The Sweet Gourmet in Tyler Texas

April 7th, 2010

The Sweet Gourmet
4554 S Broadway Ave
Tyler
TX 75703
903 534 0840

The Sweet Gourmet is an upmarket shop selling sweet treats of all kinds and many other specialist cooking products. It is located in the French Quarter in the central shopping district of Tyler.

The first thing that greets you as you walk into the store is chocolate, wonderful chocolate. You will also smell the coffee – mmm, chocolate and coffee – what a combination! This is the place to find Godiva, Green and Blacks, Cadburys, Lindt and other brands of PROPER chocolate, plus hand made chocolates, chocolate-covered nuts and a huge variety of candies to die for. At the back of the store is a large selection of candy for all generations – including things like liquorice and a gourmet jelly bean bar.

But this is not the only thing on sale. There are all sorts of things for the serious chef – products by Barefoot Contessa, Paula Deen and Stonewall Kitchen plus a limited amount of nice quality cooking ware. If you want to ‘fake it’ there are even some ready meals for sale.

The Sweet Gourmet also stocks some international products like the British favourite ‘Marmite’. They have a refrigerated section too and to suit the Texas palate there are plenty of things to grill and barbeque plus rubs, seasonings and marinades. There are chips and salsa of many different varieties too!

There is one problem with this shop. It is EXPENSIVE! Granted, the items stocked are not likely to be on your usual grocery list, but the cost is high. If you are a regular visitor to Dallas then you may not want to pay these prices. BUT… the cost does make a gift from the Sweet Gourmet even more special, and gifts are really a huge part of their business. Anything can be gift wrapped or put in a gift basket and a nice selection of cards are available to accompany the gift. They will even deliver. Corporate orders are also welcomed.

The Sweet Gourmet is all about fun too. They hold special events throughout the year – like monthly cooking demonstrations by the resident French-trained chef and evenings for couples and even for the Garden Club. The owner – Pam Gabriel, welcomes ideas and is always keen to put on a special event for your club. Birthday parties are also welcomed at the Sweet Gourmet. At the back of the store is a kitchen where they have the cooking demos and hand dip fruits in chocolate to sell. During a birthday party, the guests indulge in a chocolate tasting session and then go back to the kitchen to dip their own fruit and nuts in chocolate. This is then bagged and becomes the party favor to take home. The Sweet Gourmet can also supply the birthday cake. For 12 kids this fun party costs around $200.

If money was no object, I think I would practically live in the Sweet Gourmet. Sadly, reality means that I have to restrict myself to just going there on odd occasions to buy gifts for other people. I hope I don’t visibly salivate when I do!

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Hastings Video Store in Tyler

March 26th, 2010

Hastings

www.gohastings.com

4015 S Broadway Ave
Tyler, TX 75701-8727
(903) 534-9278

Hastings parking lot maybe an awesome hang out for the East Texas teenagers, but I think that there are more people in the parking lot than in the store. The store does have a great variety of books, movies, music, and video games. This store is probably the dirtiest store in East Texas. I feel like I have to take a bath after renting a movie. The well known store may be struggling to stay in business.

As I try to find the door through the clouds of smoke from the teenagers hanging out side the door, I already know that I really want to get a movie and leave as fast as you can. You can dig through the towers in the aisle to find cheap movies to buy. “Buy two get the third for a penny.” They have great deals for movies on sale and as the world of electronics grows to the newest level; Hastings is starting to sale and rent movies on Blue Ray.

Hastings lack of convenience may be the thing that puts them out of business. Although you can shop online for movies and music and much more, you have to return to the store. The great thing about the competing rental companies, such as Red Box and Netflix, is that they are convenient to your every day life.

The odd and, many times, unhelpful people that work at Hastings add to the frustration of the shopping experience. The oddly disturbing action figures and adult board games makes me rush out the store with my hands over my eyes.

Although you can find most music, movies and books, I would look everywhere in Tyler before I endure the torture of shopping in Hastings. The good thing about the store is that they buy those old movies and CDs that have been sitting on your shelf just collecting dust and taking up space.

Hastings is my “last stop store”; if I can not find a movie I have been wanting to watch for months in Red Box, or the dollar rental machine at Brookshires, or if it is not at the other failing rental store, Blockbuster, I go to Hastings, then I go home and take a bath until I can not smell the stink of the store in my hair.

Tags: 9278, Action Figures, Adult Board Games, Aisle, blockbuster, Blue Ray, Books Movies Music, Broadway Ave, brookshires, Clouds Of Smoke, Collecting Dust, East Texas, Frustration, Hastings, Hastings Video, Netflix, Parking Lot, redbox, Shopping Experience, Shopping In Hastings, Taking Up Space, Tyler TX, video, Video Store
Posted in Movie Rental | No Comments »

Marshalls

February 15th, 2010

5604 South Broadway Avenue
Tyler, TX 75703-4347
(903) 509-4130

Marshalls is somewhat similar to Ross but more on a pricey side. They are located at 5604 S. Broadway Ave., Tyler, Texas 75703. The quality of things are better so I guess it is worth more. I guess it depends on the buyer whether you are able or willing to pay more. When I was in school I loved this place and back then I thought it was so cheap until I discovered Ross and realized there are other places that cost less. You can find some great buys if you look around and go there when they have some great sales. A couple of weeks ago a friend I know and I went there with some other friends and sure found some really great stuff for $10 and others for more. She found Roxy name brand hoodies for $10, along with some shirts and purses that were a good deal. Anywhere you go, if you are not careful you can end up spending way more than you planned.

They have something for everyone in your household. They have clothes for juniors, adults, men’s and children. They carry shoes, purses and all other kinds of accessories. All your baby essentials are there. A great place for you to go get your special person a gift for the perfect occasion. They have a great selection on workout items if you are into that kind of stuff. Also things to decorate your house, your bedroom, kitchen, etc. Marshalls has Gucci shoes for $349.00 compared to $700.00 at other stores.

Still too expensive for me personally, but for others this is an excellent deal. Sun glasses ranging from $15 to $39 a pair. It always depends on the customer and what you are looking for. They also have a promotional night where you can win a $50 gift card if you just follow them on twitter. You answer the questions of the week for your chance to win. Sounds easy enough and you never know, take a chance and you could gain some money for yourself.

Marshalls is a nice place, very professional and you can find amazing stuff, name brand at low prices. Their reputation has been built on offering their customer good name brand merchandise at a better price than their competition. If you are not satisfied with your purchase, you are welcome to return it.

Tags: Amazing Stuff, Baby Essentials, Broadway Ave, Clothes For Juniors, Gift Card, Great Stuff, Gucci Shoes, Hoodies, Marshall's, Pricey Side, Purses, Repu, Ross, Roxy, South Broadway, Special Person, Sun Glasses, Tyler Texas, Tyler TX, Workout
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Sonic Fast Food Restaurant

February 15th, 2010

Sonic has several locations here in Tyler, Texas, but the one I am going to talk about is on the corner of Rt 64 W and Loop 323. It is directly across from the Super center Wal Mart. Sonic is a fast food type of place, where you can go and order outside. The have carhops who deliver the order directly to your car.

They have a sandy beach area for volleyball and soccer where you can go play anytime with your friends. Good entertainment and completely free. You don’t have to play on the playground equipment or the sandy beach area, you can just sit and enjoy the weather outside, or get the meal and leave if you prefer. The food is good and if you get the items from the dollar menu, they are very reasonable. Their drink selections are even better than the food menu.

There are other locations at 5611 S Broadway Ave., Tyler ; 2501 W Gentry Parkway; or 3210 Troup Highway, Tyler, Texas. If you would like to find out more about Sonic you can go to their website or any of these locations.

Sonic seems to be quite the hang out place during the summer when people like to go hang out or just play. So Sonic is not the best nutritious place to go, but exciting. If you are trying to work out or loose weight, this is not the place you are looking for. On the other hand, they do have some items that are good for you. Once in awhile it’s ok to go eat food that is fried or high in fat. Their burgers are really good and sometimes they have the brown bag special, where you get two for the price of one. Always nice to pay less and get more for your money.

Sonic has some great tater tots with or without chilli, mozzarella sticks, corn dogs, chilli and fries, and so much more. Their blizzards are good or their slushy’s plus their flavored teas. If you want quick and tasty, Sonic is it. If you have not tried Sonic yet, then maybe its time.

Tags: Blizzards, Broadway Ave, Burgers, Carhops, Corn Dogs, Fast Food Restaurant, Food Menu, Food Type, Fries, Loose Weight, Mozzarella, Playground Equipment, Sandy Beach Area, Sonic, Sonic Fast Food, Sonic Fast Food Restaurant, Teas, Troup Highway, Tyler Texas, wal-mart, Weather
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Applebees Restaurant in Tyler Texas

February 10th, 2010

APPLEBEES

5502 S Broadway Ave
Tyler 75703
903 509 4848

Applebees is a chain of restaurants serving a variety of American cuisine. The one in Tyler is centrally located on South Broadway just a little way down from the Mall.

Applebees calls itself ‘casual dining’ which means that it is family friendly with no frills. The atmosphere is typical of many American eateries – with private booths, low lighting and a TV at a bar area. It is always clean, the food is pretty standard and, in my experience, the service is generally good.

The menu offers a variety of appetizers, burgers, pasta, chicken, beef and pork entrees and some great salads. One big bonus is that it also offers a selection of meals which are guaranteed to be under 550 calories and there are also Weight Watcher points listed on a selection of items. You can also order half portions, which is great for smaller appetites– but the reduction on price is not reflected in the reduced quantity of food, so you are better off splitting a full portion with a friend or taking some home in a carry out box.

My favorite meal is a Pecan crusted chicken salad. Complete with fruit and blue cheese, it really is mouthwatering. My husband prefers to order ribs or one of their selection of juicy burgers and fries.

Lunches are good value at Applebees – I like the lunch combo where you can pick a soup and salad or sandwich and pay around $6.
There is a kids menu at Applebees but sadly it offers nothing new – just chicken strips, mac and cheese, cheeseburgers and no vegetables. When are they going to wake up to the fact that we need to offer our children healthy alternatives as well as adults?

Applebees is fairly good value and they often have special deals so that you can dine without breaking the bank. Currently they offer a 2 for $20 deal which is an incentive to people who want to dine at low cost in pairs. It includes one appetizer (to share) and 2 entrees. There are also small desserts called ‘shooters’ which can be added to your order for an extra $2 each. These are a perfect size to treat kids too.

Applebees also has ‘Carside to go’ – a service for the strictly lazy which basically means you can order a carry out by phone and they will bring it to your car on your arrival.

All in all, Applebees is a safe bet for taking your family out to eat. The portions are a decent size, the menu is varied and the service good. It is a good venue for a quick and filling lunch too. However, for a date night, it is uninspiring and would disappoint most romantics – there are no surprises here. My advice -if you don’t have kids around – forget the chain restaurant experience and try something different – there are a few good unique places to eat in Tyler so why not take a risk and enjoy something different!

Tags: American Cuisine, Appetites, Applebees, Applebees Restaurant, Blue Cheese, Breaking The Bank, Broadway Ave, Burgers And Fries, Cheeseburgers, Chicken Salad, Chicken Strips, Half Portions, Healthy Alternatives, Juicy Burgers, Kids Menu, Mac And Cheese, Pasta Chicken, Pecan Crusted Chicken, Private Booths, South Broadway, Weight Watcher Points
Posted in American Food | No Comments »

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