This contest started on 10/3/20. This contest has a winner.

* Win A $25 Cafe Vico Gift Card.

Jeff Eats got a $25 Cafe Vico 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 Cafe Vico, 1125 North Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33305, (954) 565-9681.

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

Posted on January 21st, 2018

***** DISH OF THE WEEK (Sunday- 1/21/18- Cafe Vico)
One of Jeff Eats’ favorite menu items…

CHICKEN MARSALA (with pasta side)
$24.95

Cafe Vico
1125 North Federal Highway
Fort Lauderdale
(954) 565-9681
cafevicorestaurant.com
Latest Review: 6/30/2008

Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats have been fressing at Cafe Vico for over 20 years. No bs here- the joint’s food and service have always been right on the money! I singled out Cafe Vico’s chicken marsala for special attention, but trust me- in all the years of going there- I can’t recall a single dish that wasn’t real good! While I’m on the the subject of real good- these Vico Meatball Sliders (2-$12- that I had two nights ago) ain’t- no slouches either!

Posted on June 30th, 2008

***** Cafe Vico, 1125 North Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33305, (954) 565-9681.

Cafe Vico is one of my favorite Southern Italian Restaurants in South Florida. Over the past 10 years or so, I have eaten in this joint something like 12-13 times. Do yourself a favor and check Cafe Vico’s website at www.cafevicorestaurant.com for menu/pricing/hours/photos. Although not exactly a tee shirt/shorts kind of a joint, I have been known to show up at Cafe Vico in that very costume and never felt out of place.

Cafe Vico is maybe a dollar or two more expensive than your favorite neighborhood Italian joint…the few bucks-more are well spent. The food is absolutely terrific as is the service. If you check the website, you will also find that Cafe Vico is a very attractive looking joint with a decor of a small Southern Italian Country Inn.

Cafe Vico’s menu features all of the standard favorites…mine being veal parmigiana. There are loads of pasta, fish-seafood, chicken and meat-veal dishes to please all tastes.

Cafe Vico is worth making a special trip for. Be smart and make a reservation, because it is an extremely popular restaurant and is always busy.

Cafe Vico is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.

Try this one!!

****** DISH OF THE WEEK (Sunday- 10/4/20- The Salty Donut).

One of Jeff Eats’ favorite menu items…

HAZELNUT + CHOCOLATE DONUT
($4.25- 24 hr brioche, filled with homemade hazelnut infused chocolate, glazed in chocolate ganache, topped with candied hazelnuts + homemade crushed hazelnut cookies)

Trust Jeff Eats on this one- The Salty Donut makes off the chart delicious donuts. This joint is an absolute must-try!

Posted on February 4th, 2020

***** The Salty Donut, 50 Northwest 23rd Street, Miami, Florida 33127, (305) 639-8501.

Got a real good donut joint for you guys to check-out, The Salty Donut in Miami (Wynwood).

Just between you guys and Jeff Eats- I know my donuts- and I’m telling you guys that The Salty Donut makes some of the most delicious donuts that I and for that matter Mrs. Jeff Eats have ever eaten!

Simple tale to tell, this past Super Bowl Sunday we discovered The Salty Donut and I’m telling you guys- this joint is an absolute must try. Simple concept- order/pickup at counter, 6 “always” & rotating lineup of “sometimes” donuts/coffee- menu, indoor table & hi-top seating/out-door bench seating, open Tuesday-7:30am-6pm/Saturday-Sunday 8am-6pm, closed on Monday.

Like I said a couple of seconds ago- delicious donuts that are an absolute must try!

Let me wrap The Salty Donut by saying- you can check menu/prices/info at saltydonut.com

This contest started on 9/30/20. This contest has a winner.

* Win A $20 Jet’s Pizza Gift Card.

Jeff Eats got a $20 Jet’s Pizza 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 Jet’s Pizza location (jetspizza.com for locations, menus, prices, info).

This contest started on 9/29/20. This contest has a winner.

* Win A $25 Bambini’s Garden Pizzeria Gift Card.

Jeff Eats got a $25 Bambini’s Garden Pizzeria 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 Bambini’s Garden Pizzeria, 14466 Military Trail, Delray Beach, Florida 33484, (561) 638-6442.

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

Posted on July 19th, 2018

***** Bambini’s Garden Pizzeria, 14466 Military Trail, Delray Beach, Florida 33484, 561) 638-6442.

Late last night- downed the above pictured off the chart delicious $9.99 chicken parm sub…

File this report in the “it bears repeating” file…

If you’re looking for absolutely dynamite hot-cold subs/pizzas/calzones/strombolis/other red sauce stuff – you gotta checkout Bambini’s Garden Pizzeria in Delray Beach!

————-
Posted on August 30th, 2015

***** DISH OF THE WEEK (Sunday- 8/30/15)

One of Jeff Eats’ favorite menu items…

10″ CHICKEN PARMESAN SUB
$7.99

Bambini’s Garden Pizzeria
14466 Military Trail
Delray Beach
561) 638-6442
bambinisgardenpizza.com
Latest Review: 3/3/15

If you wanna eat an absolutely off-the-chart-delicious chicken parmesan sub- then you gotta try Bambini’s Garden Pizzeria.

Rather than spin you a whole new tale, checkout Jeff Eats’ Bambini’s- 3/3/15 “writeup” reprinted down-below…

Trust me on this one, this joint’s stuff is dynamite!

Posted on March 3rd, 2015

***** Bambini’s Garden Pizzeria, 14466 Military Trail, Delray Beach, Florida 33484, 561) 638-6442.

This is a real simple tale to tell…

If you want some of the most delicious New York Style pizza, hot/cold subs, stromboli- down here in sunny South Florida…get yourself over to Bambini’s Garden Pizzeria in Delray Beach.

Just so you know, the joint is owned by the same folks that own- The Boys Farmers Market in Delray Beach (see review 10/17/14) …Bambini’s is basically a takeout, but there is limited indoor/outdoor seating.

This past Sunday afternoon, Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats had a bunch of friends over to our home in Boca Raton…to feed the hordes of people- we picked up from Bambini’s 2- 20″ cheese pizzas ($14.99 each), 1- 20″ meatball pizza ($16.99), 1-20″ white pizza ($17.99), 3- 10″ chicken parmesan subs ($7.99 each), 3- 10″ eggplant parmesan subs ($7.99 each), 4- 10″ sausage/peppers/onions subs ($7.99 each), 3- pepperoni Stromboli ($9.99 each) and I am telling you EVERYTHING was delicious.

No fooling here, Bambini’s stuff literally blew Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and our friends away.

For what it’s worth-Jeff Eats had been hearing about this joint for months- and this past Sunday was the day “I” decided to give it a shot. The pizza was as close to perfect as can be… thin crispy crust, sweet sauce- the subs’ fillings were dynamite/the semolina seeded bread was terrific, the prices- tons of food for cheap money!

No crapping you guys, I couldn’t have picked a better joint for this particular home-event!

Bambini’s Garden Pizzeria is an absolute must try.

To make sure we are straight on the facts… basically a takeout, limited menu (stromboli, subs, wraps, salads, pizzas)- and if you are wondering, the joint “does pizza by the slice.”

Bambini’s website-bambinisgardenpizza.com- is kinda useless, no menu info provided.

Bambini’s Garden Pizzeria is open Monday-Thursday & Saturday 10:30am-9pm, Sunday 10:30am-7pm.

This contest started on 9/28/20. This contest has a winner.

* Win A $20 Tom Sawyer Restaurant & Pastry Shop Gift Card.

Jeff Eats got a $20 Tom Sawyer Restaurant & Pastry Shop 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 Tom Sawyer Restaurant & Pastry Shop, 1759 NW 2nd Avenue, Boca Raton, Florida 33432, (561) 368-4634.

Check tomsawyerrestaurant.com for menu/prices/info.

Posted on April 23rd, 2008

***** Tom Sawyer Restaurant & Pastry Shop, 1759 NW 2nd Avenue, Boca Raton, Florida, (561) 368-4634.

Over the years, I must have eaten breakfast/lunch in this joint at least 30 times. Imagine an IHOP on steroids decked-out in an Abe Lincoln Log Cabin motif and you pretty much got this joint. Great eggs, pancakes and waffles. No more expensive than an IHOP, Perkins or neighborhood bagel joint. Tom Sawyer also has a great selection of pastries, like chococlate cigars and huge black & white cookies.

This joint is open 7 days a week for breakfast and lunch. Just so you know, most folks eat BREAKFAST FOOD here but Tom Sawyer’s burgers, sandwiches and salads are very good diner-quality food. On the weekends, don’t be shocked to see a line out the door waiting for tables.

* National Touring Headliner Comedian- Greg Hahn.

If you wanna see one of the most brilliantly- funny comedians currently working America’s comedy club/casino/resort/event circuit- then you gotta go see Greg Hahn!

Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats have seen Hahn’s stand-up act several times- and, I am telling you guys, the man is a phenomenally funny comedian!

Don’t miss him!

Just announced…

National Touring Headliner Comedian- Greg Hahn.

Friday, November 27th, 2020 (8pm)
Boca Black Box
8221 Glades Road Suite #10,
Boca Raton, Florida 33434
Box Office: 483.9036
Tickets: bocablackbox.com – also check goldstar.com for discount tickets

from bocablackbox.com

A favorite on the nationally syndicated Bob and Tom Radio Show. He has appeared on Late Night with Conan Obrien, Comedy Central, CBS, ABC, FOX, MTV and CMT. Greg Hahn has parlayed his absurdly energetic, all out style of physical humor, one liners and crowd work into a performance of immediate pandemonium and continuous laughs. His unique stylings have led to numerous television, corporate and theater appearances throughout the US and Canada. Greg was raised in South Florida where in high school he amused the Catholic nuns by poking holes in his pockets enabling pencils to shoot out of his pant leg. As a college basketball player, his enjoyment of half court shots earned him a sweet spot on the bench.As a Captain in the Marines Corps, Greg kept his men highly motivated and could not overemphasize that camouflage is continuous. While a buyer for Lockheed Corporation, he thought why make $200 a day, when I can be a comedian and make that in a week .After several serious jobs where he refused to be serious, Greg turned pro as a stand up comedian and landed a job as emcee for a theme park lumberjack show. This supplied him with four audiences a day, intoxicated ax swinging lumberjacks, and a log rolling dog. Soon afterwards, he worked as stuntman in the Wild Wild Wild West Stunt Show at Universal Studios. For $20 an hour, I would run out and get hit in the head with a stick, perfect! He continually honed his style of comedy then headed to New York City. While in New York, Greg developed into a touring headliner and costarred in the independent film Tomorrow Night which premiered at theSundance Film Festival. Then, after successful shows at the Montreal and Chicago Comedy Festivals, Greg enjoyed television appearances on Late Night with Conan OBrien (NBC), Premium Blend (Comedy Central), Make Me Laugh (5 episodes, Comedy Central), Louis CKs Pulp Comics (Comedy Central), 30 Seconds to Fame (Fox), Cedric the Entertainer Presents (Fox) and Star Search (CBS). When appearing on Star Search, Greg was spotted by Tom Griswold of the nationally syndicated Bob & Tom Radio Show. Greg has since established himself as a favorite guest on the show and starred on the Bob @ Tom Comedy Central Special. He also headlines the Friends of The Bob @ Tom Theater Tour, which included a stop at the Las Vegas Comedy Festival. A return appearance to the Montreal Comedy Festival along with the Halifax Comedy Festival and wild appearances on Country Music Televisions Comedy Stage, Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen and running for president on TOSH.O (Comedy Central) have added to Gregs popularity. Greg now lives in Los Angeles where he continues to infiltrate the TV and movie biz with the intention of buying a llama farm and a kitchen fish tank.

This contest started on 9/25/20. This contest has a winner.

* Win A $20 LaSpada’s Original Hoagies Gift Card.

Jeff Eats got a $20 LaSpada’s Original Hoagies 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 LaSpada’s location (laspadashoagies.com for locations, menus, prices, info).

Posted on January 2nd, 2016
***** LaSpada’s Original Hoagies, 2240 Northwest 19th Street, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, (561) 393-1434.

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

If you want amazing subs- you gotta go to LaSpada’s Original Hoagies which currently has 5 South Florida locations- Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs, Davie, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. You can check laspadashoagies.com for locations/info.

Just between you guys and Jeff Eats, for the past 7 years (at least twice a month) Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats have picked-up subs from LaSpada’s- and each and every time we’ve commented to each other- “as to how good” this joint’s stuff was/is! The latest pickup- last night from the Boca joint- large chicken salad, large turkey, large Italian Special!

Trust Jeff Eats on this one, you will love Laspada’s subs- or as it-calls them…hoagies!

________________

Posted August 31, 2014
***** DISH OF THE WEEK (Sunday-8/31/14).

One of Jeff Eats’ favorite menu items.

12″ Chicken Salad Sub (Laspada’s calls “them” hoagies)
$9.85.

Laspada’s Original Hoagies
2240 Northwest 19th Street
Boca Raton (there are 4 other South Florida locations)
(561) 393-1434
laspadashoagies.com
Latest Review: 7/18/08

Trust Jeff Eats when I tell you- that 12″ sub can easily feed 3 people. Just between you guys and Jeff Eats, Laspada’s chicken salad is absolute dynamite, but that’s just between us.

Posted July 18, 2008
***** Laspada’s Original Hoagies, 4346 South Grape Drive, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Florida 33348 (954) 776-7893.

Laspada’s is a “sub-grinder-hoagie-heroes”!(or whatever you call them) joint. There are currently 3 South Florida locations…Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Davie and Coral Springs. The Lauderdale joint is the original location…I must have gotten stuff there at least 20 times…I have also been to the Coral Springs location twice…Never been to the Davie store.

The guys who own Laspada’s are “masters” at making phenomenal-fantastic hoagies. Take a look at Laspada’s website at www.laspadashoagies.com for menu/pricing…also take a look at the photos of the stores and sandwiches being made.

If you want to eat absolutely incredible stuff, then you absolutely want to get to a Laspada’s. The joints are open 7-days a week for lunch and dinner. Keep in mind, that there is very limited seating and the game is primarily takeout.

***** DISH OF THE WEEK (Sunday- 9/27/20- Illegal Pizza).

One of Jeff Eats’ favorite menu items…

EVERYTHING
(11” Build Your Own Pizza- $11.99, Build Your Own Salad- $7.99, 10 Oven Baked Wings- $11.99)

Illegal Pizza
5401 North University Drive
Lauderhill
(954) 859-1300
illegalpizza.restaurant
Latest Review: 1/10/20

You guys know the game- tons of ingredients/toppings- so it’s your call on what the “thing”(pizza/salad) is gonna taste like. Throw in off the chart delicious baked wings and I’m telling you- Illegal Pizza is a real good joint to know about!

Posted on January 10th, 2020

***** Illegal Pizza, 5401 North University Drive, Lauderhill, Florida 33351, (954) 859-1300.

Got a real good pizza joint for you guys to checkout- Illegal Pizza in Lauderhill.

Simple tale to tell…yesterday afternoon- Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats “discovered” Illegal Pizza and I gotta tell you that the joint’s food absolutely killed! Unless you’re a recent “visitor” from Mars you’ve seen the concept before- get on line and counter people build your pizza and salad per your order, table/hi-top window counter seating, pizzas and salads delivered to tables.

Like I said 2 seconds ago, the food absolutely killed…I’m kinda thinking that the combination of super fresh top-notch ingredients and a gas stone oven- and not Jeff Eats or Mrs. Jeff Eats’ “culinary” skills were primarily responsible for the dynamite 11” pizzas and salad that were delivered to our table!

You’ve seen the “concept” before- Illegal Pizza’s execution was 100% right on the money!

For you guys who like more flesh on the review-bone, Illegal Pizza menu has a handful of set pizzas that you can order- same for salads, then you got build your own pizza and salad options- handful of beers, wines and some CBD infused waters.

You guys can check menu/prices/info at illegalpizza.restaurant.

Illegal Pizza is open:

Sunday – Thursday 11am to 10pm
Friday & Saturday 11am to 11pm

This contest started on 9/21/20. This contest has a winner.

* Win A $20 Cecilie’s Gourmet Italian Ices Gift Card.

Jeff Eats got a $20 Cecilie’s Gourmet Italian Ices 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 Cecilie’s Gourmet Italian Ices, 19726 Wiles Road, Coral Springs, Florida 33076, (954) 753-2727.

Check ceciliesices.com for menu/prices/info,

Posted March 17, 2013
***** Cecilie’s Gourmet Italian Ices, 19726 Wiles Road, Coral Springs, Florida 33076, (954) 753-2727.

Let me start by saying, that one of Jeff Eats favorite “desserts” is (or is it- are?) Italian Ices. I’ve been hooked on the stuff, since my Brooklyn days, when I would get a large cup ($.10) at the pizza joints in my neighborhood—1 scoop cherry/1 scoop lemon. Not sure when the “hooking” first took hold, but I do have a black & white photo of me-holding a squeeze cup of ices in the Summer of 1953.

Anyway…

I’m really pissed at myself, because “big ears” Jeff Eats didn’t hear about Cecilie’s Gourmet Italian Ices until yesterday afternoon. Amazingly, this joint has been around for something like 20 years.

Cecilie’s is located in the “ultimate” bombed-out South Florida shopping strip center. When you go there, get directions first, because the store is a real hole in the wall and give or take 1-or 2 other stores you’d never-ever think of going to this center. This center is so decrepit, that Cecille’s can’t run a a simple soft-serve yogurt/ice cream machine–because there isn’t enough electrical power running to the store.

Despite the aforesaid…

Cecilie’s makes some of the most delicious Italian Ices that Jeff Eats has ever eaten. ALL OF THE ICES ARE MADE IN THE BACK OF THE STORE. The joint has 48 flavors, four of which are sugar free (Mrs. Jeff Eats appreciated that). In speaking with Evan the owner, every day (give or take) he rotates 4 flavors in and out of the lineup…24 of the flavors are cream ices and 24 are water ices.

Let me make this one short and sweet (pun intended)…

I “sampled” 12 different flavors— cherry, pistachio, oreo cookies, jelly roll chocolate, coconut, lemon, peanut butter, cotton candy, carrot cake, honeydew, chocolate mint chip, birthday cake. Do you know what a “pig in sh@t” is? Well Jeff Eats was. Cecilie’s makes some of the best ices I’ve ever had. Just so you know, during the 1/2 hour or so Jeff Eats was there (starting at 3:30pm) at least 20 people came and went and everyone of them “tried” all kinds of ices before settling-in with a final purchase. Figure a small cup is gonna run you- 3 bucks.

A bit more “color”…the owner Evan, is about 44 years old–born in Brooklyn and raised in Philly. He opened this store 20 years ago and makes all of the ices all-by-himself. This is what Jeff Eats calls a one-man-show…Cecilie’s is open Monday 3pm-10pm, Tuesday-Thursday 1pm-10pm, Friday-Saturday 1pm-11pm, Sunday 1pm-9pm…Evan is the sole counter person Monday-Saturday, he takes Sunday-off when he has a couple of young ladies run the store. By the way, Cecilie’s has a couple of tables inside and 1 table outside so if you want–you can hang-out.

Like I said a few seconds ago, I can’t believe that I “missed out” on 20 years of Cecilie’s…

Trust Jeff Eats on this one, This joint’s Italian Ices are about as good as it gets.

* Queen Flash – The Ultimate Queen Tribute.

Queen Flash is one of the best Queen tribute acts- in the world…

Tickets just went on sale!

Don’t miss these guys!

The Skinny:

Queen Flash – The Ultimate Queen Tribute

Saturday, March 27th, 2021 (7pm & 9:30pm)

Boca Black Box
8221 Glades Road #10
Boca Raton, Florida 33434
Box Office: 561.483.9036
Tickets: bocablackbox.com also check goldstar.com (discount tickets)

from bocablackbox.com

In Celebration of “Bohemian Rhapsody” the Academy Award Winning QUEEN Movie

We Present – QUEEN FLASH – THE ULTIMATE QUEEN TRIBUTE

Queen Flash: The Ultimate Queen Tribute
Performance Date: 03/27/2021, 7pm & 9:30 pm

“QUEEN FLASH” – THE ULTIMATE QUEEN TRIBUTE

Look-a-like, sound-a-like, Johnny Zatylny has been captivating audiences by carrying on the musical tradition of Freddie Mercury since 2000. His amazing likeness with the original, matches his perfect performance of “Queen” songs both through his voice and his unmistakable stage presence.

This fabulous 6-piece Queen tribute is an exciting, high energy show that will get people out of their seats. “Queen Flash” is a grand, theatrical representation of the real Queen concerts, complete with vocal quality unmatched by any other tribute out there. It captures the essence of a band that transformed the music industry and set lofty standards for those who followed. “Queen Flash” will set the stage for a flash back to one of the world’s finest group of rock musicians!
——-

The Montreal Gazette
MerQury act a huge hit in Europe – By BILL BROWNSTEIN,

Johnny Zatylny admits he’s hardly a household name in his native Greenfield Park – yet. But friends and family and fellow Parkers might be surprised to learn that Zatylny is a superstar in Germany and much of northern Europe. And he’s almost god-like in Gubin, Poland.
He may move around by métro in Montreal, but it’s mostly limos when he’s on the other side of the pond.
Zatylny is considered to be among the world’s top three Freddie Mercury impressionists. He has performed over the last eight years throughout Europe and North America with his Queen tribute band, MerQury, and has played to packed stadiums from Berlin to Stockholm and, yes, Gubin. Montrealers can see and hear what all the fuss is about when Johnny comes marching home with Another One Bites the Dust, his homage to Freddie and Queen, at the Gesù on Saturday. For he will certainly rock you.
Freddie Mercury – né Farrokh Bulsara – has been an unlikely boon to Zatylny’s career. Though the British glam rocker died in 1991, his music resonates almost as much today as it did in his group’s heyday with the release of such chart-busters as Bohemian Rhapsody, Somebody to Love and We Are the Champions (once the anthem of the Habs).
Mercury was no run-of-the-mill rocker. With his four-octave range, he could do it all, from falsetto to baritone. His voice had an operatic quality and is not easily imitated. Zatylny is one of the few who can almost match him note for note. All the more surprising since, unlike Mercury, he has had no formal training. “Just 30 years of non-stop singing,” the affable Zatylny says over a beer downtown.
When he glues on the trademark Mercury moustache and dons the glittering garb and keeps his once-blond locks coloured jet black, Zatylny can almost pass for Freddie in the flesh as well as in voice. Curiously, Zatylny was not much of a Queen fan. He spent most of his early career here as the frontman for the Montreal rockers Simon Says, doing covers of the most popular acts of the day.
But when Simon Says disbanded in 1997, Zatylny found himself for the first time in years without a regular singing gig. He wound up sweeping floors in a factory.
Then a friend called from L.A. to inform him of an opening in a disco band there.
“I jumped at the opportunity, even though disco really wasn’t my thing,” says Zatylny, whose brother Wally is a former Hamilton Tiger Cat and member of the CFL Hall of Fame. “But then again, anything would beat sweeping floors.”

It was only after he arrived that he learned he would have to dress in drag for the gig. “I asked myself what I was doing. Then they had me singing the female parts to tunes like I Will Survive.”
And he had to question whether he would survive himself. “I looked on the bright side: It strengthened my voice.”
While in L.A., he spotted an ad seeking singers to audition for the TV show, Your Big Break. He showed up and did a Jon Bon Jovi cover, but sensed that the producer was not blown away. So, for reasons still unclear to him, he asked if he could sing Bohemian Rhapsody. He did, and the producer was blown away. This led to a spot on the show and, shortly thereafter, to the MerQury act in Europe, where he does almost 80 shows a year.
“I never realized just what kind of impact Queen had out there, but I now know why they were so popular. Really, almost every one of their songs were winners, and they appealed to practically everyone, regardless of generation,” he explains. “The funny thing is that I get these hard-core Queen fans come up to me and start asking me about Queen trivia and songs I never heard of. I haven’t got a clue what they’re talking about.”
Zatylny, like his brothers Wally and Stephen (who played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers), was also an athlete growing up and briefly entertained the notion of making football a career. “Then after getting hit really hard, I decided football might not be for me,” he jokes. “Wally was like a kamikaze kick-returner. He had no fear. He also had no voice. At least I had that option.”
The singing has turned out to be a better long-term career option than getting smacked around the gridiron. “I have to admit, though, that I initially thought after a few years, I would get really burned out and never want to hear Queen again for the rest of my life. But I’ve been doing it now for eight years, and every show is like the first one I did, and the energy and enthusiasm are still there.”
Unlike many music imitators, Zatylny is under no illusion that he is Freddie Mercury reincarnated. “There was only one Freddie. All I can do is bring his spirit back to the stage. But I don’t try to be him. Nor do I try to dress exactly like him, either.”
Zatylny is all for the glitz, but he does draw the line at the leather short-shorts Freddie used to sport. “I’ve got to be me.”