Lawrence, Kansas: Not Bad, But Overpriced By $10 To $20 Per Night

Baymont by Wyndham Lawrence

740 Iowa Street

Lawrence, KS 66044

Phone number (800) 337-0400

Website: wyndhamhotels.com/baymont

Prices: $$$$

At nearly $80 per night for a motel in the seediest part of Lawrence, Kansas, I was not overly impressed. 

The front desk clerk was extremely helpful, friendly and professional - a good start. However, the room was very basic, relatively clean and the wi-fi and cable worked just fine, but because we were on the ground floor, the noise from the people upstairs was significant.

Breakfast was a bit better than your ordinary "continental" variety, but not by much. They had biscuits and gravy and scrambled eggs, but the biscuits were as hard as rocks and the eggs were left extremely dry by the Sterno-fueled warming pan. We were told that they "normally" offer bacon and sausage as well, but because they had been throwing away so much as of late, they decided to stop doing so during the week.

I would expect to pay no more than $60 to $70 max for a room of this quality in the Midwest, so I cannot in good conscience give them more than an "average" rating.

CombatCritic Gives Baymont by Wyndham Lawrence 5 Bombs Out Of 10 ... More Bombs Are Better!

Five Bombs Equates To:

Translation for Civilians: "Continue Mission"

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Title: Lawrence, Kansas: Not Bad, But Overpriced By $10 To $20 Per Night

Key Words: Baymont by Wyndham Lawrence, Baymont, Wyndham, Lawrence, Iowa, KS, Kansas, 66044, CombatCritic, TravelValue, travel, value,  hotel, accommodation, business, review, Yelp, TripAdvisor, Google, Facebook

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Lawrence, KS: No Road-Kill Here, Just Decent Food, Fair Prices, And FREE PEANUTS

Texas Roadhouse

2329 Iowa Street
Lawrence, KS 66046
Phone number (785) 312-7427
Website: texasroadhouse.com

Prices: $$$$

Not that busy for a Friday night, unlike many other restaurants, I never had a burning desire to try the Roadhouse, being a steak chain and all, until recently.

Loud country music and servers line dancing greeted us as we sat at a corner table. Our server was attentive, but not very efficient. He forgot to bring my son's salad and instead of "mashed potatoes twice", be brought me mashed potatoes and rice.

We did not order an appetizer, only because after eating free peanuts, I knew I could not possibly eat a full meal.

My better half went with the Beef Tips ($10.99), chunks o' beef sauteed with mushrooms and onion and smothered with brown gravy atop a heap o' mashed potatoes (or rice). The potatoes were her first side dish (you get two with most entrees) and fresh vegetables (steamed carrots and broccoli) the second. A generous portion, the tips were tender, succulent and savory and a very good value.

I love Prime Rib and do not splurge too often, but it sounded good and at just $15.99 for a 10 ounce cut and two sides, I could not resist. I like the end cut and the one I got was about the right size, tender as a whore's heart, but a tad overcooked even for me and a little dry. The smoked flavor was not what I was expecting either, but a dip in the aus jus and creamed horseradish sauce eliminated the dryness as well as the smokiness of the cut. But for $15.99, I have to say that although dry, it was flavorful and also an excellent value.

My only complaint is the drink menu that lacks prices, another pet peeve of mine, as I have learned NEVER to order anything unless I know the price first. I might have ordered a beer or a glass of wine or two, increasing the tab by 1/3 as well as the tip, but we stayed with water instead, only because I am neither going to ask how much a menu item is nor find out post de facto that a glass of wine cost $12.

CombatCritic Gives Texas Roadhouse 6 Bombs Out Of 10 ... More Bombs Are Better!

Six Bombs Equates To:

"Good To Go"

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Title: Lawrence, KS: No Road-Kill Here, Just Decent Food, Fair Prices, And FREE PEANUTS

Key Words: Texas Roadhouse, texas, roadhouse, Lawrence, Kansas, KS, Iowa, steak, CombatCritic, TravelValue, travel, value, restaurant, menu, product, service, business, review, Yelp, Zomato, Tabelog

Lawrence, Kansas: HuHot Is HoHum With Nary A "Crab" In Sight

HuHot Mongolian Grill

2525 Iowa Street

Lawrence, KS 66046

Phone number: (785) 551-7100

Website: huhot.com

Prices: $$$$

Just opened next to Planet Fitness on Iowa, Lawrence finally has a Mongolian barbecue ... HOOAH!

About $10 for lunch and $15 for dinner, it's "all you can eat" which should go over well with KU students or anybody else for that matter. The place is big, but the bowls you put your meat, noodles, veggies and sauce in are very small and my main complaint. My recommendation, take two bowls, one for meat and one for noodles and veggies, that way you get a full plate of food rather than a half.

We tried A Taste of the Bounty appetizer ($9.99), with three each crispy egg rolls, Asian potstickers and krab rangoons, whatever the hell they are, accompanied by a rather boring sweet and sour dipping sauce. The egg rolls and potstickers were rather flavorless. The "krab" (note the spelling folks because there ain't a microgram of "crab" in these puppies) rangoons taste only of Philadelphia cream cheese in the center, again boring, bland and blah. Do not waste your money on any of the appetizers. 

They have a nice variety of traditional meats (beef, chicken, pork) for the Mongolian Barbecue, adding some novelty with meatballs and sliced sausage, mild and hot. The veggie selection is somewhat inadequate with the basics that I like (mushrooms, onion, cabbage, and bell peppers), but not much else other than carrots and a few others. You get white rice, soup or salad for the extra $5 at dinner, but do not get your hopes up. Go for lunch and save your $5.

The food is decent, but not anywhere near the best Mongolian barbecue I have had and I have had it many times for less than $15. However, as Bob Barker would say, "The Price is Right", so sachet your little behind over to HuHot and try some of their mediocre Mongolian, then to Planet Fitness to work off some of them Krab Rangoons.

CombatCritic Gives HuHot An Initial 5 Bombs Out Of 10 ... More Bombs Are Better!

Five Bombs Equates To:

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Read Chris S.'s review of HuHot Mongolian Grill on Yelp

Title: Lawrence, Kansas: HuHot Is HoHum With Nary A "Crab" In Sight

Key Words: HuHot Mongolian Grill, Chinese, Asian Fusion, Mongolian, HuHot, grill, barbecue, Lawrence, Kansas, Iowa, CombatCritic, TravelValue, travel, value, restaurant, menu, review, Yelp, Zomato, Tabelog

Translation for Civilians: Charlie-Mike = "Continue Mission"

Lawrence, KS: "Comfortable", "Safe", "Accepted And Respected" ... I Don't Think So

Planet Fitness

2525 Iowa Street
Lawrence, KS 66046
Phone number (785) 865-3771
Website: planetfitness.com

Prices: $$$$

If you travel as much as I do and like to stay in shape while on the road, then a gym membership with reciprocal privileges and numerous clubs across the U.S. is a convenience you cannot do without.

New on South Iowa, Planet Fitness is a breath of fresh air in Lawrence after being an abused member at The Summit and Genesis for the past three years. Planet Fitness has dozens of stationary bikes, ellipticals, treadmills, stair climbers, weight machines, and other top-shelf equipment. They also have 32 TVs with 8 set channels and free Wi-Fi available, all for $10 a month. That is why I left Genesis where we were paying $80/month. 

Oh, and by the way, guests are free and you can upgrade to a Black Card, adding hydro massages, tanning (not my bag), drink discounts, and reciprocity at Planet Fitness locations nationwide for just $10/month more. The hydro massage beds (2), recliners (2), and chairs (2) are a relaxing way to finish a workout and almost as good as a real massage. HOOAH! The only thing missing are towels, a sauna, and shampoo in the showers, but hey, what'ya expect for $10-$20 a month?

My one primary complaint are the giant, and I mean HUGE (as The Donald would say), ceiling fans whirling over the aerobic equipment and 30-Minute Workout area. There are two long rows of aerobic equipment divided into two groups, each with a giant fan overhead. As a matter of fact, I have been in the airflow created by a C-130 Hercules propeller with less force than these fans. Not all of us like cold air blowing on us when we are sweating profusely during rigorous exercise. Some do, but many, including me, do not. I have asthma and many of us who suffer from exercise induced asthma should not have unnecessary cold air blowing on us while working out. It exacerbates the condition and, in some cases, could lead to hospitalization or even death.

For reference, here is their philosophy as outlined on their website:

"We at Planet Fitness are here to provide a unique environment in which anyone - and we mean anyone - can be comfortable. ... As we evolve and educate ourselves, we will seek to perfect this safe, energetic environment, where everyone feels accepted and respected."

I went to the front desk to inquire about a suggestion box or other portal where I could share my dismay about the fans and was referred to the Assistant Manager. Because the machines are symmetrical with basically the same number of identical machines on each side, I asked her if it would be possible to turn one of the fans off so that people could have a choice whether or not they have cold wind blowing on them during exercise. It made perfect sense to me and a win-win situation in my estimation. However, her response was: "No that's not possible. We have to turn them on during business hours.", being the wrong answer from a customer service perspective. The correct answer would have been: "That's a great idea, let me look into it and get back to you!", but all I got was a bureaucratic, lazy, "that's the way it has always been done, so that's the way it's going to stay" attitude. Unacceptable. 

As a Disabled Veteran with asthma being one of my disabilities, it seems as though the Americans with Disabilities Act comes into play in this situation, but I will not play that card. It is up to Planet Fitness to do the right thing and accommodate a disabled patron. They talk-the-talk with their "customer friendly" philosophy, so we will see if they walk-the-walk. Based on management's prior inadequate response, I highly doubt it. If they do not and I continue to have to tolerate uncomfortable and unsafe conditions, I may just walk-the-walk to a health club that cares about customer satisfaction and well being

CombatCritic Gives Planet Fitness An Initial 5 Bombs Out Of 10 With A Three Bomb Deduction For Uncomfortable Conditions, Disabled Unfriendly Policies, And Management Complacency ... More Bombs Are Better!

Five Bombs Equates To:

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Read Chris S.'s review of Planet Fitness on Yelp

Title: Lawrence, KS: "Comfortable", "Safe", "Accepted And Respected" ... I Don't Think So

Key Words: Planet Fitness, planet, fitness, gym, gymnasium, health club, health, club, spa, aerobic, CombatCritic, TravelValue, Iowa, Lawrecne, Kansas, travel, value, service, review, Yelp

Translation for Civilians: Charlie-Mike = "Continue Mission"

Lawrence, KS: Up High, Down Low ... Pie Five Is A No-Go

Pie Five

2500 Iowa Street

Lawrence, KS 66046

Phone number: (785) 551-7170

Website: piefivepizza.com

Prices: $$$$

On September 11, 2001, I was sitting in my office in Saudi Arabia at 5pm when my assistant told me to turn on the TV. As I did, the second plane hit the twin towers and I knew our lives would never be the same.

Fifteen years later to the day, I decided we had to try Pie Five because I had never heard of it and it looked interesting. In this case, my life would in-fact be the same. Great idea, so-so execution. Skimpy with the "all you want" ingredients and small (10") pizzas for $7.50, about the size of my outstretched hand and we all know what Donald Trump says about the size of a guy's hands.

For an extra $3, I got a salad which was decent, but also skimpy on the carrots, onions and tomatoes, and a fountain drink. You can get dessert or cheesy breadsticks ($1 extra) instead of salad if you like for a $3-$4 upcharge.

A cheap meal, do not expect to be too impressed by the quality or quantity. As my Italian grandma would say, it was "mezzo-mezzo" (so-so). Lawrence's KU students will probably love the place because they can eat for cheap and quantity, rather than quality, is more important when money is in short supply.

CombatCritic Gives Pie Four 4 Bombs Out Of 10 ... More Bombs are Better!

Four Bombs Equates To:

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Yelp - Elite '14/'15/'16

Tabelog - Official Judge (Bronze)

Zomato - #1 Ranked Foodie

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Read Chris S.'s review of Pie Five on Yelp

Title: Lawrence, KS: Up High, Down Low ... Pie Five Is A No-Go

Key Words: Pie Five, pie, five, pizza, pizzeria, KU, university, Lawrence, Kansas, Iowa, CombatCritic, TravelValue, travel, value, restaurant, menu, review, Yelp, Zomato, Tabelog

Translation for Civilians: BOHICA = "Bend Over, Here It Comes Again"