Ming Garden is the best Chinese buffet in Kingsport. Hands Down!
Food - The food was great. I had the Mongolian grill first. You go through the line and pick your own veggies and meat and noodles. Then season it yourself and then the cook prepares it on the grill. Awesome! After the grill I usually get the normal; rice, chicken, etc. Then to finish I downed a plate of mini-doughnuts.
Service - Always great. Drinks never go empty and they clear used plates quickly.
Price - $8.76
Cleanliness - Probably the cleanest Chinese place around. No food on the floor and they do not leave used plates sitting around.
Restroom Cleanliness - NA
Overall - Highly Recommended.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Outback Steakhouse - Bristol, TN
Serveral of us went to the Outback at exit 7 in Bristol on Saturday night. This is only the second time I had eaten there.
I had the Teriyaki Steak w/potatoes and a salad. My wife had the 6 oz. Sirloin w/salad.
Food - We ordered an appetizer of cheese fries first. They were really good and I think Outback may have the best. The salads were a little small but they were good. The teriyaki steak is thick. My sister and I both ordered ours "well" done and they came out just a little pink. Not pink enough to complain about. It tasted great.
Service - Wait time was around 30 minutes. About what you would expect on a Saturday night. While we were waiting they were handing out samples of their Bloomin' Onion. Mmmmm. Our waiter was very good. Drinks never went empty and he checked on us regularly. At the end of the meal he split the appetizer onto all three checks. I like that.
Price - 2 steak dinners with sides for us. Macaroni for our son. Total was $37.
Cleanliness - I did notice some napkins and straw wrappers on the floor but nothing too much.
Bathroom Cleanliness - Very clean. Sink was washed off and smelled good. For a busy Saturday night it was in great shape.
Overall - Highly Recommended.
I had the Teriyaki Steak w/potatoes and a salad. My wife had the 6 oz. Sirloin w/salad.
Food - We ordered an appetizer of cheese fries first. They were really good and I think Outback may have the best. The salads were a little small but they were good. The teriyaki steak is thick. My sister and I both ordered ours "well" done and they came out just a little pink. Not pink enough to complain about. It tasted great.
Service - Wait time was around 30 minutes. About what you would expect on a Saturday night. While we were waiting they were handing out samples of their Bloomin' Onion. Mmmmm. Our waiter was very good. Drinks never went empty and he checked on us regularly. At the end of the meal he split the appetizer onto all three checks. I like that.
Price - 2 steak dinners with sides for us. Macaroni for our son. Total was $37.
Cleanliness - I did notice some napkins and straw wrappers on the floor but nothing too much.
Bathroom Cleanliness - Very clean. Sink was washed off and smelled good. For a busy Saturday night it was in great shape.
Overall - Highly Recommended.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Piccadilly - Kingsport Towne Center
One of my all-time favorite restaurants is Piccadilly. I remember growing up and eating there on Sunday afternoons after church. It has had several renovations since then but you still go through the line and pick your food.
One thing that has changed since I was last there is that you now pay at the end of the food line. Before, you paid on exiting. I think this is better but I wonder how it will work on busy days.
I had fried fish, corn, new potatoes and pumpkin cheescake.
My wife had fried fish, corn, new potatoes and chocolate pie.
Our son had chicken, maccaroni, corn and jello.
Food - The food was terrific. The corn was crisp and flavorful and the pumpkin cheesecake was awesome! The fried fish is always good.
Service - The line went quick as they were not very crowded. The waitress kept our drinks full and was friendly.
Price - $24.67 for three of us.
Cleanliness - Very clean. Tables were clear and I saw no food on the floor.
Restroom Cleanliness - NA
Overall - We could not have asked for a better dinner.
One thing that has changed since I was last there is that you now pay at the end of the food line. Before, you paid on exiting. I think this is better but I wonder how it will work on busy days.
I had fried fish, corn, new potatoes and pumpkin cheescake.
My wife had fried fish, corn, new potatoes and chocolate pie.
Our son had chicken, maccaroni, corn and jello.
Food - The food was terrific. The corn was crisp and flavorful and the pumpkin cheesecake was awesome! The fried fish is always good.
Service - The line went quick as they were not very crowded. The waitress kept our drinks full and was friendly.
Price - $24.67 for three of us.
Cleanliness - Very clean. Tables were clear and I saw no food on the floor.
Restroom Cleanliness - NA
Overall - We could not have asked for a better dinner.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Taco Bell - East Stone Dr. - Kingsport
My wife and I stopped by Taco Bell for dinner last evening.
I had a Mexican Pizza and Grilled Stuft Burrito. My wife had a Cheese Roll-up and a Burrito Supreme.
Food - The food was not bad. Pretty much what you expect at a fast food Mexican place.
Service - When we walked in there was no one in line and the girl working the resgister was leaning on the counter with her head in her hands like she was bored. She did not even welcome us or ask what we wanted. She just stood behind the register and waited for us to start ordering. Once we ordered and paid she returned my card and receipt and walked away. No "Thank You", no "Here's your ticket", nothing.
Price - $12.34 for the two of us.
Cleanliness - There were cup lids all over the floor and the trash disposal area was not clean. The tables were clean.
Restroom Cleanliness - NA
Overall - Food was good. Service was non-existant.
I had a Mexican Pizza and Grilled Stuft Burrito. My wife had a Cheese Roll-up and a Burrito Supreme.
Food - The food was not bad. Pretty much what you expect at a fast food Mexican place.
Service - When we walked in there was no one in line and the girl working the resgister was leaning on the counter with her head in her hands like she was bored. She did not even welcome us or ask what we wanted. She just stood behind the register and waited for us to start ordering. Once we ordered and paid she returned my card and receipt and walked away. No "Thank You", no "Here's your ticket", nothing.
Price - $12.34 for the two of us.
Cleanliness - There were cup lids all over the floor and the trash disposal area was not clean. The tables were clean.
Restroom Cleanliness - NA
Overall - Food was good. Service was non-existant.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Cracker Barrel - Blountville
Last evening we ate at the Blountville Cracker Barrel.
This is probably my wifes favorite place to eat a good home-cooked style meal.
We ate around 5:30. My wife ordered Mama's French Toast breakfast and said it was good., our son had mac & cheese and I ordered Mama's Pancake Breakfast (2 scrambled eggs, bacon and 3 pancakes)
Food - The food was good but not great. We ordered our bacon extra crispy and it was just what I would call normal; as was my wife's. The pancakes were good but they hardly had any butter on them.
Service - We had good service. Food came out hot in about 15 minutes. Drinks were always filled. They gave our son an extra chocolate milk and did not charge us.
Price - The three of us ate for around $23.
Cleanliness - As you know, Cracker Barrel has a store in the waiting area. It was clean and neat. The eating area was also clean.
Restroom Cleanliness - Above average.
This is probably my wifes favorite place to eat a good home-cooked style meal.
We ate around 5:30. My wife ordered Mama's French Toast breakfast and said it was good., our son had mac & cheese and I ordered Mama's Pancake Breakfast (2 scrambled eggs, bacon and 3 pancakes)
Food - The food was good but not great. We ordered our bacon extra crispy and it was just what I would call normal; as was my wife's. The pancakes were good but they hardly had any butter on them.
Service - We had good service. Food came out hot in about 15 minutes. Drinks were always filled. They gave our son an extra chocolate milk and did not charge us.
Price - The three of us ate for around $23.
Cleanliness - As you know, Cracker Barrel has a store in the waiting area. It was clean and neat. The eating area was also clean.
Restroom Cleanliness - Above average.
Friday, November 7, 2008
McAlisters Deli - Kingsport
For lunch today we dropped by McAlisters Deli in Kingsport.
This deli is usually crowded and today was no different.
I ordered the French Dip, side of Baked Lays and Sweet Tea.
Food - This was the best French Dip sandwich I have ever had. The roast beef was very tender and no fat; and the bread was very fresh.
Service - Despite the crowd our food came out in less than 5 minutes. They had workers going around refilling drinks and handing out local papers. We even got a to-go drink.
Price - $8.70 - Average for this type of food at lunch.
Cleanliness - Spotless. The floors and tables were very clean. I noticed that when a couple of tables emptied they were cleaned off quickly.
Restroom Cleanliness - Not applicable.
Overall - They had plenty of staff working and it showed. Good food and good service is what i expect, and I got it today at McAlisters.
This deli is usually crowded and today was no different.
I ordered the French Dip, side of Baked Lays and Sweet Tea.
Food - This was the best French Dip sandwich I have ever had. The roast beef was very tender and no fat; and the bread was very fresh.
Service - Despite the crowd our food came out in less than 5 minutes. They had workers going around refilling drinks and handing out local papers. We even got a to-go drink.
Price - $8.70 - Average for this type of food at lunch.
Cleanliness - Spotless. The floors and tables were very clean. I noticed that when a couple of tables emptied they were cleaned off quickly.
Restroom Cleanliness - Not applicable.
Overall - They had plenty of staff working and it showed. Good food and good service is what i expect, and I got it today at McAlisters.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Pizza Plus - Bloomingdale (Kingsport)
Pizza Plus is a regional pizza chain with 64 locations in 4 states (TN, VA, NC, KY).
We headed there for supper last night. We have ordered their pizza by delivery for years but have only eaten in maybe a dozen times.
We ordered a large thin-crust pepperoni pizza and cheese sticks and three drinks.
Food - AWESOME! Some of the best pizza around.
Service - Refreshing. The waiter was very friendly and my tea never got empty. He even brought a cookie for our child for desert. Cheese bread was at our table in about 10 minutes and the pizza in about 15.
Price - $12.01 for the three of us to eat and we had 2 pieces left over.
Cleanliness - This building is older but the inside was clean. No food on the floor or tables. Kitchen area looked neat and clean from where we ordered.
Bathroom Cleanliness - Average for a restaurant. There was a log for employees to sign when cleaning. Smelled clean.
Overall a pleasant dinner.
We headed there for supper last night. We have ordered their pizza by delivery for years but have only eaten in maybe a dozen times.
We ordered a large thin-crust pepperoni pizza and cheese sticks and three drinks.
Food - AWESOME! Some of the best pizza around.
Service - Refreshing. The waiter was very friendly and my tea never got empty. He even brought a cookie for our child for desert. Cheese bread was at our table in about 10 minutes and the pizza in about 15.
Price - $12.01 for the three of us to eat and we had 2 pieces left over.
Cleanliness - This building is older but the inside was clean. No food on the floor or tables. Kitchen area looked neat and clean from where we ordered.
Bathroom Cleanliness - Average for a restaurant. There was a log for employees to sign when cleaning. Smelled clean.
Overall a pleasant dinner.
Taco Bell - Kingsport
Swung by the Taco Bell on East Stone Dr. for lunch today. I like Taco Bell. It's fast, it's cheap and it's pretty good for fast food.
Today I ordered a Grilled Stuffed Burritto and a MexMelt with Sweet Tea.
Service - There was no line so I walked right in and ordered. In the recent past this restaurant has been short staffed and slow. But today in less than two minutes I had my food. I did tell them I was dining in and they put my order in a to-go bag but that was ok with me. Didn't have to worry about the tray.
Food - The food was just like always. Fast-food Mexican. It was hot and there was plenty of it.
Price - Around $7.00
Cleanliness - This restaurant was rebuilt this year so it is still very nice and new. Floors were clean and no trash laying around. Tables were wiped.
Restroom Cleanliness - Not applicable
Today I ordered a Grilled Stuffed Burritto and a MexMelt with Sweet Tea.
Service - There was no line so I walked right in and ordered. In the recent past this restaurant has been short staffed and slow. But today in less than two minutes I had my food. I did tell them I was dining in and they put my order in a to-go bag but that was ok with me. Didn't have to worry about the tray.
Food - The food was just like always. Fast-food Mexican. It was hot and there was plenty of it.
Price - Around $7.00
Cleanliness - This restaurant was rebuilt this year so it is still very nice and new. Floors were clean and no trash laying around. Tables were wiped.
Restroom Cleanliness - Not applicable
Welcome
Welcome to the brand new Tri-Cities Restaurant guide blog. This blog will review restaurants in the Tri-Cities area of Tennessee.Why? Because if a restaurant is bad, you should know. And if a restaurant is good you should know.We eat out alot. At least once a day on average. So each day we will be posting on the restaurant we dined at. They will include everything from fast-food to mom-and-pops to fine dining.
We will rate them on Food Quality, Price, Cleanliness, Service, and when applicable Restroom Cleanliness.
Now our disclaimer. We are not professional critics. Just average working folk who like good service and good food. Everything you read on our blog is JUST OUR OPINION. If you disagree (or agree) feel free to post a comment. We will be fair but truthful.
Bon appetit!
We will rate them on Food Quality, Price, Cleanliness, Service, and when applicable Restroom Cleanliness.
Now our disclaimer. We are not professional critics. Just average working folk who like good service and good food. Everything you read on our blog is JUST OUR OPINION. If you disagree (or agree) feel free to post a comment. We will be fair but truthful.
Bon appetit!
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