This contest started on 12/31/18. This contest has a winner.

* Win A $25 Ruven’s Gift Card.

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

The game- the first 35 “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 Ruven’s, 13800 Jog Road, Delray Beach, Florida 33484, (561) 499-9003. Check ruvensdeli.com for menu, info).

Posted on March 12th, 2014
***** 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!

* Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos And Wife To Divorce.

Just announced…Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos And Wife To Divorce.

I guess the richest man in the world isn’t gonna be the richest man in the world!

* Whitestone- Returns To Avanti’s Italian Restaurant.

Let’s call this tale- “killing two birds with one stone”…

The 6-piece Whitestone band is one of South Florida’s best 50s-60’s-70’s cover bands- Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats have been fans for years…on Saturday Night, March 2nd, 2019 Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and a bunch of our friends are gonna go see Whitestone at Avanti’s Italian Restaurant in Lake Worth- and shortly thereafter, I’ll tell you guys what Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and our friends thought about Avanti’s Italian Restaurant- so forth and so on!

Trust me on this one, Whitestone is a terrific band. By the way, the band is booked to play Avanti’s Italian Restaurant on Thursday 2/21/19, Saturday 3/2/19, Thursday 3/14/19.

You can checkout Avanti’s Italian Restaurant, 6101 Winston Trails Boulevard, Lake Worth, Florida 33463, (561) 964-7628 at winstontrailsclub.com.

This contest started on 1/1/19. This contest has a winner.

* Win A $150 NYY Steak Gift Card.

Jeff Eats got a $150 NYY Steak Gift Card to give to one of you guys…

The game- the first 50 “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 $150 Gift Card is good at NYY Steak, (Seminole Casino Coconut Creek) 5550 Northwest 40th Street, Coconut Creek, Florida 33073, (954) 997-6700. Check menu/info at seminolecasinococonutcreek.com

NYY Steak (Coconut Creek)
Posted on August 11th, 2015

***** NYY Steak, (Seminole Casino Coconut Creek) 5550 Northwest 40th Street, Coconut Creek, Florida 33073, (954) 997-6700.

Way-back on 2/15/12 Jeff Eats told you guys about NYY Steak located in the Seminole Casino Creek Coconut Creek- in Coconut Creek. That “review” is down-below…

Long story short, since that “review” was published, Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats have eaten in NYY something like 5-times, with the latest “outing”- being last night. For what it’s worth, all of the meals that Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats have had, were all right on the money!

Last night, I got to thinking that Jeff Eats rarely if ever hears- NYY Steak mentioned in conversations about South Florida’s best steak-joints. No ifs, ands or buts- the 26oz bone-in-ribeye with grilled onions and French fries- that I had last night and didn’t come close to finishing- could easily be matched against the best of breed down here in sunny South Florida-same story for Mrs. Jeff Eats’ pan seared snapper!

Anyway,

Jeff Eats just wanted to mention NYY Steak to you guys, again…

It’s a very good steak joint!
________

NYY Steak (Coconut Creek)
Posted on February 15th, 2012

***** NYY Steak, (Seminole Casino Coconut Creek) 5550 Northwest 40th Street, Coconut Creek, Florida 33073, (954) 997-6700.

Go figure!

One of the best-“upscale steakhouses” in South Florida is located at the Seminole Casino Coconut Creek in- Coconut Creek…That’s right, the casino where you-gotta wear an oxygen mask because the cigarette smoke is so brutal—as part of a recently completed $150,000,000 renovation/expansion has opened an absolutely georgeous looking steakhouse with fabulous food and service. You can check www.seminolecoconutcreekcasino.com for menu/prices/photos. By the way, NYY is a joint venture–Seminole Indians/New York Yankees (there is another NYY at Yankee Stadium).

NYY…New York Yankees, get it? All kinds, of New York Yankee black/white photos, autographs…no dark wood–or dim lights here…but rather, a great looking open kitchen, light oak woods, bright lights, plenty of glass. Like I said before, an absolutely gorgeous looking joint.

When you check NYY’s menu, try not to get sticker-shock…no question about it- that $51.75 24oz bone in ribeye is “high” even for an upscale steakhouse–Now, I maybe going out on a limb here, but I think- that casino-joints like NYY get a ton of customers using their casino “PLAYER’S CLUB” rewards/points to pay the bill. If I’m right—the restaurant can charge more than what most folks would consider “normal”- because many customers aren’t using real-money. So, if you go there, I think you will find that many of the “diners” are eating on-the-arm.

At this juncture of the discussion, let me tell you that NYY looks totally out of place at the Seminole Casino. Nothing for nothing, but the Seminole Casino isn’t in this boy’s opinion–an upscale looking property. Now, there may-be something more developing at the Seminole Casino that’s gonna get it looking more like the Hard Rock operation in Hollywood-so NYY may eventually make sense, but for right now, NYY looks like a fish out of water. Personally, I don’t see non-casino players making special plans/reservations to eat at NYY, despite the fact that its food is absolutely dynamite.

A recent dinner had me “doing” the aforementioned 24oz ribeye, 28oz porterhouse ($54.75), veal chop milanase ($44.50), roast chicken ($28.50), lemon pepper halibut ($31.50), steak fries ($9.50), lobster mac & cheese ($11). Every item was delicious. On the service front, excellent without the “snotty” know-it-all attitude you find at many upscale steakhouses.

There are two ways to play NYY Steak. You can gamble your heart out…and accumulate points to spend or you can just fork over cash or your credit card at the end of the meal.

NYY Steak is a homerun…pun intended!

NYY Steak is open Monday, Thursday-Sunday 5pm-11pm. The joint is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.

This contest started on 1/5/18. This contest has a winner.

* Win A $10 Burger King Gift Card.

Jeff Eats got a $10 Burger King Gift Card to give to one of you guys!

The game- the first 15 “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 Burger King location (burgerking.com for locations, menu, info).

* Jac-Ron Enterprises Presents “Super Talent Showcase”…

Got something terrific for you guys to checkout- Jac-Ron Enterprises Presents “Super Talent Showcase”- Tuesday, January 8th 7:00 pm, at Kings Point Delray Beach, 7000 West Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach, Florida 33446. Tickets: kingspointdelray.com, Box Office- (561) 499-3335.

The Skinny:

In a nutshell, Jac-Ron Enterprises (one of Florida’s premier talent-booking agencies) “produces” a show which features-showcases “acts” from all over the country- Jac-Ron is looking to book these acts in various Florida venues in 2O19 & 2020. Much of the audience consists of comped- Country Club/ Casino/ Festival/ Residential Community/ Theater/ Resort/ Cruise Ship talent buyers and event-social directors. The balance of the audience is made-up of guys like you- who get to buy tickets- priced at $10.00 Residents • $13.00 Non-Residents.

Over the years, Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats have attended a number of “showcases” and I gotta tell you guys, some of the talent which we got to “preview” blew us away and went on to multi-date bookings here in Florida and in some instances all over the United States. For sure we saw a number of “clunkers” but the winners far outweighed the weaker acts…

Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats are gonna be there…other than for National Touring Headliner Comedian Jeff Norris- we have no idea as to the names of the singers/ dancers/ bands/ impressionists/ comedians/ magicians who are scheduled to appear- all I can tell you- is that Jac-Ron Enterprises books top notch acts. Just to give you the names of some the showcased acts we’ve seen in the past…The Bronx Wanderers, Rocky & The Rollers, Shadows Of The 60’s, Comedian Tom Cotter, Bobby Brooks Wilson- all of which are currently playing dates all over the United Staes.

If you’re into potluck dinners- you’ll love Jac-Ron Enterprises Presents “Super Talent Showcase”…

Just checked the box-office- kingspointdelray.com and there are a handful of tickets still available!

***** DISH OF THE WEEK (Sunday- 1/6/19- Myra Harbor Cafe).

One of Jeff Eats’ favorite menu items…

STEAK AND EGGS
(10oz ribeye steak w/2 eggs any style,
home fries or grits and toast)
$15.50

Myra Harbor Cafe
1396 Southeast 17th Street
Fort Lsuderdale
(954) 467-0363
greekharborcafe.com
Latest Review: 10/11/17

About as close to being a “real” NYC Storefront Greek Diner as you’ll find- down here in Florida!

Posted on October 11th, 2017

***** Myra Harbor Cafe, 1396 Southeast 17th Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33316, (954) 467-0363.

Got a real good “Greek” diner for you guys to checkout, Myra Harbor Cafe in Fort Lauderdale.

Real simple concept at work here, all day breakfast/ loads of Greek stuff/ burgers/ entrees/ salads/ daily specials- open 7 days a week 6:30am-3pm, booth/counter/indoor & out-door table seating.

Yesterday, Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and another couple did lunch at the Myra Harbor Cafe – and I gotta tell you guys that the joint’s food and service were right on the money!

Let me wrap Myra Harbor Cafe up- by telling you guys- that you can check menu/prices/info at greekharborcafe.com and that if this joint was closer to Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats’ Boca Raton abode, both of us- would be real steady customers!

* THE BSTREET BAND (Seminole Casino Coconut Creek- Coconut Creek, Seminole Hard Rock Casino/Hotel- Tampa, SWFL Event Center- Bonita Springs).

Trust Jeff Eats when I tell you- THE BSTREET BAND is one of America’s best- Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band- tribute acts!

The Seminole Casino Coconut Creek (Thursday, 1/17/19 7pm) & Seminole Hard Rock Casino/Hotel- Tampa (Saturday, 1/19/19 8pm) shows are complementary. Tickets for the SWFL Event Center- Bonita Springs (Wednesday, 1/16/19 7pm) show can be be purchased at swfleventcenter.com.

If you’re into THE BOSS, you gotta go see these guys!

This contest started on 12/31/18. This contest has a winner.

* Wein A $10 Pete’s Place Gift Card.

Jeff Eats got a $10 Pete’s Place Gift Card to give to one of you guys!

The game- the first 15 “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 Pete’s Place- locations in Coral Springs, Greenacres, West Palm Beach (check petesplace1.com for locations/info/menu/prices).

Posted on April 13th, 2018
***** Pete’s Place, 1760 North Jog Road, West Palm Beach, Florida 33411, (561) 641-6543.
You regular Jeff Eats’ readers know that I am a huge-fan of “mom & pop” diners. For sure there is nothing wrong with the IHOPs and Perkins of this world- but all things being equal, I’d rather give my money to the “moms & pops” who own neighborhood diners and bust their asses each and every day to make a living- feeding guys like you and me!

Anyway, yesterday Jeff Eats and three buddies ate breakfast at a “mom & popper” named Pete’s Place in West Palm Beach- that blew all of us away.

Standard booths and tables- no frills decor, pleasant service, menu loaded with breakfast stuff/ salads/ sandwiches/ burgers/ entrees/ desserts, reasonably priced off the chart delicious food!

Let me wrap Pete’s Place up for you guys by saying- that this joint is an absolute must try! No bs- it’s really-really that good! You can check menu/prices/info at petesplace1.com. Pete’s Place is open Saturday/Monday-Thursday 6am-3pm, Friday 6am-9pm, Sunday 7am-2:30PM.

And the story kicker, there are two other Pete’s Places- Greenacres and Coral Springs (check petesplace1.com for locations/info/menu/prices.

* McDonald’s Reportedly Plans to Launch Donut Sticks.

Checkout this interesting article…

QSR Magazine, January 4th, 2019

McDonald’s Reportedly Plans to Launch Donut Sticks

Dunkin’s Donut Fries were one of its most popular launches ever.

MENU INNOVATIONS JANUARY 2019 BY DANNY KLEIN

MCDONALD’S
McDonald’s breakfast business remains a battleground.
McDonald’s breakfast challenges have been well documented over the past year. The chain hasn’t shied from saying it needs to reinvigorate the critical segment, which accounts for roughly 25 percent of sales. McDonald’s has ceded market share to competitors amid a shrinking segment. Per the Wall Street Journal and NPD Group, restaurant traffic growth at breakfast has slowed in the past three years as the entire eating-out market softened. Yet due to lower-cost ingredients, like eggs versus beef and chicken and typically less labor demand, breakfast remains a more profitable daypart than lunch and dinner, and is, simply, a staple of McDonald’s brand.

The fast-food giant launched a Triple Breakfast Stacks offer in November—the first new breakfast sandwiches available nationally since the Egg White Delight McMuffin in 2013. The brand also shifted some of its spend to regional and allowed local co-ops to choose which items and what deals were best suited for their markets. Additionally, in September, McDonald’s expanded its $1 $2 $3 menu offerings with any size coffee for a $1 and adapted two customer favorite breakfast sandwiches at the $1 price point.

“It continues to be a battleground,” CEO Steve Easterbrook said in an October conference call. The Wall Street Journal added that McDonald’s is exploring testing baked goods, including coffee cakes and muffin tops.

It now appears McDonald’s might take a page from one of its top morning competitors—Dunkin’. Business Insider, citing a leaked internal document, reported that McDonald’s plans to launch “Donut Sticks” as a limited-time offer in February. According to the internal description, which Business Insider posted on its site, “They’re light and crunchy on the outside and soft and warm on the inside.” The Donut sticks are strips of sweetened dough deep fried until golden brown, then sprinkled with cinnamon sugar.

McDonald’s didn’t confirm the report, but multiple outlets picked up on the story. InvestorPlace said, “sources close to the matter are confident on the matter.”

The menu item—served only at breakfast—will reportedly arrive at a recommended price of $1.29 for six or $2.39 for a dozen. Business Insider said McDonald’s is also pushing a bundled deal of a half-dozen Donut Sticks and a small coffee for $1.99. McDonald’s told the publication that customers could expect “more delicious and craveable news to come in 2019,” but wouldn’t elaborate further.

McDonald’s national McCafe Bakery menu currently only features three items—the revamped apple pie and two cookies.

As for Dunkin’, spokesperson Michelle King told CNBC, “We’re not surprised to see competitors imitate our success with Donut Fries given their popularity with customers.”

Dunkin’ sold the popular product, first introduced nationwide over the summer, through the end of last year, namely featuring it on its “Dunkin’ Run” menu that showcased snacking items at a $2 price point. Dunkin’s description read: “Donut Fries feature five individual pieces of buttery croissant style donut dough tossed in cinnamon sugar and served warm with just the right amount of crisp.”

DUNKIN’ DONUTS
Dunkin’s Donut Fries were a big deal in 2018.

Chief marketing officer Tony Weisman called the product one of the most popular bakery launches “we’ve ever done,” in October. He added that customers weren’t trading off daypart business. Instead, Dunkin’ “just saw them choosing to come back in the afternoon now that we have something for them that paired well with the beverages.”

READ MORE: Why Dunkin’ was 2018’s most transformational brand.

McDonald’s posted global same-store sales of 4.2 percent, year-over-year, in the third quarter, marking 13 consecutive quarters of positive global gains. U.S. comps increased 2.4 percent, international lifted 5.4 percent, and “high growth” international markets saw a 4.6 percent boost.

McDonald’s breakfast business has been a moving target for years. The chain introduced all-day breakfast in fall 2015 to stellar results. It expanded September 2016 to include McGriddle sandwiches and made both McMuffin and biscuit sandwiches available at all restaurants.

The challenged that surfaced recently isn’t necessarily the products—it’s the daypart itself. McDonald’s isn’t selling as many items pre-lunch as it used to. McDonald’s has improved its McCafe platform and continued to innovate in an effort to reenergize sales. The fact the Donut Sticks will be available only for breakfast speaks to this goal.

“We’re still losing a little share. It’s very competitive out there at breakfast,” Easterbrook added in the October call. “…we haven’t had much new food news at breakfast for a little while.” That appears to be changing.

“We want to do better at breakfast,” he continued. “We’ve got some initiatives in place, which we’re going to see out through the next few months and also some new food news, which we think will reenergize the daypart.”