***** DISH OF THE WEEK (Sunday- 7/12/20- Tasty Wok BBQ & Noodle House).

One of Jeff Eats’ favorite menu items…

HALF ROASTED DUCK ($11.50)

Tasty Wok BBQ & Noodle House
1246 East Colonial Drive
Orlando
(407) 896-8988
tastywok.net
Latest Review: 12/26/19

Trust Jeff Eats on this one, some of the best “real” and Brooklyn Jewish American Chinese Food circa 1957 in Florida!

This joint is an absolute must try!

Posted on December 26th, 2019

***** Tasty Wok BBQ & Noodle House, 1246 East Colonial Drive, Orlando, Florida 32803, (407) 896-8988, tastywok.net.

Just in case some of you guys were wondering where-how Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats “celebrated” Christmas Day (12/25/19)…(not gonna go into the whole – Jews eating Chinese food on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day thing)!

NO IFS ANDS OR BUTS- ONE OF THE BEST CHINESE RESTAURANTS IN FLORIDA!

Posted on June 8th, 2017

***** Tasty Wok BBQ & Noodle House, 1246 East Colonial Drive, Orlando, Florida 32803, (407) 896-8988.

Consider this tale a “Public Service Announcement.”

Jeff Eats first told you guys about Tasty Wok BBQ & Noodle House way-back on 2/13/13!

For what it’s worth, I’m kinda thinking that now that it’s SUMMER over the next 3-months, a number of you folks are gonna be visiting the Orlando area for various reasons (vacations, college enrollment, etc.). With that in mind, if you don’t “try” Tasty Wok BBQ & Noodle House, 1246 East Colonial Drive, Orlando, Florida 32803, (407) 896-8988- when you’re in Orlando- you’ll be making a huge mistake!

Trust Jeff Eats on this one, some of the best “real” and Brooklyn Jewish American Chinese Food circa 1957 in Florida!

Just so you know, Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and a couple of friends ate there last Sunday night (6/4/17)- thus the “Public Service Announcement.”

No bs- this Tasty Wok joint could- easily compete with the best Chinese joints in New York City and San Fransico’s- China Towns!
________

Posted on February 13th, 2013

***** Tasty Wok BBQ & Noodle House, 1246 East Colonial Drive, Orlando, Florida 32803, (407) 896-8988.

This is a very simple Chinese food “story.”

Jeff Eats recently tried Tasty Wok BBQ & Noodle House in Orlando and it was absolutely dynamite.

Real simple…this is a bare bones “hole in the wall” joint—ducks hanging from the ceiling.

Tasty Wok’s menu will please you-guys who want “real” Chinese food (whatever REAL means?)–and also guys like me who are looking for Brooklyn-Jewish circa 1950’s Chinese food.

A recent outing had Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and a bunch of friends doing:
1. wonton soup,
2. egg rolls,
3. fried meat dumplings,
4. roast pork,
5. sweet and sour pork,
6. general tso’s chicken,
7. shrimp in lobster sauce,
8. pepper steak,
9. roast duck
10. shrimp fried rice

Like I said a few seconds ago…absolutely dynamite. No fooling around here, some of the best Chinese food Jeff Eats has eaten in Florida.

Nothing for nothing, food and decor-wise, Tasty Wok could successfully compete with most of NYC Chinatown’s players. To be perfectly honest with you, I’d match Tasty Wok’s roast duck and roast pork up against NYC Chinatown’s best joints–any day of the week. Those two “items” alone, were worth the price of admission.

You Orlandoians got a homerun going here.

Tasty Wok is open 7 days a week 10:30am-9:30pm.

Just a “suggestion”—check the YELP reviews on this one. There are something like 100 reviews and other than a small handful—most folks loved Tasty Wok. The comments should “give” you some more color about Tasty Wok.

This contest started on 7/7/20. This contest has a winner.

* Win A $25 Doris Italian Market & Bakery Gift Card.

Jeff Eats got a $25 Doris Italian Market & Bakery 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 Doris Market & Bakery location (1-Sunrise, 1-Coral Springs, 1-Boca Raton, Pembroke Pines, 1-North Palm Beach). Check dorismarket.com for locations/info.

Posted on May 21st, 2009
***** Doris Italian Market & Bakery *****

The other day, I told you guys about a terrific “market”…The Boys Farmers Market (5/6/09) located in Delray Beach.

Now let me tell you about another terrific “market”…Doris Italian Market & Bakery which currently has 5 locations… Hollywood, Plantation, Coral Springs, Boca Raton and Pembroke Pines…another spot in Sunrise is scheduled to open in the very near future. For full details/addresses check Doris’ website at www.dorismarket.com

Just so you know, Doris started out in Hollywood in 1947 as a neighborhood Italian meat-market. Today’s locations, are probably 7,500-10,000 sq. ft and have a full range of meats, seafood, baked goods, fresh produce, prepared foods and grocery items. Although it calls itself an “Italian Market & Bakery”…Doris’ baked goods and prepared foods are not limited to Italian “style” food…unless stuff like bbq ribs, tuna salad, shrimp salad, egg salad, chocolate chip cookies are Italian food.

Over the years, my family has shopped countless times at Doris’ Boca location…and I have to tell you, that its baked goods and prepared foods…are outstanding. This joint’s cakes, breads, pastries are top-notch…its Italian “dishes” are as good, if not better, than the stuff served by your favorite neighborhood pizza joint.

The way I look at Doris…outstanding joint for baked goods,”take home” food, fresh meat-seafood…by the way, Doris makes a chicken salad which is one of the “best” that I have eaten…As for produce and grocery items, your local Publix is better…Prices?— local supermarket prices.

Doris is open Monday-Friday 8:30am-7pm, Saturday 8:30am-6:30pm, Sunday 8:30am-5pm.

This contest started on 7/5/20. 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 7/5/20. This contest has a winner.

* Win A $20 Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Gift Card.

Jeff Eats got a $20 Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen 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 Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen location.

Check Popeyes.com for menu/prices/locations/info.

This contest started on 7/2/20. This contest has a winner.

* Win A $50 Madisons New York Grill & Bar Gift Card.

Jeff Eats got a $50 Madisons New York Bar & Grill Gift Card to give to one of you guys!

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!

The $50 Gift Card is good at Madisons New York Grill & Bar, 2066 Northwest Executive Center Circle, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, (561) 994-0808- (check menu, location, info at madisonsnewyork.com).

Posted on April 9th, 2015

***** Madisons New York Grill & Bar, 2066 Northwest Executive Center Circle, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, (561) 994-0808.

Jeff Eats is gonna label Madisons New York Grill & Bar- one of the best American-Style joints in South Florida!

Just had lunch at this American-Style joint and I am telling you that the food-service-prices were all-right on the money!

The full-rack of bbq baby-back ribs (with a baked potato) that I had- was absolutely delicious…Mrs. Jeff Eats’ Caesar salad and cheeseburger/French fries were also delicious.

Jeff Eats first told you guys about Madisons on 1/4/14…somethings bear repeating- so here goes…

January 4, 2014

***** Madisons New York Grill & Bar, 2066 Northwest Executive Center Circle, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, (561) 994-0808.

Last night, Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats and a couple of friends gave “American-Style” Madisons New York Grill & Bar in Boca Raton a shot–and I gotta tell you, the joint literally blew our socks-off. No fooling around here…Madisons food and service were terrific!

Real quick, Madisons is a Canadian based restaurant chain that currently owns/operates 14 restaurants in Quebec, 1 in Boca Raton and has 1- under construction in Pompano Beach. If you think–Houston’s, J. Mark’s and J. Alexander’s you’ll be on the right décor page. The Boca Raton joint opened about 1-week ago, in a completely renovated building that at one time or another housed California Pizza Kitchen, Wolfie Cohen’s Rascal House, Copper Canyon Grill and Stephane’s Steak & Seafood. The restaurant has both indoor/outdoor patio seating and a separate full-bar area with something like 9 flat screen tvs.

As I mentioned 16 seconds ago, Madisons’ food and service were terrific…no ifs or buts, but the guys who own Madisons-know how to run a restaurant. Every dish that hit our table was exactly as ordered, glasses were continuously refreshed by Dave “The” Waiter-and during the evening we were “visited” by GM-Charles, Front Of The House Manager-Juan and Owner-Steve. Just so you know, Jeff Eats’ eagle eye caught- that every table in our section got the exact-same management treatment.

Let’s talk food…

Real simple menu–8 appetizers ($8-17), 6 meal salads ($15-$20), 5 sandwiches/burgers ($14-$18), 12 entrees ($16-$37), handful of salads/sides ($4-$8), handful of desserts ($5-$8).

Our table “had”–Three Cheese Garlic Bread, House Salad, Mykonos Style Greek Salad, Quinoa Caprese Salad, Cheeseburger With French Fries, Crab Cake Sandwich, Baby Back Ribs, Key Lime Pie, Brownie With Vanilla Ice Cream…everything was delicious. Just so you know, the garlic bread appetizer easily fed 4-people, the salads and desserts large enough for 2-people to share.

For you-guys who like more “review detail”…the French fries weren’t as delicious as everything else–but Owner-Steve told me, that fresh-handcut fries would soon be replacing the frozen product being used. I must tell you-that the garlic bread appetizer topped with melted Monterey Jack/cheddar/parmesan cheese was off-the-chart. To be perfectly honest, 2-orders of that garlic bread with a 2-liter bottle of ice-cold Coke and Jeff Eats could do some serious damage to himself…a definite must order.

Look! I could go on and on–as to how the ribs were basted with a delicious sweet bbq sauce, or how the crab cakes were loaded with crab (what else?) with virtually no filler, or how the cheeseburger which came on a lightly toasted bun-was topped with shredded lettuce/tomato slice/pickles spears and a mustard/ketchup/mayo dressing, but I won’t.

At this stage of the game, you may want to check www.madisonsnewyork.com for menu/prices.

The truly amazing thing about Madisons was that the service was impeccable…to be honest with you, Jeff Eats went into this thing-thinking a hiccup or two, afterall it was a brand new joint…but au contraire (hey! I told you that the chain is out of Quebec!)—the food and service couldn’t have been better.

Let me wrap this all up for you,

Madisons is going to be a huge winner. Mark these words–perfect for the business lunch crowd–perfect for the happy hour crowd–perfect for both Boca Raton’s young families and its 55+ crowd.

No question in Jeff Eats’ mind, Madisons can definitely hold its own against local “American Style” players–The Cheesecake Factory, Houston’s and J. Alexander’s.

A cursory “menu-look” found Madisons’ price-points $2-$5 lower than its “next door” neighbor Houston’s…..Hey! I already told you- The guys who own this joint know how to run a restaurant.

One final thought, a little bird told Jeff Eats that Madisons owns the Boca Raton property/building–so, to paraphrase poet Ernest Henley – Madisons is the master of its fate, captain of its soul (I know, I know a bit dramatic).

Madisons is open Monday-Sunday 11am-11pm.

This contest started on 7/1/20. This contest has a winner.

* Win A $50 Okeechobee Steak House Gift.

Jeff Eats got a $$50 Okeechobee Steak Gift Card to give to one of you guys…

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!

The $50 Gift Card is good at- Okeechobee Steak House, 2854 Okeechobee Boulevard, West Palm Beach, Florida 33409, (561) 683-5151.

You can check menu/prices/location/info at okeesteakhouse.com.

Posted on June 28th, 2017

***** Okeechobee Steak House, 2854 Okeechobee Boulevard, West Palm Beach, Florida 33409, (561) 683-5151.

A recent e-mail from reader, JKI…

Jeff Eats,
My wife and I recently (5/13/17) moved to West Palm Beach from Akron, Ohio where we were both born and lived for over 68 years.
Came across your site yesterday and I wanted to tell you about the Okeechobee Steak House in West Palm Beach. We ate there last night and the food and service were great and the prices beyond reasonable.
When you get a chance check this restaurant out, because it’s terrific.
Thank you,
JKI
_________

JKI,

Welcome to South Florida.
Thanks for the heads-up!
Thanks for “reading”…
Jeff Eats
____________
Posted on June 4, 2015
***** DISH OF THE WEEK (Sunday- 10/4/15- Okeechobee Steak House)

One of Jeff Eats’ favorite menu items…

PRIME STEAK BURGER (with French fries)
$12.99

Okeechobee Steak House
2854 Okeechobee Boulevard
West Palm Beach
(561) 683-5151
okeesteakhouse.com
Latest Review: 5/3/08

The Okeechobee Steak House has been around for something like 68 years. Low key joint, that serves up top notch steaks/seafood at reasonable prices with no drama!-(or is it dramaless?)…

Anyway,

Just between you guys and Jeff Eats, with all of the great steaks/seafood- many people over-look the joint’s Prime Steak Burger- which is off the chart delicious.

_____________________

Posted on May 3rd, 2008

***** Okeechobee Steak House, 2854 Okeechobee Boulevard, West Palm Beach, Florida 33409, (561) 683-5151.

The Okeechobee Steak House has been in business since 1947. The joint is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.

The Okeechobee Steak House is not a fancy schmancy upscale steakhouse. That said, the food is terrific and the menu is priced right. For around 35-40 bucks a head, you get salad, entree and side dishes. A similar meal at a fancy schmancy joint- which is maybe a 1/2 a notch higher in quality and service would run you $55-60.

The Okeechobee Steak House serves top quality steaks and seafood. Like I said a few seconds ago, it isn’t a fancy schmancy joint with tee shirts/shorts being pretty common there. What makes this a “beautiful” place is that it doesn’t take itself seriously like “upscale” joints do. The game here is good food and good service in a real-easy atmosphere.

Look…you don’t stay in business for 61 years without doing something right. Try this joint, you will really enjoy the food.

This contest started on 7/1/20. This contest has a winner.

* Win A $20 Waffle House Gift Card.

Real simple story, Jeff Eats got a $20 Waffle House 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 $20 Gift Card is good at any Waffle House location (wafflehouse.com for locations, menu, info).

***** DISH OF THE WEEK (Sunday- 7/5/20- Gianni’s Italian Restaurant).

One of Jeff Eats’ favorite menu items…

GARLIC ROLLS
(no/charge- served with all entrees)

Gianni’s Italian Restaurant
1601 East Atlantic Boulevard
Pompano Beach
(954) 942-1733
Giannisitalianrestaurant.com
Latest Review: 10/6/19

I’ve been telling you guys about this joint’s garlic rolls since March 25, 2008.

OFF ThE CHART DYNAMITE!

Posted on October 6th, 2019
***** DISH OF THE WEEK (Sunday- 10/6/19- Gianni’s Italian Restaurant)
One of Jeff Eats’ favorite menu items…

GARLIC ROLLS
(no/charge- served with all entrees)

Gianni’s Italian Restaurant
1601 East Atlantic Boulevard
Pompano Beach
(954) 942-1733
Giannisitalianrestaurant.com
Latest Review: 6/13/18

This joint’s garlic rolls are absolutely dynamite!

Posted on June 13th, 2018

***** Gianni’s Italian Restaurant, 1601 East Atlantic Boulevard, Pompano Beach, Florida 33060 (954) 942-1733.

A recent e-mail received by Jeff Eats.

Jeff,
Long time reader. First time writer.
Just between you and me, where can I find a really good Italian meatball? I’ve been in Florida for 5 years (formerly from Detroit) and really haven’t found a joint that makes ones that are special. My wife and I live in__________, Coconut Creek, but we’ll drive for the right meatball. By the way, we’ve been to tons of joints all over south Florida.
Thanks,
Ronnie G
_________

Ronnie G,

Not exactly sure where you’ve eaten or haven’t eaten- that said, based on your address try (if you haven’t already been there)….Gianni’s Italian Restaurant, 1601 East Atlantic Boulevard, Pompano Beach, Florida 33060 (954) 942-1733. To be perfectly honest with you- you sound kinda picky to me- but what the heck…

Thanks for reading…

Jeff Eats

Posted on March 25th, 2008 ·

***** Gianni’s Italian Restaurant, 1601 East Atlantic Boulevard, Pompano Beach, Florida 33060 (954) 942-1733.

I have been stuffing my face at Gianni’s for years. I don’t know how long this Southern Italian Joint has been in business, but my best guess is 20-25 years.

Real simple review…

Gianni’s is an absolutely terrific Italian restaurant. The food is delicious. The service is as friendly and as competent as can be. The prices are no more expensive than your favorite neighborhood “mom & pop” red sauce joint. Just so you know, Giann’s “enormous” garlic rolls are off-the-chart and worth the price of admission alone.

Gianni’s is open for lunch and dinner. If I were you, I would make a reservation, as the joint is always packed in the evenings.

Gianni’s is one of my favorite South Florida Italian Restaurants. Don’t miss this one.

This contest started on 6/30/20. This contest has a winner.

* Win A $35 Burtons Grill & Bar Gift Card.

Jeff Eats got a $35 Burtons Grill & Bar Gift Card to give to one of you guys…

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!

The $35 Gift Card is good at all Burtons Grill & Bar locations.

You can check burtonsgrill.com for menu/prices/locations/info.

Posted on November 27th, 2017

***** Burtons Grill & Bar, 5580 North Military Trail, Boca Raton, Florida 33496, (561) 465-2036.

Got a real good American-Style joint for you guys to checkout, Burtons Grill & Bar which opened 6-weeks ago in Boca Raton.

Great looking free-standing building restaurant which seats something like 300 featuring an open kitchen/ a full liquor bar/ table & booth seating/ a menu loaded with reasonably priced- appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, entrees, paleo dishes, vegetarian dishes, gluten free dishes, desserts.

Like I said 2 seconds ago, Burtons Grill & Bar opened 6-weeks ago in Boca Raton- that said, this joint isn’t Burtons owners’ first rodeo in that they also have 13 other Burtons Grill & Bars spread-out over Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hamphshire, Virginia, South Carolina and North Carolina!

Long story short, last night Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and two other couples did-dinner at Burtons and I gotta tell you, its food and service were right on the money! Just between you guys and Jeff Eats, unless my hearing is going- during and after the meal I didn’t hear even one single bitch about “anything”- so Jeff Eats is kinda thinking that Burtons Grill & Bar has a winning formula figured out!

Let me wrap Burtons Grill & Bar up for you guys- by telling you that the joint is open Monday-Thursday 11:30am-10pm, Friday-Saturday 11:30am-10;30pm, Sunday 11:30am-9pm- and you can checkout menu/prices/info at burtonsgrill.com.

* Happy 4th oF July.