This contest started on 9/17/21. 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 9/14/21. This contest has a winner.

* Win A $20 Thick & Thin Restaurant & Pizzeria Gift Card.

Jeff Eats got a $20 Thick & Thin Restaurant & Pizzeria 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 Thick & Thin Restaurant & Pizzeria, 23062 Sandalfoot Plaza Drive, Boca Raton, Florida, (561) 482-7020. Check thickandthinpizza.com for menu/prices/info.

__________

Posted on October 18th, 2015

***** DISH OF THE WEEK (Sunday- 10/18/15).

One of Jeff Eats’ favorite menu items…

LARGE CHEESE PIZZA (16″)
$13.95

Thick and Thin Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria
23062 Sandalfoot Plaza Drive
Boca Raton
(561) 482-7020
thickandthinpizza.com
Latest Review: 8/17/14

Real easy story to tell you guys, Thick and Thin makes an outrageously delicious New York Style Pizza- thin crisp/sweet sauce.

The joint is an absolute hole-in-the-wall with a handful of tables/booths.

Thick and Thin has been around since 1979- so Jeff Eats is thinking that “people”-must really like its pizzas, pastas, subs, calzones, meat/chicken/seafood entrees!

When you eat there, don’t let the “takeout” traffic bother you- it’s sorta- like the Lincoln Tunnel going to Jersey- on a Friday night around 5:45pm!

Try Thick and Thin- it’s real good!

________

Posted on August 17th, 2014

***** Thick & Thin Restaurant & Pizzeria, 23062 Sandalfoot Plaza Drive, Boca Raton, Florida, (561) 482-7020.

Just got back from eating dinner at Thick & Thin.

The last time Jeff Eats ate there was 5/10/2008…talk-about out of sight, out of mind!

If you check Webster’s Dictionary under Terrific-Mom & Pop-Hole In The Wall-South Florida-Red Sauce-Italian-Joints…you will find Thick & Thin’s picture listed!

Looking for delicious pizza, veal parmigiana, meat lasagna, garlic knots, meatballs and spaghetti?- then make it your business to eat at Thick & Thin!

With the above in mind, printed below is Jeff Eats’ review from 5/11/2008.

*****

Posted on May 11th, 2008

***** Thick & Thin Restaurant & Pizzeria, 23062 Sandalfoot Plaza Drive, Boca Raton, Florida, (561) 482-7020.

Thick & Thin has been around since 1979.

There is an old saying, “Out of sight, out of mind.” When I first moved down to South Florida 16 years ago, Thick & Thin was one of the regular “mom & pop” red-sauce joints that got my business at least once or twice a month. Over the years, for one reason or another, Thick & Thin became an “out of sight, out of mind joint.” Now don’t hold me to this, but until last night, I think the last time I was in Thick & Thin was something like 7-8 years ago. Why I forgot about this joint?…I don’t know.

Anyway…last night I ate dinner in this hole-in-the-wall and I have to tell you, that the food is as good as when I was a regular customer. Great pizza…veal parmigiana…veal francese…veal marsala…You know the drill, soup or salad, entree, side of pasta and garlic rolls…

Thick & Thin is located in a shopping center on 441 in Boca Raton. The CVS is out of business…The Winn Dixie is out of business…Many other vacancies, yet this little joint which seats about 50 was jammed and the take-out business was booming.

This is a real casual joint, so tee shirts/shorts are the dress of the day. Like I said before, Thick & Thin has been around for something like 29 years, so obviously even without my patronage it has been doing just fine.

This joint is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner and by the way, in the center there is a great car wash Express Car Wash that for 8 bucks gives you one of the best exterior washes going.

Great NY Style Pizza and a Great Car Wash…courtesy of Jeffeats.com

This contest started on 9/15/21. This contest has a winner.

* Win A $20 The Habit Burger Grill Gift Card.

Jeff Eats got a $20 The Habit Burger Grill 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 any The Habit Burger Grill location (habitburger.com for menu/prices, locations, promotion info)- and can be used for any purchase!

This contest started on 9/14/21. This contest has a winner.

* Win A $10 Target Gift Card.

Jeff Eats got a $10 Target Gift Card to give to one of you guys…

The game- the first 10 “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 $10 Gift Card is good at any Target location (target.com for locations/info).

This contest started on 9/13/21. This contest has a winner.

* Win A $10 Basilico’s Original Hand-Tossed Pizza Gift Card.

Real simple story, Jeff Eats got a $10 Basilico’s Hand-Tossed Pizza Gift Card to give to one of you guys!

The game- the first 10 “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 $10 Gift Card is good at Basilico’s Original Hand-Tossed Pizza, 9140 Forest Hill Boulevard, Wellington, Florida 33411, (561) 333-4949.

For menu/info check basilicospizza.com.

Posted on September 29th, 2014
***** Basilico’s Original Hand-Tossed Pizza, 9140 Forest Hill Boulevard, Wellington, Florida 33411, (561) 333-4949.

Last night, Jeff Eats took-out from red sauce Italian joint… Basilico’s Original Hand-Tossed Pizza in Wellington. and I gotta tell you, this restaurant makes some really delicious stuff.

Real simple concept, order at the counter/takeout…or the food is delivered to something like 6 inside booths/handful of outside tables. By the way, the restaurant is located in a very quaint cool looking “New England” style strip-center…which also has a Chinese joint, a Dunkin’ Donuts, an ice cream store, a custom cake- making store, a liquor store–you won’t think- you’re in Florida! Real interesting, in addition to ice cream and yogurt-the ice cream store sells fresh orange juice quarts/gallons-candy by the pound, and has a whole area for fresh flowers…the Chinese joint which is basically a takeout has 4 large 6- seat booths-for those who want to eat-in. Like I said 1 second ago, the strip center has a real different feel to it!

Anyway…

Jeff Eats “got to” Basilico’s around 6:30pm last night and there was something like 8 guys behind the counter making pizzas etc. and 2 young ladies at the register. In the 25 minutes or so that I waited for my order, every booth inside was taken and I watched numerous pickups and phone orders being taken…I didn’t notice anyone eating outside.

Basilico’s menu is loaded with appetizers, salads, pizzas, pastas, strombolis, calzones, hot/cold subs, entrees. You can check its menu/prices at basilicospizza.com.

Ordered items included large 16″ pizza ($9.99), Chicken parmesan sub ($7.99), sausage & peppers stromboli ($6.79), eggplant parmesan entrée (pasta side/garlic breadsticks- $10.59) and like I said 3 seconds ago, the stuff was really delicious.

Look!

Jeff Eats has been to his fair share of red sauce Italian joints down here in south Florida and- this Basilico’s joint is a huge winner. The food was really-solid, the prices CHEAP (I believe I’m suppose to say inexpensive or very reasonable)-trust me, Basilico’s gives you a ton of food for cheap-money-and the food isn’t crap quality!

Let me wrap this up for you, if Basilico’s was by my house (which unfortunately it isn’t) Jeff Eats would definitely be a very steady customer.

Basilico’s Original Hand-Tossed Pizza is open 7 days a week.

***** The Baked Bear, 2604 Sawgrass Mills Circle, Suite 112S, Sunrise, Florida 33323, (954)686-2909.

Got a real good ice cream joint for you guys to checkout- The Baked Bear in Sunrise. Playing GPS— The Baked Bear is located right across from The Cheesesteak Factory in the Sawgrass Mills mega mall.

Real short tale to tell, order/ pickup at counter, handful of inside tables, ‘build’ your own ice cream sandwich from in-house baked cookies and in-house made ice cream, toppings, ice cream cones/bowls.

Yesterday afternoon- Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats “discovered” The Baked Bear and I gotta tell you that the ice cream sandwiches and bowl we concocted were absolute dynamite! Just between you guys and Jeff Eats, in my entire lifetime- I can’t ever recall eating a cookie or ice cream which didn’t work for me! That said, for sure there were better cookies than others, same for the ice creams, anyway- trust me when I tell you that The Baked Bear’s cookie and ice cream assortments were both right on the money!

Let me wrap The Baked Bear up by saying…

The Baked Bear is open:

Monday-Thursday 1pm-9:30pm, Friday 1pm-10pm, Saturday=Sunday noon-10pm.

You guys can check menu/prices/info at thebakedbear.com.

This contest started on 9/12/21. This contest has a winner.

* Win A $10 Lee’s Grocery Gift Card.

Jeff Eats got a $10 Lee’s Grocery Gift Card to give to one of you guys…

The game- the first 10 “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 $10 Gift Card is good at Lee’s Grocery, 2210 North Central Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33602, (813) 374-0179.

Check menu/prices/info at leesgrocery.com.

Posted on August 13th, 2018

***** Lee’s Grocery, 2210 North Central Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33602, (813) 374-0179.

Got an absolutely dynamite pizza joint for you guys to checkout- Lee’s Grocery in Tampa.

Inside counter & hi-top seating/outside tables, pizzas/wings/beers/wines.

Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats found Lee’s Grocery a couple of weeks ago for dinner and absolutely loved the joint!

Just between you guys and Jeff Eats, if you’re not into pizza, wings and craft beers- Lee’s Grocery is definitely not gonna work for you (because that’s basically all that it serves)- fortunately Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats are gigantic fans of pizza, wings and craft beers, so like I said before- we loved the joint!

Let me wrap Lee’s Grocery by telling you guys that the joint is open Tuesday-Thursday 3pm-10pm/ Friday 3pm-midnight/ Saturday 12pm-midnight/ Sunday 12pm-10pm/ closed Monday, you can check men/prices/info at leesgrocery.com- and that Lee’s Grocery’s delicious food, cool decor, hipster vibe, reasonable prices and super pleasant service make this joint an absolute must try!

***** DISH OF THE WEEK (Sunday 9/12/21- DePietro’s Pizzeria & Restaurant).

One of Jeff Eats’ favorite menu items…

HOUSE CALZONE
($13.95- mozzarella and ricotta cheese, pepperoni, sausage, ham and meatballs)

DePietro’s Pizzeria & Restaurant
2550 Okeechobee Boulevard
West Palm Beach
(561) 697-4992
depietrospizzeria.com
Latest Review: 4/19/18

Trust Jeff Eats on this one- the “thing” is absolutely humongous and off the chart delicious!

Posted on April 19th, 2018

***** DePietro’s Pizzeria & Restaurant, 2550 Okeechobee Boulevard, West Palm Beach, Florida 33409, (561) 697-4992.

You guys and Jeff Eats both know that here in Florida there are more “mom & pop” red sauce Italian joints than there are Chins in a Chinese phonebook (I know, Soupy Sales 1957!)- with that in mind, the goal here (that being jeffeats.com) is to find-according to Jeff Eats’ tastebuds the best ones!

Unless you’re two years or younger, or you’re a recently arrived visitor from Planet Venus- you know that the DePietro’s has booth/table seating, a reasonably priced menu loaded with- appetizers/ salads/ calzones/ strombolis/ subs/ pastas/ pizzas/ entrees most of which come with soup or salad, pasta side, garlic rolls!

Last night, Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and Daughter Jeff Eats gave DePietro’s a shot and I gotta tell you- the joint scored real-good! All 3-Eats enjoyed the food and the service was as pleasant as could be!

Let me wrap DePietro’s up by telling you guys that you can check menu/prices/info at depietrospizzeriaandrestaurant.net, that it’s open Monday-Saturday 11am-9pm/ closed Sunday and that if the joint was a drop closer to Jeff Eats’ Boca Raton abode- Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats would be real steady customers!

This contest started on 9/12/21. This contest has a winner.

* Win A $10 KFC Gift Card.

Jeff Eats got a $10 KFC Gift Card to give to one of you guys…

The game- the first 10 “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 $10 Gift Card is good at any KFC location (kfc.com for locations, menu, prices, info).

This contest started on 9/12/21. This contest has a winner.

* Win A $10 Bronx Bagel & Deli Gift Card.

Jeff Eats got a $10 Bronx Bagel & Deli Gift Card to give to one of you guys!

The game- the first 10 “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 $10 Gift Card is good at Bronx Bagel & Deli, 230 South Powerline Road, Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442, (754) 227-7276. Check menu/prices/info at bronxbageldeli.com.

Posted on January 24th, 2020

***** Bronx Bagel & Deli, 230 South Powerline Road, Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442, (754) 227-7276.

Got a real good bagel/deli joint for you guys to checkout- Bronx Bagel & Deli in Deerfield Beach.

Cutting to the chase, no matter what anyone else tells you I- Jeff Eats “know” my bagels and deli- and I’m telling you guys that Bronx Bagel & Deli is an absolutely terrific joint and that you gotta try it!

Simple tale to tell, yesterday afternoon- Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats “discovered” Bronx Bagel & Deli and trust me- the joint’s food was off the chart dynamite…order at counter-food delivered to tables, reasonably priced- all day breakfast/ salads/ sandwiches/ wraps/ burgers/ soups/ baked goods/ in house baked bagels & bialys menu, open Monday-Saturday 6:30am-3pm/Sunday 7am-3pm.

Let me wrap-up Bronx Bagel & Deli by saying that the joint absolutely killed! Over the years, Jeff Eats has been in a ton and I do mean a ton- of both full service and fast food Florida bagel/deli joints and I gotta tell you that Bronx Bagel & Deli is definitely one of the best that I’ve been to!

You guys can check menu/prices/info at bronxbageldeli.com.