Turkuaz Cafe
This is a really fun place to go! The decor is fun to look at, the food is delicious! I like to get a Pide (bread boat), which comes with a 3-salad plate, and a sour cherry drink afterward. Both kinds of baklava are scrumptious! You can sit on the floor if you wish, which makes for a very cozy meal with friends or family. Every time someone visits from out of town, we make sure to take them here! The food is very reasonably priced, and you get plenty to eat without feeling like you're going to burst at the seams. The service has always been quite good when we go there.
Irish Lion Inc
I had heard really good things about the Irish Lion, so I took my husband there for his birthday... It was 15 minutes after we entered the restaurant before anyone so much as acknowledged that we had walked in. When we were placing our order, a customer at a nearby table stumbled and nearly fell down, and the waiter laughed at her and called her a fatass just loud enough for us to hear - I don't know if he thought we would think that funny, but we didn't. He also brought my husband the wrong kind of beer, and when we brought it to his attention, he offered to bring the other, and we said it wasn't that big a deal, we didn't want to wait, but then he charged us for the one we did NOT order, which was more expensive! We didn't feel like we should have to pay extra because he made a mistake. The food was bland, the meat was on the tough side, and it was fairly expensive. The service was incredibly slow, and to top it all off, there was some kind of doctor's meeting going on upstairs, so when we went up to use the restrooms, we were treated to 6 foot tall images of open sores on a projection screen. This is kind of funny in retrospect, but at the time it was the single worst restaurant experience I have ever had. We love most of the local restaurants, but we certainly won't be going back to this one.
Dairy Queen
I'm sure the ice cream is great, but I was a little alarmed the last time I went there. I asked three times for malt powder to be added to my Blizzard, and they didn't know what it was. I think the training program needs to be improved a little. When you go, be sure to take cash as they don't accept credit or debit.
The Chocolate Moose
The Chocolate Moose is a charming miniature chalet downtown. It's a bit ramshackle, but it has delicious ice cream, hot dogs, and the like. If you're on a tight budget you can get a "Frenchie" for 55 cents last I checked, and if you have a doggy with you, you can buy it a torch cone for 35 cents. I think this is the most reasonably priced food I've seen in a long time, and the sense of history and community you get when you go there is wonderful. They don't take credit or debit, so be sure to bring cash with you, and don't forget to tip the staff! The lines are a little long sometimes, but you'll get through quickly and most likely make a new friend or two while you wait.
Upland Brewing Company
The upland is my favorite local brewery! The food is good, the atmosphere is good, there are lots of fun things to look at, the staff is friendly, and the Upland Wheat is amazing! As far as I know they still sell and refill Growlers, too. Oh yes, and there's outside seating. Love it!
Hair Arts Academy
...it doesn't hurt that they have the lowest prices in town, either. Like anywhere else, the student stylists vary in skill level and dedication, but if you are very clear about what you want (taking a picture with you is a great idea!), odds are you'll be more than pleased. The scalp massages and pedicures are to die for, even if you're shy about risking your hair. It feels good to know you're helping someone reach a big goal and gettting pampered at the same time. Like any other salon, it is customary to tip 15% provided your stylist is personable and gives it his or her best effort.
Fridays and Saturdays can be really busy, so be prepared to wait, or call ahead to check, or maybe take a book.
Mia & Maxx Hair Studio
I went to Mia and Maxx to get a haircut because I had a discount coupon I'd received as a gift from my husband, but I will definitely keep going at the regular price. I have only had my hair done in a salon 4 times in my whole life, I always cut my own hair both for fun and for financial reasons. This time, however, I was trying to grow it out and simply could not get it to look decent without cutting quite a bit off. I went in and a sweet girl named Shelby not only cut my hair, but when I told her I was very interested in hair cutting, she explained what she was doing and why every step of the way. She only cut off what was absolutely necessary to make it even and look like an on-purpose style, and raised my confidence hugely! I love the atmosphere here, they can do anything from old-fashioned to in-the moment trendy, and they all seem to have a great time while they're doing it! I LOVE this salon and the people who work there, and the prices are more than worth it! Don't forget to tip @ least 15%, like servers, stylist wages assume that you will be compensated in part by your customers, and are not as high as you might think.
Grease Monkey
I used to go to Mr. Lubie all the time when I first moved here - the prices are dirt cheap and the service is quick. It quickly became apparent that this is because they do not do a thorough job, I never once saw them put air in my tires. I thought maybe I just wasn't paying close enough attention, but the last time I went in, I specifically told them I was about to take a 5 hour drive to take my nephew back from a summer visit. I still didn't see them check my tires, so immediately afterward I pulled over and checked the tire pressure myself. One of the rear tires only had 14 pounds of pressure in it, and there are supposed to be 28! it's one thing for them to be lazy, but this time they knowingly endangered not only my life but that of a small child!
On a friend's high recommendation, I began going to Grease Monkey instead, and am now a devoted client. Not only do they actually perform all of the checks on the list, but they treat me with respect - as a woman I know this is not always the case. In addition the staff of Grease Monkey have also : replaced my axle, replaced a brake light that was out, and replaced a leaky radiator cap! How's that for great service?! All at great prices, too. And, not that these are necessary, but I think it's nice that they clean out the car and provide fresh fair-trade coffee and Twinkies while you wait.
Maybe I should write a letter of thanks to Mr. Lubie for treating me so badly that I moved on to a place I'm delighted with.
Mr Lubie
I used to go to Mr. Lubie all the time when I first moved here - the prices are dirt cheap and the service is quick. It quickly became apparent that this is because they do not do a thorough job, I never once saw them put air in my tires. I thought maybe I just wasn't paying close enough attention, but the last time I went in, I specifically told them I was about to take a 5 hour drive to take my nephew back from a summer visit. I still didn't see them check my tires, so immediately afterward I pulled over and checked the tire pressure myself. One of the rear tires only had 14 pounds of pressure in it, and there are supposed to be 28! it's one thing for them to be lazy, but this time they knowingly endangered not only my life but that of a small child!
On a friend's high recommendation, I began going to Grease Monkey instead, and am now a devoted client. Not only do they actually perform all of the checks on the list, but they treat me with respect - as a woman I know this is not always the case. In addition the staff of Grease Monkey have also : replaced my axle, replaced a brake light that was out, and replaced a leaky radiator cap! How's that for great service?! All at great prices, too. And, not that these are necessary, but I think it's nice that they clean out the car and provide fresh fair-trade coffee and Twinkies while you wait.
Maybe I should write a letter of thanks to Mr. Lubie for treating me so badly that I moved on to a place I'm delighted with.
Video Saloon
I love to go to the Vid early in the evening and drink a pitcher with my husband - it's a very friendly and laid-back atmosphere. Mike the door guy is a regular fixture and I have NEVER known him to not be there. The bar staff are friendly and efficient, and the prices are great! Well, not if you include the $15 Hot Pockets, but I think they have to serve some kind of food in order to retain a liquor license, and don't actually expect to sell them. I recommend you eat BEFORE you go. if you don't want a drunken sorority girl dancing/falling off of the table next to you before the night is over, this is the place to go. There are also video golf, darts, pool and good company - what more could you want!
