* Part II- Who Has The Best French Fries, Teriyaki Wings, Soft Pretzels, Meatloaf & Cherry Italian Water Ices In Florida?

The article below the ‘Pretzel Picture” first appeared on August 22, 2015. You guys should read that “story” first and then read from the top of this article!

Yesterday Jeff Eats received the following e-mail from reader ANONYMOUS READER IN DELRAY BEACH.

Jeff,

Just wanted to let you know that my uncle’s execution was stayed and his case is being reviewed by the state’s Court of Appeals.

You were so kind in giving me a list of food/restaurants and I just wanted you to know that I checked out each and every one of them. You made great calls and all of them were terrific.

I just wanted to return the favor and wanted to tell you that I recently found an absolutely great Italian restaurant, Firi Bistro Pizzeria & Restaurant (225 SW 6th Street, Pompano Beacg 33060, (954) 960-5489, firibistro.com). It’s a small restaurant and it’s decor is very unassuming. This restaurant makes delicious pizzas and pastas. I lthink that you will really enjoy it. Please try it on me and use the enclosed $100 gift card to pay the bill. Once again, thank you for being so kind and once again please have a wonderful dinner.
_______

ANOYMOUS READER IN DELRAY BEACH:

Thanks for the update on your uncle’s case.

I am glad that you enjoyed Jeff Eats’ picks!

The gift card is totally unecssary…that said, Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats will definitely use the card and give Firi Bistro Pizzeria & Restaurant a shot.

As for Firi, you and other Jeff Eats’ readers- can look for a “story” sometime in the near future.

One final thought, I’m kinda thinking that you have no “business” or other relationship with Firi other than being one of its customers.

Thanks again,

Jeff Eats

_____

Posted August 22, 2015
* Who Has The Best French Fries, Teriyaki Wings, Soft Pretzels, Meatloaf & Cherry Italian Water Ices In Florida?

AND- you thought your cousin Stan on your father’s side was a strange bird!

A recent e-mail from ANONYMOUS READER IN DELRAY BEACH asked:

Who Has The Best French Fries, Teriyaki Wings, Soft Pretzels, Meatloaf & Cherry Italian Water Ices In Florida? I live in Delray Beach and my uncle who is on Florida State Prison’s Death Row asked me to look into last meal possibilities.

Thank you in advance,

ANONYMOUS READER IN DELRAY BEACH
________

ANONYMOUS READER IN DELRAY BEACH:

Your question is kinda impossible to answer. You know- what Jeff Eats likes, you may hate- what I find too soft, you may find to be too hard- so forth and so on!

I will tell you, that if I was on Florida State Prison’s Death Row planning my last meal- I wouldn’t bitch if Zinger’s Delicatessen’s French fries, Burger & Suds’ teriyaki wings, Philly Pretzel Heaven’s pretzels, Granger’s Grille’s meatloaf and Cecilie’s Gourmet Italian Ices’ cherry Italian water ices found their way onto the menu.

One final thought, check with your uncle- as to his thoughts on adding this- Charm City Burger Company burger to the menu…it maybe a bit presumptuous on my part, but Jeff Eats is thinking that at this stage of the game- your uncle probably isn’t into calorie counting or worried about cholesterol counts- so what the heck!

Thanks for reading.

_____
Zinger’s Delicatessen, 7132 Beracasa Way, Boca Raton, Florida 33433, (561) 826-7323, zingersdeli.com.

Burgers & Suds, 360 Southeast 15th Street, Pompano Beach Florida 33060, (954) 772-8007, burgerssuds.com.

Philly Pretzel Heaven, 5021 South State Road 7, Davie, Florida 33314, (954) 584-5168, phillpretzelheave.com.

Granger’s Grille, 215 Northeast 6th Avenue, Delray Beach Florida 33483, (561) 276-7881, grangers grille.com.

Cecilie’s Gourmet Italian Ices, 19726 Wiles Road, Coral Springs, Florida 33076, (954) 753-2727, ceciliesices.com.

Charm City Burger Company, 11136 East Hillsboro Boulevard, Deerfield Beach, Florida 33441, charmcityburgers.com.

***** DISH OF THE WEEK (Sunday- 2/21/16).

One of Jeff Eats’ favorite menu items…

CLASSIC “FLAT GRIDDLE” ANGUS SLIDERS
$9.99 (3 mini angus burgers topped with cheddar/grilled onions/ketchup/mustard/pickles, side of French fries)

Johnnie Brown’s
301 East Atlantic Avenue
Delray Beach
(561) 243-9911
johnniebrowns.com
Latest Review: 12/12/09

Johnnie Brown’s is a really cool sports bar. The joint makes absolutely delicious angus sliders. Those sliders come with a side of French fries-which between you guys and me- kinda “suck”- But, the sliders more than make up for the crappy- bland tasting-definitely from a “frozen” bag fries (trust Jeff Eats, they look better than they taste). While I’m on the subject of food, Johnnie Brown’s -3 cheese grill sandwich is amazing delicious and its BBQ baby back ribs are real good. Throw in live music every night, tons of tvs, hip young waitstaff and great views of Alantic Avenue for “people watching” and you got a joint that- you gotta try!

Posted 12/12/09
***** Johnnie Brown’s, 301 East Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach, Florida 33483, (561) 243-9911.

Back on May 26, 2009, I told you guys about Johnnie Brown’s…at that time, Johnnie Brown’s was “under-construction” and was expected to open in October, 2009. Well!…Johnnie’s didn’t make the October date, but did open this past Wednesday (December 9, 2009). Do me a favor and read that original “review” so I don’t have to waste time typing the same background info…

Last night I ate at Johnnie Brown’s and I will bet you anything, that this “American Style–Roadhouse–Make Believe Biker Bar” joint is a major homerun. This joint has outdoor covered patio seating and indoor seating…to say that this is an easy going joint would be an understatement—your tee shirt/shorts/flip-flops ensemble is perfect. At this juncture, take a look at Johnnie’s website www.johnniebrowns.com for menu/prices.

Johnnie Brown’s has a full outdoor patio bar…a menu loaded with reasonably priced appetizers, salads, burgers, sandwiches, wings, bbq ribs. Last night I did—house salad, sliders, bbq ribs, grilled chicken breast, onion rings, french fries, sweet potatoes fries, jalepeno corn bread—trust me on this one, the food is outrageously good. The only item that I didn’t care for– was the jalepeno corn bread which came with the ribs, thought it was kinda bland tasting…the sweet potato fries were easily the best that I have ever eaten–and over the years, I have eaten my fair share of sweet potato fries. On the service side, now remember the joint was only open 3 days, was excellent. Our waitress, Rhonda knew the menu inside and out…the food came out right on time, beers, sodas and waters were constantly attended to—this joint was operating as if it had been opened 30 years.

Johnnie Brown’s “looks-like a biker-bar” (think Pee Wee Herman!)…neon signs—great ambiance. So—great decor—great food—great service—reasonable prices—and live-bands playing nightly and you got HOMERUN.

***** Wolfgang’s Steakhouse, 315 South Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, Florida 33131 (305) 487-7130.

Got a real good “upscale” steak joint for you guys, Wolfgang’s Steakhouse in Miami.

If Wolfgang’s works for you, it also has 5-locations in Manhattan, 1-in Beverly Hills, California, 1- in Somerville, New Jersey, 1-in Waikiki, Hawaii, 1-in Roppongi, Japan, 1-in Marunouchi, Japan, 1-in Osaka, Japan and 1-in Seoul, Korea For our purposes, the Miami joint is open Monday-Thursday noon-11:30pm, Friday noon-midnight, Saturday 5pm-midnight, Sunday 5pm-10:30pm. You can check menu/prices/locations at wolfgangssteakhouse.net.

Wolfgang’s “claim” to fame as stated on its website is:

“After 4 decades of experience, it is fair to say that Wolfgang Zwiener learned his craft well. Taking the core principles from his years as Peter Luger’s head waiter, Wolfgang didn’t just duplicate an exceptional steakhouse; he improved upon it making Wolfgang’s Steakhouse extraordinary. Wolfgang’s Steakhouse is serving lunch and dinner seven days a week including all major holidays.”

Just between you guys and Jeff Eats, if you told me that you’d been Peter Luger’s Head Chef or maybe even Peter Luger’s Assistant Head Chef, or maybe even Peter Luger’s Assisant’s Assistant Head Chef you might have gotten a “rise” out of me- but Head Waiter, I don’t think so! Look at it this way, when Jeff Eats lived in Manhattan, Bill Cosby was a neighbor that I saw something like 3-4 times a week for something like 5 years- and I’m not a “charged” sex offender! See what I mean? 🙂

Anyway,

Last night Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and another couple ate at Wolfgang’s- sizzling bacon appetizer, fresh mozzarella and beefsteak tomato salad, porterhouse for 2, grilled Chilean sea bass, veal chop milanese, fried onion rings, lobster mac & cheese, sautéed onions and I gotta tell you- everything was right on the money! If you promise not to tell Wolfgang- all four of us were very impressed by his- upscale but easy going décor, his pleasant-easy going and very competent wait-staff and his “prices”- which weren’t too over the top for the delicious food we had!

Let me wrap this up for you…

Jeff Eats loved Wolfgang’s Steakhouse- and on second thought, I’m thinking- that Wolfgang definitely learned a trick or two from his Peter Luger- “gig.”

***** Canton Star Chinese Restaurant, 15718 Southwest 72nd Street, Miami, Florida 33193, (305) 388-1828.

No bs-here…almost always, when people meet me and “learn” that I am Jeff Eats- they ask- “So what’s a really good Chinese restaurant? For some strange reason, “people” or at least the “people” I meet, seem to have trouble finding good Chinese food here in South Florida! Between you guys and Jeff Eats, if you check this site, Jeff Eats has loads of good Chinese joints listed, or at least-I think they’re good!

With the above in mind, last night Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and another couple ate in Canton Star Chinese Restaurant in Miami. Applying Jeff Eats’ Brooklyn-Jewish-American Chinese Food Taste Test circa 1957, I gotta tell you that Canton Star Chinese Restaurant is a really good “mom & pop” reasonably priced Chinese restaurant. I’ll even go as far to tell you guys, that if this joint wasn’t in Kendall (which is a long drive from my home in Boca Raton) and was a whole lot closer to my home- I’d be a real steady customer!

Simple tale to tell… the ordered wonton soup, egg drop soup, egg rolls, bbq spare ribs, pan fried dumplings, fried chicken wings, shrimp with lobster sauce, General Tso’s chicken, roast pork fried, beef with oyster sauce, sweet & sour pork were all delicious! Now for sure, some dishes were better than others- but trust Jeff Eats when I tell you, everything was real good! If I had to single out dishes for special shout-outs, the wonton soup, fried chicken wings and beef with oyster sauce “Hello There”…

Let me wrap this up for you guys, if you’re looking for real good “American” Chinese food- Canton Star Chinese Restaurant is a winner! From Jeff Eats’ perspective, it’s Brooklyn 1957 all over again!

Canton Star Chinese Restaurant is open Sunday noon-10pm, Monday-Thursday 11:30am-10pm, Friday-Saturday 11:30am-10;30pm.

,

This article first appeared on January 16, 2016. Jeff Eats just checked bocablackbox.com and goldstar.com and there are a handful of tickets left for The Blues Brothers Soul Band’s February 19th appearance at the Boca Black Box in Boca Raton. Just between you guys and Jeff Eats, The Blues Brothers Soul Band is one of the most in-demand South Florida tribute bands. No bs-here, this band literally works ever day in a casino, country club/gated community, festival, convention…Jeff Eats has seen them a number of times and they put on a great show. So if you wanna see The Blues Brothers Soul Band in an intimate 200 seat indoor venue setting (which should be kinda cool)- bocablackbox.com and goldstar.com can get you there!

Posted on January 16th, 2016 ·
* The Blues Brothers Soul Band.

You will swear that Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi are up on that stage!

Jeff Eats has seen the Blues Brothers Soul Band something like 5-times- and like I just said, you’ll swear that Aykroyd and Belushi are up on that stage.

The Skinny:

The Blues Brothers Soul Band
Friday, February 19, 2016 (8pm)
Boca Black Box
8221 Glades Road #10
Boca Raton,FL 33434
Box Office: (561) 483-9036
Tickets: bocablackbox.com ($25-$35)

One of the hottest tribute bands this side of the Mississippi, The Blues Brothers Soul Band generates energy and excitement everywhere they perform.

This dynamic band is comprised of very talented musicians: two lead vocalists, a female vocalist, a full rhythm section and a three-piece horn section. Jazz, rock, R&B, funk, reggae, Top 40, swing, Latin and pop — Blues Brothers Soul Band does it all! This band will remind you why Aretha demanded R-E-S-P-E-C-T, why Tina left her good job in the City, why Ray has Georgia on his mind, what the Temptations are talking about and why James Feels Good!

* The City of Lauderhill Presents: TRIBUTE CONCERTS.

Jeff Eats has seen all 3- of the listed tribute bands…

Trust me on this one, all 3 “acts” absolutely kill!

* The Mersey Beatles.

Jeff Eats first told you guys about The Mersey Beatles on February 5th and then again on February 14th…

Just wanted to tell you guys that last night Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and a SRO crowd saw The Mersey Beatles at the Crest Theatre in Delray Beach and the group absolutely killed! Trust Jeff Eats when I tell you- that The Mersey Beatles are right up there with the best Beatles’ tribute bands in the world. If you’re a Beatles’ fan- rather than my going on & on -about how the band “duplicated” The Beatles’ sound and look- or how they had the crowd dancing and singing all night in the isles- do yourself a huge favor and catch the “show” during its current Florida-run!

Posted February 14, 2016
* The Mersey Beatles.

Jeff Eats first told you guys about The Mersey Beatles’ upcoming USA Tour way-back on February 5, 2016. As I mentioned, Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats have tickets for the tour’s February 17th Delray Beach kick-off show…I just checked the box-office (oldschoolsquare.org and goldstar.com) and there are a handful of some really good “kick-off” seats available- so if you wanna go, do what you gotta do! If that “date” doesn’t work for you, you can catch tickets for other tour dates at themerseybeatles.com and goldstar.com.

Posted February 5, 2016
* The Mersey Beatles.

Jeff Eats is hearing that The Mersey Beatles are amazingly good!

For our purposes, The Mersey Beatles’ USA Tour 2016- has 8 Florida dates…Delray Beach, Miramar, Fort Myers, Gainsville, Tampa, Jacksonville, Panama City. Tallahassee.

Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats are gonna catch the Wednesday, February 17th (7:30pm) Crest Theatre (Delray Beach) show! While I’m on the “subject” of theaters (or is it theatres?)- Crest Theatre, terrific sound/lighting and every seat works!

Just between you guys and Jeff Eats, The Mersey Beatles’ Liverpudlian accents (as per the band’s audio/video at themerseybeatles.com) add an authenticity to the “act” that most Beatles’ tribute bands sorely lack! As a point of reference, a number of years ago, Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats saw The Pete Best Band (for you guys who don’t know-Pete was the drummer who Ringo replaced) and the band made-up of Liverpool born players- had a very authentic Beatles’ “sound” as well!

Final thoughts, looking at The Mersey Bealtes’ picture…Jeff Eats is kinda thinking that it’s real easy to figure out who plays John, Paul, George and Ringo!- and it could really be cool meeting and chatting with John’s sister, Julia Baird!

For tickets/info- themerseybeatles.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 20, 2016
All-Liverpool-born Beatles tribute band extends U.S. debut tour
Meet John Lennon’s sister and The Mersey Beatles at the Delray Beach Center for the Arts / Crest Theatre
QUICK FACTS
▪ Appearing with John Lennon’s sister, Julia Baird, who will be selling & signing copies of her book.
▪ Delray Beach Center for the Arts / Crest Theatre on Wednesday 2/17 at 7:30 p.m. as part of first U.S. tour
▪ All-Liverpool-born Beatles tribute band
▪ Spent 10 years as resident band at the world-famous Cavern Club
▪ Toured over 20 countries
▪ Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of The Beatles U.S. Invasion
(Cincinnati, OH) – The Mersey Beatles, an all-Liverpool-born Beatles tribute band and the house band for 10 years at the world-famous Cavern Club, will perform at Delray Beach Center for the Arts / Crest Theatre, as part of their inaugural U.S. tour. The show will take place Wedesday, February 17, at 7:30 p.m. The center is at 51 N. Swinton Avenue, Delray Beach 33444.
John Lennon’s sister Julia Baird, author and Director of the Cavern Club will be in attendance selling and signing copies of her book Imagine This: Growing Up with My Brother John Lennon at the general merchandise table before, during and after the show. This is Baird’s third tour with the band.
The Mersey Beatles are no ordinary tribute band. The lads grew up as childhood and schoolmate friends, just like the Beatles! They are the official Beatles tribute band representing the City of Liverpool, and from 2002 to 2012, they were the resident tribute band at The Cavern Club, the nightclub in Liverpool, England, where The Beatles perfected their act before launching a global rock music revolution in the 1960s.
Since 1999, the band has played sell-out shows in more than 20 countries, recreating the Beatles’ most popular hits. The show spans the Fab Four’s entire catalogue, and with four costume changes and authentic Liverpool accents, wit and charm, The Mersey Beatles recreate the Beatles’ sound and image with amazing accuracy.
To purchase tickets ($39/$45 and $59 VIP, including meet & greet with the band and Julia Baird), visit oldschoolsquare.org/. Delray Beach Center for the Arts / Crest Theatre is an all-ages venue.
– END –
The Mersey Beatles, an all-Liverpool-born Beatles tribute band, will perform in Delray as part of their debut U.S. tour.

* Lennon- Through A Glass Onion.

Got something absolutely terrific for you John Lennon “fans” out there…Lennon- Through A Glass Onion.

A 90- minute one man show starring John R. Waters as John Lennon…trust Jeff Eats on this one, an absolutely incredible- amazing “interpretation” of John Lennon.

The Skinny:

KRAVIS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
WEST PALM BEACH, FL
Feb 18-28, 2016
BUY TICKETS: lennonstage.com

THE POLK THEATRE
LAKELAND, FL
March 1, 2016
BUY TICKETS: lennonstage.com

from lennonstage.com

Award-winning actor and singer, John R. Waters, takes the stage with accompanist Stewart D’Arrietta and begins to perform—part spoken word, part concert, and all heart, a celebration of one of the most distinct voices of his generation: John Lennon.
Featuring a catalogue of Lennon’s greatest songs including Woman and Jealous Guy, as well as his collaborations with Paul McCartney including, A Day in the Life, Strawberry Fields Forever, Revolution, and Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, this intimate production reveals the essence of the life and times of one of the most admired icons of all time.

***** D’Apple Cafe, 10645 Wiles Road, Coral Springs, Florida 33076, (954) 341-5850.

Here’s another “out of sight out of mind” joint for you guys…D’Apple Cafe in Coral Springs.

Jeff Eats first told you guys about this “mom & pop” diner way-back on October 6, 2012. Just between you guys and Jeff Eats, this is another “one” that I screwed-up…having not been back until this morning for breakfast-some 3 1/2 years later!

Real simple story to tell you guys,

Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats did breakfast…nova ($7.29) and meat lover ($7.49) omelets and both killed! Service was great and the joint’s prices were very reasonable!

You regular Jeff Eats’ readers know, that I am really into the “mom & pop” neighborhood diner concept! To me (I know that it may sound a bit patriotic)-joints like D’Apple Cafe are part of America’s fabric and cultural background! To me, you can’t beat leisurely eating a big breakfast-with loads of hot coffee and just shooting the “sh@t with family and friends before the real start of the day! No bs here…if you haven’t yet “tried it”- do a Sunday breakfast with family/friends at “your” local mom & pop diner, trust me you’ll all probably be better for it! By the way if “Sundays” don’t work for you- there are still 6 other days of the week to give the concept a shot!

D’Apple Cafe is open Tuesday-Sunday 7am-3pm closed on Monday.

Posted on October 6th, 2012 · American Breakfast Coral Springs
***** D’Apple Cafe, 10645 Wiles Road, Coral Springs, Florida 33076, (954) 341-5850.

D’Apple Cafe…”mom & pop” 7 days a week 7am-3pm diner in Coral Springs. You can check menu/prices/pictures at www.dapplecafe.com.

You regular readers know that Jeff Eats is a huge fan of “mom & pop” diners…personally “they” are right up there with my favorite places to eat breakfast and lunch. You regular readers also know, that America literally has 22,000,786 joints just like D’Apple. For sure, some are better than others…but over the past 6 years or so, only a handful of South Florida “diners’ didn’t get the job done for Jeff Eats.

D’Apple’s menu has loads of breakfast stuff, salads, sandwiches, burgers, “special” entrees and desserts.

A recent outing had me doing breakfast at D’Apple…western omelet ($6.79), corned beef hash ($6.49), French toast ($4.49), home fries hash browns. Everything was A-OK…Nice sized portions, very friendly wait-staff, reasonable prices, decent enough coffee. D’Apple delivered a good solid diner-breakfast.

The advertisers of this world want you guys to believe that America runs on Dunkin’…trust me it doesn’t. It’s joints like D’Apple that make America-America…Hopefully you can appreciate Jeff Eats’ sentiments here.

One final thought, to the owners of D’Apple (not that you care)–but I don’t like the D’Apple name. Names like Z Best Pizza, Da Best Sandwich just don’t ring right to this boy’s ears.

* The Royal New York Doo Wop Show.

Great lineup.

Kings Point in Delray Beach is one of but a very few South Florida gated communities that allow non- residents to buy tickets!

Residents $15
Non-Residents $20

Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats just bought two non-resident tickets!