Published: September 17, 2009 10:50 pm      

TIM PRESTON: Value menus, gifts and guitars 092009

A lot of people are starting to identify me as “the guy who writes about the restaurants and stuff.”

I like that title, although I’m completely unqualified to be anyone’s food critic and there are some weeks when I just can’t make it out for a meal anywhere. Last week, for example, was a “Value Menu” week (like most weeks), so I’ll pass that information along.

While it may not sound appetizing, the 99-cent Baja Fish Taco at Long John Silver’s is a tasty morsel. I’ll have to be a little critical of the Winchester Avenue location’s ability to get cars through the drive-through in a timely manner, but the folks were friendly.

The 89-cent chicken burrito thing at Taco Bell isn’t bad either. I had a “happy accident” with an order and also give a thumbs-up to the half-pound steak burrito thing, and there was a chalupa of some sort on the tray that was really worth ordering on purpose. Taco Bell has actually snagged me with the “Baja Blast” lime flavored Mountain Dew beverage (I think the restaurant is the only place to get that drink locally).

Wendy’s has one of the better selections in the “value” category, although I tend to be highly predictable there, ordering the inexpensive “stackers” or a Junior Bacon Cheeseburger (bacon is such a weakness of mine) every time.

And, I went to Arby’s somewhere along the way (Cannonsburg, I think) and got a couple of decent sized “value” menu sandwiches, served by the friendliest staff I’ve encountered in quite a while.

So, that’s my gourmet adventures for the past few days. Where did you eat last week?

Molly’s new salon

Molly Carroll, a local hairdresser since 1997, has opened a new salon about a mile from the place where her clients have met her for many years. The new salon, Molly’s Hair Quarters at 1376 Shopes Creek Road, is behind Around the House Consignment Shop.

Carroll said she opened the shop on April 1, but then broke her foot and had closed for a few weeks until she was mended.

The new salon offers perms, color, waxing and cuts. Carroll asks anyone who wants a chemical process to make an appointment, although haircut customers are encouraged to simply walk in. Carroll said she also has two booths for rent if there are any cosmetologists looking for a new station.

For more information, call (606) 928-4714.

FrogFest

The folks at Frogtown USA in Ironton (a really good place to eat and have a good time) are hosting FrogFest on Saturday from noon to 1 a.m. with five live bands, a poker run and more to benefit the ongoing renovation of the old Ro-Na Theater.

Signup for the poker run will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. ($10 per rider and $5 for a passenger). Entertainment for the day will be provided by musicians from Strait 8, Southern Thunder, Cross Cut, Shelpman Brothers, and Flint — a band that I’m told can really throw down some good blues.

For more information, call (740) 532-8337.

Angel’s now open

Angel Hicks has opened her new store, Angel’s Too Primitive Home Decor & More, at the Kyova Tri-State Mall and Lifestyle Center.

Angel’s Too has a variety of primitive home decor items including Candleberry Candles, Park Design, Gooseberry Patch cookbooks, Kennedy’s, Audrey’s, Warmglow Candles, potpourri and more.

The new shop is across from Angel’s Hallmark Cards & Gifts, and Sophia’s. For more information, call (606) 928-1155.

20 years

Tim Caines and the staff at Pawn Shop Express, 2166 Winchester Ave., will celebrate the 20th anniversary of that business Oct. 3 with a party in the parking lot including live music, inflatables, jewelry giveaways and more. Caines said he is also planning to buy a new grill to cook with that day, and then give the grill away as a prize.

A busy man, Caines took a few minutes to reflect on his decades in business, first citing the role of a Golden Retriever named Lady, who came to work with him in the shop every day for 15 years, as well as the replacement retriever, Hope, who still works in the shop on Saturdays when Caines isn’t there himself. We were almost finished talking when Caines realized he had failed to mention that his dad, known in the shop as “Pops,” has been on duty for 17 of the shop’s 20 years.

The business began in a small space next to the Paramount Arts Center, he said, remembering the moment when he decided to purchase the large building, which had been home to Begley Drug and decided he was going to use every square inch of the space. Six months later, he said his business had doubled, He bought the building next door in 1995, opened Music Box Express and connected the shops to provide easy customer access.

For more information, call (606) 329-0354.

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2651.