Experience with Content Creation

Throughout this school semester, as part of my introduction to digital media, I have been putting out my own content for a monthly assignment grade.

I have had an OK experience with this site. It took me some time to come up with a theme for my website, and I ultimately chose something that I knew I could manage, but it wasn’t necessarily a passion of mine.

I’ve felt like I had been lying. If I built a website around one of my passions, this work could have gone more smoothly. It was a requirement that we had to use original images for our website, and I felt that that had limited me to what I can do.

The tool I found most effective using this site had been the App, where I did most of my blogging. Twitter was obviously an important tool to promote the material.

I know that tags, within WordPress, could have been used better by me. I didn’t find any aspect of my experience useless, and I personally wouldn’t add anything to WordPress. It’s a fine tool for website building.

Even though I didn’t have the most fun with this website, I know it was a worthy venture. It has helped me improve my writing skills (I say, even though there are probably many errors in this post alone!). I have regained my passion for writing while creating post.

Writing is an important skill, no matter where your career takes you, so I am glad to take that with me, going forward.

My most popular week on this website was the week of Thanksgiving, However, WordPress doesn’t tell me how many views I got that week.

Total views for my site: 48

Total visitors: 24

Monday at 8:00 p.m. was my most popular day (of, I assume, the week).

My most popular post was my first food review of Centerfield, which got 10 views. I can only assume that it got that many views because it was my first real post (other than the introductory post) that fellow classmates were able to view because of my Twitter promotion. I must have been pretty savvy on that Twitter promo!

None of my stats really surprised me.

Had I, again, been more passionate, and used multiple social media platforms, in addition to Twitter, I could have acquired more traffic to my website. I should have used more “jabs” for my Twitter, and not exclusively “right hooks”.

It was fun having a website, now I know how to manage one better.

Top 5 Reviewed Plates 2018

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1. Casa Garcia’s- Spinach Enchilada Plate. Not only do I have this dish to support it being my number one meal I’ve reviewed, it has also been a great place on multiple visits.

2. McAlister’s- Grilled Chicken Sandwich. Probably the best deli in San Marcos, McAlister’s has been a great place to eat on various occasions.

3. Centerfield- Cheese Burger. A great bar that is even better with great food, Centerfield does not disappoint!

4. Applebee’s- Beef Brisket Tacos. I knew I liked tacos and I liked brisket, but I didn’t know they’d make such a great combination.

5. Mama Fu’s- Teriyaki Chicken. Some of the best Asian food I have had, Mama Fu’s is due for another visit from me!

Casa Garcia’s: Top-notch

My mom and I visited Casa Garcia’s located in Kyle Texas.

It’s in the hub of Kyle’s shopping center, where there are lots of great options for dining, but in my view Casa Garcia’s tops.

A great Mexican restaurant, where you’re quickly served by friendly waiters.

My family and I have eaten at Casa Garcia’s previously but I wanted to order something a little different.

While I normally order a taco dinner or the beef enchilada plate (which are both good), I decided to try the spinach enchiladas.

My mother ordered pork carnitas.

She said she liked it, but the pork was a little tough.

I loved my plate. it was cheesy and the refried black beans were great!

Within and atop my enchiladas were diced yellow and red peppers, which added a nice texture.

For some, I think they may find the cheese sauce a bit overbearing, but I think it has a kind of mild taste that nulls it’s heavy use.

This is definitely a favorite dish for me from Casa Garcia’s, which I would order again.

If you’re looking for friendly service and great Mexican food, try Casa Garcia’s!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars out of 5!

As Good as Mama’s at Mama Fu’s

Well, truth be told, my mom didn’t cook much Asian food. However, I will assume that mothers can make food just as good as Mama Fu’s.

That could be interpreted as if it were a back handed complement, but that’s not my intent.

It was my first time visiting Mama Fu’s in Kyle and was kinda overwhelmed by the menu. When it’s an establishment where the first thing you do is make your order at the counter, you should number your menu and it should be concise!

I’ve experienced a similar problem with McAlister’s; the menu is overcrowded and difficult to navigate.

I suppose at both McAlister’s and Mama Fu’s the menu items are complicated, and can make bundling of the items pointless, since every customer will be particular about their food selection.

In that case, both McAlister’s and Mama Fu’s should change their service procedures and have a sit-down and waiter system, rather than its order-at-the-counter method.

Besides the immediate fluster at the counter, my family and I decided our meals and aimlessly made our way to fill our fountain drinks.

I’m not really sure if I should deduct points for doing a lot of self-service, the persons taking our order, and who ultimately brought us our meals were mild mannered and not exactly inviting.

Not much kindness, and providing little, they do get points taken for that.

Our appetizers came first, we ordered pork egg rolls.

They came out steaming! A great sight. And they tasted great, but I wish they’d gone a little easy on the sauce (as they took the liberty to top some of the sauce on the egg roll prior to its delivery).

After, we received our entrees. I ordered teriyaki chicken with a side of fried rice.

The meal was great. My chicken was hot, the vegetables used as garnish were fresh. My fried rice tasted good too.

It was actually a lot of food, and I had to take some home. With a lot of Asian food, it doesn’t sit well for a long period of time, and it’s best to finish it later in the day.

I guess my only serious complaint with Mama Fu’s is it’s strange service. Like McAlister’s, it’s in this limbo where it wants to serve as a fast food joint, but wants the classy food of a genuine restaurant. I guess I don’t really know what to make of that situation.

I can say that McAlister’s seems to encourage its servers to be warm and friendly.

I’d give Mama Fu’s…

⭐️⭐️⭐️ and a 1/2 stars out of 5.

The Bee’s Knees at Applebee’s

This past week, I went to Applebee’s in Kyle.

It wasn’t the first time I’ve been to this restaurant. Previous experiences have gone well, and I think they are deserving of a good review!

I think back to recent news coverage about how millennials are causing the downfall of sit-in restaurants, and a tag line being, “millennials are killing Applebee’s.”

I took a quick peek at recent headlines and a spokesperson for Applebee’s seems to disagree with the claim.

I for one, as a millennial on the youngest end of the spectrum, would have to say I have visited my local Applebee’s quite a few times since moving so close to one.

While there, I have to note that I did mainly see older families, couples, and single people.

When we got there, early dinner time, it was quite busy!

I was feeling adventurous and got a unique drink (non-alcoholic) which was a tropical soda.

I believe it was a mix of orange, cherry, mango and lime flavoring with the fizz, of course.

Really, I have to admit, it tasted like a watered down Fanta soda with a mix of other flavors, but I admired the ambition!

As I’ve promised to myself, for every review I do, I’ll try a new food I haven’t tried before.

I was tempted to get one of their delicious cheeseburgers, but I’ve already reviewed a burger at a different restaurant!

Our friendly waitress came back to order and I decided to try the beef brisket tacos.

It came with a side of coleslaw and French fries.

Without any real expectations, because I’ve never had this kind of meal before, I went in with the most open mind.

The meal came quickly and was hot.

The tacos were good. It was topped with crispy onion rings, mixed shredded cheese and hefty coating of barbecue sauce. If I had to order again, I’d ask for the sauce on the side. They put a bit much for my liking.

The brisket was well cooked and well seasoned.

The coleslaw was just the way I like. Sometimes, some people, put too much mayo, making it too creamy. That wasn’t the case with this serving.

The fries were any old fries, nothing to complain about; nothing to just for joy over. However, they were hot and fresh, which is a big plus!

At the end of the day, the Applebee’s in Kyle is a great place to dine-in. Friendly service, the servers make time for the customers, even during a dinner rush. The brisket tacos were fun to try, and may very well be something I order again. The tropical soda…well I’ll just substitute for a different type of soft drink.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars out of 5.

Critiquing The Critic–The Foodies Corner Blog

This past week, I decided to overview some other food blogs on WordPress.

I was getting a little uninspired and hoped to recharge my creative side, by taking a look at another bloggers site. I wanted to take the opportunity to see what I could do better, by taking notes from other bloggers.

In my search, I stumbled upon The Foodies Corner.

A young blog like my own, The Foodie Hunter, the writer of Foodie Corner, has consistently posted over the month of October, since it’s inception.

I like the design choice of their website. It’s simple but sharp.

Their writing style is casual, which makes it easy to read and fun too. This in particular I will take note of, as my writing can be a bit stiff.

Foodie Hunter also adds on multiple pictures to their post, something that I consistently forget to do! More photos is typically a good thing. They’re fun to look at and add to the story. Being a fan of photography, you’d think I would be taking all kinds of good food pictures. Another note to take!

On Foodies Corner, they do multiple types of reviews. From fast food, restaurant, and even foods you purchase at stores. The diverse types of material Foodie Hunter critiques makes for a variety of entertaining post.

While exploring Foodies Corner I realized I hadn’t utilized an important tool in WordPress: the tags. Probably my final and most important note I’m reciting to better my own blog.

At the end, I realize this was more of a learning lesson than a critique of a fellow blogger. I have to say, Foodie Hunter makes really fun content. My favorite part is the reviews over store-bought foods, just because I hadn’t seen something like that before. It sets them apart from other food critics.

I hope they continue to share their perspective and I hope you check out their website!

McAlister’s Master Food

Mid-September, I visited McAlister’s Deli, in San Marcos Texas. Located in a college town, its warm environment can make anyone feel at home.

Any college student can appreciate a homie feeling. It’s interior is cozy and inviting. Dark earthy tones, McAlister’s design put me at ease.

On the other hand, going to the counter to order, my ease turned to tension.

I can appreciate a diverse menu, but it was a bit overwhelming. The print on both the large overhead and hand-out menus was small and not easy to navigate.

While waiting in line, I found my item: a grilled chicken sandwich, without a side.

My order came quickly, and the sandwich appears like a little meal, but it was very filling.

The grilled chicken was very fresh and hot. Topped with honey mustard, tomato and lettuce, the whole entree was balanced.

I was impressed by both the friendly service, the quick delivery of the food, and the meal itself.

I honestly couldn’t complain about my experience with McAlister’s. My only serious critique of the establishment is the menu, which is too crowded!

McAlister’s Deli gets ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and a 1/2 stars from me!

Eatery At EVO

Early September, my family and I visited Hardihoods Eatery & Drinkery. Located at EVO Entertainment between Kyle and Buda Texas, it sits in a prime spot to acquire customers. Yet, when we were there, mid-day and on the weekend, it’s dining area felt strangely empty.

In the case of being a-joined to a movie theater/arcade/bowling alley, it should be full of people feasting after they had their play.

In retrospect, this should be a worrying sign for any restaurant. Of course, Hardihoods isn’t just a food place, it’s a bar as well. And on my observation, it had a healthy number of people enjoying drinks.

It isn’t in my knowledge or ability to say whether the bar sustains the business.

Still, the lack of dining customer service and the lack of enthusiasm from the servers soured my experience with Hardihoods.

My family had just finished watching a film and decided to finally try Hardihoods, since it was so close (the same building).

It was a “seat yourself” situation so we did so. Awkwardly, we waited for someone to assist us. Our waiter was mild but still respectful as they quickly served us.

We waited long stretches of time for check-ups by the server, and often it was different waiters assisting us. They weren’t really overwhelmed, again I have to say we were one of a few families in the dining area.

After ordering, we got our food with little accommodations. I decided to try their Philly Cheese Steak sandwich and fries.

The best part of my experience was the sandwich I ordered. It was fresh and hot, the steak was well seasoned. The peppers and onions were grilled perfectly and the cheese was melted on top, without overwhelming the other toppings.

The fries did underwhelm, they were salted, but not seasoned, and they were barely warm to the touch.

My family and I found ourselves waving down servers to get to-go boxes and our check to go home.

I realize that every customers experience can vary, and I definitely do not want to drag this establishment through mud. I understand people have good and bad days, and service can sometimes be reflected by that fact.

It’s my view, though, that service is half the experience, while food is the other half, when dining in.

I would give Hardihoods another shot, and I think you should try it out. Express to me how it goes for you. For my first time, it was an OK experience. It is difficult for me to say that I didn’t fully enjoy my time at Hardihoods, but in time, I do plan to go back.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars out of 5.

Centerfield of Central Kyle

At the end of August, I visited Centerfield Sports Bar and Grill with a friend.

At the heart of the historic square in Kyle Texas, Centerfield stands tall and clean, sporting a green and yellow color scheme on the exterior. The interior was dark but welcoming.

Quickly greeted by the bartender, he offered drinks and our service began. Humorous and friendly, Centerfield has great staff, who’s quick to entertain and ensure our visit is the best that can be provided.

Our speedy server suggested we order the home style cheeseburger, and so we both went with that. We waited roughly 15 minutes for the food to be served.

The photo I took is deceiving. Though there is a lot of bun, there is still plenty of actual beef within. If I could take an educated guess (because I can’t recall the actual size) it was a 1/3 lb burger. As a novice food critic, I’ll learn to take better photos to showcase all that the entrees have to offer.

Despite the quality of my photo, I can assure that Centerfield makes one of the best local burgers around. Cooked to perfection, the beef was lightly seasoned, not to overpower the meat. The bun, seemed to have a light glaze of honey, either made that way, or added in post. The vegetables were all fresh and the condiments were served on the side.

Though the bun was very good, it was slightly doughy, which it could have gone for a moderate toast, for a slight crunch texture. The French fries, which were served separate and shared with my friend, did little to impress. The fries were fresh and hot which is a plus.

All around, my first experience with Centerfield was excellent, with great service and fresh, flavorful food. This location is a great stop if you’re ever in Kyle in need of a drink or hearty cheese burger.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 stars out of 5!

Local Eateries

In 2015 I moved to San Marcos Texas to attend Texas State University. Starting my freshman year, I knew few people and a lot less about food.

Growing up in Lockhart Texas, the most exposer I had to the culinary arts was barbecue cuisine, and some Spanish/Mexican staples.

So for those early semesters I gravitated to what I knew: Chick-fil-A, Pizza Hut, and other traditional American foods.

I was also limited on options. The meal trade system of the university gives little in variety.

Now that I’m in a position to be more flexible with my meals, I plan to be more adventurous in my eating habits.

I had never been a fan of familiar circumstances. I dealt with regular situations that limit my options because I had no choice.

Food is an everyday event. Roughly three times a day, most of us are blessed in our country to find ourselves sitting down to a meal.

I don’t want to take that blessing for granted anymore. Life is too short to inhale meals without enjoying it.

I’ve taken a personal oath to savor food and to learn about the processes and ingredients.

With this blog, I, Roman Ysaguirre, pledge to you, the reader (and my co-pilot), to go to restaurants I have never gone before.

I pledge to order a new food item every time I attend a new restaurant. And I promise to give honest and fair reviews on both the service and the food itself.

On this journey I hope to find new taste buds, and learn about new foods and cultures.

I want to discover small businesses to support and promote them.

I hope to gain the attention of the local community so that they can do the same.

Let’s feast!