Humor!

A cowboy, who just moved to Wyoming from Texas, walks into a bar and orders three mugs of Bud.

He sits in the back of the room, drinking a sip out of each one in turn.

When he finishes them, he comes back to the bar and orders three more.

The bartender approaches and tells the cowboy, “You know, a mug goes flat after I draw it. It would taste better if you bought one at a time…”

The cowboy replies, “Well, you see, I have two brothers. One is an Airborne Ranger, the other is a Navy Seal, both serving overseas somewhere.

When we all left our home in Texas, we promised that we’d drink this way to remember the days when we drank together.

So I’m drinking one beer for each of my brothers and one for myself.”

The bartender admits that this is a nice custom, and leaves it there.

The cowboy becomes a regular in the bar, and always drinks the same way.

He orders three mugs and drinks them in turn.

One day, he comes in and only orders two mugs. (I know, a tear is coming to my eye too)

All the regulars take notice and fall silent.

When he comes back to the bar for the second round, the bartender says, “I don’t want to intrude on your grief, but I wanted to offer my condolences on your loss.”

The cowboy looks quite puzzled for a moment, then a light dawns in his eyes and he laughs.

“Oh, no, everybody’s just fine,” he explains, “It’s just that my wife and I joined the Baptist Church and I had to quit drinking.”

“Hasn’t affected my brothers though….”

This contest started on 7/11/22. This contest has a winner.

* Win A $20 Fran’s Chicken Haven Gift Card.

Jeff Eats got a $20 Fran’s Chicken Haven Gift Card to give to one of you guys!

The game- the first 20 “reader-comments” received – will be entered in a “blind hat pick”! You can submit as many comments as you’d like but- Please, only 1- reader comment – per day…play fair!

The $20 Gift Card is good at Fran’s Chicken Haven, 1925 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton, Florida 33432, (561) 395-0781.

You can check menu/prices at franschickenhaven.com.

Posted on March 13th, 2019 ·

***** Fran’s Chicken Haven, 1925 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton, Florida 33432, (561) 395-0781.

Let’s just call this tale a “2019-Public Service Announcement”….

Just a quick observation- You guys do know that most cardiologists don’t know dick-about fried chicken!

In any event…

If you “need” to eat absolutely off the chart-dynamite fried chicken (like Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats needed to do last night), read on…

Posted on December 28th, 2015

***** Fran’s Chicken Haven, 1925 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton, Florida 33432, (561) 395-0781

Let’s just call this- a Jeff Eats’ “Certain Things Bear Repeating” story…

Jeff Eats just has to laugh- when the Sun Sentinel seemingly “year after year crowns” PUBLIX FRIED CHICKEN the best in South Florida! There is an old Irish saying- “Give Me A Fu@king Break.”

Long story short, Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats have been- on and off (see below-as to why “on and off”) “taking-out” fried chicken and “various” sides from Fran’s Chicken Haven in Boca Raton for something like 23 years!- and I gotta tell you -that this joint’s fried chicken/sides are absolute dynamite! Trust Jeff Eats on this one – trying to rank the “best” in the food reviewing game- is a dumb no win game…with that in mind, what I do know, is that Fran’s fried chicken is off-the-chart good and that after you eat it- you will never-want to voluntarily buy or eat Publix fried chicken ever again!

If you want to eat outrageously delicious fried chicken…Fran’s Chicken Haven is a must try.

You can check menu/info at franschickenhaven.com.

Posted on July 5th, 2013

***** Fran’s Chicken Haven, 1925 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton, Florida 33432, (561) 395-0781.

Got something terrific for you…

That’s assuming that you aren’t a “follower” of NYC Mayor Bloomberg–in that you don’t need “Big Brother” (and no, I’m not talking about Janis’ group) to tell you what you can and can’t eat…

Real fast… from 1964-2000 a woman named Fran (thus the name Fran’s Chicken Haven) and her husband Joe, operated a “hole-in-the-wall” fried chicken joint—Fran’s Chicken Haven in Boca Raton. Maybe 3 tables and 4-5 counter seats. In a nutshell, amazing fried chicken and assorted sides. In 2000 the couple retired and sold the business—for the past 12-13 years Fran’s has had 3-maybe 4 different owners who slowly but surely wrecked the business. Jeff Eats may not be the sharpest pencil in the box, but I do know that when something ain’t broke, you don’t try and fix it…one owner changed the batter-mix and added latin sides, another made the joint a kosher chicken restaurant-closing on Friday nights and all day Saturday—hopefully you get the picture.

Since Fran and Joe sold the joint, Jeff Eats who had previously been a real-steady customer, has maybe picked-up chicken 7 or 8 times in the ensuing years.

Now the news…two brothers- Jake Stuart (aged 19) and Chris Stuart (aged 32) both born and bred—Boca Ratonians—bought Fran’s a month or so ago…and have literally “brought” it back to where it was taste-wise during the Fran & Joe era. How does Jeff Eats know all this? Because…Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats ala Marvin Gaye heard it through the grapevine—and yesterday, picked up an 8 piece fried chicken, French fries, onion rings, fried corn nibblets order—and I gotta tell you, the food tastes just like we “remember” Fran making it…the “boys” told us that the sale/purchase of the business had included all of Fran’s original recipes and that they had visited with Fran and Joe (who still live in Boca Raton) to get a feel on how to run the joint.

Let me leave you guys with this…if you like fried chicken, fries, onion rings, fried corn nibblets—-then you gotta get over to Fran’s Chicken Haven.

One final thought…

Jake and Chris— When the crowds start pouring in, which they will—don’t even think of renaming the joint- Stuart Brothers Chicken Haven or some such variation!

Down below is the original June 20, 2006 Jeff Eats’ review for Fran’s Chicken Haven:

***** “Fran’s makes some of the best fried chicken that you have ever tasted. This joint has been around something like 40 years and is an absolute hole in the wall. Basically a take-out joint, there are a few tables and a counter for those who want to “dine in.” FRIED is the word here…shrimp, corn, french fries, onion rings. Everything is absolutely delicious.

Don’t tell your cardiologist about this joint.

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

This contest started on 7/9/22. This contest has a winner.

* Win A 100% Cotton Rolling Stones Vintage Tee Shirt. This contest has a winner.

The game- the first 30 “reader-comments” received – will be entered in a “blind hat pick”! You can submit as many comments as you’d like but- Please, only 1- reader comment – per day…play fair!

By the way- you guys don’t have to worry about “sizes”- Jeff Eats can handle…Ladies or Mens- small, medium, large, x-large, xx-large!

The shirt’s retail value $27.50

This contest started on 7/9/22. This contest has a winner.

* Win A $25 Trader Joe’s Gift Card.

Jeff Eats got a $25 Trader Joe’s Gift Card to give to one of you guys…

The game- the first 25 “reader-comments” received – will be entered in a “blind hat pick”! You can submit as many comments as you’d like but- Please, only 1- reader comment – per day…play fair!

The $25 Gift Card is good at any Trader Joe’s location (traderjoes.com for locations, info).

***** DISH OF THE WEEK (Sunday- 7/10/22- Joseph’s Italian Pastry Shop).

One of Jeff Eats’ favorite menu items…

ASSORTED COOKIES
($14-$25.95 PER LB)

Pignoli – (Almond Paste & Pine Nuts) $25.95
Amaretti Soft ( Almond Paste) $16.95
Rainbows (seven layer) $16.95
Coconut Macaroon $16.95
Anise $14.00
Italian Lemon Drop $14.00
Butter Rum Raisin $14.00
Ricotta $14.00
Cannoli (Ricotta w/ Chocolate Chips) $14.00
Raspberry Fingers $14.00
Jelly Sticks $14.00
Butter Multi Sprinkle $14.00
Butter Chocolate Sprinkle $14.00
Napoleon $14.00
Fudge Sticks $14.00
Butter Non-Pareils $14.00

—————-

Joseph’s Italian Pastry Shop
788 South Federal Highway
Deerfield Beach
(954) 571-7747
josephspastryshop.com
Latest Review: 9/27/21

Trust Jeff Eats on this one- you guys will be like kids in a candy store!

Posted on September 27th, 2021

***** Joseph’s Italian Pastry Shop, 788 South Federal Highway, Deerfield Beach, Florida 33441, (954) 571-7747.

A recent e-mail received by Jeff Eats from reader Rosa Santacroce:

Jeff,
Our family recently moved to Boca Raton. We are originally from Staten Island.
Maybe you could help us out and recommend a really good Italian Bakery? So far, we haven’t found one that comes even close to the bakeries in Staten Island and Brooklyn that we frequented over the years.

Thanks,

Rosa Santacroce

__________________

Rosa Santacroce,

Welcome to Florida!

Not certain which Florida- Italian bakeries you have already tried…

Long story short, checkout Joseph’s Italian Pastry Shop, 788 South Federal Highway, Deerfield Beach, Florida 33441, (954) 571- 7747. The bakery’s reasonably priced menu includes-off the chart delicious pies/ cookies/ miniature and large pastries/ breads/ cannolis/ assorted biscotti/ cakes.

Joseph’s Pastry Shop is open Tuesday-Sunday 9am-7pm, closed Monday.

Checkout menu/prices/info at josephspastryshop.com.

Thanks for reading,

Jeff Eats

Humor!

A fella was driving along a residential road when the police speed camera flash went off indicating he was speeding and the police camera was taking a picture in preparation for sending him a speeding ticket. He was certain he wasn’t speeding but just to check the camera he went around the block and this time he made sure he wasn’t speeding. Once again, the camera flashed. Now he was mad. He went around the block one more time and had his cell phone camera on his speedometer to prove he wasn’t speeding and also to show the police camera flash, which it did. He waited for the tickets to arrive by mail and was going down there to give them a piece of his mind. Sure enough, three days later he received three tickets in the mail for not wearing his seatbelt.

This contest started on 7/7/22. This contest has a winner.

* Win A $25 Ruven’s Restaurant & Delicatessen Gift Card.

Jeff Eats got a $25 Ruven’s Restaurant & Delicatessen Gift Card to give to one of you guys!

The game- the first 25 “comments” received – will be entered in a “blind hat pick”! You can submit as many comments as you’d like but- Please, only 1- reader comment – per day…play fair!

The $25 Gift Card is good at Ruven’s Restaurant & Delicatessen, 13800 Jog Road, Delray Beach, Florida 33484, (561) 499-9003.

Check ruvensdeli.com for menu/prices/info.

Posted on April 10th, 2021

***** DISH OF THE WEEK (Sunday- 4/10/16)

One of Jeff Eats’ favorite menu items…

PASTRAMI ON RYE
($9.45)

Ruven’s
13800 Jog Road
Delray Beach
(561) 499-9003
Latest Review: 3/12/14

If you are looking for a real good New York Kosher Style Deli (and who isn’t?) that does breakfast, lunch and dinner- you gotta checkout Ruven’s in Boynton Beach.

Jeff Eats singled-out the joint’s pastrami on rye for special mention- that said, trust me when I tell you- it’s all good at Ruven’s! Of course some-things are better than other things, but Jeff Eats is kinda thinking that you’ll really-enjoy whatever Ruven’s serves up!

Just between you guys and Jeff Eats, when you walk into Ruven’s- its look/its smell/its vibe is gonna have you thinking your’re in a NY Kosher/Kosher Style Deli somewhere in the 5- boroughs!- and you won’t have to hold down a second job to be able to pay the check!

Ruven’s is open 7 days a week 8am-8:30pm.

Posted on March 12th, 2014 · American Breakfast Delicatessen Delray Beach
***** Rumen’s, 13800 Jog Road, Delray Beach, Florida 33484, (561) 499-9003.

Back on February 20, 2011 Jeff Eats told you guys about Ruven’s a New York Kosher Style Deli that had just opened for business in the San Marco Shopping Center in Delray Beach. To make a long story short– Ruven’s opened in a spot where two bagel/delis had previously failed. I guess, Ruven’s owner, Steve Ratinetz was betting on real good food and “three times the charm” to make Ruven’s a winner…

Anyway…

Here it is 3-years later and Ruven’s is “sort-a” still around. Now follow me, a few months ago, Ratinetz moved Ruven’s…3 maybe- 4 bays down-into a store formerly occupied by Lenny’s New York Grille.

Anyway…

No doubt in Jeff Eats’ mind…the ‘new” Ruven’s is now in a much better spot–that being right next door to Publix. Same food and service-with the “new” Ruven’s featuring a really cool “lower NYC east-side” circa 1940-1950 decor. Having eaten in Lenny’s numerous times, I can tell you-that Ratinetz did a great job in combining his own decorative ideas with Lenny’s decor remnants.

Just wanted to re-introduce you guys to an old-favorite of mine.

Now…Does Ruven’s qualify under the “three times the charm” rule?

The original February 20, 2011 review is reprinted below.
*****

***** Ruven’s, 13800 Jog Road, Delray Beach, Florida 33484, (561) 499-9003.
Bingo!— Home Run!

If you are looking for a terrific-New York Kosher Style Deli—your wish has been answered. Say hello, to Ruven’s which opened last Wednesday in Delray Beach. For right now, the joint is open 7 days a week from 8am-3pm—look for “dinner” to be added sometime in late March.

Just some background info… “this” Ruven’s is owned by Steve Ratinetz who in the mid 1990′s-2003 owned/operated Ruven’s in Plainview, New York—which was an absolutely terrific kosher deli. My January 25, 2011 Ruven’s of Long Island writeup- has more “history” if you are a history-buff.

You know and I know, that South Florida has more bagel delis than you can shake a stick at…just for the record, Ruven’s is not and I repeat the word NOT, a bagel deli. For sure, it has the requisite “500″ types of bagels, bialys and onion boards—that said, this joint is all about pastrami- corned beef- brisket- turkey- stuffed derma- potato pancakes- blintzes, chopped liver-stuffed cabbage-fried kreplach-matzo ball soup—that rival the best stuff served in NYC, Chicago…or for that matter, anywhere that you formerly called home.

If there is one thing that Jeff Eats knows—it’s good deli.

This afternoon, in no particular order– I did a “taste test” of pastrami, corned beef, brisket, turkey off the bone, matzo ball soup, cabbage soup, stuffed derma, potato pancakes, chopped liver. fried kreplach…absolutely delicious.

Based on Jeff Eats’ “maiden outing”—I’m putting Ruven’s right up there with South Florida’s best New York Kosher Style Delis. Throw-in huge portions at reasonable prices…and I can’t see Ruven’s not quickly developing an enormous following.

You now know about a terrific deli—this one is a keeper!

Ruven’s (Delray Beach)
Posted on March 12th, 2014 · American Breakfast Delicatessen Delray Beach

***** Ruven’s, 13800 Jog Road, Delray Beach, Florida 33484, (561) 499-9003.

Back on February 20, 2011 Jeff Eats told you guys about Ruven’s a New York Kosher Style Deli that had just opened for business in the San Marco Shopping Center in Delray Beach. To make a long story short– Ruven’s opened in a spot where two bagel/delis had previously failed. I guess, Ruven’s owner, Steve Ratinetz was betting on real good food and “three times the charm” to make Ruven’s a winner…

Anyway…

Here it is 3-years later and Ruven’s is “sort-a” still around. Now follow me, a few months ago, Ratinetz moved Ruven’s…3 maybe- 4 bays down-into a store formerly occupied by Lenny’s New York Grille.

Anyway…

No doubt in Jeff Eats’ mind…the ‘new” Ruven’s is now in a much better spot–that being right next door to Publix. Same food and service-with the “new” Ruven’s featuring a really cool “lower NYC east-side” circa 1940-1950 decor. Having eaten in Lenny’s numerous times, I can tell you-that Ratinetz did a great job in combining his own decorative ideas with Lenny’s decor remnants.

Just wanted to re-introduce you guys to an old-favorite of mine.

Now…Does Ruven’s qualify under the “three times the charm” rule?

The original February 20, 2011 review is reprinted below.
*****

***** Ruven’s, 13800 Jog Road, Delray Beach, Florida 33484, (561) 499-9003.
Bingo!— Home Run!

If you are looking for a terrific-New York Kosher Style Deli—your wish has been answered. Say hello, to Ruven’s which opened last Wednesday in Delray Beach. For right now, the joint is open 7 days a week from 8am-3pm—look for “dinner” to be added sometime in late March.

Just some background info… “this” Ruven’s is owned by Steve Ratinetz who in the mid 1990′s-2003 owned/operated Ruven’s in Plainview, New York—which was an absolutely terrific kosher deli. My January 25, 2011 Ruven’s of Long Island writeup- has more “history” if you are a history-buff.

You know and I know, that South Florida has more bagel delis than you can shake a stick at…just for the record, Ruven’s is not and I repeat the word NOT, a bagel deli. For sure, it has the requisite “500″ types of bagels, bialys and onion boards—that said, this joint is all about pastrami- corned beef- brisket- turkey- stuffed derma- potato pancakes- blintzes, chopped liver-stuffed cabbage-fried kreplach-matzo ball soup—that rival the best stuff served in NYC, Chicago…or for that matter, anywhere that you formerly called home.

If there is one thing that Jeff Eats knows—it’s good deli.

This afternoon, in no particular order– I did a “taste test” of pastrami, corned beef, brisket, turkey off the bone, matzo ball soup, cabbage soup, stuffed derma, potato pancakes, chopped liver. fried kreplach…absolutely delicious.

Based on Jeff Eats’ “maiden outing”—I’m putting Ruven’s right up there with South Florida’s best New York Kosher Style Delis. Throw-in huge portions at reasonable prices…and I can’t see Ruven’s not quickly developing an enormous following.

You now know about a terrific deli—this one is a keeper!

Originally posted on July 4th, 2022.

* Burger or Hotdog?

Since it’s July 4th…

Just curious- if you had to pick just one, would it be a burger or hot dog cooked on a charcoal grill?

This contest started on 7/6/22. This contest has a winner.

* Win A $20 Clary’s Corner Cafe Gift Card.

Jeff Eats got a $20 Clary’s Corner Cafe Gift Card to give to one of you guys…

The game- the first 20 “reader-comments” received – will be entered in a “blind hat pick”! You can submit as many comments as you’d like but- Please, only 1- reader comment – per day…play fair!

The $20 Gift Card is good at Clary’s Corner Cafe, 1500 Lucerne Avenue, Lake Worth, Florida 33460, (561) 547-7577.

Posted on May 7th, 2018

***** Clary’s Corner Cafe, 1500 Lucerne Avenue, Lake Worth, Florida 33460, (561) 547-7577.
Literally 25 minutes ago- Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats finished eating breakfast at Clary’s Corner Cafe in Lake Worth…

Thus the latest tale addition to the “Some Things Bear Repeating” file…

Posted on January 19th, 2017

***** Clary’s Corner Cafe, 1500 Lucerne Avenue, Lake Worth, Florida 33460,
(561) 547-7577.

Jeff Eats is gonna make this tale real short and sweet…Clary’s Corner Cafe in Lake Worth is right up there with the best “mom & pop” breakfast/lunch joints that I’ve eaten in here in Florida and elsewhere!

This joint was so good, that Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats ate breakfast there on Tuesday (1/17/17) and returned on Wednesday (1/18/17) for lunch!

Clary’s Corner Cafe is located in a residential hi-rise (Lake Worth Towers), you’ll find Clary’s by walking through a red-door at the building’s address- it’s cash only- counter/table/booth seating- and the joint makes some of the most reasonably priced delicious breakfast/lunch stuff that you’ve ever eaten! In addition to its “everyday” menu- Clary’s runs daily breakfast and lunch specials! The joint is closed Sunday & Monday and is open Tuesday-Friday 8am-2pm and Saturday 8am-1pm.

Like Jeff Eats said about 6 seconds ago, Clary’s Corner Cafe is right up there with the best “mom & pop” breakfast/lunch joints that I’ve eaten in here in Florida and elsewhere!

***** Firi Bistro Asian Cusine, 225 Southwest 6th Street, Pompano Beach, Florida 33060, (954) 960-5489.

Got a real good Chinese joint for you guys to checkout, Firi Bistro Asian Cuisine in Pompano Beach.

Real simple tale to tell, last night Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and our friends Norman and Lynn “discovered” Firi Bistro Asian Cuisine and I gotta tell you- the joint’s food absolutely blew us away! Inside table/booth/counter seating/ outdoor patio table seating, reasonably priced menu of appetizers/ soups/ fried rice/ noodles/ chicken, beef, pork, seafood entrees, some other stuff.

Now you guys and I both know that this food reviewing gig is purely a subjective call- you know, what I like you, you may hate and vice versa – with that in mind, I gotta tell you that Firi’s food ranks right-up there with the best Chinese food that Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats have eaten- here in Florida!

Let’s wrap up by saying that you can check Firi Bistro Asian Cuisine – menu/prices/info at firibistrofl.com
and that the joint’s business hours are:

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 11:00 AM – 09:30 PM
Friday & Saturday 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday 4:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Closed on Tuesday