Wilson Cafe, Wilson, AR

Wilson Cafe

Wilson Cafe 

MAP

Although I normally don't give an individual separate page to a restaurant I have already reviewed, Wilson Cafe will probably be one of my few exceptions. I've been there a few times now and everything I've had has been fantastic, and I've ordered something completely different every time I've been which is somewhat unusual for me since I normally go to a specific restaurant for a specific item.

It's in Wilson, Arkansas on North Jefferson Street right at the corner of Main Street, which is about a 30-60 minute drive from the Memphis area depending on where you leave from and depending on traffic. The Hernando Desoto Bridge in Memphis (the main TN/AR bridge) is closed right now due to a break in one of the beams so you have to take the "old" Memphis/Arkansas bridge, and during rush hour it's usually egregiously backed up. I went over this past Saturday evening and it wasn't too bad.

As a side note, the street at the intersection where the restaurant is located is a one-way street so to be legal you have to go the next street just a few feet away and circle around to it. There was a police officer sitting right near the intersection and I presume that if anyone had turned the wrong way on the one-way street, they may have been pulled over.

This time I ordered the daily special which was blackened catfish over a bed of shrimp and corn hash and it was fantastic, just like everything else I've had there.

They aren't cheap, but they aren't particularly expensive for what you get. My total before tip was around $42 but that included a side salad and a glass of wine. Without the wine, it would have only been around $31 which is excellent, considering you can spend $20 or $25 for a full entree at somewhere like O'Charley's.

I can't say enough about this place and if you're ever in the area or want to take a short trip, it's definitely worth the drive.

Bazaar at Fitzgerald Casino, Tunica, MS

Bazaar

MAP 

Even though I do gamble occasionally, I don't necessarily recommend it to anyone, however, there are plenty of good restaurants at the casinos if you don't mind a short drive and of course you can eat at any casino restaurant even if you don't gamble.

I usually go to Fitzgerald Casino and even though I have posted about them before, they have a relatively new restaurant. The Bazaar sells pizza, tacos, quesadillas, and a couple of types of sandwiches. Fitz casino is off by itself, near the Tunica River Park, which is worth seeing itself. I took a dinner theater riverboat cruise from there a few years ago and really enjoyed it. It's not related to the casinos. It just happens to be near one.

I was there yesterday and tried the chicken quesadilla and I was really impressed. It was ready in just a few minutes after I ordered it and it was very good, one of the best I've had. If you are down that way or if you go anyway, I highly recommend it. The total was about $10 although I had a comp for it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also just as a side note, I was there Friday and went to the buffet. The food was good but it's no longer "all you can eat." Instead, it's now one trip, they serve you, and you can only get as much as one to-go container will hold (although you can eat while you are there). You can get one canned drink or one bottle of water only. That's not a big deal for some people but it is for others so I thought it was worth mentioning.

 

I don't remember how much it was but I think it's around $15 per person if you don't have a casino comp.

 

Saito Japanese, Bartlett, TN

Saito

MAP 

Saito is a Japanese restaurant in Bartlett on Stage Road just west of Kirby Whitten. I went there this past Thursday for dinner and it was fantastic.

I ordered the dinner bento box which came with chicken, shrimp, shrimp sushi, dumplings, rice, and green bean pods, and a salad and soup. I was very impressed and definitely will be back.

They aren't particular cheap but they aren't over priced. My total including a drink was about $25 before tip which wasn't bad considering the amount of food I got.

Afterward, there was impromptu weekly car show in the parking lot so I got to see a bunch of nice cars too.

Holly's Kitchen, Munford, TN

Holly's Kitchen

MAP 

Holly's Kitchen is a small privately owned restaurant in Munford, at the corner of Reeder Avenue and Beaver Road next to the gas station, a few blocks northwest of Highway 51. I went there late Saturday morning (they are only open until 2 PM) for lunch.

I had high hopes when I first went in. They were pretty busy which is usually a good sign and I was told that they serve anything on the menu anytime they are open which is a big plus for me because I usually don't get stereotypical breakfast food.

Unfortunately, I was underwhelmed by the food. I don't like giving negative reviews but I like to be honest otherwise my blog is useless. The service was pretty good although it took a while for the food to come out, but I can chalk that up to them advertising that they are hiring cooks. Everyone I spoke to was friendly.

I ordered a club sandwich with a side of steak fries and macaroni and cheese. The sandwich only came with one side and I wanted to try those two things so one side was an additional cost. The sandwich was okay but nothing to write home about but both of the side items both had very little taste. I had to put a lot of salt on both for them to be mediocre.

The total was a little over $12 including a drink, extra side, and tax, which isn't bad for the amount of food I got. I will be back if I'm in the area to give them another chance. I'm hoping maybe they were just having a bad day due to being short on cooks.

If you're in the area and try them and have better luck with the food let me know.