herein. If Christ offends you, I am not sorry, I am grieved for your lost soul. If you love Him as much as I do, I hope you enjoy sharing my walk with Christ and grow as much as I do, and that my walk inspires you and teaches you.
- Perfect grammer, spelling, punctuation, complete coherent thoughts... I am a mom, afterall. I suffer from a severe case of mommy-brain. My car is a mess, my house is a disaster five minutes or less after I clean it. The smell of kid shampoo, detangler, vomit, and poop often permeate my house, car, and person. My writing will suffer because even as I type now, Caillou is on, I have a toddler kicking me as she plays with my iPhone, and another toddler begging me for attention. I often think faster than I type and whole sentences may be left out. Feel free to point things out, but be nice! Honestly if my mommy-brain offends or disturbs you, don't read my blogs!!
- Constant, consistent posting. There may be periods where things are just too stressful. Check back, though! I'll surely have something interesting to say when things calm back down!
- Negativity: I try very hard to look on the bright side and to be uplifting. I am not blogging to whine, just to laugh. Negative comments, rudeness, and crude language will not be permitted or tolerated. If anything I ever post offends you, stop, reread, or rethink why you're offended. Think about the best possible meaning I could have and go with that. If you are still offended, try introspection, works for me!
Stay hungry!
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