McBride's Steak House

If I'm in Wichita Falls, Texas, have any time, this is my place to eat. The steaks are truly mouth watering, tender and a meal you'll remember.

The menu is small, service is great, price is right, parking can be a problem, it's a quiet, family and friends type of restaurant.

I take anyone who is with me there and they are always thankful. They always want to go back!

The photo above is a pencil drawing near the cashier....check it out. It shows how the early Native Americans referred to the area, the water and their enjoyment of it.

PS...they have mints at the cashier that don't cost anything and for some reason they always taste better than anywhere else I get them.

John Madden

I rate it as high as I can!

Mamma Mia!

We have season tickets to the Broadway shows that come to Amarillo, Texas and this was one of the very best.

For me going to shows started in college, at Eastern New Mexico University, in Portales, New Mexico.

Every since then I've enjoyed plays, concerts, live entertainment (including ballet...Rudolf Nureyev and Mikhail Baryshnikov...folks these men were as atheletic as anyone I've ever seen on any field of sports) and seeing people dedicated to their dream and craft.

We, Judy, KP, Carolene and I saw the movie. It was outstanding.

The play was just as outstanding in a new and extremely entertaining way.

See if you can get in on season tickets of or for plays, concerts or any entertainment. The arts are called "arts" reason.

Artists are working at the art they love.

John Madden

Larry The Cable Guy

KP (Kenneth Poole) and I went to see his Hero....Larry The Cable Guy.

I'll admit I wasn't looking forward to this that much. Even thought it was my idea when I saw he was going to be in Amarillo.

KP is not only a good friend, but we enjoy doing things together. After talking to his wife, Carolene, I got the tickets and began wondering what had I got myself into?

We had floor seats, not bad at all. However the seating gang at the Amarillo Civic Center did not have their stuff together, as to where what seat was...with reference to where seat number 1 was and number 18 was.

We were seated at one end, told we should be on the other end. Moved, only to be told, we were told wrong and that we'd have to move.

Come on folks....let's get our stuff together, okay?

The show was great! Yes, I was surprised and really enjoyed myself.

Two couples (they were not what one might think of as "redneck" by any means) in front of us were as much fun as the concert. The two ladies laughed more than their men.

I became a Larry The Cable Guy fan, bought the hat, the CD and look forward to next time.

If you want to be entertained (disclaimer: some language will hit you as foul...it is...deal with it or don't go!)

This guy is FUNNY....

John Madden

The Gatlin Brothers

A blast from the past. It has been years since the Gatlin Brothers music was out and about, so to speak.

They were in Amarillo recently and our group (Kenneth and Carolene Poole, Judy and I) got to see them.

Larry is an ENTERTAINER! He interacts with the crowd, jokes with his brothers, in a humorous way draws attention to anyone coming in late, laughs, talks about his past challenges and thanks those who encouraged and helped him along the road and makes it an evening you'll remember for a long time.

His brothers are great, they're full of fun, humor and musical talent.

Their show is full of gray headed, super intelligent, appreciative, sing-a-long fans who can be heard saying, as they leave the show "money well spent."

Do yourself a favor, check them out if you get the opportunity. You'll be glad you did.

John Madden

Coyote Bluff Cafe, Amarillo, Texas

Located at 2417 S. Grand St., Amarillo, Texas 79103, (806)373-4640.

Tuesday - Saturday

11:00 AM - 2:30 PM

5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Food: American (Traditional)

No credit cards.

Casual dress

Alcohol: Beer and wine only

No reservations.

Price range: good

We came across this via a gentleman who told KP (good friend Kenneth Poole) it was recommended to him by a local hotel.

We decided to give it a try on our Wednesday night "Hamburger night" (not always a hamburger, but a good excuse to eat out).

The service was good to very entertaining. We enjoy being waited on by someone with a sense of humor. It's well and alive here!

Food was well worth the drive across town.

It's not fanciest place you'll ever go to but it's one of the neatest, has a great atmosphere, not a lot of room, but people line up to get in.

Give it a try. You'll be glad you did.

John Madden

Gabriel's north of Santa Fe, New Mexico

* Atmosphere

* Good food: food of the Southwest and Old Mexico

* Great service

* Tableside guacamole : made right in front of you.

* Ease of access: exit 176, Hwy 84/285

LINK

* Five miles north of the Santa Fe Opera

Every time we're in the area, we go here to eat. The food is great and we love watching them make the guacamole at our table. Unlike so many restaurants, they give you enough for four people to eat and not have to worry about everyone having enough.

The chips, which is an important part of a mea are fresh, crispy and never ending.

The atmosphere is casual to as formal as you want. We're seen people in tux, cowboy, hippie, slacks to t-shirts and shorts.

The service is very good and right at your elbow when you want a refill.

There is an art studio next to the restaurant, but we've never been there early enough to go in. It's on our list of things to do.

If you want an pleasant evening, good food, good service and an enjoyable atmosphere this is your place.

Gabriel's is a four motorcycle hands down.

John Madden

Landmark Grill at the Plaza Hotel in Las Vegas, NM

This is a must.

We were told there was an hour and a half wait. It was only fifteen minutes.

The wait is after you're seated, a waiter/waitress appears, you see a menu, order food, watch other people (we love watching people) and then get food.

That's the 90 minute wait!

The food is well worth the wait.

Our waitress, Stacy, was also well worth the wait. She was friendly, outgoing, funny, and has a personality that lights up a room.

She's a student at New Mexico Highlands University, in Las Vegas। She's also a member of MARIACHI VAQUEROS de la SIERRA that performs at many functions.

The evening was well worth the drive from Pendaries (check blog for eating experience at the Lodge)!

Per a quote from their website:

"Unparalleled in service and delicious food, the Plaza’s own Landmark Grill serves breakfast, lunch and dinner 7 days a week in an elegant yet casual Victorian dining room. The Grill specializes in charcoal-broiled steaks and chops, New Mexican, and the occasional alligator on the menu!"

To eat here is for the eating experience, food quality, good service as well as atmosphere. It's not fast food by any means. It's quality with a touch of lace boarded by Old West History.

We were not interested in the alligator. The steaks were mouth watering as was everything else.

The price is a little on the high side, but all things considered, it's not bad. Even for a couple of tight wads like KP and I.

It's an evening out, not just a meal and a four motorcycle rating.

John Madden