Review: Texas Roadhouse

On May 17,2014 after spending the second day at Road America’s Spring Vintage Weekend, I took the long way back to my hotel. I ended up at the Texas Roadhouse.

It, of course, has a western cowboy theme and a friendly staff. The young lady showed me to my table and brought along a basket of rolls and cinnamon butter.

I ordered a 6oz sirloin, corn and steak fries. Since I said this was my first time at the Texas Roadhouse, one of the manager brought me a sample of their ribs.

The roll was good but I am not a fan of cinnamon butter. The corn and fries were okay.

The steak was very good but the ribs were outstanding. You could easily pull the meat of the bones. It was very flavorful. I would go with the ribs over the sirloin if I go again.

Review: Pizza Ranch

On May 16, 2014, I came to see Road America’s Spring Vintage Weekend. For dinner, I decided to check out the Pizza Ranch. First, the decor has an old west flavor to it.

Pizza Ranch is a buffet that serves fried chicken and pizza. You pay when you enter and they will ask you if you want a special pizza. Since I was alone, I decided to just take a slice from the pizza bar.

I selected a slice of pepperoni pizza, a fried chicken breast, some corn and a roll/butter. The pizza was good but nothing special. Since it was sitting on the pizza bar, it was on the cold side.

The roll was okay. The corn was very good and fresh. And the fried chicken was excellent. Crispy flavorful skin. Chicken good and big. I shouldn’t have but I went back for a couple fried chicken legs and a little ice cream.

The dessert bar has a couple dessert pizzas and soft serve vanilla ice cream. No ice cream toppings because the ice cream is for the dessert pizzas. It was nice rich vinilla ice cream.

Review: South Union Roadhouse

After visiting the Illinois Railroad Museum, I decided I wanted a steak. Using Yelp, I found the South Union Roadhouse.

Of course, the Roadhouse doesn't serve steak at lunchtime. The burger and fries were great. I had bbq sauce on the burger but it was just ok off the self bbq sauce.

Walt Disney World: Magic Kingdom

On the forth day March 19, 2014, I went to the Magic Kingdom. I got there in time to see the opening the park ceremony. I walked as fast as I could to the Jungle Cruise. I had to wait a couple minutes for the Adventureland section to open. First thing mid-week in March, my fast pass was not really needed. The fast pass for Monster Inc Laugh Floor was needed. It saved 10-15 minutes. For lunch, I made a reservation for the Crystal Palace. See my review of the Crystal Palace.

Bunny - Stop trying to kiss her.

Review: Akershus Royal Banquet Hall and the Disney Princesses

If your daughter(s), wife and/or girlfriend is into one or more Disney Princesses, you must take them to Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in the Norway section of Epcot. All who attend the royal banquet can expect to meet several of the following Disney Characters: Snow White, Cinderella, Belle, Princess Aurora, Ariel and/or Mary Poppins

I booked several months early and had trouble figuring out how my reservation time would work. The world showplace section opens at 11am. And my reservation was earlier than early hours for the future world section of Epcot.

On thursday March 20th, I got to Epcot a half an hour before my breakfast reservation. You go to the special breakfast reservation line to enter. Note: I think the only other facility that was open was the stroller, wheelchair and ECV rental store.

When you get to the Norway section, you check in with the friendly staff outside. After 5-10 minutes I was lead inside to a waiting line for a picture with one of the princesses. That day it was Belle. Then you are taken to your table.

While there is a buffet section, everybody was served a big plate with 2 sausages, 2 bacon, cheesy hash browns and scrambled eggs. It was there when I got back to my table. I wondered why the buffet didn’t have a carving section, bacon and sausage.

Some of the other princesses come around to each table to chat, sign autographs and/or have pictures taken. On this day, I didn’t see Mary Poppins. If you need one particular princess, you may want to check when making the reservation.

The food was good but you are really paying for the characters and a souvenir photo package.

Review: The Crystal Palace

On Wednesday 19, I planned on going to the Magic Kingdom. Months earlier I chose three fast pass rides and the Crystal Palace for Lunch. The fast pass rides I changed when I got there with my iPhone.

Again, I got to my restaurant choice a little earlier than my reservation. I gave my name to the friendly staff outside. In less than five minutes, my name was called and I was seated near the front and the buffet.

My friendly waitstaff took my drink order and tried to explain about the plates. I took one of the kids plates since the larger adult plates were hidden behind the kids food area.

The food was very good so I went with a little reluctance to get a second kids plate full of the carved meats and another roll. (I am on a diet).

Note: While good, you are paying more to meet and greet the Winnie the Pooh characters.

Review: Coral Reef restaurant

On tuesday March 18th, I had lunch at the Coral Reef restaurant. I had gotten a reservation months earlier but got there early. I was given a beeper which went off 5 minutes later.

I was given a table next to the fish tank. Staff was friendly. I immediately ordered a steak. I am not that into eating fish.

My drink and fresh rolls came quickly. The roll was good but the butter may have been unsalted. The restaurant may have a thing about salt. There was no salt or pepper on the table.

My steak was excellent tasting but had more gristle than I would have expected. The mashed potatoes and rest was good.