Doughnuts, Kolaches
3115 W Parker Rd # 535
Plano, TX 75023
(972) 519-8315
Map
Website
Impression:
In the North West corner of Independence and Parker is a local small bakery advertising kolaches and sausage rolls. Decorated with a country kitchen theme this small bakery appears to be creating both fruit filled and sausage filled kolaches. The sign on the window shows the nutritional difference between a kolache and a doughnut. It turns out that a kolache appears to be more healthy than a doughnut.
What to Like:
Located in a convenient shopping center.
What not to Like:
I generally don’t hold bad service against a restaurant, people have bad days. But, at the Kolache Station it appears to be part of the job description. When I walk in, I am not noticed, not a big deal, except for the fact that I am the only customer in the store (I wonder why?). When I do manage to get the persons attention and place my order, I am served up some nice cold Kolaches that have been sitting in a pan behind the counter. Out in the open not covered, just sitting out. Only on my way out does the employee point to the microwave. How can you advertise “Fresh” on your window if your idea of fresh involves a microwave? The cold kolaches were “average”, I can get better Kolaches at the Valero gas station by my house. Seriously, if your driving by, pass this one up.
Cost: Low kolaches between 0.85 and 1.50
Rank: One and Half stars
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Burgers
6009 Parker Road, Suite 165
Plano, TX
Phone: 972-378-5531
Website
Map
Impression:
Offering large burgers ranging in size of 1/3 of a pound up to 1/2 pound, located in the North West Corner of Parker and the tollway, Gazeebo Burgers attempts to take the local burger restaurant to the next level. A well laid out restaurant with a full condiment bar offering a wide selection of burger toppings. Decorated with wood paneling and turquoise color paint the comfortable and clean seating area offered many tables in viewing distance of three large screen TV’s. Come football season Gazeebo’s is sure to be a hit.
What to Like:
As far as burger selection goes, Gazeebo has done it right, with something for everyone. (Even a Veggie Burger). You can choose between a standard normal beef burger, turkey burger, or a grilled chicken burger. In addition to burgers they also offer a decent selection of fresh salads, Sandwiches and side orders. Cooked on a grill located in viewing distance of the customers you are sure to get something created fresh when you order it.
What Not to Like:
The restaurant reminded me of a Fuddruckers, similar style and idea. Also, the burgers are cooked on a “Diner” style griddle and taste that way as well. I am fashioned to a well “grilled” burger. The condiment bar is nice because you can build your burger however you like it, however it is limited to just the standard toppings like lettuce, tomato, pickles, mustard, and ranch dressing. If the condiment bar selection was expanded it would have bettered my opinion. (like Jalapeno’s… this is Texas)
Cost: Cheap Burger for between $4.00 and $6.00, sides for ~1.50 and drinks for ~1.50.
Rank: Three Stars
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Coffee Shops, Tea
6509 West Park Boulevard #425
Plano, TX 75093
(972) 403-7403
Website
Map
Impression:
Located on the North side of W. Park just after Plano parkway is a small shop selling bubble tea. Bubble tea, is a sweet drink made with tapioca, its called Fat Straws because a large straw is required to drink the tea with the tapioca “bubbles”. Bubble tea or Boba tea is originally from Taiwan, having swept the east and west coast this sweet delicacy is now available in West Plano just West of the Willowbend shopping mall.
What to Like:
Fast friendly service located in a small shop with only four tables and a small bar. Fat Straws offers a wide selection of teas, slush-es, and Smoothies. The created beverage generally is made from fruits and tea’s and served in a plastic cup with a plastic seal lining the top. Take one of their “fat straws” and pierce the film and you will find a delectable soothing drink inside. On my first experience I found the Tapioca to be a bit of a surprise. A chewy almost gelatin like substance that lined the bottom of the glass gave the sweet milk tea a surprising texture. One definitely needs to try out this new addition to West Plano.
What not to Like:
Honestly, I am not a fan of having to chew my beverage. That being said the Tapioca is an option you can ask to be left out. There wide selection of creations created with fresh fruit is sure to be a hit for any one looking for something sweet. I highly suggest everyone go in a try. The restaurant is quite clean and the atmosphere is equally fun.
Cost: Inexpensive between 2.75 and 5.00
Rank: Three and Half Stars
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BBQ
3100 Independence Pkwy
Plano, TX 75075
(972) 867-2000
Webpage
Map
Impression:
BBQ is a staple in the south. Frankly if it wasn’t for BBQ I would think about moving. Good BBQ can’t be rushed, it takes time to create great flavor in otherwise plain meat. That is what Ricky Ray’s is doing in the south east corner of Independence and Parker. Slow cooking brisket, ribs, chicken, and sausage to perfection. Offering All you Can Eat ribs on Friday night, with a big screen showing the game, Ricky Rays is the place you need to be for the next game.
What to Like:
In two words “Great BBQ”, Ricky Rays does meat and does it right. Decorated with a simple southwestern rustic feel complete with slate tile on the floor, Ricky Ray’s is an open seating simple looking restaurant. The best way to test if a BBQ joint is any good is to test there sauce, Ricky Ray’s creates a simple tasty BBQ sauce that goes well with all the meats they serve. I would call the sauce “Smokey Sweet” if they asked me to name it. A mild sauce with a well developed smokey flavor. The meat is smoked to perfection. Plain and simple, you have to try this place out.
What not to Like:
From what I could gather, Ricky Ray’s doesn’t have a liquor license, so your only options for beverages is Pepsi products (not a staple of the south), and homemade Ice Tea. Honestly if I was Ricky, I would ditch Pepsi and get Coke. The small and open seating area could also be a downside if the restaurant was to get busy. But, since take out is an option maybe its best to pick it up and enjoy it at home.
Cost: Average: Sandwiches between $4.50 and $6.00 and dinner plates starting at around $7.00
Rank: 4 Stars
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Italian
7000 Independence Pkwy Ste 144, Plano, TX
Tel: (972) 208-4205
Impression:
Claiming to be from Brooklyn, you would expect this pizza to be top notch. Decorated in a typical pizzeria style the menu at Angelo and Vito’s is quite large including, pizza, cal-zones, stromboli, pasta, sandwiches, and desserts. With one-liner signs all over the walls and painted mural on the wall made to look like, a wall (I assume of New York Style?). Due to the large menu I decided to categorize this place under Italian instead of Pizza.
What to Like:
The Prices are reasonable, with a wide selection of menu items. The Cal zones are as big as your head and cost less than six bucks. They have a quality taste to them.
What not to Like:
First off let me say, this place had good pizza. But, not Brooklyn pizza, they have a thin crust that is chewy and not crunchy like thin New York style should be. The place seems destined for Franchising (a quick search revealed there are two locations). I bet if as much work was put into the pizza as was put into the image this place would be home run. Right now, it feels like marketing is the focus not pizza. I think they got a little ahead of themselves. Also, I make it a point to go into the restroom of all establishments I visit. Currently, Angelo’s and Vito’s mens room is a step or two below the Seven Eleven down the street. If I can’t trust a place to clean the commode, how do you think they are keeping the kitchen?
Cost:
Inexpensive: slices running from $3.00 and up and a calzone for under $6.00
Rank:
Three Stars (almost 2 and a half)
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Coffee Shops, Tea
812 W. Spring Creek Parkway #208
Plano, TX 75023
Impression:
Sit on a modern trendy couch and watch the latest political polls on CNN while drinking a Frozen Strawberry mix, this is what I recently did a Cassis. Located on the South East Corner of Spring Creek and Alma, is a trendy establishment selling surroundings and flavored drinks. Take your pick from their wide menu of teas or enjoy a frozen drink made when you order it.
What to like:
The store has a real nice open vibe with trendy seating and plenty of magazines laying around. There is a flat screen tv mounted on a wall where a patron could watch whatever is on. (Cassis does advertise free cable on the door, I assume you would be free to change the channel as long as your not interrupting another patron). The drinks are well made, I ordered a strawberry mix and for under four bucks I had a tall glass that tasted wonderful.
What not to like:
Did I say trendy? I really meant it. The place appears to offer a great product but the look of the seating area makes me feel as if I don’t belong unless I am currently sporting the most recent line from Ralph Lauren. The couches are of modern shape that appear to be more intended for looks than comfort. The glass top coffee tables between groups of chairs add to this look of modern elegance. The atmosphere seems to be more inviting for a photo shoot than one intended for use as a lounge. Can a seating area be too modern and trendy? I think so. It makes me want to run to the closes garage sale and by a good well used couch and set it outside so I can enjoy my drink in comfort.
Cost: Decent, most drinks are between $3.50 and $4.00
Rank: Three Stars
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Burgers
Northwest Corner of Independence and Parker
Impression:
It appears that a staple independent restaurant of Plano has recently moved to Independence and Parker. Decorated with good country apparel this little burger dive is a must see. Offering a wide selection of Burgers (including a double double with two 1/3lb patties), Chicken, and Chicken fried steak and an abundance of side orders (Cheese fries anyone) there is something for everyone.
What’s to LIke:
Having a clean easy to read menu, fast service, and a too go option makes Country Burger an easy option for a quick bite or dinner on the run. Offering a large seating area with plenty of booths and tables with country music playing should make Country Burger a fun place to grab a bite with friends. Onion Rings or Cheese fries and large burgers should make the hungriest person full. With fast food like prices, quality service and friendly atmosphere Country Burger is a place to check out.
What’s not to LIke:
With Burgers being the signature item the only complaint that I have is that the meat tasted processed. Unlike fresh ground beef recently grilled, the patties tasted as if they had just recently be thawed and grilled to well done status. If Country Burger could better there patty quality I would have no problem increasing this restaurant to four stars, but as it stands now, I must rate it at three. The lack of quality makes you look at country burger like a Whatburger in a different building.
Cost:
Inexpensive, most meals with small fry and drink are under $8.00
Rank:
Three Stars
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Sushi
240 Legacy Dr
Plano, TX 75023
972-517-2079
Impression:
I don’t know what it is about raw fish, but I can’t seem to eat enough of it. Umeko is a nice sushi restaurant located on the south side of Legacy just west of 75 in the corner of a shopping center. The sushi bar is quite clean with all the fresh fish on display. They advertise $1.00 sushi (select menu) and a full lunch menu. I believe the $1.00 sushi is only offered on select days of the week.
What to Like:
I found Umeko to be a rather solid sushi restaurant. They had a wide selection of Rolls and Sashimi to choose from. There prices were about average for quality sushi. (Remember, cheap raw fish, is probably not that great…). Decorated with a modern Asian theme the restaurant comes off as casually elegant. I enjoyed excellent service while dining at Umeko, the server even filled my half empty beer glass from the bottle sitting in front of me. There is also a full menu offered from the Grill. I didn’t try anything from the grill and thus can’t comment on it. (But, I would expect it too be of the same quality that I found the sushi to be).
What not to Like:
Everything I tried was a good but not spectacular. However, the ambiance of the restaurant and the nice sushi bar make it every bit as competitive as other sushi I have found in Plano. But, I didn’t find it too be anything special. With prices that seem fair and good quality Umeko is worth visiting the next time you feel the need to dine on uncooked fish.
Cost:
Medium, Sushi rolls going from $3.00 to $10.00 and Sashimi for about the same
Rank:
Three Stars
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Coffee Shops
Escape
220 Coit Rd
Plano, TX 75075
972-665-0757
Map
Impression:
An Asian themed coffee shop and bakery. Escape advertises their free WiFi access and abundant drink selection. There house coffee is flavorful and authentic. With a Large selection of packaged baked goods and sweets, Flavored Tea’s and fun atmosphere Escape is a delight.
What to Like:
With a Asian feel to the house decoration the interior is well decorated and original. With what appears to be tree trunk shaped tables and chairs there is plenty of space for patrons to spread out and jump online or hand out with friends. The shop is relatively quite with soft house music playing in the back ground, definitely a place one could go to study or read. With the large selection of flavored drinks, coffee, and espresso in addition to the baked goods Escape has a lot to offer.
What not to Like:
Some of the flavored drinks appeared to have a powdery taste to them. I am not an expert on Asian flavors but I do not believe this to be authentic. However, the Coffee had a nice aroma and a solid taste. If compared to a run of the mill coffee shop I would select Escape every time.
Price:
Inexpensive, small coffee for under $2.00
Rank:
Three Stars
Read more Plano Restaurant Reviews.
Pizza
Mama’s Pizza
2130 W. Parker Rd
Plano, TX
972-596-3337
Map
Impression:
Located in the middle of hot wing alley in Plano is a true local delight. Located on the south side of Parker Road just west of Custer next to the Wing Stop and across from Wing Street lies an excellent pizza buffet with salad bar and three large TV’s to enjoy the game. The Beer is cold, and the cinnamon rolls will knock your socks off. This isn’t the neighborhood Cici’s by anyone’s imagination, the quality and taste of this pizza will make you want to come back for more. More important the pizza buffet price is in a range that will make the most stringiest of people happy.
What to Like:
The Pizza. Words can’t do the taste of the Pizza justice. The buffet supports four large pies of various toppings (one pie may have multiple topping combinations), in addition to the pizza are breadsticks (or cheese bread if you prefer) and marinara sauce. If you are looking for something lighter a small salad bar is available. With delivery service available and specials for softball teams this is a joint for sports fans. With ESPN sportscenter on the radio, anyone can come in and enjoy a slice while catching up on the days games.
What not to Like:
Like most home grown restaurants, the seating area is a collection of odd sized tables that seem to placed in a maze. The current location has seen its fair share of customer traffic as can be told by the paint that is chipping on the walls and table and chair legs that wobble like a drunk sailor. In addition to the normal wear and tear there is a small arcade located directly opposite the pizza buffet and salad bar, due to the tight quarters of this and heavy traffic you may find the need to use your elbows in a effort to get around. But, like many local dives, Mama’s Pizza has a few bumps and bruises but you will not be disappointed by the quality of the pizza.
Cost:
Inexpensive, Pizza buffet (adult) is $6.00 and a fountain drink costs around a $1.50.
Rank:
4 Stars
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