***** DISH OF THE WEEk- Sunday- 11/30/25- Taste Bakery Cafe.

One of Jeff Eats favorite menu items…

CHOCOLATE CROISSANT
($3.50- in house baked croissant filled with melted swiss chocolate & topped with chocolate chips and drizzled hardened chocolate)

Taste Bakery Cafe
900 Alton Road
Miami Beach
(305) 695-9920
taste-cafe.com
Latest Review: 9/11/11

This joint is an absolute must try!

By the way, the Alton Road joint recently relocated and is now at (Miami Beach City Hall), 773 17th Street Miami Beach, Florida, (305) 393-8573.

Posted on September 11th, 2011

***** Taste Bakery Cafe, 900 Alton Road, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, (305) 695-9920.

Before I get going on-this-one, you guys do know that this food reviewing thing is totally a subjective thing. What I like, you may hate and vice versa. In forming opinions, it’s all about life-experience. Look! I was raised on $.15 pizza, $.01 candy and $.05 Coke. To be perfectly honest, to this very day, I can’t figure out what this 5 bucks Starbucks’ “attraction” is all about. With that in mind let me tell you about Taste Bakery Cafe in Miami Beach.

About a week or so ago, I did lunch at the Taste Bakery Cafe…think Starbucks on steroids and you got the picture…better yet, check www.taste-bakery.com for menu/prices/photos.

Now, nobody and I mean nobody is ever going to “beat” the 1960’s –Ebinger’s blackout chocolate cake, or Steinhartz Bakery’s onion rolls, or Sutters’ black & white cookies or Chock Full Of Nuts’ date-bread-cream cheese sandwich, or Cookie’s on Avenue U (there was also one on Avenue J) burgers and meatloaf —but I will tell you, that this 2011-Taste Bakery Cafe has a real nice menu of breakfast stuff, salads, sandwiches, smoothies, coffees and baked goods.

A recent outing had me doing…chopped salad, roast beef wrap (if memory serves me correctly, there were no wraps in the 1960s except the fox one my mother and her girlfriends wore), peanut butter & jelly tortilla (another item that the Flatbush section of Brooklyn in 1960s wasn’t exactly known for), pesto panini (maybe they existed in Brooklyn 1960s, but I don’t recall this one either). Now, not exactly truck-stop food, but everything was delicious-right on the money.

Taste Bakery Cafe is open 7 days a week 7am-6pm.

* Why Does Santa Claus Live in the North Pole?

I don’t know about you guys, but I’ve always wondered why Santa Claus lives in the North Pole!

Well wonder no more…

Just read the following explanation on santaletters.org
______________________

Why Does Santa Claus Live in the North Pole?

If you love Christmas, you’re probably curious about where Santa Claus lives and what his toy workshop looks like. Santa Claus lives in the North Pole at the northernmost tip of the globe. He lives there with Mrs. Claus, the elves that help him in the workshop, and all the wonderful reindeer that guide his sleigh.

If you want to know his exact address, it’s 580 South Santa Claus Lane, North Pole, AK 99705. Unless you live in Alaska, going to the North Pole to visit Santa may be a little difficult, since it’s pretty far away from most places.

So why does Santa live all the way up in the North Pole? From a logistics standpoint, it would be better for him to live somewhere in Albania or Montenegro. These two countries have an average distance of 4,037 miles to all other countries in the world. If Santa Claus moved his base of operations to either of those countries, it would be easier to reach everyone on Christmas Eve as he delivers gifts.

However, Santa Clause chose his home very carefully. He lives in the North Pole because it’s what’s best for his workshop and his helpers.

Santa needs to stay in the North Pole because it’s one of the few places on earth that’s consistently cold. Santa has reindeer, which are animals that are native to the Arctic, sub-Arctic, and tundra regions of Northern Europe, Siberia, and North America. Reindeer need to live in cold, snowy climates, because that’s where they thrive. If Santa moved to a tropical island, his reindeer would be very unhappy and they would miss their ice-cold home.

Another reason Santa stays in the North Pole is because it’s isolated. Santa and his elves need to work in a quiet environment to get their job done. Santa works with his elves to invent and manufacture all the toys he will give away for Christmas. If they lived in a highly populated, large city, they would never get any work done! They would be too distracted by all the sounds of traffic and people living in the city.

Not to mention, Santa’s workshop is massive. There wouldn’t be enough room for it anywhere other than the North Pole. We are, after all, talking about a workshop that makes toys for billions of children around the globe.

Last but not least, Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, and the elves really like the snow. Snow is heavily associated with Christmas because it snows around Christmas time in many parts of the world. By living in the North Pole, Santa and his family get to enjoy a winter wonderland year-round.

When Did Santa Move to the North Pole?

Santa Claus wasn’t always from the North Pole. The first signs of Santa Claus take us back to the town of Myra in ancient Greece. This is where Saint Nicholas, the predecessor of the current iteration of Santa, once lived in the 4th century. Now, Myra is known as Demre, a town in Turkey. That’s quite a ways away from the North Pole!

Santa didn’t move to the north until 1863. This is when American cartoonist Thomas Nast began submitting Christmas-themed illustrations for Harper’s Weekly magazine. One of the many illustrations he submitted depicted Santa Claus living in “Santa Claussville” in the North Pole. After that, Santa, his family, and his workshop, would always be depicted in the Arctic.

But why did Nast choose to depict Santa in the North Pole? Well, the North Pole was a place of fantasy and intrigue during the 1800s, because it was largely unexplored territory. More than 30 Arctic expeditions were done between 1800 and 1863, but the most famous expedition that made the Arctic gain infamy in the minds of many was Franklin’s lost expedition in 1845.

Franklin’s lost expedition was a British voyage led by Captain John Franklin. Franklin and his crew set sail to explore the Arctic on two ships, but unfortunately, the ships became icebound for more than a year. Franklin and several of his men never made it back. The rest of the crew abandoned ship and disappeared in Canada.

The mysterious passing and disappearance of Franklin’s crew shook the world to its core, and several expeditions were organized to try to find out what happened. The subsequent expeditions fueled the world’s hunger to find out more about the untamable Arctic, and it became a place of myths, magic, and wonder. So naturally, when Thomas Nast illustrated the magical Santa Claus living in such a place, it made perfect sense.

* THE HEN AND THE HOG THANKSGIVING FEAST.

I’ll give you guys 3 guesses and the first 2 don’t count- as to the name of the restaurant that Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats, Daughter Jeff Eats, Son Jeff Eats and Daughter-In-Law Jeff Eats will be eating at today! I will also give you guys 3 guesses (guaranteed you will be right) as to which of this restaurant’s 3 locations (Boca Raton, Pompano Beach, Hollywood) we will dine at- knowing that Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats’ abode is in Boca Raton and that Jeff Eats and Son Jeff Eats don’t want to miss even 1-second of the Chiefs-Cowboys game on CBS starting at 4:30pm.

Happy Thanksgiving To You!

Answers:
The Hen And The Hog
Boca Raton

Posted on August 23rd, 2021

***** The Hen And The Hog, 3003 North Federal Highway, Pompano Beach, Florida 33064, 954-366-1572.

Got a killer breakfast/lunch joint for you guys to checkout- The Hen And The Hog in Pompano Beach.

Real simple tale to tell- modern hillbilly decor, table/ booth/ counter seating, all day breakfast/ burgers/ sandwiches/ salads/ bbq/ soups/ desserts/ flatbreads/ other stuff menu, open Monday-Friday 6am-3pm/ Saturday-Sunday 6am-2:30pm.

Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats, Daughter Jeff Eats and Son Jeff Eats “discovered” The Hen And The Hog something like 3-weeks ago and I am telling you guys that the joint’s food and service were absolutely terrific!

Let me close The Hen And The Hog tale out by saying- you guys absolutely positively must give this joint a shot!

You can check menu/prices/info at thehenhog.com.

Originally posted on September 19th, 2025.

* Best Florida Fast Food Chain Cheeseburger.

Just curious, which Florida fast food chain makes the best cheeseburger?

By the way, the first 35 comments will be entered in a drawing to win a $25 gift card to the winner’s “favorite” cheeseburger fast food joint!

* New Year’s Getaway December 28th, 2025- January 1st, 2026.

I got a handful of friends going on this trip… “Something different for a change…gonna be real fun.”

***** DISH OF THE WEEK- Sunday- 11/23- BMC Smash Burgers.

One of Jeff Eats’ favorite menu items…

BMC SMASH D
($13- 2 beef patties/ BMC Saus/ Pickles/ American Cheese / Grilled Onions)

BMC Smash Burgers
3499 North Dixie Highway
Oakland Park
(321) 246-1322
Latest Review: 11/22/24

If you are a WUSS – you can lose one of the patties and the BMC SMASH will run you 9 bucks!

Posted on November 22nd, 2024.

***** BMC Smash Burgers, 3499 North Dixie Highway, Oakland Park, FLorida 33334, (321) 246-1322.

Got a real good burger joint for you guys to checkout, BMC Smash Burgers in Oakland Park.

Simple tale to tell, yesterday Jeff Eats and three business associates “discovered” BMC Smash Burgers and its food totally blew us away! Order/pickup at front counter, inside table and counter seating/ handful of outdoor tables, reasonably priced burger/ hot dog/ tots/ french fries menu, open Wednesday-Saturday 4pm-10pm/ Sunday 1pm-7pm/ closed Monday-Tuesday.

Just between you guys and me, I kinda think I know my burgers and hot dogs- and I am telling you that BMC Smash Burgers’ flat top grilled burgers rank right up there with the best burgers (no matter how prepared) that I’ve ever eaten! – And its flat top grilled hot dogs ain’t exactly chopped liver either!

Let’s wrap up BMC Smash Burgers by saying, off the chart delicious food, if you’re not into burgers/ hot dogs/ tots/ french fries you’re gonna be hurting, this joint is an absolute must try!

Originally posted on April 11th, 2025.

* FUHGEDDABOUDIT: A NIGHT OF ITALIAN COMEDIANS FEATURING -MIKE MARINO, TAMMY PESCATELLI & FRED RUBINO.

TICKETS JUST WENT ON SALE!

Three of the funniest comedians currently working the comedy club/casino/convention circuit…

Don’t miss this show!

Saturday, December 20th, 2025 / 7:00 PM & 9:00 PM

Boca Black Box
8221 Glades Road #10 Boca Raton, Florida 33434
Phone: 561.483.9036
Tickets: $53.50-$63.50 (bocablackbox.com)

From bocablackbox.com:

Get ready for an unforgettable night of laughs with Fuhgeddaboudit: A Night of Italian Comedy! Three powerhouse comedians—Mike Marino, Tammy Pescatelli, and Fred Rubino—take the stage for a high-energy evening filled with sharp wit, Italian-American flair, and non-stop fun.

🌟 Mike Marino – “New Jersey’s Bad Boy” brings his razor-sharp tongue and golden heart to the stage. A seasoned performer with TV and film credits, Marino’s no-nonsense Jersey attitude and spot-on impressions have made him a fan favorite worldwide.

🌟 Tammy Pescatelli – One of the hardest-working women in comedy today, Pescatelli’s quick sarcasm and relatable humor make her feel like everyone’s best friend. From Netflix specials to The View and Howard Stern, she’s a comedy force to be reckoned with.

🌟 Fred Rubino – Straight outta Brooklyn, Rubino’s storytelling chops and hilarious Italian family tales make for an uproarious set. Whether he’s riffing on Sunday dinners or immigrant relatives, his humor hits home every time.

Whether you’re Italian or just love a good laugh, this is one comedy event you can’t miss. So grab your tickets, bring the famiglia, and get ready to laugh till you cry—because once this show starts, Fuhgeddaboudit!

Originally posted on October 1st, 2025.

* Chubby Checker.

Just picked up 2 tickets!

Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats are really looking forward to seeing…
..
“The man who revolutionized the way people dance.”

Tickets Just Went On Sale!

Chubby Checker

Saturday, January 10th, 2026 8 pm

Kings Point In Tamarac
7620 Nob Hill Road
Tamarac, Florida 33321
Info: (954)726-4120
Tickets: tickets.kingspoint.com (Non-Residents: $40)

From chubbychecker.com:
Chubby Checker is a legendary entertainment industry icon best known for popularizing The Twist, the first number one song of all time… and the only song to hit the number one position twice in two different years. It was voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019.

The Twist is the first song in history to be number one for over 50 years according to Billboard Magazine. In 1959 Chubby premiered “The Twist” on American Bandstand and in two minutes and forty two seconds “dancing apart to the beat” became the style of dance on the dance floor world-wide.

Originally posted on December 23, 2018.

* Another Florida Season- Who Makes The Best Bagels In Florida?

Your thoughts are much appreciated!