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Reviewing businesses with a positive approach is much more my style, and it is with regrets to have to review this restaurant http://www.ponderosasteakhouses.com with such a negative review. This...
Reviewing businesses with a positive approach is much more my style, and it is with regrets to have to review this restaurant http://www.ponderosasteakhouses.com with such a negative review. This evening I thought about all the recent advertising seen about the “New Buffet Bar” at Ponderosa Steak House located at 6204 North Illinois Street, Fairview Heights, Illinois, so I thought why not give them another chance.
Entering the restaurant with debris and dirty tables throughout should have been a good indication for me and my guests to leave, but the advertisement said, “try our new Buffet Bar”, so with that in mind we paid for our buffets. The hostess was friendly and smiled as she rang up our receipts for the buffets. She said we could sit anywhere there was a vacant table, so we proceeded into the dining area to find all dirty tables. I had to ask one of the servers to clean a table for us to be seated. I only saw two servers throughout the dining area, so this may be part of the why the restaurant looked like it did. Our server approached our table within a reasonable time to take our receipts and bring our drink order. He was friendly and smiled.
The buffet was far from being new, and desirable to anyone. The food was messy and scattered about. Most of the trays were less than half full and definitely not appetizing. I walked over to the soup bar, which consisted of broccoli soup and chili. The chili was cold and definitely not anything you would want to eat. The dessert bar was full of crumbs and food everywhere. This was such a waste of money and time, and I know that there will be no third chance at this restaurant. The only item that looked worth eating was the chicken wings. I filled my plate with a few wings, a small amount of Jell-O, and drank my soda. This was definitely not worth $9.95. The only reason I am giving this restaurant one star is because the hostess and server were friendly.
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Tonight, I was really hungry for good ole fashion Chicken n’ Dumplins, and the first place that came to mind was The Cracker Barrel Old County Store Restaurant, located conveniently off I-64 and...
Tonight, I was really hungry for good ole fashion Chicken n’ Dumplins, and the first place that came to mind was The Cracker Barrel Old County Store Restaurant, located conveniently off I-64 and Green Mount Road, Shiloh, Illinois. This is a restaurant where you will delight your taste buds with plentiful servings of good home cooked food. We were greeted by one of the retail customer services representatives as we entered this old fashion store where shopping for a special sweet, or gift would be no problem. The old country store has gifts for the holidays displayed tastefully throughout.
Our wait was much too short for I didn’t have time to browse, and enjoy all the wonderful items in the Old Country Retail Store. I barely had enough time to show my husband the beautiful sweatshirts designed for Christmas. We walked through the dining rooms sectioned off with wonderful nostalgic décor everywhere. The warm fireplace warmed my hands as we continued to our table. Our waitress greeted us with a warm welcome and hello as she took our drink order.
I knew exactly what I wanted to order from the menu since I had a strong craving all day for this wonderful meal. I checked the menu for new items, and noticed the Roast Pork Platter served with mashed potatoes, carrots, salad, corn muffins and biscuits, but decided to stick with the Chicken n’ Dumplins, mashed potatoes with milk gravy, corn, salad, fried apples, corn muffins, and biscuits. Yes, this is a lot to eat and I did a pretty good job in leaving my plate empty. The prices on the menu are reasonable for the great tasting home cooking and portions served. Visit The Old Country Cracker Barrel Store and Restaurant http://crackerbarrel.com to find a location near you.
Dessert wasn’t an option this evening, but I will save room next visit for a wonderful choice from their dessert menu.
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It means a lot to know you can make a call to one of your local florist to arrange, and deliver that special plant or flower arrangement. Krupp’s Florist located at 3700 West Main Street,...
It means a lot to know you can make a call to one of your local florist to arrange, and deliver that special plant or flower arrangement. Krupp’s Florist located at 3700 West Main Street, Belleville, Illinois is a florist that I have trusted to arrange and deliver for me for the past eight years. The personal touch given to each order makes this florist an A+ rated area people’s choice. This is probably why our local newspapers have given them the award for “People’s Choice.
A family owned/operated business since 1955 will explain one of the reasons Krupp’s has been successful for so many years. They carry fresh flowers everyday along with plants, candy, gifts, or balloons to make every arrangement special. Krupp’s offers FTD, Teleflora, and local services everyday except Sunday.
The cute designed vans that will pull up to your door when they have a delivery for you will truly make you feel like your receiving a special gift. The vans are white with a red ribbon on them that are designed like a package.
I know Monday morning when I call my order in for a comfort plant to be delivered that same day to a local funeral home, I will be very proud of what they sent for me.
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Russell Stover’s Candies, Coffee, and Ice Cream recently opened a new store located at 5503 N. Illinois Street in Fairview Heights, Illinois. I walked into this lovely ice cream parlor featuring 24...
Russell Stover’s Candies, Coffee, and Ice Cream recently opened a new store located at 5503 N. Illinois Street in Fairview Heights, Illinois. I walked into this lovely ice cream parlor featuring 24 flavors of hand dipped Velvet Ice Cream last week to check out the store and satisfy my hunger for an old fashion malt. Entering the new store you could not help but notice how light and airy it was. The displays were all around you with friendly ladies to assist you. The store was well organized and all of the items displayed nicely.
My first stop was the Ice Cream parlor to order a Marshmallow malt to satisfy my craving. I drank my delicious malt and walked through the store noticing the display of Russell Stover’s full line of home made candy, fudge, caramel apples, nuts, kids candy corner, gift baskets, and my favorite the coffee bar with all the wonderful specialties. The prices are very reasonable.
The neat thing about Russell Stover’s is you can purchase a box of candy already gift wrapped, or select your very own favorites. They will box them for you. I prefer to select my own. A favorite of mine is the light chocolate Bordeaux. It’s apparent this new store location is ready for the holidays with such a wonderful assortment of sweets and gift ideas for everyone. This will be a stop for me during the holidays, to try their delicious hot chocolate.
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Shipping seems like a hobby to me with my daughter living in the state of Washington, and lucky for me The UPS Store, located at 5720 Northbelt West, Belleville, Illinois 62226 is only a few minutes...
Shipping seems like a hobby to me with my daughter living in the state of Washington, and lucky for me The UPS Store, located at 5720 Northbelt West, Belleville, Illinois 62226 is only a few minutes from where I live. The UPS Store offers mailing and shipping, packing, copying, faxing, notary, and so much more.
Shipping packages to Washington almost every other week has been very easy for me to do with the help of this store. You can go on line to track your package via internet. Faxing has been another useful tool that has helped me with my home-based business.
The owners of the store are ready to assist with your every need in shipping or office service. The welcome mat is always a nice way to be greeted when entering the store. The store is clean and well organized.
The store hours are 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM, Monday through Friday, and 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM on Saturday. It makes me feel good to know there is a place to take all of my shipping to with the holidays right around the corner. To locate a UPS store near your visit http://www.ups.com.
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Tonight the baseball playoffs were on Television so we decided to order our dinner in. We hadn't had Chinese for awhile so decided this would be a good choice. A new China Dragon Restaurant opened...
Tonight the baseball playoffs were on Television so we decided to order our dinner in. We hadn't had Chinese for awhile so decided this would be a good choice. A new China Dragon Restaurant opened not too far from where we live so we thought we would give it a try. China Dragon is located at 9 Bellevue Park Plaza, Belleville, Illinois.
I called in the order and the lady that answered the phone was pleasant. I explained to her this was the first time ordering from them so I may have a question or two. She said no problem and was very helpful. I ordered the Orange Peel Chicken which was a new dish for us, House Fried Rice, Veggie Lo Mein, and Won-Ton Soup. Since the Orange Peel Chicken was a new dish, I asked if it had a sweet sauce. She told me the sauce was sweet and a popular dish ordered by many customers.
Paying for the order was easy and done by phone. The items were reasonable and came to around $20.00. The dinner arrived within the time she gave me over the phone, and the delivery lady was very pleasant.
We enjoyed eating our dinner while being entertained by The St. Louis Cardinals. The food was tasty but still does not compare to the great Chinese Restaurants in California.
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Located in The Country Club Plaza at 5720 North Belt West, Belleville, Illinois makes shopping at Schnuck’s a breeze for me to shop for my groceries before or after work. The store hours are from 6...
Located in The Country Club Plaza at 5720 North Belt West, Belleville, Illinois makes shopping at Schnuck’s a breeze for me to shop for my groceries before or after work. The store hours are from 6 am to 12 midnights. This is one of my favorite places to purchase my groceries and shop for other items I need throughout the week.
My first stop is usually the deli to buy the wonderful fresh ambrosia salad made daily. You can also purchase your fresh lunch meats and cheeses, many different salads, or a special dessert for the evening. My favorite is the bread pudding with a wonderful sauce to enhance the flavor. I can always find fresh veggies in the produce, fresh shrimp from the fish counter, or that special roast for dinner at the fresh meat counter.
Step up to the wonderful open salad bar with several choices to relax and take a break before shopping. Schnuck’s has a few tables and chairs for you to enjoy your favorite snack. The salad bar also offers two soups daily along with two special entrées.
One of the conveniences for my shopping at Schnuck's are the fresh flowers, gifts for everyone, a pharmacy, a bank, and a friendly customer service counter to allow you to pick-up your lotto tickets, money orders, postage, or return items.
Their prices are very competitive with other local stores in the area. They have found a way to help make my shopping a little easier.
If you would like to find a Schnucks near you, visit their website http://www.schnucks.com
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Located in Orange, California is one of the most elegant dining experiences, I have ever had. The Hobbit Restaurant a five star cuisine is located at 2932 E. Chapman Avenue, Orange, California. ...
Located in Orange, California is one of the most elegant dining experiences, I have ever had. The Hobbit Restaurant a five star cuisine is located at 2932 E. Chapman Avenue, Orange, California. This unique experience of fine dining started in 1972 offering a seven course prix-fixe menu Wednesday through Saturday beginning at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 7:00 p.m. The term “Contemporary Continental” best describes what your taste buds are about to experience. The main course changes weekly with many options to allow you to plan your visit of fine dining. The prices for this dining experience are currently $69.00 per person without tax, or your wine selection from the massive wine cellar. Our total cost for a party of four that evening came to around $550.00. Hurry, because I understand the prices will go up soon.
Walking into this elegant restaurant with my husband, brother, and friend caught me in awe for several moments with such elegance ambiance. The hosts with warm friendly smiles greeted us. They immediately directed us to their fine Wine Cellar to start sampling. We were also served hot and cold hors d’oeuvres.
After about 30 minutes of sampling the wines you are brought back upstairs and seated at your table. This was good for me since I was staring to get a little lightheaded. My husband has always said, I am a lightweight. The first entrée served is the appetizer, next a salad, and then fowl or fish. I enjoyed the fowl. It was absolutely wonderful. Once you have completed these entrées you take a short intermission, allowing you time to walk around and talk with the other guests. As I walked around I noticed a beautiful antique table with a flower arrangement and hanging above was a picture frame explaining the definition of a Hobbit. This was very interesting. After the intermission you are served sorbet, the main course, which was beef with a wonderful sauce, and of course to complete the meal, dessert.
Leave your jeans at home and get your jacket men, since this is a dress code requirement. Ties are optional to give you a little breathing room to enjoy this wonderful dining experience. The Hobbit offers special feature entrées for additional fees.
This dining experience was a one in a lifetime that I will never forget. I would recommend The Hobbit for a special occasion or if you want to plan ahead for a terrific evening of dining. You will will need to plan making your reservations at least six months prior to actually visiting The Hobbit. For more information regarding The Hobbit visit their website at www.thehobbitrestaurant.com. Bon appetite!
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Good Ol’ Days Family Restaurant located in a small Midwestern Illinois town, New Baden right off Highway 64 at 5 East Hanover serves up good old fashion goodness daily. They serve breakfast, lunch,...
Good Ol’ Days Family Restaurant located in a small Midwestern Illinois town, New Baden right off Highway 64 at 5 East Hanover serves up good old fashion goodness daily. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily starting at 6:00AM. Friendly servers greet you as they walk you to your table. Walking through the restaurant, which has three big rooms for guests will capture your eyes with the wonderful décor of yesteryear.
They have so many items to select from on the menu it will be a difficult choice. My favorite is the fried chicken “all you can eat” dinner for $6.95. The neat thing about this all you can eat dinner is you are served mashed potatoes, gravy, cole slaw, corn, green beans, applesauce, and large hot rolls in side bowls. You will not leave the table hungry with all the refills your allowed. It’s so hard to save room for that special homemade pie or cake, but once you see what The Good Ol’ Days has baked up for dessert you will not be able to say no to your favorite piece of chocolate, banana, cherry, apple, peanut butter, Boston cream, or sugar-free pie. My brother always has the cherry sugar-free pie, and absolutely loves it. I usually am so full from the delicious dinner; I go for the good old fashion one scoop chocolate sundae. Yes, I have whipped cream. nuts, and a cherry on top.
If you have a party of six or more I would advise you make reservations, especially on Sunday afternoon. The wait can be a bit long, but definitely well worth it. If you feel like enjoying a nice Sunday dinner for great prices, visit this http://www.goodoldays.net for more menu selections
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Trade Secret featured in the September issue of Cosmopolitan located in St. Clair Shopping Mall, Fairview Heights, Illinois is my favorite place to shop for beauty supplies. The shop carries over...
Trade Secret featured in the September issue of Cosmopolitan located in St. Clair Shopping Mall, Fairview Heights, Illinois is my favorite place to shop for beauty supplies. The shop carries over 50 different brands of hair care products, hair accessories, and styling tools. They have a professional stylist available to cut, shampoo, perm, color, highlight, waxing, and relaxing your hair as desired. The prices for these services range from $5-40.00 depending what you choose to have done. I love trying new products and Trade Secret always has samples for you to take home with you. Trade Secret offers gift cards which can be purchased online from their website www.tradesecret.com. The products must be purchased at one of their shops for a one-on-one service available to you. The discount calendar offers you many specials throughout the month on all of the products and services. My favorite is the birthday club. I get $5.00 off on my birthday for any purchase. It would be nice if you were able to purchase through their website, but until this option is available you can locate a store close to you by entering your zip code in the locater. Allow yourself at least 30 minutes to 1 hour for shopping because once you arrive you will love looking at everything they offer. I always have fun shopping here, and I bet you do, too.
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