Let's Eat ~ Sakura

 

   

     When we ask the kids what they want to eat for dinner, if we give them option to eat out, the choice is usually between two spots.  Sakura is one of those spots my whole family enjoys dining at.  Sakura is a relatively new restaurant to the Sulphur Springs area.  They feature sushi and hibachi style meals.  There is something for everyone in our group to choose from, and the portions usually work out that no one goes home hungry.  They manage to satisfy the voracious appetite of the 16 year old.  

    We dropped in for lunch late this past week and were not disappointed at all by our service, or food.  Since my group was smaller we did order a little more food so that we could show a wider variety for this column.  

    We started our lunch off with some appetizer, spring rolls and fried stuffed avocado.  You can never go wrong with a stuffed avocado.  The creamy texture of the avocado, filled with crab and then fried.  Who could ask for a better combination.  Their spring rolls are also fried, with a crispy outer shell and filled with a good mix of vegetables and pork. 

    Each visit to any sushi style restaurant we always order a seaweed salad.  The tangy flavor mixed with the subtle sesame flavor make for a great combination.  Even the kids will chow down on this dish, so we usually pick up a few so everyone can share.  

    We ordered a couple of rolls for our main course and a bento box the the oldest since he eat so much food, he needed that extra bit the box provides.  With just the three of us, we almost had too much food but we managed to make it all disappear.  Those boys mush have been hungry. 

    If you have not yet managed to make it into Sakura, be sure to check them out.  You can order online and go in to pick up your order.  They have a good amount of seating inside for your group big or small.  They also carry a selection of wine and bottled beer to drink as well.  

    We hope you will stop in soon to visit this great, local find and enjoy a meal other than Tex-Mex.  Sayounara! 

Let's Eat ~ Redneck Bar and Grill

 

    I feel like only in East Texas or somewhere in the South would you have a restaurant named Redneck Bar and Grill.  The restaurant's reputation lives up to its name and serves steak, chicken or fish smothered in a gravy or grilled.  

    Redneck is a great downtown dining experience if you are looking for large portions that will fill you up and make your taste buds water in anticipation of what to expect in your dining experience.  We often ask our guests who stay with us at The Oaks, what they want for dinner and direct them to the right options.  Never has anyone come away from Redneck disappointed.  

    In our last visit into Redneck, we both ordered a salad with steak or tuna as our protein option.  Maybe not the best option, for dining at Redneck but both meats were cooked to order and met our expectations. I would have liked the addition of a mixed lettuce selection rather than only iceberg, for a good quality salad.  

    All the other offerings are just what people would expect.  Top Sirloin cooked to your desired finish, smothered hamburger steak, or grilled chicken.  Daily specials are served anytime a patron desires that option.  For example one guest ordered a Risky Chicken, which is a grilled chicken covered in sautéed mushrooms, onions and swiss cheese.  A definite pleasure for the taste buds.

    Redneck also offers a variety of bar drinks, for their patrons to enjoy.  There is a good selection of beer and wine options as well for those who don't want to mix it up.  Since portions are so large they only offer plain cheese cake for dessert.  However, they encourage patrons who want something a little sweet, to walk around the corner to another local option, the Magic Scoop.  

    If you are in need of a space for a larger group event, Redneck has a semi private room available for those functions to utilize as well.  Call ahead and make sure it's available for your special occasion.  Be sure to stop in for lunch or dinner the next time you are downtown.

Let's Eat ~ White Oak Buffet

    

    Our chosen restaurant this month to visit is the White Oak Buffet just outside of town on FM-69.  They are only open two days per week on Friday and Saturday from 3-9pm. So plan your visit accordingly. Their address is 2327 FM 69 North, Sulphur Springs, Texas.  Bring the whole family out to enjoy this local favorite.  The pricing is set by age, with a flat rate for to-go options. They should probably have a teenage boy category, based on how much my kid ate.  He made up for whatever I missed at dinner.

   

 They have a variety of fish options for each person in your group.  Once you made it to  your table get up again and start out in line to grab your food.  Everything is self-serve, and you might have to wait for a table at prime dinner time.  But the wait will be worth it!

    Grab your plate, utensils and start loading up on all your favorites.  The first section of the buffet is 
"cold" items, such as coleslaw, shrimp and various toppings.  Then you can move on to the fried stuff.  Fried fish, fritters, shrimp and okra are just to name a few.  If fried fish is not your jam, you can find some baked white fish and a vegetable medley to enjoy or chicken tenders and sausage.  

    White Oak Buffet is a great stop on Friday during lent, if you plan to observe the no meat on Friday suggestion.  Your drink options are simple, water and tea.  Of course sweet tea and unsweet tea to choose from.  And what dinner would be complete without dessert.  Soft served ice cream, and your choice of cobbler to finish up your visit.  

    Our family enjoyed their time at the White Oak Buffet and will be sure to head back out their to enjoy their offerings.  We hope that you will take the time to plan a visit in the future.

Travel East Texas ~ Mt. Vernon

   

  Just fifteen minutes East of Sulphur Springs is Mt. Vernon, Texas.  A little spot away from the big city life, where you can stop into downtown and find a few good places to eat and cute places to shop for just the right item on your list.  The city is working hard to renovate their downtown to bring life back to the city, with local shops and eateries.  We found a few that you  might want to stop by while visiting Sulphur Springs.  

    The Chop House if a wonderful stop for dinner while visiting the area.  The hours of operation are from 5-10 p.m. each night except for Sunday.  You can make a reservation on the website, if you are traveling with a large group or small group.  We highly recommend making a reservation, especially on the weekend so that you can dine when you want to.  They have a good selection in their bar for mixed drinks and wine.  

    Plan to stop by during lunch, be sure to check out the other dinning options such as 5B Burger Co, Sweet Home Texas, or Steve-O's Pizza.  Each location offers a little different taste depending on what you are looking for to dine on.  

    Before or after you eat be sure to check out the shops along the square.  There is a little bit of something for everyone.  One boutique ranges from baby gifts, to men's clothing.  There is another cute shop that features women's clothing but where you can also order flowers for any special occasion.

    Mount Vernon is the county seat for Franklin County and happens to house the court house on the square as well.  Along with the library and a couple of museums that are just off of the square.  Be sure to check out the websites for the museums, to verify hours of operation.  Covid has played a difficult part in limiting operating hours at some of these local establishments.

    One of the city's highlights is the Mt. Vernon Food and Wine festival that will be held on Saturday, April 2, 2022.  This festival features amazing Texas wines and food from all over the state.  Food, music and wine, who could ask for more.  Be sure to check out this great East Texas event.

    Grab your bike and come out to support the Rotary Club of Mt. Vernon in their annual Tour de Cypress Bike Ride.   This ride can be taken in any number of lengths, as determined by your fitness level.  Bring the whole family out to have fun and get a little sun and exercise on Saturday, April 16, you can register by clicking this link.  

    To top off your Mt. Vernon adventure don't forget to check out the Johnson Photo Print Studio.  For $12.95 per person you can enter their wonderfully curated studio and take all the selfie photos you want with your friends, family and the people you meet.  This is a great way to be social in a fun environment and make some lasting memories.  Be sure to check out the Main Street Alliance web page for more information on what is happening in the downtown Mt. Vernon area.  There is so much exciting stuff going on, that you might not want to miss out.  

Let's Eat ~ La Victoria

    

     A wonderful, somewhat hidden, gem in Sulphur Springs is La Victoria.  A little Mexican food market that also happens to have a restaurant inside that serves food during the hours of operation.  Not only can you get authentic Mexican food to eat in house, you can do a little bit of grocery shopping as well.  La Victoria can be found at 1135 S. Broadway St, in Sulphur Springs.  

   

     They offer a good variety of choices for dining in or taking out.  Tortas, quesadillas, tacos and burritos.  Plus they have a daily special for each week day, we happened to go on Thursday (Jueves) and the special was Pozole.  One of our favorites but we all ordered something different.  I really want to go back and eat again on Friday for their special. 

   

     Breakfast tacos can be had, with just eggs or chorizo and eggs.  You can select your meat for your tacos, quesadillas and tortas.  The flavor is genuinely delicious and it makes you want to go back for more.  Not only do they make their dishes from scratch, they fry fresh chips and make homemade tortillas that you can purchase and take home with you.

    

    One of my favorite reasons to visit La Victoria is to enjoy a pastry.  Made fresh on the premises, the variety and scale of pastries can make any carb lover fall head over heals.  

   

     After you have finished eating be sure to check out the rest of the store to find fruits and vegetables that can not be found at your local grocer.  They even have a meat counter where you can get fresh cuts of meat to try your own hand at authentic fair at home.  

    

    Today we enjoyed breakfast tacos, veggie tacos, and beef quesadillas.  All made fresh for us while we waited.  This place was hopping for lunch, so be sure to go early and grab your food to go or stay to dine in.