Tuesday’s Treats

Tuesday’s Treats #57

/ The WheatandTares / 2 Comments

McGuire’s Irish Pub

Location: Destin and Pensacola, FL

If you’re in the Destin or Pensacola areas, McGuire’s is definitely a bucket list adventure for lunch or dinner. The atmosphere is great, and the food is delicious. Until last December, we had always read about this on Trip Advisor, but we had yet to try it. Now, we can’t believe we never did! The staff is friendly and helpful. The atmosphere is very “Irish-esk,”  and the food just as much. There are $1 bills posted all over the walls and ceilings, which I kind of think takes away from the deep wood appeal, but in true Irish flair, the $1 bills are said to bring you “good luck;” so, that’s their thing. 😉

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TA reviews had mentioned the wonderful nachos, and they did not lie! Oh my goodness!! As you can see from the pic, these are piled high; however, you will have to order them to see that they really are piled high! These were shared amongst 5 adults, 2 teens and 2 younger kids, and we still had some left over. This was served with a side of sour cream, salsa, and they also brought out the most yummy warm, brown, honey bread as an appetizer. Oh. My! I could have filled up on these two items alone. They, also, have a “Senate Bean Soup” you can order for 18 cents, but beware, if you order it alone (without an entree), you’ll have to pay $18.00. Read the menu for more information. 😉

Our oldest loves root beer, and McGuire’s makes their own in-house brew. It is not like your average store bought brand. This was yummy, topped with its own “green cherry bomb.” Among our party of nine, we ordered the fish and chips, burgers, popcorn shrimp, steaks, and salads. Everything was great, but by far, the absolute best thing was the steak and baked potato. Oh my goodness, the steak was so tender, you could cut it with a dinner knife (not steak knife)! It was soooo delicious! My husband got this as his meal, and I had wished I’d gotten that instead of my burger. The baked potato with which it was served was cooked perfectly, just as if it had been timed exactly right to sit over a campfire till it arrived at perfection. I was really glad my husband was so full from the nachos, bean soup and bread; so, I could enjoy a few bites.

My burger, complete with bacon, smoked gouda cheese and lettuce, was huge and very tasty…too much to finish but very good. The fries were not too thin, not too thick and yummy. The sweet tea was perfectly Southern style, and the coffee was hot, but maybe not my first choice. Since, the Irish are well known for their “drink and be merry” moto for life, if you’re into ales and such, they’ve got plenty of those from which to choose, and they even have some homemade brews. I’m sorry, I’m not into All that; so, I could fill you in on that part. 😉 They’ve, also, got “The Grand Burger” which they serve with champagne, and a “Garbage Burger” with all that you could think of on top, not really either of my choices in burgers, but hey, to each his own, I suppose.

Because we were all absolutely stuffed, we didn’t even think about dessert, but they do have a few. However, I can’t rightly remember what those might be. They’ve also got an Irish gift shop right next door, complete with all kinds of Irish gift items, as well as, a pizza shop and other Irish adorned shops along the little strip (*This is all at the Destin location).

Finally, it might seem very strange to include the “bathroom signs” on a restaurant review; however, I thought it important to warn you that when you are at McGuire’s, you need to be sure to read these signs very carefully. Otherwise, you might get quite a surprise…LOL! 😉 When I’m on the Gulf Coast, it is hard for me to bypass the great seafood for a different cuisine; however, McGuire’s is worth the trip, and we will definitely be going back! To check out their website for locations and menu items, click here.

Oh, and one last note, if you’re wondering about the tint of color on each of these pics, I did not have trouble with a camera filter, nor did my processing go wrong, this is the lighting within McGuire’s. So, be prepared when you walk inside, the lighting will seem a little “off,” but after a few minutes, your eyes will acclimate just fine. 😊

Tuesday’s Treats #56

/ The WheatandTares

Caprese NY Pizza and Pasta

Location: Dacula, Ga

 

This little Italian place is good for a quick lunch or early dinner. I wouldn’t say it’s really a “date night” place, but that is to each one’s opinion. The place is small, but they have a lunch buffet during the weekdays that is pretty good. I’d have to rate this place with a solid “B+.” The food is definitely good. It’s not the best Italian I’ve ever had, yet, definitely not the worst either.

The meal was filling and tasty. My son and I ordered the personal pizza (10′), garlic rolls and a salad (for me). We still had one piece of pizza left over and a roll. We got a half pepperoni and half “the works.” The Greek salad I got was really good, and the Italian dressing had a strong oil and herb base, but it was delicious. Like I said, the pizza was tasty, but I wasn’t crazy about the Italian sausage on it. It just wasn’t as flavorful as I like Italian sausage to be; so, I did take that off. The rolls were just kind of average, but the garlic butter they were swimming in was delicious. I dipped my pizza crust in it! I do apologize for not getting a pic of the pizza. I had put away my camera by the time it came, and I completely forgot! 🙄

The restaurant is very clean, and the staff is very friendly. For a Saturday afternoon around 2:00pm, they had a decent crowd coming and going, too. So, if you’re in the area, you might give them a try. Here’s the website to find the location and menu items.

Tuesday’s Treats #55

/ The WheatandTares / 2 Comments

Fortify Pi

Location: Clayton, Ga

Fortify is a cool place to eat in a little mountain town of North Georgia. The atmosphere is definitely modern, and the staff are friendly and inviting. The food is delicious and diverse. There are lots of pies from which to choose and the ingredients are definitely fresh. You can even check online to see what local farms they use to obtain their goods. They even have wings, salads, sandwiches and small plates.

The best way I can describe this pizza is it tastes clean. We got the pepperoni pizza and the supreme, and they both were delicious and “clean.” The ingredients tasted so fresh and without all the grease that usually comes with this stacked of a pizza. Yum!

Our oldest son opted for the hot wings, and he was not disappointed. Sorry that this pic is limited. I do believe there were a half dozen with which he began! 😉 They were very tasty, and we will definitely be going back! They, also, had house made ice cream; however, we were too stuffed to get dessert. This will be remedied on the next trip!

Check them out at Fortify Clayton. This is the site for both of their restaurants. They are next door to each other. I will be posting about their Kitchen soon. It is just as wonderful! 🙂

Tuesday’s Treats #54

/ The WheatandTares

Bourbon Street Grille

Location: Dahlonega, Georgia

We love Bourbon Street! You definitely need to get there early if you’d like a good seat, because the place is rather small, and the good seats are pretty limited. It is located right on the Square in Dahlonega, and on a nice day, you can sit on the balcony and enjoy the sights and sounds of town. 

We have eaten here a ton of times, and we’ve never had a bad meal; however, we do have our favorites. I love their shrimp and grits. It is served, in what looks like a small bowl, but let me tell you, it is filling. They serve it with a jalapeño cornbread muffin, and I usually get a salad before hand. The shrimp are cooked just right, and the grits are nice and creamy. There is a little bell pepper “chutney/relish” that is served on top, and honestly, the first time it was served, I wasn’t sure I would like it. However, it is very tasty and a nice addition to the dish. 

Their burgers are delicious and so are the fried. You can tell the burgers are hand pattied and not frozen and the fried are fresh cut and fried in clean oil. Some people don’t care about all that, but it sure makes for a more delicious meal. 

One time, recently, they had a daily special of blackened swordfish with asparagus and mashed potatoes. The swordfish was incredible! We’re not a fan of asparagus, but that was the only side with the potatoes; so, it sat lonely upon the plate as all the rest was gobbled up. We look for that special now whenever we go!

Next time you’re in the little mountain town of Dahlonega, be sure to stop by Bourbon Street. I don’t honk you’ll be disappointed. You can find their locations and menu items here. 

Tuesday’s Treats #53

/ The WheatandTares

Rocco’s Pub

Location: Jasper, Ga.

 This burger joint is located in the little town of Jasper, Georgia. They have great burgers and chili. Amazingly, they also have a choice of bison and elk burgers. My husband and boys had one of these, and they loved them! I had the regular bacon cheese burger, and it was good. Shoestring fries come with your order, but for $1.00 more, you can choose from steak fries, onion rings, Tator tots, veggies and sweet potato fries (complete with marshmallow creme). We ordered all except the steak fries and veggies. The marshmallow creme was a big hit with the boys! My husband also ordered a cup of the chili, and it was incredible. The sweet tea is good ol’ southern sweet tea, and the cherry Cokes are made perfect with grenadine. 

We ordered the hot apple pie ala mode for dessert. The flavor was really good; however, the crust could have been a little crispier…it almost made me wonder if, maybe, it was made yesterday and reheated today. Evenso, I’d probably order it again hoping it might be a little better, because the taste was really good.

The atmosphere of the place is really cool. I wish I’d taken a pic of the inside; so, you could see it. They also have a large outdoor covered pavilion dining area, and apparently, they have live music karaoke  frequently.

Please note: if you order bison/elk burgers, an appetizer and a dessert, along with drinks, for a party of four, your ticket may be a little more than what you’re used to paying. It’s great food, and we will definitely be back, I just thought I’d make you aware of the pricing; so, you’re not surprised by your ticket total as I was. Of course, I’ve included a pic of the menu; so, you can take a peak at it. 😉

Here is the website, too. 😊

 

Tuesday’s Treats #52

/ The WheatandTares

The Blue Moose

Location: Pigeon Forge, Tn

This is a fun sports grill where you’ll find a good meal. They’ve got TVs galore, and the atmosphere is festive. The food is yummy, and it just leaves you with the feelings of good food and good times. 

We orders the fried pickles for an appetizer, and these were great, not too greasy and not overcooked. We got burgers and fried, hot wings and chicken phillies. Everything was delicious. 

They have all kinds of hot wing sauces, as well as, a huge assortment of toppings for your burgers, which are not little burgers! These are half pound, hand-patties deliciousness. They, also, have quarter pound, all Angus beef dogs with just about any topping you’d like. We didn’t have any of these, but they looked good!

We will definitely be back again, and we regret waiting so long to try it. Check out their location and menu here. 

Tuesday’s Treats #51

/ The WheatandTares

Maggie’s Galley

Location: Waynesville, NC

This is a great little seafood restaurant in Waynesville, NC. Who would have thought it? The atmosphere is completely nautical. The staff is friendly, and the place is clean. It is locally owned, and they seem to really care about their customers. 

Now, I have to throw out a little disclaimer here. If you haven’t read my story, you may not know I am originally from the Gulf Coast; so, my opinion of seafood can be a little picky when I’m inland, but this place is pretty good for not being on the coast. If I were on the coast, it definitely wouldn’t be my first pick; however, when you’re inland, it is what it is. They have a good variety, and everything we’ve had tastes pretty fresh.  

The onion petals were a nice start. My husband got the steak, and he loved it. My son got the fish and chips, and it was so so. He didn’t really care for it, as it seemed to be more like catfish. My grandmother got the special of the day (above pic), but I am sorry, I don’t remember what it was. It’s been a little while since our visit, and I forgot to write it down. It was a grilled fish with a creamy, almost hollandaise type, sauce. The sauce was a little heavy, but it was tasty. I ordered the High Country Shrimp over blackened grit cakes. The dish had a good flavor, but it was so soupy. The hush puppies are yummy, and the cheesecake is divine! 

You’ll have to check this place out for yourself, but I’ve added some pics for you to see. You can check out their menu here, too.  

Tuesday’s Treats #50

/ The WheatandTares / 2 Comments

Mad Dog’s Donuts and Ice Cream

Location: Gatlinburg, Tn

This is a great little dessert place in Gatlinburg. It is located on Highway 321. They have fresh, homemade doughnuts, ice cream, coffee and drinks. The doughnuts were delicious and the icream was yummy as well. Honestly, the coffee could really be better. However, the doughtnuts will hit the spot! 

They have all different kinds from which to choose. Chocolate, vanilla and strawberry iced, iced, devil’s food, salted caramel, blueberry cake, red velvet with cream cheese and even espresso sprinkled, just to name a few. One of our favorites is the apple fritter. Oh my goodness. Yum!

One of the really nice things about this place is it is situated right beside a little creek with several old stone and brick houses across the creek. There is picnic table seating outside; so, in the warmer months, you can enjoy your sweets by the creek. 

This is a great little addition to a great town. I hope you will try it out and enjoy! 

Ps. I just looked them up online, and, apparently, this Spring, they will be opening a new location, too. Now, you’ll be able to enjoy a fresh, homemade yummy in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. 


Tuesday’s Treats #49

/ The WheatandTares

Bub’s Burger Barn

Location: Gatlinburg, Tn

This place is a great place to grab a burger while you’re in Gatlinburg. It’s up a little ways on Highway 321, right before you get to the Arts & Crafts Community. As you’ll read on the Trip Advisor reviews, it’s a little pricier than your average burger place, but the food is definitely tasty.

The burgers are juicy and full of flavor, the fries are yummy, and the sweet potatoes fries are delicious! The sweet tea is made just like it should be in the South, too. The staff is pretty good, but we have run across a “dud.” The place is usually pretty clean, and the atmosphere is nice.

So, if you’re looking for a great burger while in G’burg, and you don’t mind paying a little more than fast food, this will be your place.

PS. I think they’ve possibly changed the name, but I do know it’s still “Burger Barn,” and it’s in the same location. It may just have a new name tagged on the front…

Tuesday’s Treats #48

/ The WheatandTares

Capitol Coffee

Location: Maryville, Tn

This is the absolute coolest coffee shop I have ever entered! They have taken the old Capitol Theater and renovated it to make a venue and a coffee shop. The owners and designers did it right! Even if we are totally stuffed from our wonderful meal at Sullivan’s Downtown, we make it a point to stop by here. This place has so much character, you feel like you’ve stepped back in time as you walk through the door.

The coffee shop itself is really fun with the special coffees all having a name from a famous retro film, and they have even created a photo booth with costumes, hats and attire to make your pose picture perfect. The coffee is delicious, too. As with everything in the place, they have put forth their absolute best.

The theater itself has been made over into an absolutely gorgeous venue which can be rented for parties, weddings and other special occasions. Standing in the back of the room, you feel as if Cary Grant or Audrey Hepburn might just walk across the stage at any given moment.

Now, if you’re really lucky, one of the managers or owner will take you down to the “Man Cave.” The first time we went, they were just filling this up with all the interesting and intriguing artifacts of days gone by. The last time we went, the room looked a bit different from this, as they have added more and organized a bit beyond to accommodate the feel and clientele they wish to attract. It is really something to see.

If you’re looking for a memory-making venue, this is the place. You’ll not regret stopping by, even if it is only for a warm cup of joe and a walk down memory lane.

Find their location and venue information here.