Hazel's Family Restaurant, Olive Branch, MS

Hazel's

MAP

Hazel's is a small family diner on Goodman Road in the shopping center at the northwest corner of Craft Road in Olive Branch. I went there today for lunch after running some errands.

Overall, the experience was ok, but I was a little put off by the fact that they after bringing my food out, nobody ever checked back to see if I needed anything. I am NOT the kind of person that needs to have my butt kissed at all, but after taking my order, someone brought my food out and set the food and the check on the table and after that, no one else spoke to me again, even to ask if everything was ok. The few interactions I had with them were pleasant though.

That said, however, the food was good. I got a club sandwich and onion rings. The onion rings were very slightly chewy, but they tasted good and the sandwich tasted good and had plenty of meat on it. It had plenty of mayo on it too.That's not a criticism at all, it's just worth mentioning because not everyone likes that much mayo, but I do.

A lady across from me got the daily catfish special and it looked pretty good. All that said, I would definitely go back if I'm near it.

Prices seem to be reasonable. My sandwich with onion rings, a drink, and tax was $10.01 before tip, which I thought was very reasonable for what I got. I did leave a tip, just not as much of one as I would have normally left. I'm not the kind of person that leaves no tip unless the service is just horrible, which it wasn't.

They seem to cater to an older crowd, at least that's how it seemed today. I was the only person in there under about 70, but that's not any kind kind of problem, just an observation.

Huey's Collierville, TN

Huey's

MAP

Huey's is a local chain with several locations and I went to the one in Collierville tonight on Poplar Avenue at Houston Levee. I have an unpopular opinion about Huey's. Many people rave about how great their burgers are but in my opinion, I have had much better burgers at other places.

That said, I don't dislike Huey's. Their burgers are average or slightly above average, with a lot of options for add-ons. I went there tonight because somewhere else I was going was closed. Instead of a burger, I got a sausage and cheese plate which was pretty good. The honey mustard dressing that came with it was really good and the barbecue sauce was pretty good too.

The total with drink and tip was about $15.00. I definitely don't mind eating there, it just isn't my first choice when it comes to hamburgers.

TGI Friday's, Southaven, MS

Friday's

MAP

Friday's is a chain restaurant with locations in many cities. They used to be really exceptional, but in the last few years, they seem to have regressed to average, just like many other chains. Still, their food is good and I still go there from time to time.

I went there this past Sunday night to the Southaven location on Goodman Road because I went to eat kind of late and not much else was open. They have an endless appetizer special that is now standard on the menu and for what you get, it's a good deal. You can choose endless refills from most the available appetizers.

I got the mozzarella sticks, boneless buffalo wings. and boneless garlic Parmesan wings. Their wings are average, but average is not bad at all, and as I stated, it's unlimited refills until 10:00 PM, and the mozzarella sticks are pretty good.

Prices are also average. I spent a total of about $20.00 including a drink, and tax and tip. It isn't one of my first choices any more (they used to be) but I will definitely still go there.

Mish Mash time again

Just a few pictures from places I've already posted about.

Avellino's from 4/12/18, the Sausage and Pepper Sub

Caminos from 4/13/18, the Chicken Taco Salad

The Country Skillet from 3/25/18, the country fried steak with mashed potatoes and northern beans

The Neighborhood Grill from 4/17/18, the country fried steak and a breakfast ham sandwich

South of Beale, from 3/26/18 the duck patty melt, and 4/9/18 the Philadelphia Cheese-steak Burger

 

The Shake Shack, Marion, AR

The Shake Shack

MAP

The Shake Shack is a diner on East Military Road just off I-55 in Marion, AR. I found it randomly during a Google search and decided to try it. I went there this morning early but found out they serve the entire menu any time so I ordered a burger.

I got the Pizza Burger, and to be honest, it wasn't what I expected, but it was very good. It's mozzarella cheese fried and served like a burger. I would definitely get it again. The prices were really good. The burger, fries, and a drink was less than $9.00 including tax.

The owner was clearly and Elvis fan. The restaurant was decorated with Elvis memorabilia!

I plan on going back soon and trying some of the other items. The regular burgers looked great.

Hickory Tavern, Collierville, TN

Hickorty Tavern

MAP

Hickory Tavern is a chain, but one that I was unaware of until yesterday. A friend of mine is a singer and he posted that he was going to be singing at this location tonight, so I decided to try it out. The food was great, and so was the entertainment. My friend set up in a corner and the volume level was perfect, not to loud, but loud enough to hear.

The restaurant is in Collierville on Merchants Park Circle in the Shops of Carriage Crossing, behind Dillard's.

I ordered something called the Smothered Chicken and it was great. It was a grilled chicken breast smothered in onions, mushroom, and cheese, and came with a side item (I ordered a loaded baked potato) and also a small salad with what I believe was raspberry vinaigrette dressing.  Prices were about average for a bar and grill. The entree and drink was about $17.00 before tip.

My friend said he sings there most Tuesday nights if you want to check it out. Jamie Baker Music

Alfred's on Beale, Memphis, TN

Alfred's

MAP

Alfred's is a bar on Beale, at the corner of South B.B. King Boulevard. I play trumpet, and from time to time, I sit in with the Memphis Jazz Orchestra which plays there most Sunday nights at 6:00 PM. I've had a few of their appetizers, but this past Sunday night I had the cheese and sausage plate, and I have to say, it was literally the best I've had, and I've had some pretty good ones.

I don't drink alcohol to speak of, but they have great food and at least a few nights per month, they have live entertainment and there's usually no cover charge.

Their prices seem to be about average for a bar. The cheese plate, I believe is about $11.00 with tax.

Calypso's Buffet, Isle of Capri Casino, Lula, MS

Calypso

MAP

Isle of Capri is a casino in Lula, MS on Highway 49, right by the bridge to cross over into Helena, AR. The casino used to be Tunica County and was called Lady Luck before it moved to its current location.

I've been there several times and only eaten in the buffet a few times. The last time I was there, the buffet was lacking in quality to be honest, but I went there again this past Wednesday and it was pretty good. They only had a few items available, but what I got was well prepared.

I got a pork chop, a piece of fried fish, a piece of chicken, corn nuggets, green peas, macaroni and cheese, and sauteed mushrooms.

The service was also very good. We were there during the last 30 minutes they were open, but the waiter was great.

The casino also has a regular restaurant and a snack bar, both of which are really good too but I haven't been to either of those recently.

I had a comp for the buffet, but normally it's about $15.00 person I believe.

Baby Jack's BBQ, Bartlett, TN

Baby Jack's

MAP

Baby Jack's is a BBQ shop. They have two locations, one in Bartlett and one in Arlington. I went to the location in Bartlett for lunch this past Friday because I had a coupon. It was really good. The portions were pretty large and there was plenty of food.

I got a barbecue sandwich with beans and fries, and my friend got a barbecue potato, which was huge.

I don't remember exactly how much it was. With the coupon, I think we spent $7 or $8 each.

To be honest, when I first walked in, I thought to myself, "Great. Another fast food BBQ joint" because it looked like a typical fast food place, but the food was great and it isn't really fast food, it's just a serve yourself sort of restaurant.

Highly recommended.

White Trolley Cafe, Corinth, MS

White Trolley

MAP

White Trolley is a small cafe in Corinth, MS on Highway 72, east of Highway 45. They are a Corinth staple, known for their "slug burgers." I actually don't know what the are made of, but they are good. I have also heard them called "dough burgers."

I've been there a number of times, just not recently until this past week. For two burgers, fries, and a drink the total was less than $7.00. They only take cash, so don't try to pay with a credit card.

El Gallo Giro, Memphis, TN

El Gallo

MAP

El Gallo is a small Mexican restaurant I found randomly because a friend of mine checked in there on Facebook. I decided to try it, and it was great! The prices are pretty incredibly. I got a quesadilla, drink, and large cheese dip and the total was less than $11.00 before tip. It would have been a couple of dollars cheaper if I had ordered the regular cheese dip.

I went there yesterday to try it out and was thoroughly impressed. Good food and great prices.

They are on Lamar between Getwell and Winchester. It's convenient for me because it's only a few minutes out of Southaven.

Highly recommended if you like Mexican food!

Renee's Sandwich Shop, Memphis, TN

Renee's

MAP

Renee's is a small sandwich shop in Memphis on G.E. Patterson in downtown, just a couple of blocks east of S. Main. I've been there a number of times and it's always been really good. I normally I get a cheeseburger and onion rings. They have a spicy ketchup that they make in house that's pretty good too. I went there this past Tuesday morning, and it was good as always.

They open early, at 6:00 AM and close pretty early, at 3:30 PM every day except they are closed on Sunday. Prices are about average, the burger and onion rings, and a drink are around $9.00.

They seem to have a pretty good business, so lots of people of like it. I definitely recommend it.