As it approaches 4 months and counting until the convention, here are a few updates for the convention and area, especially dealing with those that like to eat "off site". For those in the know, this is virtually the same location as the 1st Annual NTRPG con (the La Quinta, which is across the street), so unfortunately the plethora of wonderful places to eat nearby is not available to us this year, but the few that we have around are much closer (walking distance), and only a few miles away are several more restaurants if you can find a driver.

At this point the construction in front of the hotel is absolutely horrific. Everything is torn up, although you can still reach the hotel on the service road. We are really hoping that in the next few months they will clean up the mess a little. On the bright side, if not for the construction, we would not have gotten the sweetheart deal we have for the rooms (both convention rooms and hotel rooms).

For right now and through convention time, the Ihop, Schlotskys, Dixie Cafe and China Dragon (as well as a large Quik Trip) across the highway will remain open, and can be reached by walking across the just-now-being-constructed bridge (which we hope will have a pedestrian lane by June). The restaurant where we had the very 1st Special Guest luncheon, Texas Land & Cattle, is still going strong and I suspect this year we will have the guest luncheon there once again.

24 hour dining is available at the just mentioned Ihop, or a block down the road at a Taco Cabana and Dennys (right next to each other), so plenty of late night/early morning food choices. If you are curious about off-the-beaten-path, Mom & Pops nearby, I can point you in the right direction...I live about five miles away and have lived in the area for 40 years.

Down the road is a small shopping center with a Jason's Deli, Einsteins Bagels, Starbucks, Duke's Roadhouse, Boomerjacks, Fuddruckers, Twin Peaks and On the Border, so there are enough places nearby to satisfy your every food need. You'll need a ride for those places, though.

There is a Tom Thumb grocery nearby for those that wish to stock up on snacks and drinks, but the Quik Trip across the street is usually well supplied and the prices are reasonable. Note that due to the restaurant being on premises, we will not be able to sell snacks and drinks as in years earlier, although we may maintain some in the hospitality suites on the top floor for general consumption. For the interested, the area has no liquor stores, but beer and wine are easily available at any convenience or grocery store.

Any more foodie questions, let me know! I'll have my restaurant ratings for the nearby places in the next post...

Ok, I live nearby and I've eaten at most local joints more times than I'd like to count. If you are visiting in June and want to go offsite to eat, here are my ratings of the nearby places:

Three Stars (Keep on the Borderlands): Top of the line, one of my favorites
Two Stars (Castle Amber): Average to slightly above average meal, you get what you pay for
One Star (Up the Garden Path) : I have probably eaten here and gotten sick because of it.....

First up: Close by

Ihop (two stars): You have eaten at one Ihop, you've eaten at them all. No surprises here. Pretty much what you'd expect. Open 24 hours.

Schlotskys (two stars): Another chain, tasty baked sandwiches on their delicious bread. Pretty much what you'd expect of this sandwich shop, has a drive through.

China Dragon (three stars): My favorite Chinese buffet in the area. Gigantic selection, including deserts, sushi and salad bar, and very tasty. I eat here about once a week. Bonus: You can fill up and it won't ding your pocket book, lunchtime buffet runs until 4pm and is under 10 bucks. They also do take out. Highly recommended!

Dixie Cafe: (three stars): I can't recommend much beyond their breakfast because I never eat anything else here. Their selections are really good and hearty, most of the breakfast menu items fill a giant-sized plate. They also have fresh cake, pie and doughnuts every morning. Reasonably priced.

Texas Land and Cattle (three stars): A mid priced steak house, not spectacular but certainly above average. Prices are a tad on the high side but it's a steak restaurant. Nothing is bad here, and it has a bar.

Quik Trip (two stars): Surprisingly good food for a convenience store. They have a hot dog/taquito section that has numerous fresh selections, a sandwich and salad section, a gigantic coffee and soda area, beer and wine selections, a wall of chips, and lots of snack goodies. Prices are very reasonable. They even have a tasty breakfast snack area that is emptied by 9 am at the latest by hungry construction workers. Be warned your mileage may vary; I have never had a problem here but have had friends who swore they had gotten upset stomachs by food that has sat out too long. Also, the doughnut section is disgusting (unless you like cold Krispy Kreme pastries, blech).

There is also a Pappadeaux Sea Food with in a short distance from where the con is. A bit pricy but not bad.

As Well as a Buffalo Wild Wings, and a Cheddars and a really great Mongolian place Baatar. Baatar has a good lunch and dinner price and does serve some adult beverages to those that do drink.

Does Dixie Cafe serve breakfast all day or do they have a cut off time? Nothing like a plate of biscuits and gravy at four in the afternoon.

kingofpain89 wrote:


John,
You are talking my language!

The hotel has a Restaurant & Bar that is usually open for Breakfast & Dinner only and the Bar usually closes around midnight.... we will all be able to get a 10% discount at the Restaurant as long as you have you Con badge on, and they will be open as follows during the Con:

Wednesday - Breakfast / Dinner - Bar until midnight
Thursday - Breakfast / Dinner - Bar until 0200
Friday - Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner - Bar until 0200
Saturday - Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner - Bar until 0200
Sunday - Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

I didn't ask for the Restaurant to be open for Lunch on Thursday since we have the Special Guest luncheon at Texas Land & Cattle, so I figure anyone at the Hotel at that time will be over at the Special Guest luncheon.