This contest started on 7/3/17. This contest has a winner.

* Win A $25 Smashburger Gift Card.

Jeff Eats got a $25 Smashburger 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!

Just between you guys and Jeff Eats, the bet here is that most of you guys have never eaten in a Smashburger even though the fast food burger-chain currently has 342 joints (10 of which are in Florida) in 38 states!

Trust Jeff Eats, Smashburgers’ burgers, fries and other stuff are off the chart delicious!

The $25 Gift Card is good at any Smashburger location. You can check Smashburger.com for locations/menu/info.

Posted on September 14, 2011
***** Smashburger *****

Smashburger is a “national” fast-food hamburger chain.

For right now, you CAN’T eat in a Smashburger in South Florida, because-they haven’t yet opened a single store in this region. That said, if you check the company’s website- www.smashburger.com you will find that 3-South Florida stores are set to open real soon…1 in Coral Springs, 1 in Kendall and 1 in Miami.

During the past 2 months, I ate in Smashburgers in Phoenix and Dallas…absolutely delicious burgers, fries, hot dogs. As a point of reference, don’t think plebian joints like McDonald’s, Burger King or Wendy’s… but rather, the upscale players like 5 Guy’s, CG Burgers, Shake Shack, BurgerFi and you’ll “know” what market Smashburger is playing in.

I really enjoyed Smashburger. The joint’s prices are in the same-ballpark as 5 Guys (and the others mentioned)…Smashburger’s menu has the requisite burgers and fries—you’ll also find a handful of salads and shakes.

If really good fast food burgers and fries float your boat- keep an eye out for Smashburger.

* Happy 4th of July.

Just in case you end-up aa a contestant on Jeopardy…

from Military.com
The History of the 4th of July

On July 4, 1776, the thirteen colonies claimed their independence from England, an event which eventually led to the formation of the United States. Each year on July 4th, also known as Independence Day, Americans celebrate this historic event.

Conflict between the colonies and England was already a year old when the colonies convened a Continental Congress in Philadelphia in the summer of 1776. In a June 7 session in the Pennsylvania State House (later Independence Hall), Richard Henry Lee of Virginia presented a resolution with the famous words: “Resolved: That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.”

Lee’s words were the impetus for the drafting of a formal Declaration of Independence, although the resolution was not followed up on immediately. On June 11, consideration of the resolution was postponed by a vote of seven colonies to five, with New York abstaining. However, a Committee of Five was appointed to draft a statement presenting to the world the colonies’ case for independence. Members of the Committee included John Adams of Massachusetts, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, Robert R. Livingston of New York and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia. The task of drafting the actual document fell on Jefferson.
On July 1, 1776, the Continental Congress reconvened, and on the following day, the Lee Resolution for independence was adopted by 12 of the 13 colonies, New York not voting. Discussions of Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence resulted in some minor changes, but the spirit of the document was unchanged. The process of revision continued through all of July 3 and into the late afternoon of July 4, when the Declaration was officially adopted. Of the 13 colonies, nine voted in favor of the Declaration, two — Pennsylvania and South Carolina — voted No, Delaware was undecided and New York abstained. John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, signed the Declaration of Independence. It is said that John Hancock’s signed his name “with a great flourish” so England’s “King George can read that without spectacles!”

Today, the original copy of the Declaration is housed in the National Archives in Washington, D.C., and July 4 has been designated a national holiday to commemorate the day the United States laid down its claim to be a free and independent nation.

* Hot Dog Toppings!

Posted on July 1, 2017
* Hot Dog Toppings!

With July 4th rapidly approaching- Jeff Eats would be remiss if I didn’t ask you guys what you “top” your hot dogs with?

Not to sway your answers- “this” is Jeff Eats’ favorite hot dog play…

All Beef/Soft Bun/Grilled/Deli Mustard/Warm Sauerkraut

* Hamburger Toppings!

Posted July 2, 2017

* Hamburger Toppings!

With July 4th rapidly approaching- Jeff Eats would be remiss if I didn’t ask you guys what you “top” your hamburgers with?

Not to sway your answers- “this” is Jeff Eats’ favorite hamburger play…

Flat Top Grilled Burger/Bacon/American Cheese/Carmalized Onions/Ketchup/Mayonnaise/Soft Bun

***** Bar Harbor Seafood, 2000 Premier Row, Orlando, Florida 32809, (407) 851-4001.

Got a real good retail seafood market-restaurant combo joint for you guys to check-out, Bar Harbor Seafood in Orlando!

Simple concept at work here- retail seafood market, lunch only/no indoor seating- outdoor patio seating/order & pickup at inside counter seafood restaurant! Large selection of fresh seafood, off the chart delicious prepared food, super reasonable prices!

Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and a couple of friends recently did lunch at Bar Harbor Seafood and the joint blew us away! No bs here, absolute dynamite food! Just a heads-up, the joint’s lobster-roll is positively a must get!

You guys can check barharborseafood.com for menu/prices/info.

Bar Harbor Seafood’s retail store is open Monday-Thursday 10am-6pm, Friday 10am-7pm, Saturday 10am-3pm, closed Sunday. Bar Harbor Seafood’s outdoor restaurant is open Monday-Saturday 11am-3pm, closed Sunday.

Last but not least, Jeff Eats is kinda thinking that Bar Harbor Seafood isn’t gonna work for you non-seafood folks out there! Hey, you can’t win them all!

This contested started on 7/1/17. This contest has a winner.

* Win A $25 Panda Express Gift Card.

Jeff Eats got a $25 Panda Express 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 Panda Express location. Check pandaexpress.com for menu/locations/info.

Posted on August 5th, 2008
***** Panda Express, 970 North Congress Avenue, Boynton Beach, Florida 33426 (561) 375-8637.

Unless you have been living under a rock…you know what a Panda Express is…For you rock-dwellers, Panda is a national chain of fast-food Chinese joints. If you check Panda’s website at www.pandaexpress.com you will find that most of its locations are in Mall-Food-Courts…the website will also provide you with menu/prices/and other assorted details.

Now…I am going to let you in on a little secret. One of Jeff Eats’ favorite “Sunday Afternoon South Florida Outings” is to drive 26 miles from my home to Sawgrass Mills and kill 3 hours while Mrs. Jeff Eats and family shop. Before I snuggle into a Books A- Million armchair to read, I religiously “sample” all of the free food-passings in the food-court before I mosey over to Panda’s outlet and order Orange Chicken, White Rice, Egg Roll and a Large Coke…you get a ton of food for under 7 bucks. For some reason, I find that Chinese food drenched in MSG tastes absolutely great when you eat it in a food-court setting.

Now…for the really great news. Panda Express has recently “evolved” from being just a mall-food-court outlet into being a fast-food joint with in-line- locations in strip centers and free standing buildings.

The other day, I tried an in-line Panda Express which recently opened in Boynton Beach…same menu and prices as the Sawgrass Mills’ joint…same MSG…by the way, there is a Barnes & Nobles right across the street from the Boynton location, so if I had wanted to do some after-eating reading I could have done so.

Panda Express has locations all over South Florida…just off the top of my head, I know that in addition to the Boynton and Sawgrass joints there are outlets in Coral Gables, Davie, Homestead, Miami, Miami Gardens, Pembroke Pines, Sunrise…

Like I said before, I really enjoy Panda’s mall-food-court quality food…some people say that I am a reincarnated truck driver ( no insult intended to the truck drivers of the world).

If you are like me and “go” for this kind of food, I guarantee that there is a Panda Express near your home or office.

In a future writeup I will discuss my fanatical obsession with Auntie Anne’s Pretzels…but for now, that’s a story for another day.

*****. DISH OF THE WEEK (Sunday- 7/2/17- Sande’s Restaurant).

One of Jeff Eats’ favorite menu items…

WESTERN OMELETTE
$7.95

Sande’s Restaurant
1717 North federal Highway
Delray Beach
(561) 272-9104
Latest Review: 6/16/16

If you’re into the “mom & pop” diner concept, you’re gonna absolutely love Sande’s Restaurant. Breakfast/lunch, delicious food, reasonable prices, big portions, super pleasant service, table/booth/counter seating.

Posted on June 16th, 2016
***** Sande’s Restaurant, 1717 North Federal Highway, Delray Beach 333483, (561) 272-9104.

Not exactly sure as to how long Sande’s- a “mom & pop” cash only- counter/table/booth seating diner has been around- all I can tell you- is that Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats have been eating there for something like 17 years.

Simple tale to tell you guys, Sande’s is open 365 days a year 6am-2:45pm and serves up delicious, reasonably priced – breakfast stuff, salads, sandwiches, burgers, entrees, desserts. If you didn’t catch it before, the joint is a cash only-situation!

Long story short, a recent e-mail from long time Jeff Eats’ reader Jon G- prompted a Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats’ lunch-yesterday- and “alerted” me to the fact that Jeff Eats had never mentioned this terrific “mom & pop” diner to you guys- so if you go and like Sande’s you can thank Jeff Eats and- if you go and don’t like Sande’s- blame Jon G!

By the way, here’s Jon G’s e-mail…
From: Jon G
Subject: Sande’s Restaurant
Jeff, ever get a chance to try Sande’s in Delray on US1. Real good mom and pop diner. The frosted flake French Toast is delicious. You’ll like it!

Finally, for you guys who made it “all” the way down here- that Frosted Flakes French Toast that reader- Jon G raved about- is absolute dynamite- I’ve had it a good handful of times!

This contest started on 6/30/17. This contest has a winner.

* Win A $25 Barone’s La Pizzeria Gift Card.

Jeff Eats got a $25 Barone’s La Pizzeria Gift Card to give to one of you guys…

The game- the first 20 “reader-comments” received – will be entered in a “blind hat pick”! You can submit as many comments as you’d like but- Please, only 1- reader comment – per day…play fair!

The $25 Gift Card is good at Barone’s La Pizzeria, 5632 West Sample Road, Margate, Florida 33073, (954) 968-4396.You can check its menu/prices at lapizzeriamargate.com.

Posted on June 28th, 2010
***** Barone’s La Pizzeria, 5632 West Sample Road, Margate, Florida 33073 (954) 968-4396.

Barone’s La Pizzeria is a “Mom & Pop—red sauce” pizza joint located in Margate.
You can check its menu/prices at www.lapizzeriamargate.com.

You know and I know that “Mom & Pop” pizza joints are a dime a dozen-down here in old South Florida. I think the way it works…the strip center landlord first signs Publix, then Walgreens, then a Chinese takeout, then a pizza joint, then a dry cleaners…then a —-(you fill in the blanks)….then half of the businesses go bust…

Anyway, the other evening, I gave Barone’s La Pizzeria a shot- and I gotta tell you, the food is real-good. Jeff Eats’ party did pizza, shrimp scampi, veal parmigiana, meat lasagna, chicken & shrimp alfredo, penne ala vodka—and like I just said, real good!

As you know– over the past few years, old Jeff Eats has eaten-in his fair share of “Mom & Pop” Italian joints…and, to be perfectly honest with you, most of them barely get the job done, but then again, that’s the nature of the beast…”cheap is cheap”….”you get what you pay for”…”one if by land, 2 if by sea.” Trust me on this one, Barone’s La Pizzeria is REAL GOOD…if you live or work near the joint, I highly recommend that you give it a try.

By the way, Barone’s La Pizzeria is right across Sample Road from the Seminole Casino Coconut Creek and is maybe a 3-minute drive (west) from the Festival Flea Market on Sample Road.

Barone’s La Pizzeria is open Sunday-Thursday 11am-10pm and Friday-Saturday 11am-11pm.

This contest started on 6/28/17. This contest has a winner.

* Win 2 Tickets: Firefall with Poco & Pure Prairie League.

Jeff Eats got 2 tickets to give to one of you guys to see- Firefall with Poco & Pure Prairie League at the Pompano Beach Amphitheater on Saturday, July 15, 2017 (8pm).

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!

Posted on April 7th, 2017

* Firefall with Poco & Pure Prairie League.

You fans of 70’s-80’s soft pop rock- must see this show!

You can catch tickets at theamppompano.org and goldstar.com (discount tickets).

from goldstar.com
POMPANO BEACH AMPHITHEATER POMPANO BEACH, FL
Classic Rock Bands Firefall, Poco & Pure Prairie League

Relive ’70s and ’80s hits as Firefall, Poco and Pure Prairie League hit the stage for a summer night of great tunes at The Pompano Beach Amphitheater. Platinum-selling soft-rockers Firefall topped the charts with songs like “You Are the Woman,” “Just Remember I Love You,” “Strange Way,” “Cinderella” and more. Following Buffalo Springfield’s breakup, founding member Richie Furay formed Poco, helping popularize the country-rock genre with songs like “Crazy Love,” “Heart of the Night,” “A Good Feelin’ to Know,” “Call It Love” and “Keep On Tryin’.” Also bringing some twang to rock, multiplatinum-selling Pure Prairie League scored a jukebox classic with “Amie,” along with a string of successful albums featuring hits like “Two Lane Highway,” “Let Me Love You Tonight,” “I’m Almost Ready” and more.

Saturday July 15, 2017 / 8:00pm

Pompano Beach Amphitheater
1806 NE 6th Street
Pompano Beach, FL 33060
Box Office:954-519-5500
Tickets: theamppompano.org and goldstar.com (discount tickets)

This contest started on 6/29/17. This contest has a winner.

* Win A $25 Jack’s Old Fashion Hamburger House Gift Card.

Jeff Eats got a $25 Jack’s Old Fashion Hamburger 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 $25 Gift Card is good at both- Jack’s Old Fashion Hamburger House, 4201 North Federal Highway, Oakland Park, Florida 33308 (954) 565-9960 & 591 South Cypress Road, Pompano Beach, Florida 33060, (954) 942-2844. You can check locations/menu/prices/info at jacksoldfashionhamburgers.com.

Posted on July 13th, 2008
***** Jacks’ Old Fashion Hamburger House, 4201 North Federal Highway, Oakland Park, Florida 33308 (954) 565-9960…&…591 South Cypress Road, Pompano Beach, Florida 33060, (954) 942-2844.

Jack’s Old Fashion Hamburger House has 2 South Florida locations…the Oakland Park joint opened in 1972 and the Pompano Beach store in 1973.

Jack’s is a fast-food hamburger joint. Jack’s has other stuff, but HAMBURGERS ARE THE GAME. Both Jack’s locations are literally “landmarks.” They are always busy. The hamburgers are very-very good. The fries are okay, but nothing to write home about. Over the years, I must have eaten (combined) in the 2 different locations something like 30 times. These joints are fast-food joints circa 1970. I like the “unmodern” (if that’s a real word) look…old tables and no stainless steel/formica/vivid colors/signage that joints like Burger King, Wendy’s etc have. I also like the “crowd” that these joints draw. Guys in suits, families, blue color workers…the parking lots, have cars in every price range…the point, Jack’s has a legendary following in South Florida.

Now for the good news and bad news…To be perfectly honest with you, I use to make special trips to eat at Jack’s…Now that Five Guys Burgers & Fries has started to open in the South Florida market, I would rather eat at Five Guys than Jack’s. Like I said, Jack’s hamburgers are very-very good… while Five Guys’ hamburgers and fries are terrific. Though it’s a story for another day, Five Guys Burgers & Fries is quickly developing a cult following in South Florida…and for that matter, all of the United States.

Don’t get me wrong…you won’t be disappointed eating at Jack’s…which is open 7 days a week from 10:30am-9:30pm…but this 1970’s icon is now getting some real tough competition from Five Guys.