Live in Dallas but eat in Waco few times a year around sport events. Enjoyed Guess (gave it an 8 on the Hutchins BBQ scale- I live in McKinney). Ate first time at Blacks after first BU FB game. Gave Brisket an 8 and beens a 9. Second trip a couple weeks ago Brisket only got a 6) love the atmosphere though and service and speed is top notch!

insurebear said:

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Live in Dallas but eat in Waco few times a year around sport events. Enjoyed Guess (gave it an 8 on the Hutchins BBQ scale- I live in McKinney). Ate first time at Blacks after first BU FB game. Gave Brisket an 8 and beens a 9. Second trip a couple weeks ago Brisket only got a 6) love the atmosphere though and service and speed is top notch!

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Hutchins is legit!

hodedofome said:

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sipembeers said:

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hodedofome said:

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I hadn't been there in a while. The main thing I miss is the ramen noodle place inside Union Hall which served Guess BBQ in their ramen. That was so good, and I miss it every winter.

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Try haaikido (however you spell it) at the corner of Waco drive and valley mills. The old pei Wei location.

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I took my wife there once. It was fine until we went into the bathrooms. It was like a Four Seasons but weird. You want to use a community hairbrush? It was just weird.

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Went for work lunch, didn't venture to restroom. Ramen was good.

Illinois Bear said:

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Always enjoyed their food but was admittedly disappointed when they removed fried ribs from their menu a while back. Those were my favorite.

Had definitely taken notice of the visibly fewer cars in the lot pretty much all of 2024.

Hate this for any local business.

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Agreed. Love the fired ribs, broccoli slaw, deviled eggs etc they had on the menu as regular items. Took them
Off and I would rather eat tb's or helberg meat wise but their sides at one time were what brought me in as a regular and the. Also stopped me from going 1-2x a week for lunch. Top 50 Texas monthly bbq place. Sad they coukdnt stay afloat. Maybe in union hall or union grove they can survive with much lower overhead costs?

Stranger said:

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Blueashtj said:

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It was Michna's.
It was ok not great. Kind of the way I feel about Uncle Dan's.

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Yeah. I like Dan's. The best thing about Dans is Uncle Dan his ownself. I'll be loyal to Dan as long he owns the joint. I know one local Waco business man who eats there every day . That says something.

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I thought uncle Dan was arrested for soliciting prostitution with rub and tugs he enjoyed? He's out of the slammer I assume from your post?

1outawayBear said:

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Stranger said:

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Blueashtj said:

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It was Michna's.
It was ok not great. Kind of the way I feel about Uncle Dan's.

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Yeah. I like Dan's. The best thing about Dans is Uncle Dan his ownself. I'll be loyal to Dan as long he owns the joint. I know one local Waco business man who eats there every day . That says something.

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I thought uncle Dan was arrested for soliciting prostitution with rub and tugs he enjoyed? He's out of the slammer I assume from your post?

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don't believe everything you read in the paper. Dan is a good man who made a mistake. he has paid for his mistake . I stand by my friendship with him.

Agreed. He was arrested in February of 2018 on a Class B misdemeanor, but there's no record of any criminal case. That could be due to any number of outcomes, none of which I'm going to speculate on. Have given him lots of business over the years, and will continue to do so.

Had an impromptu get together with 8 college friends after the WVU game on Saturday. Ended up grabbing BBQ from Broken G BBQ - a food truck in the lot next to Barnett's and Clay Pot on Austin - and took it back to house. Was recommend by another Waco friend. Will definitely go back - the brisket was excellent and the customer service was very good from the original call through the pickup.

(I will also miss Guess - but I liked it much better when it was a food truck and then when it first opened. Admittedly hadn't been there in a while.)

Blueashtj said:

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If y'all are about supporting local businesses and especially local bbq, Helberg is opening their new building on 3/8-9.
The Helbergs are a great young family who have gone all in on the restaurant and specifically being in Waco. They're big Baylor supporters and sponsors too.
Should be a great new building.

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is it going in the same location? That drive has kept me from ever trying it as I don't live in Waco so when I'm here for a game, I don't have time to go out that far

T-REX said:

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Blueashtj said:

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If y'all are about supporting local businesses and especially local bbq, Helberg is opening their new building on 3/8-9.
The Helbergs are a great young family who have gone all in on the restaurant and specifically being in Waco. They're big Baylor supporters and sponsors too.
Should be a great new building.

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is it going in the same location? That drive has kept me from ever trying it as I don't live in Waco so when I'm here for a game, I don't have time to go out that far

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Close. It's on highway 6 before the intersection at FM 185, so it's in the same area.

They should build in Waco. I would try it again. As I said I had it at a party it was fine. I just didnt think it was great as the reviews on this site have given it since it opened. It isnt something I would make a special drive to go eat.

Lawbear said:

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Had an impromptu get together with 8 college friends after the WVU game on Saturday. Ended up grabbing BBQ from Broken G BBQ - a food truck in the lot next to Barnett's and Clay Pot on Austin - and took it back to house. Was recommend by another Waco friend. Will definitely go back - the brisket was excellent and the customer service was very good from the original call through the pickup.

(I will also miss Guess - but I liked it much better when it was a food truck and then when it first opened. Admittedly hadn't been there in a while.)

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He previously had been set up at Back Yard for the last couple years and yes, does a really good job.

Robert Wilson said:

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T-REX said:

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Blueashtj said:

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If y'all are about supporting local businesses and especially local bbq, Helberg is opening their new building on 3/8-9.
The Helbergs are a great young family who have gone all in on the restaurant and specifically being in Waco. They're big Baylor supporters and sponsors too.
Should be a great new building.

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is it going in the same location? That drive has kept me from ever trying it as I don't live in Waco so when I'm here for a game, I don't have time to go out that far

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Close. It's on highway 6 before the intersection at FM 185, so it's in the same area.

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This is correct. I think they would have liked to get closer in to Waco, but it's not too bad a drive. They also have a pretty good following along that Hwy 6 corridor. I've sat with folks avoiding I-35 many times.
I work near the old Hillcrest off Herring and it takes me about 15 minutes to drive over there. Less than it takes me to get to Hewitt Dr for anything.
I know the lines at their old place often got long during lunch hour, but they designed the new place to help with that.

PartyBear said:

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cowboycwr said:

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I hate that for them and the workers but honestly I never thought it was that great of a place. Good yes but I don't think I would have put it in the top 5 in Waco

Many have said Terry Black's hurt their business but I think location was the main problem. TB just was the final nail in the coffin.

I had been to Guess several times where it was empty. Once at lunch time on a Saturday before Black's opened.

The location was just not a good one since it isn't really by anything else (Marketplace, 35, mall, etc) like where all the other restaurants are.

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I'm not sure about that regarding the location. There was a BBQ joint there before from about 94-until maybe 2015 or so. I don't remember the name. It was alright. It was not as good as Guess but it did well enough to last 20 or so years there.

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The Michna's retired. Their son, Bobby, who is a good local contractor, didn't want to run the business. He had enough of it during his life. His business was doing well at the time and didn't feel the need to continue the legacy.

I'm with you, I don't know if location was necessarily an issue. Before they closed, their lunch was fairly steady. Of course, times and the restaurant power locations have changed significantly since then.

Coke Bear said:

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PartyBear said:

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cowboycwr said:

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I hate that for them and the workers but honestly I never thought it was that great of a place. Good yes but I don't think I would have put it in the top 5 in Waco

Many have said Terry Black's hurt their business but I think location was the main problem. TB just was the final nail in the coffin.

I had been to Guess several times where it was empty. Once at lunch time on a Saturday before Black's opened.

The location was just not a good one since it isn't really by anything else (Marketplace, 35, mall, etc) like where all the other restaurants are.

---

I'm not sure about that regarding the location. There was a BBQ joint there before from about 94-until maybe 2015 or so. I don't remember the name. It was alright. It was not as good as Guess but it did well enough to last 20 or so years there.

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The Michna's retired. Their son, Bobby, who is a good local contractor, didn't want to run the business. He had enough of it during his life. His business was doing well at the time and didn't feel the need to continue the legacy.

I'm with you, I don't know if location was necessarily an issue. Before they closed, their lunch was fairly steady. Of course, times and the restaurant power locations have changed significantly since then.

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Surf and Sirloin! Tiki bars.

PartyBear said:

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They should build in Waco. I would try it again. As I said I had it at a party it was fine. I just didnt think it was great as the reviews on this site have been. It isnt something I would make a special drive to go eat.

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I agree with this. I think Terry Blacks is better and I have tried everything on Hellberg's menu. It is good, but I would not make a special trip out there to eat it.

trey3216 said:

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loanbear said:

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PartyBear said:

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They should build in Waco. I would try it again. As I said I had it at a party it was fine. I just didnt think it was great as the reviews on this site have been. It isnt something I would make a special drive to go eat.

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I agree with this. I think Terry Blacks is better and I have tried everything on Hellberg's menu. It is good, but I would not make a special trip out there to eat it.

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it takes longer to get from Hewitt to Terry Black's than it does from Hewitt to Helberg…

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Atmosphere downtown is a little different than a highway intersection in China Spring. Not my kind of date night. Just sayin'.

Coke Bear said:

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PartyBear said:

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cowboycwr said:

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I hate that for them and the workers but honestly I never thought it was that great of a place. Good yes but I don't think I would have put it in the top 5 in Waco

Many have said Terry Black's hurt their business but I think location was the main problem. TB just was the final nail in the coffin.

I had been to Guess several times where it was empty. Once at lunch time on a Saturday before Black's opened.

The location was just not a good one since it isn't really by anything else (Marketplace, 35, mall, etc) like where all the other restaurants are.

---

I'm not sure about that regarding the location. There was a BBQ joint there before from about 94-until maybe 2015 or so. I don't remember the name. It was alright. It was not as good as Guess but it did well enough to last 20 or so years there.

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The Michna's retired. Their son, Bobby, who is a good local contractor, didn't want to run the business. He had enough of it during his life. His business was doing well at the time and didn't feel the need to continue the legacy.

I'm with you, I don't know if location was necessarily an issue. Before they closed, their lunch was fairly steady. Of course, times and the restaurant power locations have changed significantly since then.

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Your last sentence was my point about the location.

What worked 20 years ago location wise in Waco does not work now.

20+ years ago all the restaurants were along Valley mills, Franklin, the crickets/diamondbacks/no fad strip and the mall with a few scattered around town that were mainly old local favs. Downtown was a food desert. A few things came and went before the silos took off. Then the market place and other 35 development changed the restaurant scene. The silos changed downtown. The old favs will continue to do well with locals but new restaurants tend to do better in the areas mentioned, not in old restaurant buildings spread around town.

Stranger said:

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Blueashtj said:

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It was Michna's.
It was ok not great. Kind of the way I feel about Uncle Dan's.

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I know one local Waco business man who eats there every day . That says something.

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Not really, people are weird. Don Gorske eats like 3 Big Macs a day.

Liteitup said:

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Coke Bear said:

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PartyBear said:

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cowboycwr said:

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I hate that for them and the workers but honestly I never thought it was that great of a place. Good yes but I don't think I would have put it in the top 5 in Waco

Many have said Terry Black's hurt their business but I think location was the main problem. TB just was the final nail in the coffin.

I had been to Guess several times where it was empty. Once at lunch time on a Saturday before Black's opened.

The location was just not a good one since it isn't really by anything else (Marketplace, 35, mall, etc) like where all the other restaurants are.

---

I'm not sure about that regarding the location. There was a BBQ joint there before from about 94-until maybe 2015 or so. I don't remember the name. It was alright. It was not as good as Guess but it did well enough to last 20 or so years there.

---

The Michna's retired. Their son, Bobby, who is a good local contractor, didn't want to run the business. He had enough of it during his life. His business was doing well at the time and didn't feel the need to continue the legacy.

I'm with you, I don't know if location was necessarily an issue. Before they closed, their lunch was fairly steady. Of course, times and the restaurant power locations have changed significantly since then.

---

Surf and Sirloin! Tiki bars.

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Surf and Sirloin was the place in the mid-70's. Of course, that was 50 years ago!

Back in the day when we dressed up for football games… take your date there after the game. Well, you take your date… I would take mine!

Fat Daddy said:

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Liteitup said:

---

Coke Bear said:

---

PartyBear said:

---

cowboycwr said:

---

I hate that for them and the workers but honestly I never thought it was that great of a place. Good yes but I don't think I would have put it in the top 5 in Waco

Many have said Terry Black's hurt their business but I think location was the main problem. TB just was the final nail in the coffin.

I had been to Guess several times where it was empty. Once at lunch time on a Saturday before Black's opened.

The location was just not a good one since it isn't really by anything else (Marketplace, 35, mall, etc) like where all the other restaurants are.

---

I'm not sure about that regarding the location. There was a BBQ joint there before from about 94-until maybe 2015 or so. I don't remember the name. It was alright. It was not as good as Guess but it did well enough to last 20 or so years there.

---

The Michna's retired. Their son, Bobby, who is a good local contractor, didn't want to run the business. He had enough of it during his life. His business was doing well at the time and didn't feel the need to continue the legacy.

I'm with you, I don't know if location was necessarily an issue. Before they closed, their lunch was fairly steady. Of course, times and the restaurant power locations have changed significantly since then.

---

Surf and Sirloin! Tiki bars.

---

Surf and Sirloin was the place in the mid-70's. Of course, that was 50 years ago!

Back in the day when we dressed up for football games… take your date there after the game. Well, you take your date… I would take mine!

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I have been on dates before where I would have willingly traded for someone else's. I am glad my wife loves me and has put up with me for 20 years. I have no desire to go back to dating.

Fat Daddy said:

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Liteitup said:

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Coke Bear said:

---

PartyBear said:

---

cowboycwr said:

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I hate that for them and the workers but honestly I never thought it was that great of a place. Good yes but I don't think I would have put it in the top 5 in Waco

Many have said Terry Black's hurt their business but I think location was the main problem. TB just was the final nail in the coffin.

I had been to Guess several times where it was empty. Once at lunch time on a Saturday before Black's opened.

The location was just not a good one since it isn't really by anything else (Marketplace, 35, mall, etc) like where all the other restaurants are.

---

I'm not sure about that regarding the location. There was a BBQ joint there before from about 94-until maybe 2015 or so. I don't remember the name. It was alright. It was not as good as Guess but it did well enough to last 20 or so years there.

---

The Michna's retired. Their son, Bobby, who is a good local contractor, didn't want to run the business. He had enough of it during his life. His business was doing well at the time and didn't feel the need to continue the legacy.

I'm with you, I don't know if location was necessarily an issue. Before they closed, their lunch was fairly steady. Of course, times and the restaurant power locations have changed significantly since then.

---

Surf and Sirloin! Tiki bars.

---

Surf and Sirloin was the place in the mid-70's. Of course, that was 50 years ago!

Back in the day when we dressed up for football games… take your date there after the game. Well, you take your date… I would take mine!

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They had the best homemade yeast rolls in that place. Put on a coat and t-i-e and take a date.

Stranger said:

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1outawayBear said:

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Stranger said:

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Blueashtj said:

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It was Michna's.
It was ok not great. Kind of the way I feel about Uncle Dan's.

---

Yeah. I like Dan's. The best thing about Dans is Uncle Dan his ownself. I'll be loyal to Dan as long he owns the joint. I know one local Waco business man who eats there every day . That says something.

---

I thought uncle Dan was arrested for soliciting prostitution with rub and tugs he enjoyed? He's out of the slammer I assume from your post?

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don't believe everything you read in the paper. Dan is a good man who made a mistake. he has paid for his mistake . I stand by my friendship with him.

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Hey I am simply asking. I have made more than my fair share of mistakes, but that doesn't make me believe those mistakes didn't happen. Not sure what you mean by don't believe what you read. It happened.

1outawayBear said:

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Stranger said:

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1outawayBear said:

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Stranger said:

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Blueashtj said:

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It was Michna's.
It was ok not great. Kind of the way I feel about Uncle Dan's.

---

Yeah. I like Dan's. The best thing about Dans is Uncle Dan his ownself. I'll be loyal to Dan as long he owns the joint. I know one local Waco business man who eats there every day . That says something.

---

I thought uncle Dan was arrested for soliciting prostitution with rub and tugs he enjoyed? He's out of the slammer I assume from your post?

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don't believe everything you read in the paper. Dan is a good man who made a mistake. he has paid for his mistake . I stand by my friendship with him.

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Hey I am simply asking. I have made more than my fair share of mistakes, but that doesn't make me believe those mistakes didn't happen. Not sure what you mean by don't believe what you read. It happened.

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I think he means, 'who gives a *****'

He might also mean 'he who is without sin throw the first stone.'

But more than likely, the first one.

Either event, he probably thinks you're legalistic homo.

Hopefully, this will be a chance for Guess to refocus and pare back to the thing they used to do so well...make excellent brisket and ribs, which is a very different thing that running a retail restaurant. Good luck to them.

OsoCoreyell said:

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Hopefully, this will be a chance for Guess to refocus and pare back to the thing they used to do so well...make excellent brisket and ribs, which is a very different thing that running a retail restaurant. Good luck to them.

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it would be smart to move to one or both of the Unions. Lower overhead and higher foot traffic

Stranger said:

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Fat Daddy said:

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Liteitup said:

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Surf and Sirloin! Tiki bars.

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Surf and Sirloin was the place in the mid-70's. Of course, that was 50 years ago!

Back in the day when we dressed up for football games… take your date there after the game. Well, you take your date… I would take mine!

---

They had the best homemade yeast rolls in that place. Put on a coat and t-i-e and take a date.

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A dear friend's dad was the chef there, so we used to get the rolls by the pan full. Not sure how he snuck them out to give to her then on to us.

Yogi said:

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Blueashtj said:

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It was Michna's.
It was ok not great. Kind of the way I feel about Uncle Dan's.

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But they had that nanner puddin'!

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I miss 2000ish 1660. Well, I'd like to listen to about 10 minutes of Michna's, Battle Lake Golf Course, etc...

BaylorHistory said:

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Yogi said:

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Blueashtj said:

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It was Michna's.
It was ok not great. Kind of the way I feel about Uncle Dan's.

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But they had that nanner puddin'!

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I miss 2000ish 1660. Well, I'd like to listen to about 10 minutes of Michna's, Battle Lake Golf Course, etc...

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Marstaller Motors and the wardrobe coordinator's Lincoln

BaylorHistory said:

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Yogi said:

---

Blueashtj said:

---

It was Michna's.
It was ok not great. Kind of the way I feel about Uncle Dan's.

---

But they had that nanner puddin'!

---

I miss 2000ish 1660. Well, I'd like to listen to about 10 minutes of Michna's, Battle Lake Golf Course, etc...

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Raymond's Southern Kitchen down in lovely Lo-rena