Category Archives: McKinney
Bayou Jack’s – Great Cajun food in McKinney Texas
Larry Likes Food
A Monthly Review of Restaurants, Pubs, and Other Eateries
By Larry Brantley
Let’s get one thing straight, right at the beginning. I like food. If pressed, I might admit to being a “foodie,” but more and more these days, that moniker is taking on elements of snobbishness, superiority and elitism that make me uncomfortable. I blame cable television. I also blame any person with the bass-ackwards notion that really good food has to be really expensive, and must be presented as artwork in a very pricey location. That kind of experience has its place, but rarely for me. Partly because I don’t own a tie and coat, and mostly because I look in my wallet and see two dollars, an expired coupon for cheese, and a couple of dust bunnies.
My friend Keisha York asked me if I’d be willing to write a monthly column for her newsletter / blog / whatever-else-she’s-using-to-communicate-with-people, and since I both write and eat (sometimes, daily), I said, “Yes.” Then, when she offered to pay for these excursions, I said. “Hell, yes.” So, I shall endeavor to experience and report each month on a local eatery, being as open-minded as I can, and calling it like I see it. With all that said, here’s the first review:
Bayou Jack’s Cajun Grill
218 E Louisiana Street #300
McKinney TX, 75069
(972) 388-7665
www.bayoujackscajungrill.com
I like me some Cajun and Creole food, y’all. I’ve been waiting for Bayou Jack’s to open ever since I saw their banner go up next door to Mellow Mushroom. I’d never been to their original location in Roanoke, but had heard good things from friends over that way. In the interest of full disclosure, I’ll tell you that I dined there on a Wednesday night, when the place was barely half-full, and so the wait staff was exceptionally attentive.
The interior of the place is sparse and roomy; bare brick walls, concrete floor, chalkboards with hand-written adverts for specials, or some of Bayou Jack’s best-sellers. And you had better enjoy some zydeco, because that’s what’s playing in the place. I heard some American standards intermixed (Fats Domino, George Thorogood, and Huey “Piano” Smith), but mostly it’s the washboard-scratching, accordion-slapping, fiddle-burning music that is original to Louisiana. And I like it.
Know what else I like? Beer, and Dirty Balls. (Yeah. Some of you just went THERE, didn’t you?) This is what I’m talking about:
Dirty Balls are Jack’s riff on traditional boudin balls, with chunks of cubed Cajun sausage, celery, rice and spices rolled into balls, dredged in flour or meal, and fried. They’re served on a bed of tomato and pepper sauce (with a little more boudin for good measure), and topped with queso. Yes, I said queso. Don’t judge me. It was awesome. Add to that the Abita Andygator beer I was drinking, and I could have stopped right there and called it a good evening. But I was on assignment, so to speak. So – to the entrée!
Crawfish Etouffee, baby. With etouffee, it’s all about the roux, that lovely brown gravy that underscores many Cajun and Creole dishes. In French, “etouffee” literally means “smothered,” and that’s a good thing. My crawfish were plentiful and tasty, the roux was deep, nutty and a little spicy (I added a couple shots of Cajun Chef Hot Sauce to my meal – which is NOT an insult to the chef. They put that stuff on the tables), and I had plenty of rice, and even a couple pieces of toasted baguette for sopping. And believe me, you will want to sop. I finished off my second Andygator beer, and felt just fine, dawlin’.
If you go online to check them out (http://www.bayoujackscajungrill.com), be aware that they haven’t updated their menu, nor do they list prices. Don’t let that scare you off. The menu is reasonable, the atmosphere is family-friendly (this is McKinney, after all), and I finally have a place to go for Fat Tuesday this year.
Bon temps rouler, y’all.
Larry Brantley is a professional actor, writer, and comic. He lives in McKinney. And he doesn’t actually speak French.
 |
 |
McKinney ISD Rezoning
If you live in McKinney you have probably heard something about the rezoning of the High Schools. I do not have kiddos in high school yet, but as a Realtor that serves and lives in the McKinney area I find it crucial that I stay on top of what is going on around town so I can better serve my clients.
McKinney Boyd is BURSTING at the seams. It is overcrowded to the point of exceeding capacity. The School board has proposed zoning changes to remedy the situation. McKinney High has undergone some renovations and additions that allows for more students to help ease the burden at Boyd. The board is carefully considering the impact these changes will have on families and various neighborhoods. They are also trying to keep the schools balanced in regards to socioeconomic status.
They have announced that students already in enrolled at one of the schools can apply to be grandfathered in and stay until graduation. There is also a consideration for siblings. It appears that if an older sibling is already enrolled at the school that the younger will be allowed to attend that same school.
Click on the image below to Check out the video explaining the upcoming changes by Dr. Kennedy.
The McKinney ISD web Site also has more info on the rezoning, how and where you can share your thoughts to the board and the grandfather application. http://www.mckinneyisd.net/parents/zones/
It’s Pumpkin Time
Autumn at the Arboretum
Autumn at the Arboretum returns for another season of fall family fun. The garden will transform with thousands of blazing colored florals as over 50,000 pumpkins, gourds and squash come together to form the nationally acclaimed storybook pumpkin village. A multitude of special events will also be available on weekdays and weekends along with the hay bale maze, the great pumpkin search, and the Tom Thumb pumpkin patch.
Dallas Arboretum
Big Orange Pumpkin Farm in Celina
Pumpkin patch, petting zoo, hayrides, hotdogs, picture taking opportunities, and more!
Open Now until November 3rd.
5454 County Rd #126
Celina, TX 75009
972-382-4995 | Office
214-326-2706 | Mobile
Big Orange Pumpkin Patch
Pumpkins on the Prairie
While everyone can pick their favorite pumpkins, children will also enjoy playing in the bounce house, running through the hay maze and playing games in our “Kid’s Patch!” Plus, there are lots of picture taking opportunities with our fall set-ups and family-fun hayrides!
3521 Main Street, Frisco, Texas 75034
972.335.2882
Pumpkins on the Prairie
Why It is time to sell your home if you live the Dallas Area
It is time to sell your home if you live the Dallas Area. I’m sure you have heard it is a sellers market and homes are selling in days, even hours with multiple offers. Now you are thinking, “its fall I missed the boat, I better wait till spring.” Others are holding out thinking one more year will bring even more of an increase in property values. I understand that line of thinking but I am not so sure it is correct. Recently Steve Brown, a Real Estate Editor for the Dallas News wrote a great article summarizing recent reports and market changes. Below are a few points he made that I pulled straight from his article:
- Dallas-area home prices were up a record 8.5 percent in July from a year earlier in the latest Case-Shiller report. * Case-Shiller’s index is different. It tracks over time the prices of specific single-family homes in each metropolitan area. And the index does not include condominiums and townhouses.
- While not as large as in many markets, Dallas’ price increases are double historic averages.
- Through the first eight months of 2013, pre-owned home sales are 20 percent higher than they were in the same period last year. And the number of houses available for purchase in August was 14 percent below where it was a year earlier.
- …doesn’t expect the rate of home price growth in North Texas to remain at current levels.
- With mortgage rates moving up, most economists agree that this summer’s huge home price jumps won’t last.
Check out the entire article by Steve Brown here: Dallas-area home prices jump 17 percent from the bottom in 2009
What does this mean for you? If you have been thinking of selling your home now is the time. Call me and I can set up a free consultation to help determine what your home is valued at and what we can do to get it ready to go on the market and SOLD ASAP! Just want a quick, free estimate of your homes value? Try this FREE Home Value Site.
I would love to help you with any and all of your Real Estate needs or question. Give me a call or shoot me and email. Keisha York: 469-853-9784 or email Keisha.york@gmail.com
McKinney, Texas is a GREAT Place to Live
Why is McKinney, TX such a Great Place to live? It has that small town feel with the convenience of amazing local restaurants, shopping, access to 75 and 121 and great schools. McKinney’s Historic Downtown is full of boutiques, antique shops and yummy eateries. By day it is a wonderful place to stroll around and shop with friends but in the evening it is filled with live music at several of the various bars and venues. The City of McKinney puts a lot of work into maintaining the beauty of the area. Many of the streets and parkways are meticulously planted and maintained to keep the city of McKinney looking beautiful. There are numerous parks, splash pads, trails, and fishing ponds around to enjoy a beautiful days outside. The Real Estate Market in McKinney is Hot and home values continue to rise in this area. Currently, the average home price is approximately 335,000.
Come check McKinney, TX and see why Money Magazine Voted McKinney #2 in Americas Best Places to Live.
Call me today for help with any of your Real estate needs.
4th Of July Celebrations in Addison, Frisco and McKinney….Where to See Fireworks Around Town
Trying to decide where the best place to celebrate the 4th and see a great fireworks show?
Here is a summary of a few that I found online.
July 3: Addison – Kaboom Town! Kaboom Town! Food, music, kid’s activities including rock climbing, giant slide, inflatables, and more… 30-minute fireworks show is choreographed to music and a live radio simulcast on 100.3 JACK FM. This event is FREE. When: Wednesday July 3, 2013 from 5 p.m. to Midnight. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Where: Addison Circle Park, Dos Equis Main Stage, 4970 Addison Circle Drive, Addison, TX
July 4: Flower Mound’s Annual Independence Day Celebration Music by Rick Springfield and many activities for the whole family Beginning at 10 a.m. with the Children’s Parade and ending with fireworks finale, Independence Fest 2013 will also host performances by Breaking Southwest and The Walton Stout Band, a vintage car show presented by Time Machine Car Shows, a showcase of our local businesses, and a free Kid’s Zone, presented by Raising Cane’s, complete with bounce houses, games for all ages, and more. When: Wednesday July 4, 2013. Where: Bakersfield Park, 1201 Duncan Lane, Flower Mound, TX Don’t bring: No glass, alcohol, or tobacco products may be brought to the park.
July 4: Frisco Freedom Fest 2013 Party in the Plaza will include all the traditional makings of Frisco Freedom Fest beginning at 4 p.m. New this year: a zip line! The Children’s Expo features two Euro bungees, a rock climbing wall and bounce house inflatables. The plaza party also includes a Community Stage, featuring local entertainers, and Hometown Hero Exhibit, showcasing our police and fire departments. The Taste of Frisco returns with Frisco restaurants will be serving some of their most popular menu items. Across the street FC Dallas will host a Major League Soccer match between FC Dallas and Chivas. When: Wednesday, July 4, 2013 Starts 4 p.m. until the fireworks finale. Where: Simpson Plaza at City Hall, 6101 Frisco Square Blvd. Frisco, TX 75034
July 4-6: Frisco RoughRiders 10th Annual Fireworks Celebration The Frisco RoughRiders want to include you as they celebrate their tenth season with three awesome fireworks shows on July 4th, 5th and 6th. It’s baseball, fireworks and great family fun at a low price. For ticket info call 972-334-1900.When: July 4-6, 2013. Fireworks after the games.
July 4: McKinney’s “Red, White and Boom” The Hometown Parade begins at 10 a.m. in historic downtown McKinney. Family activities and food from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Live music from 8 p.m. – 9:45 p.m. WRR will provide “Sounds of America” on a live simulcast during the fireworks on Classical 101.1. Be sure to tune in as you watch the McKinney fireworks show beginning at 9:45 p.m. For more information on the activities at the McKinney Soccer Complex at Craig Ranch call 972-547-7480. All Red, White and BOOM! activities are free and open to the general public. Alcohol is not allowed.When: July 4, 2013. Parade 10 a.m. Activities 7 p.m. Fireworks at 9:45 p.m. Where: McKinney Soccer Complex at Craig Ranch.
Happy Independence DAY!!!
Keisha
469-853-9784
keisha.york@gmail.com
www.keishayork.com
Keisha’s goal is to provide a level of customer service that builds a long-lasting relationship and not just a one-time transaction with her clients. She believes that buying a home is one of the most important purchases we do in our lifetime. She carefully listens to her clients, being sure to understand their wants and needs. Keisha’s knowledge, experience, and understanding the nature and complexities of each real estate transaction are the keys that differentiate her from other agents. Friendliness, honesty, integrity and market knowledge round off her skill-set to make every real estate transaction as smooth as possible.
Time to Take Care of Your Foundation!
Time to Take Care of Your Foundation!
Well, It is that time of the year again where we all here in North Texas have to start keeping a close eye on our foundations. Due to the expansive nature of the soils here we should implement a foundation maintenance program and I have included some helpful tips to help minimize the effects of the hot and dry Texas summers on your foundation.
The first thing you should do is purchase soaker hoses and place them around your home approx. 12-18 inches from your foundation. Do not place them right next to the foundation, you want to uniformly hydrate the soils from 18 inches away all the way up to the foundation and under the outer grade beam. This time of the year you should water about 5 times a week for 30 minutes a day. You should also water in the mornings to maximize the absorption rate into the soils. The goal of watering is keep the hydration levels in the soil the same and using soaker hoses does this by injecting water back into the soils that are lost through evaporation and convectional heat throughout the day. Using a sprinkler system does very little to help the foundation, which is why most cities have water restrictions on using sprinklers in the summer.
I hope these tips were helpful and if used will go a long way to prevent the soils from shrinking and shifting your foundation and/or causing foundation failure. If you do see cracks appearing or soils shrinking away from the foundation or doors sticking you should call us as soon as possible to see if there is a problem and if so to minimize the damages that may be occurring. Call anytime for a free Foundation Evaluation.
Bret Taylor
Sr. Foundation Evaluator
Perma Pier Foundation Repair
(469) 371-5350
ATTENTION ALL FOODIES!!!
Just another reason McKinney, TX is a GREAT place to live!!!
Downtown McKinney has joined the rankings of Bishops Art District, Knox Henderson and Uptown as one of the BEST Foodie neighborhoods according to the Dallas Morning News. I was a little surprised Sauce, Spoons and Cafe Malaga were not mentioned in the below write up. They certainly make he list of local favorites!
“Other than Rick’s Chophouse, there’s not much in the way of high-end dining. But if you like to cook, it’s hard to beat downtown McKinney for shopping. One of the area’s best farmers markets sets up Saturday mornings at Chestnut Square. Locally raised grass-fed beef and lamb, pasture-raised chicken and pork and more are for sale at Local Yocal (which supplies many of Dallas’ top restaurants). At Patina Green Home and Market, you’ll find gourmet goodies, sandwiches and gotta-have-it tabletop items. Want a great burger and fine Texas microbrew? Head to Square Burger. Amazingly, all that is right on the square. Nearby, Cadillac Pizza Pub makes a fine pie, and Hutchins BBQ just earned a coveted spot on Texas Monthly’s list of 50 best barbecue joints.”
Read entire article at http://www.dallasnews.com/news/community-news/best-neighborhoods/20130601-best-foodie-friendly-neighborhoods-quality-abounds-from-bishop-arts-district-to-mckinney.ece
Need fresh fruits and veggys….
I have said it before but I am gonna say it again….Veggymart Rocks!
Feeding my family of five is an expensive venture…. Especially trying to feed them healthy. I have saved soooooo much money going to veggymart weekly not to mention the fruits and vegetable are leaps and bounds better than what I was getting at the grocery store.
They are open every Friday and if they don’t sell out Saturday too.
You really should check them out, http://veggymart.com. They are located at 1731 Bonner St. McKinney, Texas 75069.
This is my haul for under $40… AMAZING!!!
McKinney Skatepark Grand Opening
Grab your helmets and pads the much awaited McKinney Skatepark grand opening is TODAY!!!
McKinney skatepark grand opening
Around Town 