Good input, Rick - I appreciate it very much. We have heard of Chili John's in the context of John Madden and have it on our list to try. While Texas chili is my fav, I have had good chili from various other parts of the country and enjoyed them all. I am pretty sure we will be going to Maricque's for the Friday fish fry. It sounds very cool. Thanks for the link.

To all - I'll be sure and post a report when we get back in early October. I really appreciate all of the kind inputs from you. The thing I'm looking forward to most is touring Lambeau again. Now, that is a stadium! I love being in there and thinking about all of the history in that place. Even though I am a Cowboy fan, I like and respect everything about the Packers organization.

Regards,

Mr Bean

Thank you for the follow-up and more info on Woodman's. Wife is stoked to go there and to Festival (she already mapped locations for the trip). I asked her about Cooks Corner and got a "Meh" response. 8^) I think she wants to enjoy vacation and not think about cooking.

Regards,
Mr Bean

Thanks for that note, exvaxman. We are mostly going just to see what things are different, so clean is a good quality to have for a grocery store. 8^)

Mr Bean

Thanks, coj. I appreciate your input. Woodman's sounds pretty interesting. We have been to Krolls West on a prior trip and found it to be very much up our alley when it comes to dining. I feel sure we will go there again.

Mr Bean

Texas hound here, looking for some assistance. We are going to be in Green Bay for a few days in mid-September and wonder if any Green Bay hounds can recommend casual restaurants and a good grocery store. We are very casual and value-oriented, and like restaurants that offer good casual food at a decent price. Also, we like to visit local grocery stores on vacation just to see how they differ from our Texas stores.

Any recommendations? Thanks in advance for any help you can give us.

Regards from Texas,

Mr Bean

I think Fred's Philly is about the best cheesesteak you can get around here. The original location in Plano on 15th St is the best, IMHO. I live in Allen, where they have opened a satellite Fred's, and I drive into Plano to go to the mothership. I like sweet peppers on my cheesesteak (yeah, I know it's heresy), and the Allen location is ALWAYS out of sweet peppers (or maybe they never order them).

As far as I know, however, no Wiz is available at any of the Fred's, if that's a showstopper.

YMMV.

Regards,

MrBean

I really like Chito's tamales. It is a small family-owned place in north Plano (corner of Legacy and Chase Oaks). I think they are still accepting orders for Christmas tamales. I placed my order a week ago and am definitely looking forward to getting them.

I have liked everything I have had at Chito's. I support family owned places whenever possible, and this is one of my faves.

Regards,

mrbean

Take a detour over to Luling and go to City Market for the best BBQ ever (at least IMHO). I think they are closed on Sunday, however.

Mr Bean

At the risk of sharing his head-beating, I agree with CocoaNut about Jersey Mike's. They cut the meat when you order and everything tastes real fresh. I notice that Fred's Philly has hoagies on their menu, but I have never ordered one. Every time I go to Fred's, I can't make myself order anything but a cheesesteak.

By the way, Fred's has opened a new outpost in Allen, where I live. Yes!!! I went over the weekend and it was just as good as the mothership on 15th. But, sadly they had no Utz's potato chips or Tastycakes in stock yet.

YMMV.

Mr Bean

I like Fishmonger's, Big Easy, Fred's Downtown Philly (cheesesteaks), JC's Burger House (it will remind you of JG's) - all in Plano. Also, Pho Pasteur in Richardson is my fav Vietnamese place.

Regards,

Mr Bean

Sweeet!! Thanks CocoaNut. I'll give it a try - maybe tomorrow since the temps would suggest a soup outing for lunch. Mmmmm - I'm already drooling. I appreciate the suggestion.

Agree. Great service. My post below sounded like I was shilling, but I'm really not. I just am impressed by the lunch items as well as the service.

Mr Bean

I go to the Market Street in Allen at least once a week for lunch. The roast chicken is fantastic and this week I had some a pork loin lunch that was great (nice and moist with just the right seasoning). I am anxious to try some of the sandwiches and pizza, but I can't tear myself away from the lunch plates. The ready-to-eat section is really like a good restaurant rather than a grocery store. Nice places to sit and eat and relax.

The thing I like best is the people working there. They are always friendly and happy to serve you. I'm lucky it's close to my work so I can go there, eat, and get back to work quickly.

Any other feedback on good lunch items at Market Street? Has anyone tried the prime rib lunch?

TIA.

Mr Bean

I've eaten at Catfish Heaven II a number of times and have always liked it. The times I have been there it has been full menu with no buffet (I prefer menu over buffet). I normally get the fried catfish and my wife gets the grilled catfish and we are always very pleased with the food. It always comes out hot and fresh. They have a small salad bar which has green tomato relish and cole slaw in addition to salad fixings. That's where you get the baked potato add-ins such as margarine, sour cream, cheese, etc.

Now, it's not four-star dining, but it is a good family-owned place that serves good honest catfish and a few other entrees (although I have always opted for the catfish and can't vouch for, or even list, any other entrees). I would not hesitate to take your mother there - I bet she will enjoy it.

One thing - be careful driving out there on Hwy 380. Since that area has really grown in the past few years, traffic is kinda crazy and you have to watch people pulling out in front of you from side roads.

Good luck and let us know how you like it!

Hope this helps.

Mr Bean

I really didn't get the impression from their website that there are any scantily clad ladies in the restaurant. Maybe just an unfortunate inadvertent play on words?

OK, I'll give it another try. It's really not fair to make a determination on just one visit, I'll admit.

I have bought babka at Central Market in Plano. I got a chocolate one and I believe a raspberry one. I don't remember it being to die for, but maybe I'm just not a babka connoisseur.

Just be sure there isn't a hair on the chocolate babka (obscure Seinfeld reference).

MrBean

chef51, thanks very much for the input. I'll skip a visit to it. I've never tried Sugar Babys so I'll give them a whirl. I have been to C&B and honestly I was not impressed at all. The brisket was tough, the sauce was peculiar tasting to me, and the sides were mediocre.

Dang, all of this BBQ talk has me wishing for a trip to Luling for some "ribs from heaven".

Thanks for the info. When I looked closer at their web site, it appears that you hit it right on the head - looks like they bought a name and are trying to franchise it out nationally. Not a good sign.

I'll probably give it one try since it's close to my house, but I'm not holding out much hope.

I appreciate your reply.

Mr Bean

I have noticed a former Jakes Burgers getting a makeover in Allen (TX), and yesterday they finally put up a sign. It said "Coming Soon - Bar-B-Cutie's". From looking at their web site, it apparently is some sort of BBQ place (Duh!), and has multiple locations in the southeast. Has anyone ever heard of this?

I know we don't have any superior BBQ places here in North Texas, but since our local Sonny Bryan's in McKinney closed, I would like at least a mediocre 'Q place to go.

Any info? Thanks in advance.

Mr Bean

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Pastazios. I think it's really top notch. I wish Addison circle wasn't so far from my work, or I would go there more often.

http://www.pastazios.com/

Mr Bean

Chicago St Pizza on north part of Coit. Excellent thin crust & deep dish pizza. I also really like the Italian Beef sandwiches. It's a family owned place and the people are really nice. I go there at least once a week for the lunch specials (great pasta sauce).

Also, JC Burger House on 15th & Independence. I love their burgers. Again, a family owned place.

I was at City Market in Luling last week, and the only rib option is pork ribs. But, you have to understand that these pork ribs are absolutely the BEST ribs I have experienced in my nearly 54 years here on this earth. Pure goodness. I took one bite and said "Sweet mother of all that is good and wholesome. What angel prepared these ribs?" You might derive that I was impressed. Yes indeedy. The fatty brisket was also marvelous, but the lean brisket was a little tough - my fault for ordering lean. I didn't try the sausage. It was so good that we went back the next day for an encore and it was maybe better than the first day.

Beef ribs? We don't need no stinkin' beef ribs!!!

YMMV.

mrbean

I've eaten there once (a year or so ago) and was not impressed. Vegetables were canned and most everything else was nondescript.

YMMV.

mrbean

I have been seeing some new faces running Chicago St Pizza in the past few months and it appears there are new owners. Anyone know for sure? I think it may even be better than it used to be, and it was pretty darn good, IMHO. Now, they have deep dish pizza available by the slice for lunch, and I never used to see that. Yesterday, I tried an Italian Beef sandwich and I thought it was very tasty. I like to go to little individually owned spots when the quality is good. This is the only place I have been able to get a good deep dish pizza. It's no Conan's in Austin, but it's better than any other deep dish I have had in Dallas.

YMMV.

Mr Bean

I'm craving some waldorf salad, and I was wondering if anyone knew of any places in north Dallas or the northern suburbs where I might find such a thing. Luby's occasionally used to have an adequate at best waldorf salad, but they have ceased doing them. It was better than nothing however.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

Mr Bean

Thank you very much for the info. I'm going this Saturday. Sounds like it's the Killis Melton Ice Cream crank-off this Saturday. I've been to that before and it's a blast.

I really appreciate your help.

Luniz, could you please tell me where the farmer's market is in McKinney? I'm not familiar with one there and I would really like to go. Thanks.

Thanks for the feedback - I'll give it a try but I'll stick with the thin crust. I'm really a big fan of deep dish pizza and haven't found any I truly liked here in the North Dallas area. I used to live in Austin and the deep dish pizza at Conan's Pizza (wheat crust) is my favorite food in the entire world. I've heard good things about Chicago St Pizza, also in Plano, but have only tried their lunch specials and haven't gotten a whole pizza.

I think Fred's is great. Fred himself is from Philly as you will see from the decor of the place. I've never been to Philly myself so I have nothing to compare to, but I really like Fred's sandwiches. Plus, it's an individual owned place and I try to frequent those as much as possible.

Give it a try and let us know what you think.