Beth M.'s Profile

Smokey Bear has potential and we will be back, but our first visit warrants 3 stars.

It sounds like they are catching on--when we arrived they were out of beef brisket and ribs. The guy at the counter said they didn't expect so many people that day.  So, we went with the pulled pork and rib tips. Rib tips were smokey and good but the pulled pork was a little on the dry side.

I'm not a fan of sweet potato fries but these were probably some of the best I've tasted--crunchy and kind of sweet. FYI - Kevin Pang in the Tribune rated these fries really high. Mac and cheese and baked beans were okay but nothing to write home about.

As far as décor, I don't really care about what the inside of a BBQ place looks like as long as 1) it's clean and 2) I have enough elbow room. I do think Nascar was on the tv...

If you don't feel like waiting in line at Smoque, try Smokey Bear. We will be back to try the brisket and ribs (and maybe a turkey leg). I recommend not eating all day so you can really throw down.

This strip on Montrose has really got it going on.

Hazel has so....many.....cute. .....things! Usually my husband does not do so well in stores for women but he ventured off and kept himself busy (I think he really liked this store). Greeting cards were highlarious, especially the ones that had old photographs on the front with really witty messages inside. Jewelry was unique-artsy-cute (found a $90 necklace I want to go back and get).

Tons of potential gifts in here.

I had no idea that you wait to be seated and someone takes your order at Margie's. What kind of ice cream parlor is this?

The menu was quite large although I was disappointed that there was only one item with a brownie (although I'm sure you can ask to have it added to any sundae).

I need to get some of those clamshell bowls for sharing sundaes--it was quite practical. And your own gravy boat of fudge? Excellent idea, whoever came up with that. My piece of dutch apple pie was the best I've ever had.

We were there late and I couldn't believe how many little kids I saw. Since when do parents let kids stay up past 10? (Okay kids, who wants to go to Margie's before bedtime?)

We've had our adopted cat for a year and decided it was time to take her to the vet.

I opted for Jewell because of the rave reviews and because of the parking lot. Everything went smoothly and I especially  like how you can print  the forms from their website and fill them out before the appointment.

The vet assistant (blonde woman) was truly the kitty whisperer. My cat is not good around new people but you never would have known. I mean, heck, my cat was very calm even with a thermometer up her butt.

While waiting for Dr. Jewell to administer the shots, I heard him on the phone with someone who had recently lost a pet. It was very touching to hear how he consoled the person by saying not to be embarrassed about grieving and recounted his personal experience with losing a pet. The people at Jewell really care about animals.

The icing on the cake? Dr. Jewell even kissed my cat on the head AND after giving her shots, picked her up and cradled her like a baby (complete with baby talk).

Office visit
2 Shots
----------------
$107

I remember visiting a similar store in Houston that was lined with used cowboy boots. To my delight, the prices at Horse Feathers were more reasonable than the store in Houston.

I bought a pair of cowboy boots and on my way out, spotted a pair of randomly placed Tony Lama's in my size, for cheaper than I had just spent. I think I still like the ones I walked out with better but let me be a lesson to you--look over the whole store if on the hunt for boots.

The funny handmade signs displayed in the window lured us in. A real cowboy owns this store and is very friendly.