The Wok Box is in town!

     A new Asian cuisine establishment has arrived to Tyler! The Wok Box is in town! If you've read my previous blog posts about food, Asian is definitely my favorite besides Italian! This new addition to the restaurant market is an exciting one!

A Taste of Tyler: Culinary Masterpieces of East Texas Unite!

Who would have thought that the once humble City of Tyler (Home of the University of Texas At Tyler!) would become one of the most well-known hubs of culinary treasures in Texas? For all of you foodies out there, whether you're a starving college gourmet or a food aficionado from the Tyler community, or you're even a visitor from the surrounding area, this annual event is one that will whet your appetite and hopefully satisfy your dizziest foodie daydreams.

Do you see all of these people? And this was the smaller room! 

Feeling Greek?

                The thing about small cities is that they aren't small enough to the point where Bealls is the mall and the mini supermarket is the Wal-Mart. That being said, Tyler, Texas lacks some excitement, but it still has enough amenities to not be considered a small town. Even though there is no three story malls, there is something you can count on being in Tyler; Restaurants. Tyler has a lot of restaurants with new establishments already being built. What does this mean? You have options.

Study hot spots during the school year for UT Tyler students

                The comfort of your own room to spend your late night study grinds is the usual thing, but sometimes the bed calls you and you succumb to slumber. Where else can you go to study besides your bed? How about some coffee shops!

                If you’re interested in going off campus to study, there are different coffee shops around town that provide delicious treats, free Wi-Fi and the all mighty coffee boost. There are different kinds of shops that provide coffee around Tyler such as Starbucks, Einstein Bros Bagels, Caffe Tazza, Panera Bread, Barnes & Nobles and Newk’s. 

                Here’s a chart to show the amenities that these different locations provide: 
          

                

                If you like having some noise around you when you study like I do, then these places are right for you. These places provide a mellow atmosphere that is comforting to study around. There’s not too much noise and it’s definitely not too quiet to make you sleep.

                If you get hungry, these sell food so you don’t have to take too much of a food break since it is right there available to you. To look at the menu that each establishment provides, go to their menu by navigating through their individual website.

                You can also go on campus to study if you wish to stay close to home. The Muntz library provides a great zone to study in as the first and third floor are silent areas. They also have their own coffee shop that brews Starbucks coffee. To read more on what the library offers click here. 

              

Oh the Places You'll Go... while at the University of Texas at Tyler

Every city has that one place, you know, that one restaurant or that one little shop that just makes the city great.  Tyler, Texas happens to have several of those.  However, there is one place that stands out in my mind, and that is Andy's Frozen Custard.  

I had the great fortune of going to this excellent establishment with some friends the other night, and despite it probably being my hundredth time there, I was still amazed by how excellent everything was.  The people working were as friendly as always, the ice cream -- rather, the custard -- was exquisite, and to top it off, the cost was a bargain at half of the price!

I was greeted with a smile, as always, by the young man working the cash register who took my fiance's order, and then mine.  She ordered something extra chocolatey, and I got my usual - a large chocolate shake.  Our order was out in about 3 minutes, which is extremely impressive considering how busy they were at the time.  There were probably around 30 people at the stand, but one could not tell by how quickly they were cranking orders of custard out of their windows.  

I Have a New Favorite Restaurant in Tyler

           This weekend the girlfriend and I went to this little diner in Tyler called The Diner located just past Buffalo Wild Wings on Broadway. I would have to say it's probably my new favorite restaurant in Tyler. Stanley's would easily be my favorite- if they had better hours. If you haven't had Stanley's yet then I highly recommend you go there ASAP, and make sure that you get there early.
             I had a sandwich called The Flatliner, and it definitely deserved the name. I could feel my arteries clogging just looking at it. It was a cheeseburger with two grilled cheese sandwiches in place of the buns. It was the most delicious hamburger that I have ever put in my mouth. Lory just got a chicken fried steak, but she says that it was phenomenal and easily in her top five places to get a chicken fried steak. So next time you're looking for a place to eat, give this place a try. You won't regret it.

P.S. If you're brave enough to try it they have a pancake eating challenge. Eat 15 buttermilk pancakes and it's free, and they'll even post your picture on the wall.