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Showing posts from 2016

Yelp Cash Back

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I was adding a biz to earn airline miles on my bookmark and found an eye-catching ad on the side. Find more stories of  #YelpCashBack on Twitter. Can search #YelpCashBack on iPhone Wow. Yelp Cash Back for real? According to Yelp Blog "Earn Rewards and Save at Local Businesses With Yelp Cash Back" , "you can earn money for frequenting the spots you love" and earn up to 10% back. Within minutes, Yelp texted me 7% back. Sign up is very easy. You need a credit card. And, you can link multiple credit cards. The service is provided by Empyr . The reward program works like earning airline miles. The system recognizes your credit card purchase. Whenever I eat at JB Asian Cafe , I receive a message to tell me how much I earned. While Yelp app has not developed a search function for "Cash Back", I saved some links for you and me to use while on the go: Houston Cash Back Sugar Land Cash Back Dallas Cash Back San Antonio Cash Back Austin Cash Bac

Take a Yelfie

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How cool is that? Take a Yelfie to proof you were there. Read this blog on Yelp . Well, it's kind of annoying at first. But, okay. I admit. It's fun once I get used to it. Taking this Yelfie bumped my data usage. I noticed this on a recent Android release 9.0.1 in December. But  someone  in Canada received this feature in November. Huh. Nu Ice has free WiFi. Don't expect my Yelfie at all check-ins. The only time I can share Yelfie is when I find free WiFi to use. Sorry.

#ChinatownCrawl at 75 Yummy Kitchen

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Yummy Kitchen 柒伍龙虾 as known as 75 Yummy Kitchen is our featured restaurant of #ChinatownCrawl UYE on Friday, December 9, 2016 . The following is the menu items we selected to fit the #NightMarket style street vendor dishes. Red doodles are the selected menu items. I first discovered Yummy Kitchen was when it changed ownership. That was when I met Sherry, the owner. I told her about Yelp. And, I quickly wrote a review and posted photos on Instagram. Initially, they only serve Malatang, all-you-can-eat buffet and crawfish in 4 different flavors. Then, she found a different way to attract customers. She hired two reputable chefs "flown" in from Sichuan in June. She invited me to try the new menu but I was travelling. I met her last Friday to discuss my idea of night market 夜市 food crawl. I want my guests to try their trademark item Sichuan Grilled Fish 四川烤鱼 with Spicy Garlic Sauce as a centerpiece. She said they use striped bass 鱸魚, not tilapia because they want the int

Festivus in Your Office

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Do you have people in your office doesn't celebrate holiday the way you do? How about celebrate Festivus this year? It's not just from TV Sitcom Seinfeld , it's real life to celebrate in style. Not the same when you experience a Festivus. Festivus Feast : Have   your feast could be a potluck to   feature spaghetti, meat loaf with red sauce, salad, fried chicken and stuff you want to be festive.  Airing of Appreciation:  Instead of Airing of Grievances on the show, you want to write "thank you" note cards about your coworkers and post them at a central location. Festivus Tree : Instead of Festivus Pole on the show, decorate a tree of any kind. To me, it's very unsightly. Make sure the decorations do not contain Santa Claus and any greeting words with religious tone. Festivus Greetings : Instead of Feats of Strength on the show, share your Festivus by sending cards without religious greetings to bosses, bosses' boss and suppliers. Simply "Happy

Baron of Chinatown

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As much as I love Yelping with my app, I have to slow down on checking in everywhere. Because check-in slows me down with my daily routine. First, I have to take time to pull out my phone. Second, the moment I turn it on, it started to use cell phone data. Third, I don't mind using phone data much but some apps start to synchronize to their servers (such as Google Maps app), which slowing me down. Moreover, I'd rather spend time enjoying life than getting distracted with the apps. I can live without technology when I really don't have the time. This was captured a year ago.  As you may have seen I claimed so many baronies before. At one time, I had 8. Now, I only want to focus on Baron of Chinatown. It's the neighborhood I know best and the area I explore often on my days off. I want to be the go-to person or the Local Guide in Chinatown. If Yelp offered an ambassador position in Houston, I would apply. Starting 2017, I have a few projects lined up to help

My Google Map Profile

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One of these days, you will see my name attached to a business review or photo on Google Maps . Yes. I'm actively adding reviews, photos and answers to help growing of the community around me. My profile name is Luis M Chen, not Luis Chen. I was adding photos to Six Ping Bakery and I found a tocayo on other photos. Ain't  it confusing? I just want to make a distinction between another Luis Chen and me. So, I changed my profile banner to blue TexDem screen. It came from my visit to Alamodome last June. People asked if I post same photos and reviews from Yelp to Google Maps. The answer is no. Since I don't know my audience, the reviews on Google Maps are shorter. Besides, most people don't like to read long reviews on a small screen. About the photos, I will apply the same courtesy of avoiding people's faces and license plates. I will, however, use photos from Yelp Tips on Google Maps. It's because Tips are not visible on desktop version and not readi

Fundraising Idea - Cafe 4 You

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For many year, I was a champion in fundraising for United Way at work. I decided to share my idea on how to manage a coffee stand to raise money. The idea is to "bring the cafe to your desk" - save your colleagues' time from going to the break room to get coffee and cookies. To further your profit, you may use supplies from your break room. For the most part, I go to  JKS Houston Restaurant & Equipment Supplies  for serving stuff and Kroger Store in Spring Branch for baked goods. I have used this logo on all communications. Supplies Needed: Ground coffee about $5 per bag; Cookies from local bakery ($10 per dozen); Foam cups and lids from restaurant supply store ($5); Containers of sugar, creamer and sugar alternatives ($5); Hot chocolate package ($1.75/box per 10 bags) Hot cider packages ($2.00/box per 10 bags) Energy bars ($3/box per 18 piece value pack) Napkins ($2/ pack store brand) Stirrers ($2/pack from dollar store) Material Needed:

MH Hospital Food Review

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After a couple of extended visits at Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital , I've decided to write a review on hospital food as a reminder. Just in case I forgot how to order. Nice presentation of Grilled Salmon dinner. The colorful menu has a variety of delicious restaurant-quality food. It is designed with dietary requirements in 3 forms: Clear Liquid - Not much choice. Very clear like you can see through the cup. Full Liquid - Minimum choice of soups, jello, pudding, ice cream, mashed potato and stuff. It's better than baby food. Trust me.  Regular Diet - Real food for general public. Don't go overboard. If you are in the hospital for lowering blood pressure or cholesterol, make sure you go with a low-salt option. You can season it with Ms Dash. If you are here to watch blood sugar, you want to choose low-sugar option.  Sampled Dishes : Grilled Salmon - very dry but tasty. If you have digestion problem, skip it. You can snack it like a fish jerky later dri

Creative Anniversary Name

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Last Saturday, I went to an event called "Red Carpet Meets Chocolate". My massage therapist Stan McDonald invited me to this celebration. Umar emceed Red Carpet Meets Chocolate. I didn't think much about the name until I saw the setup. It started with belly dancers by Sahara Dances and a fashion show provided by its next door neighbor Guyz 'N' Style and RF Lifestyles Boutique. As the models walked down the red carpet, they showcased some fabulous fashion. Some I've never seen on streets before. The host is Beauty by Umar, a talented young hair design artist. He moved to this tiny strip mall a year ago with Stan's Hands Massage and Wellness . The celebration was to demonstrate these successful black American business owners to the small business community. If I had hair, I'd come to get my hair done. Look at the beautiful style from Umar and his team on the website and on Yelp .

Chased by Google Maps

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After I upgraded my Samsung Note 4 to Android version 6.0 - Marshmallow, I noticed significant change on Yelp app. Whenever I want to get direction on Yelp, the only choice is to get to Google Maps. It used to have more choices. (See the image on  Send to car with Yelp  from last year.) Once I get there, Google Maps took the opportunity to capture my interest. The app kept hinting me to upload a photo or answer a few questions, because it knows I was there before. Eventually, it lured me to become a Local Guide. It was nice to know half million views on 9 photos I posted years ago. Just to be fair, I don't post same photo on Google Maps and Yelp. Since I don't know who is reading the reviews on Google Map, I don't share much details like on Yelp. I never find reviews are useful on Google Maps. Besides, it should stay as a map app.

Let's Catch some Poké

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After weeks of searching and conversations, my passion for meeting Yelpers in SF Bay Area has diminished. I have reached out to CM in San Francisco, East Bay and South Bay. There isn't any UYE or OYE or YEE during my visit. That's okay. I'll find another way to meet Yelpers - go virtual. Thanks for a fellow Yelper John D of San Jose. I followed his specialty in poke - Hawaiian fish salad. I had no idea the concept of "California-style poke bowl" is in. No wonder we don't have any in Houston, unless someone come up with the idea of "Texas poke bowl". Ah, I don't think so. We may get away with Texas BBQ. Not sure we can get fresh ahi tuna and salmon in sashimi quality in Houston. My goal of one poke a day has met. This " Let's Catch some Poké, man! " was a note-to-self event. I was not intended to invite anyone to join me like an UYE, but I wanted to be able to share locations on the fly. My goal was to have a daily dose of r

Where am I on Google Map

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Do you have issues with GPS location of a biz? I have an example of this dilemma. I stayed in Hyatt Regency Houston last June. Google Map said I was at the correct address on WiFi. But when I asked for direction to my destination, it told me my current location was 2 miles away in Buffalo Bayou. Not sure if the satellite signal was weak in this crowded downtown buildings. GPS discrepancy  I have confirmed with a technical person at Yelp. It uses Google Map to support the map portion. If Google Map says go right, Yelp app will tell you to go right.

Time for Taiwan Restaurant Month 2016

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Here is a collection of all of my Time for Taiwan experiences in 2016. In order to appreciate Time for Taiwan Restaurant Month, I created events on Yelp in Houston and Dallas . I carefully edited out incorrect information and add what I know to post. Making it easier for Yelpers to simply click on the restaurant link and proceed to check-in or whatever they want. This is my 2nd year promoting Time for Taiwan on Yelp.  I didn't have enough time to recruit my Yelper friends to do the same in their cities. It's a very time consuming process and organizer made the announcement so late. They used last year's date to be the special promo day. It should be July 17, not July 11. There are so many restaurants in Houston, but not many serve Taiwanese food. Every weekend I visit one restaurant: 7/16 - Boba Lounge  - I tried Guaboa 割包 and Oden 關東煮. 7/23 -  Star Snow Ice & Teriyaki - I tried tofu soup 豆花 and braised pork over rice 滷肉飯. 7/29 -  Coco’s Cafe - I tried p

Taiwanese Menu at Lai Lai

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Here is a snapshot of the Taiwanese menu at Lai Lai Dumpling House. Since there isn't any translation nor explanation, I'd like to offer my knowledge to my guests at my Time for Taiwan UYE. 1. 三杯雞 "Three cup chicken" is seasoned with one cup sugar, one cup soy sauce, one cup sesame seed oil. ( Photo ) 2. 五更腸旺 "Spicy Pot" is a stewed pig intestine and pig blood cake seasoned with 5 stems: leeks, pepper, garlic, ginger and chives. 3. 蚵仔煎 "Oyster Omelet" is made of corn starch, scrambled eggs and fresh oysters. Topped with savory red sweet sauce. ( Photo ) 4. 螞蟻上樹 "Ants on the Tree" is a gluten-free dish. Its main ingredients are minced pork (looks like ants) and rice or bean threads (looks like tree surface). ( Photo ) 5. 皮蛋豆腐 "1000-year-old egg over tofu" is a cured preserved egg on top of tofu. ( Photo ) 6. 魚香茄子 "Sichuan Braised Eggplant" does not contain fish, but the shape looks like one. It might be a l

Best UYE in Houston

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One day, I wanted to produce a photo collage from all Around the World UYE's. I came across this page - Best Unofficial Yelp Events in Houston . Wow. I'm so honored.  UYE: Asian Heritage Celebration @ Strings Noodle made on the list. This is why we need to get in the culture of attending UYE's and writing reviews on the UYE biz pages. We promote each other's events when it comes to event planning. Another benefit is to use reviews as a feedback. This is only seen on desktop version. I believe reviews posed on UYE (unofficial Yelp event) or OYE (official Yelp event) are not eligible for ROTD (review of the day). So you can write anything to your desire, just don't be rude.

Jing 5 Translated

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The story about Jing 5 is posted on a mural outside of restaurant. But it's all in Chinese. I've decided to translate the entire text for your convenience, instead include it in my review . It's better than sitting outside looking at the wall and use Google Translate app tor translate word by word. You can find a mission statement posted on the interior of walls. “Wang Songlin’s First Jingwu Duck Neck Store” was established in 1991. It was located at the corner of Jingwu Street in famous Hankou. The store operates under the philosophy of first in quality, first in sanitation and first in reputation. It obtained a chain-business model and built a unique food factory base and sales network. There are over 200 stores, Wang Songlin’s “Jingwu's First Store” was the first to participate in the 8th Annual China Food Fair in 2002. It became China Food Fair’s designated supplier. “Jingwu First Store” received a registered trademark in 2003. It was awarded for Food Qua

World Traveler UYE

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I would love to nominate Belly G as Yelper of the Year in Houston, if there is a place for it. We've been to Indonesia, Peru, Bosnia, Poland, Ethiopia & Belgium. This brilliant man with plenty of ideas started the World Travel UYE since January 2016. Every month, the world travelers went from one country to another trying different cuisines without leaving Houston. Check out the chart below for the places we've been to so far. Event Page Reviews 01/16/16 UYE: Around The World @ Rice Bowl II - Indonesia 02/06/16 UYE: Around The World @ La Guitarra Con Sazon - Peru 03/09/16 UYE: Around The World @ Cafe Pita - Bosnian 04/20/16 UYE: Around The World @ Polonia Restaurant - Poland 05/18/16 UYE: Around The World @ Lucy Restaurant - Ethiopia 06/15/16 UYE: Around The World @ Cafe Brussels - Belgium 07/21/16 UYE: Around The World @ Emporio Brazilian Cafe Stay tuned w

PokéStop on Yelp app

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Really? I want some Poké. The raw fish kine from Hawai'i, right? Please tell me this is real. After I checked in at Church's Chicken, I saw this question on local knowledge. I busted out laughing. Few days ago, I clicked on a Google Map link just out of my curiosity on this Pokémon Talk thread . Look, my map is filled with weird stuff every time I search on Google. This is absurd.  Give me a moment. I don't know what to say. I need to regain my composure first.

Cross+Cities UYE Ideas

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It's been in my wildest dream to host a Cross+Cities UYE with a road trip. I always want to try something exotic, exciting and unique to link Yelpers across the Lone Star state. From Houston to San Antonio takes about 3 hours. After reading a blog  Seattle & Portland Yelpers Swap Cities Road Trip , I posted my idea on a  Talk thread . I found Phillip B of Austin hosted a BBQ Crawl UYE in Lockhart on July 26, 2014. Yelpers from Houston, San Antonio and Austin (maybe Dallas) met at the center of these major cities. That was an epic. ( Reviews ) I am not able to pull something like his scale without Yelpers from other cities. In November 2015, I hosted a  Cross+Cities UYE - Austin Edition . Since I didn't have many Yelper friends in Austin, we had a small party. ( Reviews ) After my recent trip to San Antonio, I saw the city's beauty and tourism opportunity. I want to revisit the idea. I am hoping the Yelpers in San Antonio could help me put together a real Cro

Polynesian Venue in Seabrook

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Hana Hou! Can you imagine a spectacular Polynesian dance performance with a luau dinner without leaving Houston? Perfect facility for a Polynesian Venue That's my way to show my appreciation by attending a well-coordinated event at  Seabrook Community House  last night. Happy Hula Polynesian Dance Group of Provo Utah took the stage. The delicious luau-style lunch plates were prepared by their connections locally. The room was packed with a hungry crowd. We were hungry for an island-style entertainment. It started with dinner and live music. Sorry, I arrived late. I didn't catch the gentlemen's names. Then, the show started promptly at 7:30. My favorite part of the evening was the fire dance. Everyone concentrated on the twirling fire while the room was peach black. This was my first time seeing it live. I first noticed this event posted on  Aloha TexFest Houston  on Facebook in mid-May. I was thrilled by the idea. So, I posted it on  Yelp Events page  to get mo

Road to TexDem Convention

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This is a 3-part story on how I became a delegate from Precinct level to County level. Previously, I was a Delegate at SD Convention . I'm a delegate from SD 13 in Harris County. The Texas Democratic Convention was a 3-day event in San Antonio, June 16-18, 2016. Thursday was really for committees and organizers to meet during the day. I was just a novice delegate not holding any office. I arrived in San Antonio in late afternoon. The first thing on my agenda was to attend the kickoff parties. I prepaid $50 per person with intention to bring a guest to the Official Kickoff Reception at Villita Assembly Building . Guess what? I arrived late. I barely got to nibble on the variety of salsas with some chips. I consider my $100 was purely donation to the Party. Chalkboard fun Quite of crowd when it's free Reception Food The next party was hosted by Bexar County Democratic Party just across the walkway at La Villita Historic Arts Village . The music was blasting.

Delegate at SD Convention

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This is a 3-part story on how I became a delegate from Precinct level to County level. Me at Wheatley HS during SD13 Convention It started as a simple question, "would you like to attend the Senate District Convention?" A young lady sat at a high school table asked me as I cast my ballot during the Primary Election on March 1st. My poll location has always been at a school near my house. However, this election was a little different as certain precincts were moved to a different location for Democratic Party candidates. But the Republican candidates are voted at the same location. This change set off some angry voters. * Days passed, I almost forgot about what I signed up for. Suddenly, I received an email invitation from Joe Jennings, Chairman for Precinct 565. I registered to attend the Senate District Convention as instructed. Then, I was patiently waited for this once-of-my-lifetime experience. In the State of Texas, there are 31 Senate Districts. Because of the

Biz at Jusgo Plaza

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In a preparation for another Chinatown Crawl, I want to sort the business names in a manageable fashion. The following businesses are currently the occupants at Jusgo Plaza 百佳廣場 in Chinatown. Businesses at Jusgo Plaza Jusgo Plaza and Metropole Center are separated by a thin strip of cement. The roof tiles are similar. There isn't an official sign for Jusgo Plaza. Oh well. # Business Name Formerly 9288 Mandalay Dental 9284 Thanh Noi Sandwich Shop 9280 Jusgo Supermarket  百佳超市 9264 Lucky Dragon  新龍圖飯店 龍圖飯店 9262 Lai Lai Dumpling House  來來餃子館 9260 Xin Jiang BBQ  新疆燒烤 9258 Eastern Foot Massage  東方足浴 9256 Olympic Chinese Bakery  世運餅家 9252C Szechuan House  老成都 9252 Yang Win Gift Shop  珠成 9252A Star Snow Ice  明星冰谷 Clinic Related:  http://iyelpalot.blogspot.com/2016/06/biz-at-metro