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Andys Frozen Custard in Tyler Texas

March 31st, 2011

 Andy's Frozen Custard in Tyler TX

Andy’s Frozen Custard in Tyler Texas is not your typical ice cream parlor. This retro styled frozen custard kiosk has become a quick favorite of local Tyler residents since it’s opening a few years ago.

A good ice cream shop is always appreciated, however as appreciated Andy’s has been they do not serve ice cream per se. Andy’s makes a similar yet distinct dessert called frozen custard which shares the same ingredients with ice cream while adding eggs to the formula, giving the frozen concoction a more dense, thicker alternative to traditional plain ice cream.

The custard at Andy’s is made every hour using Andy’s custom design custard machines in order to ensure absolute quality and freshness. Andy’s has a extensive selection of toppings and combinations to improve and customize your frozen custard. Feel free to build your own specific custard creation or simply order one of Andy’s favorites from the menu of thoughtfully constructed custard combo’s of complimentary confections collected carefully conflating cream and garnish.

Traditional treats such as banana splits and chocolate malts are readily available along with original Andy’s innovations like the James Brownie Funky Jackhammer which has no choice but to live up to the all mighty name of James Brown through grandma’s homemade brownies, peanut butter and hot fudge just how Andy’s imagines the god of funk might possibly like his frozen custard. Andy’s is the perfect refreshing and decadent frozen dessert for the scorching summer months in Tyler.

Andy’s is open extended hours during the summer so you can grab sweet frozen relaxation any time from 11:00 am to 11:30am Sunday through Thursday or until 12:00am Fridays and Saturdays, providing a innocent and accessible location to enjoy some time out with your friends or family during the peak of the weekend. Although Andy’s does not have an indoor dining area, there is a large concrete patio for you to eat concretes on while socializing.

A few benches surround their patio which are often occupied making the Andy’s sign a popular resort for sitting when most busy. Andy’s also offers a drive through to all those who need custard on the go, while many simply choose to remain in the comfort of their vehicle while staying at Andy’s simply to get out of the house and essentially relive the age old custom of drive in restaurants. Andy’s has brought a unique dessert to Tyler and we could not be more grateful for it’s soft melting goodness.

Mythology of the Sacred Spur in Gilmer

July 21st, 2010

            I’m not entirely sure what brought up the memory of dining at the Sacred Spur restaurant just outside Gladewater. I guess I saw it on a community site and started reading and watching the reports and critiques on the rustic dining there and I found no one with whom I could entirely agree. Even the report listed on Tyler TX Directory while accurate, was short. So I decided that there was room for another report, especially given that the passage of time has perhaps allowed for a little perspective on my visit.

            First off, in the interest of full disclosure I was present at the same event as the author of the first directory article on the Sacred Spur. Spending the evening at the Spur is like going to an off- beat movie that some viewers love, and others despise. You either get it or you don’t. My father, who loves the mythology of the west and the cowboy mystique, got it. Our out of town guests decidedly, did not. The Sacred Spur is only open a couple of nights a week, Fridays and Saturdays. The food is very simple, steaks, chicken, potatoes and an admittedly pretty Spartan salad bar. Meat is cooked over a very old school hanging grill. There is usually musical entertainment of some kind, generally a local country band or artist. The food is expertly cooked. My steak was a beautiful medium rare. Reservations are highly recommended however as the Spur is not a dining institution, it’s very much a mom and pop kind of business (or should I say ma and pa). This was an issue at the time of my visit since they actually ran out of most cuts of steak, something prone to happen at this sort of casual family run restaurant. When the food is gone it’s gone. Another issue was the fact the store’s debit card register was down. Evidently it had been down all night and the staff had failed to warn us. Fortunately for them our party was able to scrape up enough coin to pay the bill. If you go, best to take some cash just in case.

            A lot has been written and reported on the Spur. It has been really praised in the news and dining reports in our area. It’s often held up as traditional Texas fare. I’m not sure however that grilling a great steak alone constitutes Texas cooking. When I think of traditional Texan food I think bar-b-q. Steaks are good, Texas beef the best of course, but I’ve had good steaks many places. If I want good brisket or other forms of BBQ, Texas is really the only place to go.

If the Spur was closer to Tyler I would not object to going more often. As it is, the drive makes it a lot of work. The food is good but it’s also pricey, and given the inconvenience of travel, and the propensity to occasionally run out of food it can be a gamble. One other thing, be sure any guests you bring along are good sports. If they’re adverse to any risk and not adventurous dinners, or if they don’t appreciate the novelty or local color, take them to Luby’s. At least they’ll know what they’re getting and you won’t have to hear about for the rest of the night. For more information on the Sacred Spur see the following web pages: http://www.facebook.com/pages/East-Mountain-TX/The-Sacred-Spur-Ranch/152459857514, or http://www.myspace.com/thesacredspurranch. Also, check out the report by KETK, http://www.ketknbc.com/news/eats-texas-the-sacred-spur-ranch. Lastly, look for the title, Sacred Spur Ranch – A rustic authentic Cowboy ranch restaurant, located elsewhere on this site.

Linda R Hoak, Attorney at law

February 10th, 2010

Linda R Hoak has an attorney office located at 218 N. College Ave., Tyler, Texas 75702. She is a family lawyer for divorce and/or custody. I know these type of things are not easy to talk about and marriage is intended to last, but the reality is some marriages don’t make it. Linda Hoak is a good lawyer, because she cares for you personally and will always give you the big picture. She runs you through all the instances and prepares you for the worst, in case you need to go through that.

What impressed me most about her is that she was so willing to spend a lot of time answering all the questions I had. It was so good to become informed about the things that could happen when your marriage is not working and you have a child together. When there aren’t children involved, it was much easier to get a divorce. There are so many things to consider about a child, it is complicated. Linda Hoak encourages you to work on your marriage, but like I said sometimes you must divorce for the safety of your child or yourself. She was so informative about what the law in Texas will allow.

I was truly glad I went, the service was great and everyone welcomed me and were very helpful. She is very professional and honest. I was worried as to how do you know how to trust, when it comes to getting help on my situation. I found her on line from the Internet and decided to go and have a talk with her about my concerns. The visitation would have cost $50.00 which is not a lot of money, if your marriage is in danger and you could possibly lose your children.

One of the nice things was that while I was talking to the receptionists she told me that one of the attorneys policies is Fridays are free. So if money is an issue and you need a lawyer, try to go talk to her on Friday. Finding a good lawyer is hard, especially to find someone who really cares about you and your family. I was so impressed at how well informed she was and was not in a hurry to get over, even though she knew I wasn’t seeking a divorce lawyer, but just needed some legal advice.

You can rest assured that whatever you tell her is confidential. She knows your family is your life and people work hard for their money. She will listen to all you express to her and she won’t offer you advice that will harm your family. Her areas of practice are: divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, CPS cases, wills, medicaid, planning, paternity, and also estate planning. Her website describes in detail the things available. If you need a lawyer, take look at her site.

Papa Murphy’s in Tyler Texas

January 17th, 2010

Papa Murphy’s Take and Bake Pizza

3868 Hwy 64
Tyler 75704
903 531 9500

We enjoy home-made pizzas so I had to be persuaded to try out Papa Murphy’s. I was pleasantly surprised at the outcome!

Papa Murphy’s isn’t your usual pizza place. It’s a bit like – Hmmm – Subway for pizzas!

First you choose and pay for the size and type of pizza you like and if you want a custom pizza you look at all the toppings and decide which you want. Then you watch while they artistically make your pizza in front of you using lots of fresh ingredients. You can comment as they add the toppings – ‘a little more please’, ‘onions on just half the pizza’ and so on until hey presto, the pizza is finished and ready to take home and cook. We had a pizza that was 1/3 pepperoni and 2/3 crispy bacon and pineapple. They absolutely loaded on the toppings, there was no holding back at this place! I haven’t tried the side dishes but they look good too. There is also a low fat ‘lite’ pizza.

The pizzas are double wrapped and baking instructions are included. I love that you can cook it on the tray it comes on too. The result was delicious.

I have to admit to stopping at Papa Murphy’s most Fridays now (it’s our ‘family night’) and in fact, I have now completed a rewards card – if you buy 6 large pizzas you get one free. Sometimes I call ahead with my order so I don’t have to wait for it to be made and at other times I just like to go in and watch it being done!

Try Papa Murphy’s – there are 3 in Tyler so there’s no excuse!
www. papamurphys. com
PS. Papa Murphy has been voted Best Pizza Chain in America for several years.