DINING FOR DOLLARS (1 STAY AWAY-10 EXCELLENT)

I LOVE GOOD FOOD. I REMEMBER OUR TRAVELS BY THE RESTAURANTS WE EAT AT. THAT, AND MY SON IS A CHEF, VAGUELY QUALIFYING ME AS A FOOD CRITIC. AT ANY RATE, WHERE IS A RECENT REPORT ON SOME OF OUR EATING ESTABLISHMENTS I HAVE RECENTLY DINED AT.

• THE DESOTO CLUB: A SUPERB ADDITION TO OUR CULINARY PURSUITS. THE MENU IS AS GOOD AS YOU CAN FIND IN THIS AREA, WITH SPECIALS ON THE WAY. THE DINING AREA IS A LITTLE TOO OPEN, BUT BY AND LARGE THEY DID A GOOD JOB REMODELING. SERVICE WAS GOOD, SURROUNDINGS PLEASANT. OUR WAITRESS WAS VERY GOOD. MY FOOD WAS EXCELLENT. NO PROBLEM GIVING THE DESOTO CLUB A 9.
•  ELAN'S AT THE GRANADA CLUBHOUSE: ELAN'S IS ALSO A NICE ADDITION. MENU IS GOOD, A FEW THINGS A LITTLE PRICEY. LOOKS LIKE THEY ARE GOING TO START SOME SPECIALS, WHICH WILL HELP. SERVICE HAS BEEN ON AND OFF, BUT IMPROVING. I WOULD GIVE THEM AN 8.
• TANNER'S IS A RECENT ADDITION OUTSIDE THE EAST GATE. (THEY WERE AT THE GRANADA CLUBHOUSE). THEIR FOOD IS STRAIGHT UP GOOD. VERY CONSISTENT. BEST FRIED CHICKEN AROUND. FISH FRY CAN'T BE BEAT. SPECIALS ARE ALWAYS WORTH THE MONEY. SERVICE IS EXCELLENT. IT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN A GOOD MOVE FOR THEM. ONE OF THE BEST BAR AREA'S AROUND. THEY WILL ATTRACT A LOT OF GOLFERS. WITH THEIR LOYAL FOLLOWING, WHICH INCLUDES OUR GROUP, THEY WILL DO WELL. AN EASY 8.5.
•  EL JIMADOR AT THE WEST END IS RELIABLE, SERVICE IS GOOD, AND HAS AS GOOD OF MEXICAN FOOD AS YOU CAN FIND. I'M A SUCKER FOR THE STEAK. I IN PARTICULAR LIKE THE $1.99 MARGARITA'S. I HAVE THEM IN AT 7.5.
•  THE QUACHITA MOUNTAIN SMOKEHOUSE WAS A RECENT PLEASANT SURPRISE. LOCATED AT THE OLD DRIVING RANGE ON ROUTE 7, I HAD A PULLED PORK TO DIE FOR. BAKED BEANS WERE EXCELLENT. DESSERTS SOUNDED GOOD, BUT I DIDN'T HAVE ANY. MAINLY A CARRY-OUT PLACE, ALTHOUGH THEY DO HAVE IN-HOUSE DINING. I HAVE THEM AT A 7.5.