Michael's Restaurant

It's low rent, pricy, and smoky but the beer is cold and the burger surprisingly good.

We've eaten here many times and honestly, it's been for the margaritas and fried okra.  Service is ok (we're usually here late-ish in the evening when there's hardly anyone else in the place) But tonight was a complete disappointment.
We ordered our usual margaritas... strong but tasty usually.  They were made with sugar free mix.  I mentioned how terrible they tasted and was told that they never use sugar free.... but they did... I'm sensitive to it soooo... but anyway.

He ordered a chicken quesadilla-5 on a 1-10 scale.
I ordered a mushroom burger-6 on a 1-10 scale but I'm subtracting for the salty square of "Swiss" cheese that sat perfectly centered on my super salty burger.
Fried okra, while was also super salty, was great like every other time.

Our waitress (same lady every time we've been here-apparently the owner-now passively aggressively pissed) was so very busy doing a bunch of who knows what work that she made us sit idle for 30 minutes (yup I timed it... I'm anal like that) after she cleared our plates before I had to walk up to the counter to ask for our ticket.  We stood there for 10 more minutes waiting for her to pull up our ticket.  And then.... she has the nerve to show me a bottle of margarita mix to "prove" that she didn't use sugar free... then we were charged an unheard of 45 bucks for our crappy food and drinks.  I usually tip high... I mean over 20 percent... tonight she barely got 10 so take that passively aggressive jab!  I can't stiff anyone... I've tried.  

Have been loyal to this place but tonight ended all that.

At this late afternoon hour after an exhilarating annual experience at the Dallas County Tax Office to renew my auto registration, after missing lunch, I was starving and saw the sign across the highway. (On Stemmons Freeway @ Valley View Lane, Northwest corner, tucked between a Chevron Station and La Quinta and Days Inn, in a commercial development with tons of area businesses). Took a chance and popped in.

Picture this....Farmers Branch, 2010. Drive up and park. Walk in and when stepping on the rug inside, chime goes off. Look around; very dimly lit, not a warm heartbeat in sight. OMG, have I walked in to a crime scene? Is everyone in back, tied up, held at gun point? Should I stay or run for my life? (seriously!)

About that time, a figure dressed in white comes running from the back towards me. Yes, thank heavens, it's the cook, Chris. All is well (except the restaurant is empty) He profusely apologies for not hearing me come in and escorts me to a booth. Heavy sigh of relief (Really !!)

Again, picture this; half circle caramel colored faux leather booths (i.e. plastic). bright red half circle table tops; round tables with Early American high back chairs. One large dining room to the right of the entrance, and a room in the back which has been converted to a BAR.

Guess what? DENNY'S with a bar !! Hard to imagine. Yep, this place has been around forever, formerly as a Denny's, and the current owner, Diana L., a lovely Asian lady, has added a bar with several stools, a tv for game or news watching. After the heart stopped racing, settled in and scoped out the menu.

Nothing not expected or out of the ordinary; typical sandwiches, burgers, several entrees (chicken fried steak, chopped sirloin, catfish, etc.), salads, fajitas, pizzas and more. Breakfast served all day, note...that is something worth pursuing.

Friendly, affable, cheerful Chris comes back to ask for my drink order. Decided to enjoy a glass of Merlot (surprise, huh?) with my meal. He is so cute, came back and said "I'm not familiar with wine, can you come to the bar and point out what you want?" Well, of course. Educated him on Zinfandel (which he initially tried to serve me), Chablis (white, by the way), Merlot and Cab. He was delighted to learn the differences between them all. Alas, the only selection was Woodbridge, my most ever not favorite in the world. But, hey, it's one glass and go home to the good stuff. Apparently at this time of the day, there are no servers on duty; just Chris; cook, chief bottle washer, host, server, bartender and bus boy. Hmmm, a quiet time obviously.

After showing Chris the appropriate bottle, drink arrived instantly. I played it safe and ordered the club sandwich (sans ham, double the turkey). It was okay. Hard to mess up a club sammie. Turkey was definitely deli-style but fresh; lettuce was cold and crisp and shredded; not that limp big leaf often found. Tomatoes were as good as one can expect this time of year. Only perplexing thing, no bacon on a club sandwich? Okay, didn't really miss it. Accompanying fries were also palatable; not the expected Ore-Ida frozen crinkly cuts, but thick, crispy outside, tender & moist on the inside. Not a large order, some might think skimpy, but more than enough for me. Sandwich very reasonable with fries @ $6.99.

The owner arrived soon after and greeted me, checking twice to ensure I had all I needed. (After all, I was the ONLY one there at 1600) I understand this spot can get hopping at night with the guests of the adjacent motels and business HH after work. Their menu states they offer delivery and catering service to nearby motels/hotels and businesses.

This is a typical diner; 0 atmosphere, but comfortable. NOT a date place for sure; breakfast items cheap and varied. good choice of sandwiches, etc. Just, okay. I won't make a special trip to go back for lunch, but may give it try for a quick breakfast in one of my sweet hubby's golf caps to disguise a bad hair day; warm ups and tennies. No one would care !! BTW, anyone ever watch reruns of The Golden Girls, i.e. Sophia ?