T.MAC Cary- Burgers, Beer & Family Friendly

I'm an All-American girl, and I love a good sports bar that can serve delicious burgers, Buffalo wings and nachos plus offer a family-friendly atmosphere. I found everything on my list at the new T.MAC restaurant in Cary at Waverly Place. T.MAC is short for Taco Mac. In 1979, a couple of guys from Buffalo, NY were looking to bring Buffalo wings to the South. With limited cash, they set up shop in a taco shack in Atlanta, and became Taco Mac. When funds became available, they had a choice to renovate the kitchen or change the sign, they opted for the kitchen, and the name stuck. It has since been shortened to T.MAC, but it's a nice reminder from where they started.

Last Friday, my 3-year-old son and I went to the preview lunch at the new T.MAC restaurant in Cary. I was impressed how the staff went out of their way to accommodate my son even though it was an adult function. One of the waittresses, Elisa brought Liam a kids menu with crayons. She sat down with him at the long booth that can comfortably sit a large family or the team, and played tic-tac-toe with him. Liam was served a kid's cup (plastic cup with lid and a straw) filled with strawberry lemonade. The restaurant uses the Coca-Cola Freestyle that offers 100 plus drink choices and they also have milk and chocolate milk for the kiddos. Their kid's menu is filled with kid favorites with a healthy twist- naturally raised 100% boneless chicken breast nuggets, natural, hormone-free grilled burgers, sliced apples and vegetable sides. All kid meals are $4.95 and include a beverage, a side, and an Oreo cookie.

Parents and beer enthusiasts will appreciate the 100 beers on tap, and 40 of the beers are brewed in NC plus 100 bottled varieties. If you prefer wine over beer, then you will enjoy the wine, cocktail offerings, and the Irish Mule varieties, served in a copper mug.

The menu offers a mix of appetizers, burgers, wings, salads, and Tex-Mex selections with an emphasis on fresh ingredients, natural and hormone-free meat. Choose between beef or turkey burgers and fried or roasted wings. The roasted wings have nearly half the calories of the fried wings and are equally delicious. Their sauces and dips are made in house. My favorites included the guacamole paired with tortilla chips and blue cheese dressing with the Buffalo wings. The wings were excellent, and this is coming from a girl that was born in Buffalo (born in Buffalo yet raised in the Carolinas). Liam devoured the Buffalo Hummus with pita bread, another great-tasting healthy appetizer.

Large flat screens canvas the restaurant. No matter where you are sitting you can enjoy watching the game. Liam loved the circular booth. At other restaurants, the circle booth appears to be fun, but it can be difficult to get in and out. T.MAC has literally put a new spin on this booth. It turns. It's like a life-sized Lazy Susan that your body fits into, and of course little man loved sitting here. If the T.V.'s, spinning booths, and coloring doesn't keep your kids occupied then send them to the small arcade room. Liam and I won a small Winnie the Pooh stuffed animal with the claw game. It was actually my first time winning at the claw game.

Whether you're looking to watch the game with guys, have a fun date-night or take the family out for dinner, you'll enjoy the food, drinks and atmosphere that T.MAC offers. T.MAC is open daily from 11:00 a.m. - Midnight.  Visit T.MAC Waverly to get directions or more information.

People Dedicated to Quality...Fresh Fast Food

A simple menu, personalized service and high standards are the keys to PDQ, a growing fast-casual restaurant's success. It starts with their name PDQ, short for People Dedicated to Quality, and then you realize they are serious about their dedication. As soon as you walk in the door an employee holds the door open for you, and genuinely greets you. It's especially helpful when you have two busy boys bustling along side of you, so excited that you choose to take them to PDQ today.

I had the opportunity to meet with Nathan Bartlett, the Operations Director, at the PDQ in Cary. We started with a tour of their kitchen, but before we entered; we washed our hands. PDQ has a sink with a water fountain feel available to customers to wash their hands before dining without having to go into the bathroom. The bathrooms are kept clean, but it can be a hassle with little ones touching things plus this sink can be easily turned on with a pedal located near the floor.

After thoroughly washing our hands, we turned our attention to the beverage selection. I was impressed with the fresh brewed green tea. Green tea is one of my favorite drinks since I stopped drinking soda, and I was so excited to see they offered it along side the sweet and unsweetened tea. For the soda drinkers, they offer a state-of-the-art Coke dispenser that unlike the usual fountain machine uses pods for the fresh from bottle taste plus nearly 140 flavors. Locals will enjoy the bottled Cheerwine.

     

PDQ offers a simple menu of chicken (grilled or fried) tenders, sandwiches and salads plus a turkey sandwich and salad. Fresh-cut fries, fresh blueberry coleslaw, and fresh apple slices round out the available sides. Desserts include fresh-baked cookies and freshly-prepared milkshakes using real fruit or chocolate depending on your selection. If you haven't noticed, everything is fresh and prepared on-site (bread is delivered daily) and made when you order. They don't have a microwave or freezer in their kitchen. Lemons are cut and squeezed throughout the day, cookies baked, home-made sauces made and individually portioned into containers.

       

I love all the fresh food and quality service, but my favorite part is the food-- it's delicious, and the kid's love it too. I can sit-down, and enjoy a grilled chicken salad with blueberry vinaigrette comparable to any fancy restaurant while my kids enjoy their tenders, fries and apples. The kids liked the Yoo-hoo chocolate milk and the opportunity to make their own milkshakes.

The prices are reasonable and the menu is uncomplicated. The tough choices are deciding on a sauce to pair with your tenders; they offer 7 delicious home-made choices.

We left with a strawberry and chocolate milkshake for each boy; they shared a little bit of their cold treats with me, and once again I was impressed with the freshness and taste.

   

Interested in trying PDQ? They have locations 8 locations in North Carolina including Raleigh, Cary, Concord and Hickory. For a detailed list visit PDQ locations