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Newk’s Express Cafe in Tyler TX

March 13th, 2011

Newk's

Newk’s is a little cafe in Tyler TX in a very big facility. It sits right behind Carino’s Italian Grill and while Carino’s may take 45 minutes to get your food out Newk’s will usually only take 5 – 10 minutes.

While Newk’s is fast in getting your food to you they are also cooking up some pretty tasty stuff. Newk’s does not hide the fact that they rely in large part on a microwave (they do not actually use microwaves) or toaster oven to heat your food as the name “Newk’s” seems to say it all.

Newk’s is very convenient, fast, and delicious and during lunch time and after church is hugely popular. Newk’s Express Cafe has an oddly similar name to Cafe Express. The two different chains have similar salad choices and gourmet salad garnishment counters.

Newk’s was started by a former head guy of McAllister’s Deli and seems to be strategically placing their chain in every popular city McAllisters has had success in.

If I had to pick between Newk’s, Cafe Express, and McAllisters I would go with Cafe Express as my first choice as their salads are quite a bit more enjoyable. My second choice would be Newk’s because I like their sandwiches better than what McAllister’s has to offer. My 3rd choice would be McAllister’s Deli, unless I need free wifi internet, because their salads are gross, their sandwiches are ok, and when you order chili they put about two strands of cheese and 3 paper thin onions on top? Chili ain’t no good if it don’t have no cheese and onions on it!

Update (Friday 4-29-2011 we received this email from John Albriton)

“I wanted to contact you regarding the article you wrote about Newk’s Express Cafe in Tyler, TX. The name Newk’s is not to suggest that we use microwave’s to cook our food, it is short for the founders last name Newcomb. In fact, we do not have a single microwave in the building. I would appreciate it if this could be corrected as it is misleading and certainly doesn’t project a good impression when you think of fresh food fast. Thanks Sincerely John Albriton”

I and many others first thought when seeing the restaurant constructed that it was some type of microwave reference. I am afraid your brand name will always have this unintended confusing meaning. You should go give your brand guy a kick in the pants. Anyway I like your restaurant. Sorry not every article on the internet about your company is 100 % positive but wouldn’t that look a little misleading if everything people wrote looked like a sales pitch?

Finally, I haven’t tried their chili over at Newk’s yet but I did see a couple eating it and they both had their own order. The chili had tons of cheese all over it and I assume they held the onions. Now if only Newk’s could copy McAllister’s chili bread bowl and I think they would be a successful traitor.

Newk's Express Cafe in Tyler TX

Newk's in Tyler TX

Rick’s on the Square

January 7th, 2011

Tyler Texas Bars and Music VenuesI have to start by saying that Rick’s on the Square was a second choice, a B plan, for a lunch that went wrong.

As I rolled into the only parking space available in the square I was in no mood to be disappointed and left hungry again.

Upon entering Rick’s on the Square I was overwhelmed by the size of the place and the lunch crowd that had made it to a restaurant I had only heard of in passing.

Being led to a table near the outdoor area I was able to see to some degree the luxury that those who were seated there were given.

With fancy tablecloths and elaborate center pieces coupled with the outdoor beauties that only an outdoor space surrounded by walls can offer, I knew I was on the outside looking in.

The restaurant had a kind of jazz club feel to it, but in an area of town where the lunch crowd is a bunch of snoody lawyers talking about their recent boat purchases and the upcoming company retreats it feels a tad out of place.

The decor was really out of place, it was an attempt to look artsy without knowing what artsy looks like. I only had a few minutes to depict the atmosphere before my waitress arrived.

She handed out menus and took drink orders with fewer words than I thought possible. I was content with drinking my ice water and listening to the lawyers as I waited for her to return which took fewer than ten minutes. She took my order and once again disappeared and returned to fill my drink as I wait.

The order didn’t take nearly as long as I thought and the food was exceptional so I sent my comments to the chef via the waitress and I’m sure she probably just told him ‘good’, so that was the best I would get to him.

The bill came back larger than anticipated from a sandwich but was happy to pay it since the food did its job.

I was at Rick’s on the Square during lunch hours so I can’t speak as to how their later hour dining is, but I’ve been told its a social scene for singles in their twenties, and if that’s the case I’m sure I’ll be back there to socialize with the bright young minds of Tyler’s college crowds.