Mister B's Pizza & Wings

You didn't think ALL my reviews were going to be bad, did you?? Well maybe you did. This one, however, is not.

The family went to dinner tonight in search of a place we haven't been to in a while or somewhere we haven't been at all. For weeks (months maybe) I've been hearing how good this new wing place was that opened up next to Rafferty's on Scottsville Road. So... as we were driving down the road we made a collective decision that today was the day we were going to check it out.

Upon arrival, we were seated promptly. There was a slight issue with the air conditioner dripping condensation, but that wasn't a big deal to us at all. We sat and looked over the menu which provided a little bit of something for everyone. And everyone ordered something different.

For starters, we tried the loaded waffle fries and the fried mushrooms. I was surprised to see that the waffle fries were a big enough appetizer to feed all of us at such a cheap price. The mushrooms were apparently amazing because the sister didn't even want to eat her fries at all. My father ordered the famous wings. They were small, but he said the quite possible could be better than Buffalo Wild Wings. Now that's saying a lot coming from someone who really only likes to eat B-Dubs wings. Dad said the wings were the perfect size and their flavor was outstanding. My mother ordered the cheeseburger, which looked to be about as big as her head when they brought it out. She, too, enjoyed her dinner. My sister ordered the Philly cheeseteak sandwich and said it was better than her favorite at Cheddar's. The nephew ordered the chicken rings, but as fate would have it... he wasn't hungry when his food came out. I ordered the buffalo chicken fingers and they were great. The flavor was mild and the chicken was fresh. My brother ordered a thin crust pepperoni pizza. It came out as a pan crust, but looked pretty much amazing. It didn't even occur to me that it was wrong until he said something about it later. But he ate it and he loved it.

There were no complaints from this peanut gallery on anything at Mister B's. I think we'll be seeing a lot of this restaurant. There are still a ton of things on the menu worth trying... and I think I saw that they deliver?? If so, we might have to see how far that delivery range is for the next ladies luncheon during the weekday.

Thank you, Mister B's for a wonderful experience... great food and a nice atmosphere. I didn't catch the name of our server tonight, but she was just lovely.

IHOP in Bowling Green

For years, we have traveled to the Rivergate area of Nashville to enjoy those awesome omelets and sweet stacks of pancakes that only IHOP could deliver... and now that we have our very own in Bowling Green we still would rather travel to Rivergate.

The family was pretty excited when we heard that an IHOP was being built close to the interstate in town. Other than Denny's and Waffle House, there aren't a lot of options for restaurants of this type that stay up 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. I am not a breakfast food fan. My idea of breakfast is a frozen pizza and a coke. I don't usually mess around with eggs and sausage, but IHOP is different.

The parents visited IHOP on their opening day in town. They weren't impressed but they weren't completely disappointed either. It was okay. But again, we know opening days are crazy and we okay with mistakes and mishaps. The problem lies in the issues that happen every time we visit.

I'm not sure what the deal is, but the service at IHOP stinks! It doesn't really matter what time of day you go in there, or what you order, or how many people are in your party. The fact of the matter is that it's breakfast food. Busy or not, it doesn't take an hour to drop a pancake on the griddle and scramble up some eggs.

What's worse is that when you speak with the managers about the issues, they don't listen to you. They walk off as you're trying to explain to them what you are unhappy about. What kind of business isn't concerned with correcting issues? What restaurant out there is trying to lose their customers? I feel like places that consistently give bad service and horrible variations of their food are only asking to be shut down. And that's really sad because I like IHOP. 

Mellow Mushroom Bowling Green

Okay. So you KNOW I'm diggin' on some pizza. I first visited a Mellow Mushroom in Pigeon Forge, TN sometime last year and fell in love with the atmosphere and the food. Since that first visit, I've also spent a few afternoons enjoying the delicious fare at the Mellow Mushroom in Nashville. Equally fantastic!

When I heard about a Mellow Mushroom opening in Bowling Green... well you could say I was pretty ecstatic about it. I mean... awesome music, tasty foods, wonderful selection of drinks... Seriously, you can't go wrong.

My family and I went to Mellow Mushroom in Bowling Green on their opening day in the spring of this year. As expected, it took a little while to get our food. Once we got it, however, it was great. We enjoyed chatting and munching. The artwork on the walls is amazing and the booth we sat in was really comfortable. The staff was friendly and getting to know the menu pretty well.

BUT... since then, we have had less than expected service. Now let me say this: The food is ALWAYS spectacular!

On several occasions, we have gone back to Mellow Mushroom in Bowling Green and every time the service is horrible! I expect to wait for a table. That's normal. But I do not expect to be in a restaurant for hours unless I'm planning on throwing back a few pints all night long. The last time we visited, we complained heavily. It was ridiculous. A one-hour lunch break turned into nearly two hours and half of our party had to leave without food while tables all around us came in after us and had their food. The manager had a bunch of excuses, but what we ordered was simple... slices and salads. Food that we were told (when ordering our drinks) would only take 20 minutes tops. After waiting for 45 minutes, our server told us there were "only 6 tickets" in front of us. I did contact the corporation after leaving because I was so disgusted with the continuous bad service we get there. I received an email about some kind of credit when I come back in, but I don't want the credit. I want better service. I want to get my food in a timely manner. I would like to eat on my actual lunch break and not have to go back to my office hungry and smelling like garlic.

Now, I appreciate the effort that it takes to make good food. And I appreciate a good server. And I tip accordingly. I don't like to complain, especially in restaurants. And I do understand that I'm a picky eater. But I spend a lot of money in restaurants and bars. I have no problem at all paying full price for a meal as long as it's hot, fresh, and the service is good. I'm not saying I want someone to kiss my ass the whole time I am there, but I do expect the servers to not be standing around talking to each other and then come up with bullshit excuses about why our dinners aren't out 45 minutes later.

Since that unfortunate lunch, I have not been back to Mellow Mushroom in Bowling Green. I have not decided whether or not I will. I love the food, but in the time it took to get my lunch that last time I could have driven to the one in Nashville and ordered. Today, we had another ladies lunch and ordered Pizza Hut instead. They delivered it early and everything was right. Thanks, Pizza Hut! We all were able to enjoy our lunch today.

Reviews... Previews...

My family eats out a lot. And when I say "a lot," I really mean a lot. We like to try out new restaurants, as well as give old restaurants another go. We have always had excellent service at places like Cheddar's (Thank you, Brad) and Chick-Fil-A (Great people!). But there are a few places that just can't seem to get their acts together. So, with that being said... this is the beginning of lots of different kinds of reviews.

I will add my thoughts, comments, and critiques of the many restaurants my family has had the pleasure (and often times the unfortunate moments) to enjoy. Keep looking... I'll be posting about Mellow Mushroom Bowling Green, The Aquarium Restaurant at Opry Mills, and 12A Buoy of Fort Pierce, FL.

Happy weekend everyone!!

Mental Exhaustion

I need a break. I am mentally exhausted from life. These days I feel like I have nothing at all to say but I'm screaming inside. I have a million thoughts in my head but nothing that comes out. I can't find words to say about anything. I feel like I need a nap... for like five days straight. I need a moment to get rid of my frustrations. A vacation sounds nice. I need a mental vacation...

What Might Have Been

I know it's unhealthy to think about the "what ifs" of every relationship we have left behind, but it's hard not to. Sometimes life doesn't make much sense. Sometimes relationships end for very valid reasons. But what about when those valid reasons still don't make sense in the scope of the relationship?

When relationships don't make sense to anyone else but those involved, it's hard to justify it ending because of reasons that do make sense. I realize I'm talking in circles, but again... I'm making sense to me. I just need to stop thinking so much and just leave that behind... leave him behind. But I don't want to. I do, but I don't. I just need to look ahead and leave him in my past.

Undo It

Have you met someone that you really thought was special? You really knew in your heart that they were the perfect fit for you? A person that was right, that it didn't make sense, but it did.

I met a guy who made perfect sense to me and now things have just dissolved. I don't know where that happiness went or why. I was living in the moment for today being happy with what we had. Knowing in my heart that our situation wasn't great and that the cards were stacked against us. But also knowing that because we had that connection, we would be okay. It stopped being okay.

I want to undo my feelings, if I can please. Does someone know how to make that happen? I want to forget about what we had and the fact that it was perfect for us... because it doesn't make sense. I want to undo how special I felt. And I want to undo the connection that we had. And I want to undo the hurt I feel now.

How do I undo it?