This contest started on 12/30/16. This contest has a winner.

* Win A $100 Sicilian Oven Gift Card.

Jeff Eats got a $100 Sicilian Oven 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 $100 Gift Card is good at any Sicilian Oven location (sicilianoven.com for locations/info).

Posted on December 30th, 2014

***** Sicilian Oven, 21170 Saint Andrews Avenue, Boca Raton, Florida 33433, (561) 750-9772.

Here’s another one of those “out of sight out of mind” joints for you… wood fired pizza-Sicilian Oven.

Printed down below is a- Jeff Eats’ review from March 14, 2009. When you read that write-up, you’ll notice that the joint being “discussed” was the first- Sicilian Oven that had “just” opened in Lighthouse Point…since that review appeared, Sicilian Oven has also- opened joints in Aventura, Coral Springs and most recently Boca Raton.

Long story short, last night Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and two other couples ate dinner at the Boca Raton restaurant. Stuff ordered- Sicilian salad (large $11), wood oven roasted chicken wings (large $17), large- Nona’s Square Pizza ($22-thick crust/mozzarella/pomodoro sauce), large- The Bianco Pizza ($17-parmesan/romano/ricotta/mozzarella- and I gotta tell you, everything was A-OK! Now you know and I know that “pecking orders and nitpicking” aren’t really my game-but I must tell you that the Sicilian salad (romaine lettuce/roasted peppers/walnuts/olives/vine ripen tomatoes/red onions/garbanzo beans/celery/shaved parmesan cheese/creamy house dressing) was one of the most delicious salads that I’ve had in a very long time…while I’m doing this, I liked The Bianco Pizza better than the Nona’s Square Pizza and the chicken wings were good but could have used more seasoning/and the bread that came with them-I’ve had much better. Not that it really matters, because I’m Jeff Eats and they’re-not- but the other 5 in my party all agreed on the salad, the pizza “rank” and the little tweaks needed by the chicken and bread!

As you can well imagine (then again, maybe you can’t) Jeff Eats- eats-out/takes-out quite a bit…every so often a joint just falls through the cracks. Let’s just say that Sicilian Oven was one of those casualties-and trust me, my loss! Its food is very good and “all in” the bill was a super reasonable 80 bucks.

You can check menu/prices/locations/info at sicilianoven.com.
_____

March 14, 2009
***** Sicilian Oven, 2486 North Federal Highway, Lighthouse Point, Florida 33064.

Got an absolutely terrific “wood fired Italian” joint for you…Sicilian Oven, located in Lighthouse Point.

Gave this joint a shot last night and got-to tell you, that the food is dynamite. The menu is packed with appetizers, salads, pastas, ciabattas, wings and pizzas. My “taste test” (somebody has to do it)… sicilian salad ( a combination of mixed greens, roasted peppers, roman tomatoes, red onions, garbanzo beans & something like 5 other ingredients), wood oven roasted chicken wings, wood fired pizza, “no pasta” lasagna (eggplant & vegetables), meatballs and fried calamari…everything was delicious.

Sicilian Oven is owned by two guys, Andrew and Ralph. From what I can tell, Andrew “handles” the action in the open-kitchen and Ralph “handles” the dining area. Although the joint was packed, these boys were efficiently cranking-out some heavy duty orders. Sicilian Oven is a real modern looking joint, with just enough flat-screen tv sets to make it interesting for sports-afficianados. The prices are neighborhood “pizza joint” prices. Service is excellent & your tee shirt/shorts’ ensemble will work here.

Just so you know, although Sicilian Oven has only been open for something like 4-months, it already has a loyal-following… Giving credit where credit is do, Sun Sentinel food critic Judith Stocks gave the joint **** (four stars: excellent) on March 13, 2009…so, old Jeff Eats can’t claim to be the “discoverer” of this one…as a matter of fact, it was Stocks’ review that alerted me to this joint.

Give Sicilian Oven a try, it really is that good. For menu/prices, check its website www.thesicilianoven.com.

Sicilian Oven is open Monday-Saturday 11:30am-10pm and Sunday 4pm-10pm.

***** Marian’s Bagels, 248 South University Drive, Plantation, Florida 33324, (954)370-6975.

Got a real good bagel/deli joint for you guys to checkout- Marian’s Bagels in Plantation which has been in business for something like 40 years!

Real simple story to tell, yesterday Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats ate at Marian’s (for the first time) and really enjoyed the joint’s food, super pleasant service, reasonable prices, big portions and “dated” bagel joint decor! Hey!- I did tell you that this was a simple story, didn’t I?

You live near, you work near, you visit near – Marian’s Bagels’ neighborhood- you gotta give the joint a try!

For you Jimmy Olsens out there, if you make it to Marian’s- its delicious boiled/baked bagels aren’t “made” in house- but rather are delivered every day piping hot from a Delray Beach based bakery- whose name Jeff Eats will let you discover on your own!

Marion’s Bagels is open Monday-Saturday 7am-3pm, Sunday 7:30am-2:30pm.

You can check mariansbagels.com for menu/prices info.

This contest started 12/27/16. This contest has a winner.

* Win A $25 Tropical Smoothie Cafe Gift Card.

Jeff Eats got a $25 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 $25 Gift Card is good at-any Tropical Smoothie Cafe. Check tropicalsmoothiecafe.com for locations, menu, prices, info.

Just between you guys and Jeff Eats, despite the fact that this national order-pickup at the counter 500+ unit “smoothie” chain has a “ton” of Florida locations which feature a menu that Jeff Eats and most-definitely Mrs. Jeff Eats can handle (menu: includes smoothies, sandwiches, flat breads, wraps, salads, bowls, breakfast wraps, and breakfast flat breads, superfood smoothies, classic smoothies, indulgent smoothies, and supercharged smoothies along with supplements that may be added to each smoothie)- Jeff Eats has never been to one!

Anyway…

Long story short, the other day Tropical Smoothie Cafe’s pr-people sent Jeff Eats 2-$25 Gift Cards…one for me to use and one for one of you guys to use!

Printed down below is probably “way-too-much” Wikipedia “info” on Tropical Smoothie Cafe…

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

The current logo for “Tropical Smoothie Cafe”
Tropical Smoothie Cafe, sometimes referred to as simply Tropical Smoothie, is a restaurant franchise in the United States. In addition to smoothies the company is a full Cafe that offers sandwiches, wraps, salads, flat breads, and introduced bowls to their food line in 2016.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe currently operates more than 500 locations nationwide.

Tropical Smoothie began as a smoothie shop in 1993. Tropical Smoothie Franchise Development Corporation was founded in 1997 in Destin, Florida. The first franchised store opened in 1997 in Tallahassee, Florida.

In 1999, they created a niche in the smoothie category by introducing a line of food items such as sandwiches and wraps. As more locations opened, the individual Cafes went through some changes. They redesigned their store’s decor to offer a tropical theme with bamboo walls, palm trees, bright colors, and original Bob Stedman artwork creations.

The franchise celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2007 and was opening a new store at a pace of every 6–7 days at the time. In 2006, Tropical Smoothie Cafe opened their 200th store in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and in 2011 they opened their 300th store in Fort Myers, Florida.[1]

Founders and original owners Eric and Delora Jenrich and David Walker came from franchise backgrounds and used that knowledge to grow Tropical Smoothie Cafe. As they grew they recruited others from the food industry, including the hiring of their current chief executive officer Mike Rotondo who had previous experience at companies such as Great Wraps, Arby’s and HoneyBaked Ham.

In 2012, private equity firm BIP Opportunities Fund bought a controlling interest in Tropical Smoothie Café. Founders Eric Jenrich and David Walker, the former owners of Tropical Smoothie Café, remain on the board of directors, and former chief operating officer Mike Rotondo was promoted to replace Jenrich as chief executive officer. BIP partner Scott Pressly, who was a financial and strategic advisor to the chain since 2009, is now the company’s chairman.

The company posted over 100 million dollars in sales during 2008.

The lead singer of Panic! At the Disco, Brendon Urie, worked in a location, at one time.[2]

Menu

Tropical Smoothie Cafe’s menu includes smoothies, sandwiches, flat breads, wraps, salads, bowls, breakfast wraps, and breakfast flat breads. They offer superfood smoothies, classic smoothies, indulgent smoothies, and supercharged smoothies along with supplements that may be added to each smoothie.[3]

Tropical Smoothie Cafe also rolls out Limited Time Offerings 4–5 times per year. Previous LTOs include a spinach wrap and salad, a watermelon flavored smoothie, a spicy Thai chicken wrap, a sweet chili chicken flatbread, and more. In March 2016, Tropical Smoothie Cafe unveiled their newest menu item—Cali Chicken Club Flatbread.[4]

Tropical Smoothie Cafes sales are made up of 50 percent smoothie sales and 50 percent food sales.[5]

“Beyond Meat”

In May 2013, Tropical Smoothie Cafe began offering a vegan, non-gmo meat substitute called Beyond Meat.[6] Beyond Meat is made of a blend of soy and pea protein, flours, and fiber. In July 2013, Tropical Smoothie Cafe announced that Beyond Meat would become a permanent fixture on the menu.[7]

Charitable service

To celebrate its tenth anniversary in 2007, Tropical Smoothie Cafe created a holiday called National Flip Flop Day.[8] Every year, on the third Friday in June, Tropical Smoothie Café celebrates National Flip Flop Day. Customers who come into a participating Cafe across the nation from 2 pm to 7 pm while wearing flip flops will receive a free 24oz. Jetty Punch Smoothie. Tropical Smoothie gives proceeds of a $1 paper flip flop from customers to send ill children and their families to Camp Sunshine. Camp Sunshine is a retreat based in Casco, Maine, whose mission is focused solely on addressing the effects of a life-threatening illness on every member of the immediate family—the ill child, the parents, and the siblings. The year-round program is free of charge to families.[9]

In 2012, Tropical Smoothie Cafe raised more than $365,000 for Camp Sunshine, which brought the total amount raised since 2007 to more than $1.5 million. Money raised from Tropical Smoothie Cafe in 2012 will send 150 children and their families from across the country to camp for a week of games and activities. At their current fundraising rate of up to $400,000 per year, Tropical Smoothie Café is expected to raise more than $2 million for Camp Sunshine during the next five years. Of this $2 million, the company has pledged $1 million toward endowing a full weeklong session at Camp Sunshine every year—Tropical Smoothie Café Week.[10]

* 2017 Downtown BBQ Throwdown.

Jeff Eats just heard about this one…

Sounds like it could be a pretty cool event!

Just curious- what do you guys think Bobby Flay is getting paid for this gig? I got no idea, just wondering!

You can catch tickets at: eventbrite.com.

DESCRIPTION
On Saturday, February 18, 2017 thousands will gather at Mizner Amphitheater for festivities, food tastings and a BBQ contest hosted by celebrity chef, Bobby Flay. The 2017 Downtown BBQ Throwdown is truly transforming the face of fundraising, as most non-profit events focus on one cause. The proceeds from this event will benefit eight local charities listed below.
• Boca Raton Regional Hospital
• Boca Helping Hands
• Brothers of St.Gregory’s
• Family Promise
• Florence Fuller Child Development Centers
• KidSanctuary
• Love Boca
• The Spirit of Giving
Tickets for adults range from $35-$75, childrens ticket are free with food donation 8 and under, and 9-12 year olds are $10. Please note that there a limited number of VIP tickets available for purchase, which grants entry to the event one hour early and provides upfront seating, as well as access to the the hospitality tent. Meet and Greets with the celebrity talent are available to select sponsors, please contact info@downtownbbqthrowdown.com for more details.

DATE AND TIME

Sat, February 18, 2017
12:00 PM – 5:00 PM EST

LOCATION

Mizner Park Amphitheater
590 Plaza Real
Boca Raton, FL 33432

This article first appeared on 10/14/16. Just wanted you guys to know, that Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and a bunch of our friends are “going”…IF YOU WANNA GO- it’s time to make your move, as in past years, Pop Rock & Doo Wopp’s Delray Beach Marriott New Year’s events have all been SOLD OUT AFFAIRS!!

* New Year’s Eve With Dennis Tufano & Shirley Alston Reeves.

Posted on October 14th, 2016
* New Year’s Eve With Dennis Tufano & Shirley Alston Reeves.
Just announced.

Reserved Seating $169 plus tax and tip.
VIP Reserved Seating $189 plus tax and tip.

If you wanna go, don’t dilly dally around- Over the years, Pop, Rock & Doo Wopp’s Delray Beach Marriott New Year’s events have all Sold Out!

For further info/reservations- poprockdoowopp.com.

——-

THIS IS A NEW’S YEAR EVE PRE-SALE ANNOUNCEMENT FOR OUR MOST VALUED CUSTOMERS AND FRIENDS.

Join us and the original lead singers of The Buckinghams and The Shirelles on Delray Beach’s enchanted Gold Coast for an unforgettable New Year’s Eve of dining and dancing to the greatest hits of all time! From the creators of “Pop, Rock & Doo Wopp” comes an evening filled with old friends and new, award-winning cuisine and dancing to the soundtrack of our lives. The Delray Beach Marriott is an exquisite 4-Diamond resort, conveniently located at the corner of A1A & Atlantic Avenue. Ticket prices include a gourmet dinner, champagne toast, broadcast from Times Square and more!

THIS IS A PRE-SALE ALERT FOR PAST TICKET BUYERS OF POP, ROCK & DOO WOPP EVENTS. THIS EVENT WILL SELL OUT ONCE PUBLIC ADVERTISING BEGINS.

All the details are here. Poprockdoowopp.com.
Dinner and delicious desserts… The Delray Beach Marriott has long been known for its delectable offerings at special events and, needless to say, New Year’s Eve will feature some of the resort’s finest. We are pleased to offer a world-class buffet loaded with their very best and a dessert display that has to be seen to be believed. There will also be plenty of Seasonal Fruit for those who instate their New Year’s resolutions early.

Dancing… If you’ve got the stamina, the dance floor will be open all night! We do things the old-fashioned way – with live singers, live musicians and even live horns. Live drums provide the back beat, saxophones and trumpets blaring just like on those great original recordings. It’ll be just the right volume and just the right groove for a discerning audience that knows what good music is.

Parking… is included! Your New Year’s Eve ticket price also includes self-parking at no charge or discounted valet parking. (Please note that overnight hotel guests are subject to the regular overnight parking charges. We regret that complimentary and discounted parking is only for the duration of the event and is not available to those who are remaining on property after the event concludes.)

Delray Beach Marriott

Delray Beach Marriott
10 North Ocean Blvd
Delray Beach, FL 33483

We’ll see you there!

* Sarge’s New Years Eve Laugh Blast.

Real simple tale to tell- Sarge is one of the funniest “clean” comedians currently working America’s country club/resort/convention/casino/theater circuit!

Sarge is scheduled to play the Boca Black Box on December 31, 2016- early show 7:30pm, late show 10pm!

Trust Jeff Eats on this one- no bs here, Sarge is an absolute must see act!

Just so you know, last year- Sarge’s New Years Eve Laugh Blast at the Boca Black Box was a sold out (both shows) affair- so if you wanna go, don’t dilly dally around in the ticket buying department!

The Skinny:

Sarge’s New Years Eve Laugh Blast

BOCA BLACK BOX
8221 Glades Rd #10, Boca Raton, FL 33434
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31 2016
7:30 PM & 10:00 PM
Box Office: 561.483.9036
Tickets: bocablackbox.com
Sarge schedule/info: iamsarge.com

from the bocablackbox.com

Get the LAST LAUGH of 2016… Sarge’s New Years Eve Laugh Blast

This night will consist of Comedy and more comedy (with all the trimmings), and a midnight toast at the last show!

Sarge is an extraordinary entertainer. A triple threat. A musical piano savant, amazing improvisational comedian and singer.

Now, an author, with the imminent release of “I’m Still Standing Up”, which

SARGE is an entertainer who has performed worldwide to adoring audiences. His sidesplitting comedy, touching vocals and stunning display of dexterity as a pianist have wowed crowds for decades.

SARGE wrote, produced and performed for FOX’s wildly successful “Best Damn Sports Show Period”, as a nationally syndicated radio host for FOX Sports Radio, and worked extensively for ABC Wide World of Sports and CBS Sports.

After playing clubs and colleges all over America for three years, SARGE found himself opening for some of the biggest names in music – Natalie Cole, Aretha Franklin, Paul Anka, The Beach Boys, The Four Tops, Taylor Dayne, Donna Summer and Wayne Newton, just to name a few. These high profile gigs enabled SARGE’s act to evolve from a comedy appearance to an entertainment performance because he learned to weave his own musical talents into his shows.

SARGE has worked on some of the biggest stages in show business. From Radio City Music Hall to Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game to entertaining our nation’s troops in Iraq, SARGE’s ability to improvise and tailor his show to specific audiences is uncanny.

He is one of the highest energy, multi-talented acts in show business today. Not only a hysterical stand-up comedian, SARGE sings in his own voice and in a dozen others including Harry Connick Jr., Sammy Davis Jr., Lionel Richie and Stevie Wonder. Additionally, his dead on impressions of Marv Albert, Mike Tyson, Kermit the Frog and Gilbert Gottfried leave audiences howling and clamoring for more.

Triple threats who don’t dance are hard to find in show business today. With his mix of comedy, singing and piano playing, SARGE is a legitimate triple threat and a rare find.

This contest started on 12/28/16. This contest has a winner!

* Win A $25 Bagel Twins Gift Card.

Jeff Eats got a $25 Bagel Twins 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 $25 Gift Card is good at Bagel Twins, 5130 Linton Boulevard, Delray Beach, Florida 33433 (561) 499-1925. Check bageltwinsdelraybeach.com for menu/prices/info.

Posted on July 11th, 2008

***** Bagel Twins, 5130 Linton Boulevard, Delray Beach 33484 (561) 499-1925.

The guy who owns Bagel Twins is a smart guy.

A few years ago, when Bagel Twins was getting ready to open in a shopping center directly across the street from Poppie’s Restaurant & Delicatessen (see review-7/11/08) literally a Delray landmark… I remember commenting to a group of people that, Bagel Twins a bagel-deli joint would have no chance against Poppie’s and would die a fast death…Well low and behold, it’s now years later and Bagel Twins not only survived, but is one of the most popular bagel-deli joints in the area.

Since it opened, I have eaten at Bagel Twins at least 5 times…it does both breakfast and lunch. The joint does an enormous eat-in and take-out business. Its stuff is real good.

Just so you know, Bagel Twins is located in a shopping center which is right next to Delray Medical Center (Delray Hospital)…I got a sneaking suspicion that many of the doctors/nurses/workers employed by the hospital/or have offices in the shopping center and their patients are “supporting” Bagel Twins. I never figured, that crossing a little street named Military Trail (that’s what separates Bagel Twins and Poppies) was such a big deal, but I guess that it was/is.

Give Bagel Twins a try…the guy who owns it, makes some good stuff and is real smart.

This contest started on 12/26/16. This contest has a winner.

* Win A $100 P.F. Chang’s China Bistro Gift Card.

Jeff Eats got a $100 P.F. Chang’s China Bistro Gift Card to give to one of you guys…

Personally, Jeff Eats wouldn’t give you 5-cents for this joint’s food- but as they say, “Different strokes for different folks.”

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 $100 Gift Card is good at any P.F. Chang’s China Bistro (pfchangs.com for locations/info).

_______________________________________________
Posted on August 8th, 2011

P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, 1400 Glades Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, (561) 393-3722.

Just got home from eating at P.F. Chang’s China Bistro in Boca Raton. I know-I know-I know, “everyone” loves this Chinese joint. To be perfectly honest with you, my family raves about P.F. Chang’s food….same goes for tons of my friends.

Call me the exception to the rule, but personally, I wouldn’t give you 5 cents for P.F. Chang’s food.

This evening I “sampled” egg drop soup, wonton soup, hot & sour soup, spare ribs, egg rolls, pan fried dumplings, mongolian beef, honey chicken, chicken with cashews, shrimp with lobster sauce—now, no fooling here, I thought that each and every dish was lousy. If you took this stuff–out of its fancy surroundings and served it at a “mom & pop” joint…the bet here, is that the mom & pop wouldn’t last very long. By the way, the mom & pop would probably charge 50% less for the same dishes.

Like I said before, this chain’s got a tremendous reputation… and tonight’s 30 minute 8pm wait tells me that tons of people love “it.”

I maybe crazy…but like I said before, I wouldn’t give you 5 cents for the food.

The way I see it, P.F. Chang’s is “chain food”…I checked the Boca location and the staff does have 2 Chinese employees…one works the kitchen, the other as a server. Now I’m not saying that you have to be Chinese to make good Chinese food…what I am saying is that P.F. Chang’s is “formula” food…anybody can make its food. The wontons were in a chicken broth and were as flimsy as a Kleenex. The spare ribs were covered in a sauce that was so–“something” that half-of them went “un”eaten. The cashew chicken wasn’t even as good as the Mall stuff you get for $4.99. Trust me, your favorite Chinese restaurant does every dish listed above better…and I say this, even though I probably haven’t been to your favorite.

You can check menu/prices at www.pfchangs.com.

P.F. Chang’s is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.

* Rappy’s & Junior’s Restaurant.

A recent e-mail received by Jeff Eats…

Jeff,

Long time reader and long time Boca Raton resident.

Just curious as to why you haven’t yet reviewed either Rappy’s or Junior’s Restaurant both New York Kosher Style Delis which recently opened in Boca Raton?

Both joints seem absolutely perfect for Jeff Eats’ thoughts.

Thanks for the great blog site,

TURNER

______________

TURNER,

Both Rappy’s and Junior’s are on Jeff Eats’ radar- eventually I’ll get to them!

To be perfectly honest with you, both Rappy’s and Junior’s had “friends & family” and other pre-opening “tasting” events- none of which Jeff Eats was invited to attend!

Trust me when I tell you, I really don’t need Rappy’s or for that matter Junior’s free-offerings to “eat”- that said, I do consider it a bit of an insult- to Jeff Eats (and all of you-readers) for us not to have had the opportunity to “get” the story at first-light! By the way, Jeff Eats has “looked” at both restaurants and I gotta tell you, I was very impressed with Rappy’s build-out/location- an absolutely gorgeous store…as for Junior’s, sorry to say it looks-like your “run of the mill” Florida bagel joint/lousy location (with a separate liquor bar thrown in for good measure)!

Like I said 2-seconds ago, Jeff Eats will eventually get to both Rappy’s and Junior’s- and good or bad “tell” Jeff Eats’ readers the real Skinny!

Thanks for reading…

* Eventbrite (eventbrite.com).

Here’s a belated Christmas present and Hanukkah gift for you guys!

Got a terrific site that I want you guys to check-out…Eventbrite (eventbrite.com).

I’ll say no more – other than if you want to know what’s “doing” Entertainment-Wise in Florida then- Eventbrite (eventbrite.com) is an absolute must read! Phenomenal source for information/tickets/discount tickets for music concerts, theater shows, sporting events, fairs, carnivals, charity events, restaurant openings, food events…