Late this afternoon, Jeff Eats came across a “southern” chicken/ribs joint that I think you guys will absolutely love…Bay Bays Chicken & Waffles. Just so you know, Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats ate at the 2400 Okeechobee Boulevard location…the 1558 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard joint is scheduled to open sometime next week.

To be perfectly honest with you–Bay Bays was an “impulse stop”—Jeff Eats saw Bay Bays’ big chicken sign from the road and like a Greek siren the red/yellow 1200 square foot run down/free standing building with its 24 outdoor bench seats and 30 indoor booth/counter seats called my name…remember the movie “Deliverance”? Bay Bays looks exactly what Jeff Eats “envisions” 1950′s-1960′s southern roadside joints having looked like.

Anyway…

At this stage of the discussion you can check menu/prices/photos at www.baybays.com.

Bay Bays menu features some of the most delicious fried chicken and babyback ribs that Jeff Eats has had in a very long time. For sure, the joint’s menu has its fair share of salads/subs/sandwiches/burgers/pastas/desserts but the real game here is the chicken and waffles’ (plain, apple cinnamon, peanut butter & jelly, cuban coffee, cornbread, lemon cake, red velvet, strawberry, chocolate, pumpkin pie, pecan) combo and the fall-off the bone -sweet sauced oven baked ribs.

Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats shared a 1/2 fried chicken/plain waffle ($11.95)–1/3 slab of ribs/macaroni & cheese/mashed potatoes ($9.95) and–every item was absolutely dynamite…Just a fast note– the fried chicken has a spicy kick to it -which is balanced by the sweet waffle flavors offered–the combo of spicy/sweet in one “mouthful” was really delicious. For those of you who aren’t as adventuresome as Jeff Eats–on request, Bay Bays will make your chicken toned-down.

Like I said a few seconds ago, the game here-for Jeff Eats “is” the chicken/waffles and the ribs…that said, the table next to us raved about the fried catfish (no thank you!) sandwich and jerk turkey burger they had. As Jeff Eats has said countless times—each to their own—live and let live—one if by land, two if by sea.

No fooling around here, Bay Bays is something you gotta try.

So there is no misunderstanding or anything…

Bay Bays which has been open 8 months–serves beer and wine-and is about as casual as it gets. When we arrived, our waitress brought us a couple of fried chicken wings on a paper napkin to-taste—soda was served by the bottle and samples of collard green and baked beans also found their way to the table. Just so you know, those great-ribs are only served Friday-Saturday-Sunday “from 3pm until gone.” Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats were there from 3:30pm to 4:15pm–we ate outside and really enjoyed Okeechobee Road’s speeding traffic–during the time we were there, every seat inside was taken and let’s say 82% of the outside seats were filled. By the way, every customer surveyed was clad in shorts.

If you are looking for fancy schmancy—this joint ain’t gonna work for you.

Now nothing for nothing, Jeff Eats can’t really say for sure what 1950′s-1960′s southern roadside joints really looked like…afterall, we didn’t have too many of them on Cortelyou Road in Brooklyn. Look, I saw “Deliverance” (Do you remember what they did to Ned Beatty’s character?) and have read numerous articles/books so I think I’m making a real good call here…Bay Bays has got it down-perfectly!

Finally, Bay Bays is set -later this week to open an inline location on Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard. Bay Bays owner (Israel) told Jeff Eats that the new store will have the exact same menu/color scheme/decor as the original location—the only thing I question (that figures) is whether the Bay Bays’ concept loses something in the translation without having the outdoor patio/free standing/run-down building look that makes its first location absolutely cool! Time will tell on that.

Jeff Eats loved Bay Bays.

The joint is open for breakfast/lunch/dinner…Sunday-Thursday 9am-11pm, Friday-Saturday 9am-midnight.

In recent weeks, Jeff Eats has been hearing some terrific things about a store-front “soul food” joint in Sunrise…

Gigi’s Music Café, 4385 Northwest 88th Avenue, Sunrise, Florida 33351, (954) 748-9494.

From what I understand the joint has great food and all types of entertainment from poets to rock bands to magicians…not so “sure” about the poet-thing, but Jeff Eats loves a good rock band not to mention a good magician..

For what it’s worth, I’ve heard that Gigi’s fried chicken/waffles dish is simply amazing.

Jeff Eats hasn’t had a chance to check this joint out…just thought that some of you might like to beat-me there (like-get there before I do, not jump-me when I get there!).

Take a look at www.gigismusiccafe.com for menu/and other particulars.

One final note, a few months ago Jeff Eats caught the stage show of an absolutely dynamite “magician” Remy Connor www.theremyconnor.com…from what I understand Remy “works” Gigi’s on a regular basis—so maybe you can kill two birds with one stone–if you know what I mean!!

Gigi’s Music Café is open Monday-Wednesday 11am-9pm, Thursday 11am-11pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-midnight, closed on Sunday.

Blue Willy’s Barbeque…food truck with a huge cooker in a parking lot. Handful of benches to eat at.

Some of the best “smoked” bbq that Jeff Eats has ever eaten.

A recent outing had Jeff Eats doing…Saint Louis ribs, bbq chicken, chopped pork, beef brisket. mac & cheese, French fries. Like I said two seconds ago—delicious bbq.

Blue Willy’s offers something like 5-6 different sauces…Jeff Eats really liked the mustard based Carolina Style and the sweet tomato based Blue Willy’s BBQ.

If I had to do a pecking order…beef brisket was off the chart as were the ribs…almost off the chart was everything else including the mac & cheese and French fries.

To wrap it up, really good smoked bbq stuff. If you want to “fine dine” this joint ain’t for you. Don’t wear your good tee shirt, because the sauce is gonna get all over it.

I loved Blue Willy’s–which is open Monday-Friday 11am-5pm, closed Saturday & Sunday.

Got a real good bbq joint for you—Texas Tony’s BBQ Shack in Naples.

When you check www.texastonys.com you’ll find menu/prices/loads of food-décor photos.

Before Jeff Eats tells you about the delicious stuff I recently had–a quick comment to Texas Tony’s owner…You got a great concept going-on. Please explain to me, with all of the apparent hard work that you put into this business, why your website has two “spellings” for your joint? In one place on the site, you have Texas Tonys BBQ Shack and in another spot you have Texas Tony’s BBQ Shack…I know it’s a very slight difference–but it would just seem to me, that spelling your restaurant’s name correctly would be a no-brainer. So which is it–Texas Tony’s or Texas Tonys? Thanks…Jeff Eats

Anyway…like I said a few seconds ago…real good bbq. The stuff is “lightly” smoked…Texas Tony’s has 3-different sauces—hot-spicy, sweet tomato, mustard. Tried all 3 and thought that sweet tomato and mustard were dynamite, the spicy-not my cup of tea.

Recently “sampled” baby-back ribs, bbq chicken, brisket sandwich, sausage sandwich, French fries, onion rings, macaroni & cheese…suffice it to say, Texas Tony may not be the best speller-going, but “he” sure knows how to make bbq and sides.

Jeff Eats absolutely loved the food.

Texas Tony’s or Texas Tonys is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.

How about a list of your favorite South Florida BBQ joints?

Got an absolutely terrific– order at the counter/pickup at the counter barbecue joint for you…Paradero Original in Fort Lauderdale. Handful of tables inside/a couple of tables outside, that’s it!

You can check menu/prices at www.paraderooriginal.com.

Let me start by saying that Jeff Eats absolutely loved this joint.

Paradero has a real simple menu…St. Louis cut spare ribs, bbq chicken, 6-sandwiches, 1-soup, 1-salad, french fries/sweet potato fries/onion rings—end of story!

A recent outing had Jeff Eats “sampling” ribs, chicken, pulled pork sandwich, french fries, sweet potato fries…Now, trust me here—everything and I do mean everything was delicious.

For those who may-be wondering, Paradero is doing “smoked-stuff”… that said—Chinese rib aficionados and Tony Roma/Bobby Rubino “fans” will find the food just-fine…not too much smoke and a real nice sweet-tangy sauce.

This hole-in-the-wall is an absolute must try…Just that simple!

Paradero Original is open Monday-Saturday noon-9pm, closed on Sunday.

Regular readers know or should know– that before Jeff Eats became one of South Florida’s most prolific food experts, I was a general partner in a group that owned/operated 29 Hardee’s… and always keep a close eye on the fast-food franchise business.

Now—don’t say that Jeff Eats never gave you nothing, but…

Last week- McDonald’s announced that it was going to “restore” its McRib pork-sandwich to its menu. From what I heard, the McRib which was nixed in 1994- did so well in “holiday” testings in 2010 & 2011, that McDonald’s decided to go for the gold and bring the sandwich back for a full-boat run.

Now for the kicker–well placed sources told me- that this week’s arrival of the McRib in South Florida is two weeks earlier than the rest of the country.

Wonders never cease—the sandwich is back and South Florida gets it back first!

To all McRib maniacs in South Florida, rejoice!

Enjoy the two week head start…

Happy Holidays!!!!!

Got a really good “smoked” bbq joint for you…Bo Leg’s B.B.Q. in North Miami.

Just so you know, this is a takeout joint—smokers setup in a strip center’s parking lot. BO is open Wednesday-Saturday 12:30pm-9pm.

If “smoked” bbq is your game, you gotta get food from this joint. Its menu is kinda limited- ribs, bbq chicken, jerk chicken, handful of sides. Bo has a handful of sauces—bbq, hot bbq, spicy mustard, hot spicy mustard.

Last week Jeff Eats “sampled” ribs and bbq chicken. Trust me on this one, delicious…I also tried all of the sauces and they were all right on the money. If I had to do a pecking-order type deal—spicy mustard, bbq, hot spicy mustard, hot bbq.. In addition to the ribs and chicken-Jeff Eats did mac & cheese and baked beans. The sides were okay, but nothing to go nuts over.

Let me wrap this one up this way, if you like smoked bbq, Bo Leg’s B.B.Q. is a must-try. It’s really good.

Anyway…about 2-months ago a new Shorty’s Bar-B-Q opened in Boca Raton…9858 Clint Moore Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33498 (561) 487-0024. During the past 2-weeks Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats have eaten there twice and I gotta tell you, the bbq ribs, bbq chicken, french fries, onion rings were delicious. The joint gives you a great bang for the buck and the portions are nice sized. Now, I haven’t been to “all” of Shorty’s locations, but I think that the Boca Raton location’s “design” is a bit different than its bretheren…in that, the Boca Raton joint (unlike the others) has a full bar/separate area…just so you know, prior to “becoming” a Shorty’s—the location was home to a seafood restaurant and a Mexican restauarnt and the “bar” layout was in both of them.

To update the original review, Shorty’s currently has 3-Miami locations, 1- Davie location, 1-Boca Raton location.

For those of you unfamilar with Shorty’s…don’t think “smoked” bbq—think Bobby Rubino’s or Tony Roma’s, or Houston’s—for those of you who are unfamilar with Rubino’s-Roma’s-Houston’s, just don’t think!

***** Shorty’s-Bar-B-Q, 9200 South Dixie Highway, Miami, Florida 33156 (305) 670-7732.

Shorty’s is a South Florida bbq-chain…Its original location on South Dixie Highway has been around since 1951…Shorty’s website is www.shortysbbq.com …check the site for locations/menu/pricing.

Shorty’s Bar-B-Q is a terrific-casual restaurant… the menu is loaded with delicious appetizers, sides and top-notch pork/beef/chicken bbq…big portions at really reasonable prices. In the South Dixie joint, “you” sit at long tables next to total strangers…at the other 6 locations, Shorty’s gives “you” your own table or booth…that’s called progress.

Over the years, I must have eaten in the Dixie Highway location at least 10 times. Most recently, I have been eating in Shorty’s Deerfield Beach store which opened about 1 year ago. Same delicious food…same portions…same prices…booth and table seating…By the way, the Deerfield Beach joint (if I have read all of the locations’ menus correctly) is the only Shorty’s that has bbq beef ribs…I have to tell you, that those beef ribs are not just good, but are fantastic…why Shorty’s doesn’t have them in its other stores is beyond me.

Like I said before, Shorty’s is a casual joint…be prepared to get really messy in this joint, because the bbq sauce is all over the place…Shorty’s has plenty of paper towels…

Shorty’s is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.

Friends of mine (yes, Jeff Eats has friends!) who recently visited New Orleans “raved” about fast food bbq joint—VOODO BBQ & GRILL.

Anyway, purely by coincidence-this morning I received a press release about this small bbq chain

From what I understand, 3 South Florida locations are “in the works” for 2013 namely, Pembroke Pines, Kendall and Delray Beach.

Thought you guys might like to be the first to know about a “new” franchise headed our way.
***
From: Todd Templin
Subject: ttemplin@boardroompr.com

Message Body:
For Immediate Release

Media Inquiries:
Todd Templin
Boardroom Communications Inc.
954-370-8999 (office) or 954-290-0810
ttemplin@boardroompr.com

Susan R. Miller
Boardroom Communications Inc.
954-370-8999 (office) or 954-294-4973 (cell)
smiller@boardroompr.com

VooDoo BBQ & Grill is Set to Bring Its New Orleans Magic To Kendall

Lease is signed for 2,500-square-foot location at The Palms at Town & Country

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – Sept. 27, 2012 – VooDoo BBQ & Grill, the nation’s fastest-growing barbecue franchise, will soon bring its Cajun-Creole barbecue fusion menu to Kendall, FL. Its Florida franchisee group, BBQ Boyz, LLC, has signed a lease for 2,500 square feet of space at 8326 Mills Drive in the Palms at Town & Country shopping center. The Kendall location will feature indoor and outdoor seating for 85 people. Construction will begin in the first quarter of next year, with opening scheduled for March 2013.
New Orleans-based VooDoo BBQ & Grill has been recognized as one of the most successful fast casual restaurant franchises in the industry, with locations opening or under development in more than 56 cities and five states. The very first restaurant opened on Mardi Gras Day in 2002, right on the parade route in New Orleans.
VooDoo BBQ & Grill is known for its mouth-watering, competition-style barbecue that stands out from the rest. It features chicken, ribs, pork and brisket that are all hand-rubbed with authentic Cajun spices and then slow-smoked to perfection. And there are three signature barbecue sauces for diners to choose from. For those who might want something different, the menu offers other Cajun favorites like gumbo, PoBoy sandwiches, and a variety of salads and burgers all prepared with the spice and magic of Louisiana. VooDoo BBQ also features down-home side dishes like Gris Gris Greens, Rattlesnake Beans, Corn Pudding, Zapp’s Potato Chips, Sweet Potato Souffle, as well as a variety of desserts.
“We are looking forward to bringing a taste of New Orleans to South Florida,” said VooDoo CEO Tony Avila. “We know from our research that Floridians love their barbecue and I’m convinced that once they taste our magic, they will be hooked like so many others are.”
“When you think of New Orleans you think of Mardi Gras, parties and fun,” said Jack Flechner, president of BBQ Boyz, LLC. That’s the same vibe you’ll find in VooDoo too. I’m expecting that South Florida will eat it up. It’s something very new and different for the area.”
BBQ Boyz, LLC purchased rights to fund, develop and operate up to 26 VooDoo BBQ & Grill locations in Florida, south of the Panhandle. The first South Florida restaurant will open in Pembroke Pines in November, followed by Delray Beach, Kendall and Fort Lauderdale.
About VooDoo BBQ & Grill
VooDoo opened its first location in New Orleans on Mardi Gras Day 2002. VooDoo serves competition-style barbecue beef, pork and chicken with down-home side dishes, plus salads and sandwiches, in a clean, colorful fast-casual environment. The company is ranked in Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Franchise 500” and is also a recipient of the Franchise Business Review’s “Top 50 Franchisee Satisfaction Awards.” For more information log on to www.voodoobbq.com.
About BBQ Boyz, LLC
BBQ Boyz, LLC is a restaurant development company that is a licensed franchisee of VooDoo BBQ & Grill. The principles have more than twenty five years of collective experience in the restaurant industry and are also licensed attorneys and experienced developers. For more information log onto www.thebbqboyz.com.