"What Were They Thinking Thursday!!??" - T-Town Tex-Mex

What's the deal with all the Tex-Mex in Tyler? There are 43 Mexican food restaurants in the greater Tyler area, yes I counted them in the phonebook. Most of them are not very good. Cancun cafe, you can skip that one.

Every time a new restaurant is opening, I get excited about what we might get and then the sign goes up and it's another Tex-Mex place that will probably only make it 6 months before shutting down. How about some variety folks! I would kill for some good chinese food or how about a Cheesecake Factory? La Madeline? Please Please come to Tyler!


When I was visiting my husband in California when we were just dating, we went out to eat at like the only Mexican food place in the area and this is how our conversation went:


Me:    "Do they have Queso here? 
Eric:  "Queso means cheese in Spanish." 
Me:    "I know, I know, do they have queso?"
Eric:   "I am sure they have cheese on stuff."
Me, getting very frustrated at this point:   "No, do they have QUESO! You know, the cheese dip that you eat with tortilla chips!"


Needless to say he didn't have a clue what I was talking about because apparently Californians don't have Tex-Mex.


I will say that we have been getting some better things these last few months. Chuys, finally! Panera Bread soon and a Corner Bakery! I can't wait! But seriously, what are they thinking with all these Mexican Food places. Let's list some off:


1. Cancun Cafe
2. Carretas
3. Casa Ole
4. Cosina Mexicana
5. Don Juans
6. El Charro
7. Lupes
8. Mercados
9. On the Border
10. Papacitas
11. Posados
12. Salsaritas
13. El Lugar
14. The Jalapeno Tree
15. Chuy's........


The list goes on and on! Out of those 15 I can honestly say I only like 2, Chuy's and Don Juans. What about you? Are you crazy for Tex Mex or do you think we need some variety here!


~Jessica

The Pulp - Double D Ranch Grill & Bar in Tyler, Texas

Double D Ranch Grill & Bar is coming to Tyler.  This is a restaurant like Hooters, Twin Peaks, etc.  Voluptuous women serving burgers, wings and beer.  This is their description on Facebook "For those who have an appreciative eye, a thirst for cold beer and a hunger for bold flavors. Watch your favorite game on our big screen TVs!"  Here's a link to their website and you will see what I mean.


http://ddranchhouse.com/?page_id=29


Many women, especially moms are upset by this and plan to boycott in their own way.  I have gotten emails and seen the controversy on the news.  Obviously this restaurant is geared toward men and normally I am fine with that.  I think a new establishment in Tyler is a good thing, however, the location of this particular restaurant is a big problem.  It is in the Toys R Us and Babies R Us parking lot, across the street from the high school and the kids dance studio is behind it.  It's surrounded by children.  I can tell you, many moms are not happy about this at all!  

The rumor is that Toys R Us owns the property and are allowing them to put this restaurant there.  Anything to make a buck even compromise the innocence of children.   I personally won't eat there and will drive to Target and Walmart for toys.  I have a boy so it may be an issue when he gets to high school but luckily for now I can just avoid that area.  Being I'm not their demographic, I don't know how much effect my avoidance will have.


Will this controversy blow over, will it always be an issue every time you drive by and see it?  So the question is...How does having a restaurant like this affect a community?  What are your thoughts and what would you do?   ~Brandy