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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.

Applebees A Neighborhood Grill In Tyler

December 14th, 2009

Applebee’s

5502 South Broadway Avenue
Tyler, TX 75703-4355
(903) 509-4848

Applebee’s is known as the “Neighborhood Grill”. I would not ever say that I feel like I am eating with Tyler TX neighbors or feel comfortable. More times than one have I sat in frustration for much to long with no food nor drink and waiting for service.

In Atlanta Georgia the first Applebee’s was opened by Bill and T.J. Palmer in 1980. Now almost 30 years later Applebee’s is one of the largest restaurants chains in the United States. Applebee’s claims to focus on good food and great service, only a couple of the times that I have gone there and the service has been good.

The menu is full of a large selection and great prices. For the most part, you can not go wrong with the food. I have not had anything that I did not like. Pick from the many different appetizers, salads, steaks, pastas, ribs or steaks, chicken, or seafood. Also top off your meal with a delicious dessert. Try one of the three dessert shooter, strawberry cheesecake, chocolate mousse, or hot fudge sundae. Or try one of the delicious baked desserts. Let your kids choose between a kid’s size Oreo cookie sundae, or Oreo cookie shake. Applebee’s has it’s own section of the menu for Weight Watchers. Each item has less-calories.

If you want to have a place to go out with your friends watch a game or hang out and talk, Applebee’s has an large bar with all your favorite beers on tap; Miller, Coors, Bud Light, Budweiser, Corona, Blue Moon, Michelob Ultra, Heineken, and Samuel Adams. Or sit back and enjoy a Margarita, Sangria, Cocktail, Martini, or one of their other “refreshing favorites”. Enjoy a glass of white or red wines.

When you walk into the Applebee’s Tyler restaurant you will enjoy the décor of the antique pictures and fun antique pieces. Many times that I have been to Applebee’s, the servers always got something wrong; over-charged, orders came out wrong, and it took forever for drinks to be filled. It seems like the best service you get is when you call for “carside to go service”. In 2004 Applebee’s started the “Carside To Go”. This is one of the greatest ideas in the causal-dining business world. You simply call in, order, and they bring your food right to your car.

Though I do not enjoy the frustrating service and at times long waits, the food is great and prices make the food even better. If you want to enjoy food at home and not mess with the cooking, or clean the mess, call and pick up a great meal!