RJ and I grabbed a quick dinner the other night at one of our local spots, Ying's Cafe, in Garland. It's right up the street from us and always good, no matter what we order. We got there on a quiet night - we were the only folks dining in - but they were doing a big takeout business. Since we had the place to ourselves, the service was perfect Our waitress kept an attentive eye on us always. We ordered complete opposite dishes from what we normally would get - I went for something mild with Chicken Cow Mein and RJ picked a spicier Spring Mushroom Chicken.

Mine was loaded with pieces of meaty chicken, cabbage, carrots, onions and bamboo shoots in a nice white sauce.  It was accompanied by a crisp beef egg roll, fried rice and a bowl of egg drop soup. I was a happy camper with my selection.

The Spring Mushroom Chicken was also excellent. This tasty dish was filled with chicken pieces, bamboo shoots, black mushrooms, snow peas and carrots in a spicy hot brown sauce. RJ also went for the fried rice but chose Ying's Hot and Sour Soup, one he most always picks. It's got a wonderfully tangy taste to it.

We have never been disappointed at Ying's and have been going there since they first opened a few years ago. The food is consistently good. They've got lots of inexpensive lunch specials plus the dinner menu offers plenty of choices at righteous prices.

Ying's is located at 6850 N. Shiloh Road in Garland, right down from Kroger's. Dine in or take out. 972-414-2882

Yesterday, one of my best friends took me to lunch at another nearby haunt of ours, Desperado's Mexican Restaurant. We're a short drive from the Garland location; however, they have the same great food at their original spot on Greenville Road in Dallas.

Desperado's has some of the best guacamole in town. It's been voted "Best in Dallas" by the Observer several times (as well as their margaritas). I'm not sure how they manage to get the same, terrifically nutty avocados year round to work with, but they do. I always get two items from the "Tex-Mex" section. You can choose from several choices~ enchiladas, tamales, soft cheese of puffy tacos ~ but IMO, nothing beats their Guacamole Tostadas - two fresh, crisp tostados, smeared generously with that heavenly, buttery guac. You get refried beans and rice along with that, and of course, the gratis two-tone chips and great salsa. Makes a lunch fit for a queen

Desperado's Garland has a nice little bar area and two dining rooms. It's located in a crazy little strip center at the corner of Campbell Road and Jupiter. Check them out for lunch or dinner. The Garland location is closed Sundays but the Dallas restaurant is open 7 days a week and is now offering brunch dishes.

from Madame Butterfly by Puccini