***** PDQ, 2341 North Federal Highway, Pompano Beach, Florida 33062, (954) 785-6285.

Real simple story to tell…

PDQ’s chicken tenders are absolute dynamite! They come either “crispy” or “grilled.”- 25 tenders run $31.80 and 50 go for $57.50.

Just wanted you guys to know, that on New Year’s Day 2016- Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats are having a whole bunch of people over to our house…

We just placed an order for 100 crispy- and 100 grilled tenders with PDQ’s Pompano Beach joint – we also got other stuff ordered… For the “math challenged” 2 x $57.50= $115.

When Jeff Eats sees a good deal, I like to tell you guys about it!

PDQ has 23 joints in Florida. You can check locations/menu/prices/info at eatpdq.com.

_________

Posted May 4, 2013
***** PDQ (People Dedicated to Quality), 2015 Okeechobee Boulevard, West Palm Beach, Florida 33409, (561) 594-1906.

On April 30, 2013 Jeff Eats told you guys about PDQ a “new” fast-food/casual chicken chain–that is scheduled to open its West Palm Beach location on Sunday, May 5, 2013. The April 30, 2013 writeup is reprinted “after” today’s “thoughts.”

For the record, this afternoon Jeff Eats “ate” at a Family & Friends outing in the West Palm Beach store and I gotta tell you, this joint is going to be an absolute homerun.

Before I tell you about my “meal”—for what it’s worth, I don’t really care for the name PDQ. To me, the letters P D Q really don’t convey what this joint is all about. Nothing for nothing, but the owners of this business have created a fast food/casual hybrid…think Panera Bread and you may appreciate where I’m going with this. What they “got” is an order at/pick up at the counter fast food restaurant that looks like an upscale sports bar. I loved the look of the joint (and yes, it’s got a load of large flat screen TVs) but if you do some checking, many people use the term PDQ to mean “fast” or “right away”…that said, I think the last thing that PDQ wants is for you to think of its food as being “fast food” The store is logoed with big letters that say, “People Dedicated to Quality”–so Jeff Eats sees where the PDQ comes from (actually if we wanted to get technical here it should be PDTQ)…personally, I wouldn’t have used PDQ because to a great number of people PDQ means “other” things. Jeff Eats’ personal favorites -Pretty Damned Quick and Pennies Dimes Quarters.

Now that Jeff Eats has pontificated on the PDQ name…let’s talk food.

First let me start by saying, this 4,200 square foot free standing building is absolutely great looking…it has a drive thru and looks like something right out of the Florida Keys. There is also a huge open kitchen and you can see everything being prepared. In talking with the its founders (who by the way, created the Outback Steakhouse chain) everything is freshly made and the restaurant has no freezers. While there, Jeff Eats got a kick out of watching the staff squeeze 100s of lemons for the fresh-squeezed lemonade—For you wise-guys out there, yes! I got a kick out of watching, nothing sinister, lewd or whatever your devious minds maybe thinking!

Jeff Eats “tried” the tenders, hand cut fresh French fries, chicken Caesar salad, fried chicken sandwich, turkey breast sandwich, grilled chicken sandwich, chocolate shake, apple slices with toffee—and I’m telling you, every item and I do mean every item was delicious. For the record–the food was “on the house”…which made it “easy” to literally order almost every menu item. If I got one bitch, I thought that the fries had just a drop too much salt on them—trust me, that one little itsy bitsy “problem” is easy to cure. Just a quickie, if you take a look at Jeff Eats’ 1/19/2007 Outback Steakhouse “review” note the salt-complaint… Goes to show you, Jeff Eats and the guys running this joint are consistent, if they are anything.

Check www.eatpdq.com for menu/prices/locations/pictures.

In talking to management, there are currently 4 Tampa, 2 North Carolina, 1 Oakland Park, 1 West Palm Peach PDQs…and “for” our purposes-2013-2014 planned locations-Wellington, Boca Raton and Pompano Beach.

Let me wrap this one up this way…

Based on what I saw, ate and heard PDQ is going to develop into a major national chain. The guys behind this deal know exactly what to do and how to do it…that is if they–

Just lose the salt shaker…

*****
April 30, 2013
PDQ’s menu features lightly fried chicken tenders/sandwiches, grilled chicken and turkey breast sandwiches, salads, French fries and shakes.

Just a quick heads-up…Jeff Eats is “hearing” tremendous things about a brand new-fast food chicken chain PDQ which currently has 4 Tampa/1 Oakland Park/1 West Palm Beach/2 North Carolina locations.

Haven’t tried the joint out yet, but some buddies of mine-told Jeff Eats that PDQ (Oakland Park) makes amazingly delicious grilled chicken/fried chicken tenders/turkey/salads/fries/shakes. One caveat, three of those buddies way back when- thought that the Edsel was going to be a homerun and the fourth guy to this very day-claims that aliens abducted him in 1989.

As I mentioned 4 seconds ago, there is one location in Oakland Park…this coming Sunday-May 5th, PDQ is opening a second South Florida location in West Palm Beach.

Check www.www.eatpdq.com for menu/locations.

For what it’s worth–the chain is owned by one of the guys who created the Outback Steakhouse chain. Nothing for nothing, a few quick conversations with a handful of fast food/casual restaurant developers–had them figuring that PDQ had a real shot to develop into a major chain. The consensus was, that PDQ may appeal to a huge segment of Chik-fil-A’s customer base that is looking for a more diversified menu. Throw in 4,500 square foot stores/with drive thrus that are open on Sunday—and just maybe, PDQ has the formula to be a homerun-chain.

Jeff Eats is gonna check this one out…if you get there before I do, let me know what you think.

* The Drifters, The Platters And The Cornell Gunter Coasters.

Now you guys and Jeff Eats both know that “not-even-one” of the performers on the stage- sang on any of the hit records! That said, the music is infectious- and the show is gonna be a whole lot of fun!

The Skinny:

The Drifters, The Platters And The Cornell Gunter Coasters

The Pavilion at the Seminole Casino Coconut Creek
5550 Northwest 40th St, Coconut Creek, Florida 33073

Thursday, January 14, 2016 (8pm)

Tickets: seminolecasinococonutcreek.com

***** J. R. Pizza Bella Restaurant, 7868 West Sample Road, Margate, Florida 33065, (954) 753-1300.

Let’s consider this one- a PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT!

Jeff Eats knows that at this time of the year…a ton of you guys got a ton of out of town relatives and friends visiting…

J.R. Pizza Bella Restaurant in Margate is a terrific reasonably priced “mom & pop” red sauce Italian joint to feed everybody at- or to takeout food from!
______
Posted January 15, 2015
***** J. R. Pizza Bella Restaurant, 7868 West Sample Road, Margate, Florida 33065, (954) 753-1300

Got a really good (actually make that a terrific) hole in the wall mom & pop red sauce Italian joint for you…J.R. Pizza Bella in Margate.

Nothing for nothing, Jeff Eats already “GOT” this one- for you way back on January 29, 2013-the writeup is down below.

Real simple story, Jeff Eats hadn’t been back since that 2013 outing…ate there last night with Mrs. Jeff Eats and another couple- and the food/service absolutely blew me away…no ifs, ands or buts, one of the best hole in the wall mom and pop red sauce Italian joints that I’ve eaten in down here in South Florida.

Let me throw some color into the mix here- since Jeff Eats or for that matter Mrs. Jeff Eats weren’t raised in Italian American households-for me to tell you that J.R. Pizza Bella’s food tastes like the stuff our mothers-made, I’d be lying to you…that said, the-food we had last night (pizza, veal parmigiana, veal pizzola, garlic rolls, minestrone soup, chicken scarpariella, mussels marinara, house salad) tasted like it came-out of someone’s home kitchen- and her name wasn’t Anna Goodman or Rhoda Eisenberg. Hopefully you get what I’m trying to say, if not, not!

If you are looking for fancy schmancy, stop right now- but if your game is dynamite food, terrific service, wearing a tee shirt/shorts/flip flop ensemble, big portions, very reasonable prices EAT at J.R. Pizza Bella Restaurant.

You can check menu/prices/other info at jrpizzabella.com.

The joint is open Sunday-Thursday 11am-10pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-11pm.
—–

J. R. Pizza Bella Restaurant (Margate)
Posted on January 29th, 2013 · Italian Margate Pizza Subs/Salads

***** J. R. Pizza Bella Restaurant, 7868 West Sample Road, Margate, Florida 33065, (954) 753-1300.

Got a real good “hole in the wall” mom & pop–red sauce Italian joint for you…J. R. Pizza Bella Restaurant in Margate.

Rather than beating around the bush with all kinds of stories—J.R. Pizza Bella has to be ranked right up there with the best of the Italian red sauce “mom & pop” joints Jeff Eats has “tried” down here in sunnny South Florida. Trust me- I know that’s quite a statement for me to make–based on the number of joints I’ve hit, but what is-is! This little joint, really cranked out some delicious stuff.

J. R. has the full-boat of pizzas, pastas, hot/cold subs, seafood/chicken/meat entrees. You can check menu/prices at www.jrpizzabella.com.

Like I said a few seconds ago, this is a “hole in the wall”—handful of tables and booths, that’s it. I know it isn’t really necessary to tell you, but—your shorts/tee shirt ensembles will work well at this joint.

Tried J. R. out for dinner the other night…large cheese pizza ($13.95), veal parmigiana ($16.95), meat lasagna ($11.95), chicken marsala ($14.95), zuppa di pesce ($22.95)—every “item” was right on the money. The joint’s garlic rolls, minestrone soup, ziti with marinara sauce and house salad were also delicious. Good size portions, super pleasant service, reasonable prices—nothing really missing from this outing.

Let me close this one out by saying…J. R. Pizza Bella Restaurant is a winner.

J.R. Pizza Bella Restaurant is open Monday-Thursday 11am-10pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-11pm, Sunday 11am-10pm.

* The Duprees with Joey Dale & The Gigolos and Joey & The Paradons.

Got an absolutely terrific doo wop -show for you guys!

On Saturday Night- February 20, 2016- the legendary 60’s vocal group The Duprees will be joined by two of South Florida’s premier doo wop groups, Joey Dale & The Gigolos and Joey & The Paradons at The Plaza Ballroom (111 US Highway 1, North Palm Beach, (561) 842-0111) for 2 shows (5:30pm, 9pm)…If memory serves me correctly, The Plaza Ballroom only seats 400 so I’m thinking SRO for both shows! Jeff Eats has seen all-three groups and trust me, this show will absolutely kill!

* Steve Harvey’s Brilliant Mistake!

Now be honest…

Yesterday, how many of you guys- knew that the Miss Universe Pageant was being aired on FOX TV- or for that matter, even if you did know, gave a good crap?

Then, Steve Harvey makes a mistake and walla!

***** Linda’s Winter Park Diner, 1700 West Fairbanks Avenue, Winter Park, Florida 32789, (407) 644-2343.

Got a real good “mom & pop” diner for you guys, Linda’s Winter Park Diner in Winter Park (that figures!)…the joint is open Monday-Saturday 5:30am-2pm, Sunday 6am-1pm. Menu/info- winterparkdiner.com.

Between you guys and Jeff Eats, why anyone would eat in an IHOP, Perkins, Denny’s, First Watch so on and so forth- when they could eat in “a” Linda’s Winter Park Diner is beyond me! Linda’s has been around for something like 50 years, so Jeff Eats is kinda thinking that-it might just know what it’s doing!

Long story short, last week Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats- did breakfast at Linda’s and “her” food and service were right on the money! Throw in the “old diner” look & vibe- and let’s just say, “she” hooked us!

Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats absolutely loved Linda’s Winter Park Diner…and if you’re like us- love dynamite food, pleasant service, reasonable prices, huge portions, “old” diner look & vibe…you will too!

***** DISH OF THE WEEK (Sunday 12/20/15)

One of Jeff Eats’ favorite menu items…

LARGE CHEESE PIZZA
$13.85

Valentino’s Italian Cuisine
427 South Federal Highway
Pompano Beach
(954) 545-4881
valentinositaliancuisine.com
Latest Review: 3/18/14

Jeff Eats loves Valentino’s Italian Cuisine. The joint’s pizza (sort of like- a hybrid between a Chicago pie (deep crust) and a New York pie (thin/crispy slice-sweet sauce)) is absolutely off-the-chart delicious! By the way, everything that Valentino’s cooks-up is real good. Trust Jeff Eats on this one, you definitely wanna eat at Valentino’s- that’s assuming you wanna eat great stuff!

Posted March 18, 2014
***** Valentino’s Italian Cuisine, 427 South Federal Highway, Pompano Beach, Florida 33062, (954) 545-4881.

Back on April 28, 2013 I told you guys about Valentino’s Italian Cuisine a red sauce “hole in the wall” joint–in Pompano Beach.

Unless there is some type of conspiracy going on here… during the past 30 days or so, at least 8 different people-personally told Jeff Eats how fabulous Valentino’s pizza and food were. No fooling here-totally unrelated people on different dates picked the same joint to tell me about. That’s an amazing statistic.

With the above background story in mind, last night Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats ate dinner at Valentino’s-this was our second outing -and I gotta tell you, that the pizza, veal parmigiana and baked ziti with meatballs were outstandingly delicious.

Printed below is the original Jeff Eats’ review.

Trust me on this one, this joint as a must try. The food is really-that good!
*****

Posted on April 28th, 2013 · Desserts Fast Food Italian Pizza Pompano Beach Subs/Salads.
***** Valentino’s Italian Cuisine, 427 South Federal Highway, Pompano Beach, Florida 33062, (954) 545-4881.

Got something really good for you guys, Valentino’s Italian Cuisine…a Pompano Beach- red sauce Italian “hole in the wall” wedged in-between a Starbucks and a Tijuana Flats.

Last night, Jeff Eats really didn’t do a head-count, but I’m thinking about 30 seats inside and 40 seats outside…the outdoor patio which faces Federal Highway is shared by all three restaurants -each restaurant has distinctively marked seating. As for Valentino’s inside décor…the obligatory Goodfellas’ posters, large standard pizza oven, large brass colored cappuccino machine, dark wood tones—no kidding around- a very cool looking joint.

Another no-kidding around- Valentino’s is owned and operated by a guy originally from the Bronx named Rudolph Valentino. For you “youngsters” out there, Rudolph Valentino (not the owner of this joint) was a famous movie actor back in the day–when motion pictures had no sound. Totally off topic, but did you guys know that Fred Astaire Dance Studios still has locations all over the United States? Amazingly, there is one in a second floor loft in east-Boca Raton…For those of you “not following” the Astaire commentary, Fred use to dance with Cyd Charise—but that’s whole nother story.

Anyway…Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and another couple “ordered” 16″ large plain pizza ($12.75), eggplant parmigiana (garlic rolls, soup or salad, pasta side–$9.85), chicken parmigiana sub ($7.50), lasagna bolognese (garlic rolls, soup or salad–$12.95)…and I gotta tell you-the food was absolutely delicious. Trust me on this–every item ordered, was as good as the stuff served by South Florida’s best “red sauce” players. The joint’s portions were large and dirt-cheap. For those of you who like garlic rolls, Valentino’s were dynamite—and a complimentary order of sauteed green-beans (not on the menu) received rave reviews from Mrs. Jeff Eats and her girlfriend Judy. While you guys are still here, let me briefly mention the pizza…From what I understand, there are 3 chefs in the back of the house–but all pizzas are made by Rudy Valentino right in front of the customers. As he explained…”I’ll make you whatever you want, but my signature pie is a thick crust with the rest of the pizza being very thin and crispy.” For what it’s worth, when the pie was delivered to our table it looked “amazing”…just as Rudy said—a thick crust (sort of like a deep dish look) with a fabulous sweet sauce/thin crispy “triangle.”

At this stage of the game, you can check www.valentinositaliancuisine.com for menu/prices.

For a little more “color”—Valentino’s has been open something like 4-months and in addition to pies- sells pizza by the slice. All of its desserts are made in-house. Some of you guys maybe wondering why Jeff Eats & Company didn’t “get” dessert…long story short, literally minutes before eating at Valentino’s we had picked up 2 dozen freshly baked donuts from The Dandee Donut Factory which is right around the corner from Valentino’s, blah blah, blah!

What Jeff Eats found particularly interesting, was that Valentino’s is open Sunday-Thursday 11am-midnight and Friday-Saturday 11am-2am…apparently, Mr. Valentino is looking to build a late night crowd.

Valentino’s is a real good one…do yourself a big favor and give it a shot. The bet here, is that you won’t be disappointed…

Jeff Eats does have one “bitch” about the joint…on both its menu and website, Valentino’s prominently features the saying “You’ve tried the rest…now try the Best!”- hey Rudy, for crying out loud-that saying is as worn as my 89 year old Aunt Joanie’s house dress…I know I ain’t got no skin in this game, but I’d lose the phrase. You got a spanking new -great looking joint with terrific food and YOU got me thinking about my Aunt Joanie’s house dress- capice!

Finally…

For you tourists out there–your tee shirt/shorts/flip flop ensembles will work perfectly at Valentino’s Italian Cuisine

This article first appeared on December 10, 2015.

* Win 2 Tickets To: Engelbert Humperdinck.

Jeff Eats got 2-tickets to see Engelbert Humperdinck on January 10, 2016- for the 20th “comment” posted. The rules of the game, 1-comment per day per “reader’ (IP Address). If less than 20 “comments” are received, #19, 18, 17 so on and so forth-wins! Latest you can post a “comment” January 7, 2016.

_____

Posted November 27, 2015
***** Engelbert Humperdinck.

And, I thought-the guy was dead!

Just playing with you guys, Jeff Eats saw Humperdinck last year and the old boy-still got it!

I just love it when he sings his hits- What’s New Pussycat and Delilah!- so sorry, that’s the other guy!

All kidding aside, Humperdinck is gonna be SRO at the Pompano Beach Amphitheater- guaranteed!

The Skinny:

Engelbert Humperdinck
Sunday, January 10, 2016 (8pm)
Pompano Beach Amphitheater
Tickets/Info: pompanobeacharts.org

from pompanobeacharts.org

Few people realize that it was Humperdinck, not Elvis, who made famous the sideburns and flamboyant leather jumpsuits. He has been a legend in the international music industry for the last forty plus years, withover 150 million records sold, with hits such as “(Please) Release Me”, “After The Lovin”, “Spanish Eyes”, “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” and the unforgetable “Quando, Quando ,Quando”. Several of the major forces in the world of rock n’ roll, including Jimi Hendrix and The Carpenters, started out as opening acts for Humperdinck in the late’60’s, 70’s and ’80’s.
Romance serves as the core of Engelbert Humperdinck’s music and lasting success. He knows how to pick songs with eternal themes of romance and longing. Engelbert recently recorded his first duets CD Engelbert Calling, with a who’s who of the music world, including Sir Elton John, Willie Nelson, Johnny Mathis, Cliff Richard, Dionne Warwick, Kenny Rogers and Gene Simmons, to name a few.

Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats saw the show-last week….

All I can tell you guys is to GO! You will cry your eyes out- from laughing!

The Skinny:

The Sarge Chanukah Chutzpah Tour
Friday, December 18, 2015 (8pm)
Boca Black Box
8221 Glades Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33434
Box-Office:(561) 483-9036
Tickets: bocablackbox.com (also check goldstar.com for discount tickets)

The Sarge Chanukah Chutzpah Tour
Saturday, December 19, 2015 (8pm)
Sunday, December 20, 2015 (8pm)
Aventura Arts & Cultural Center
3385 Northeast 188th Street,
Aventura, Florida 33180
Box-Office: (305) 466-8002
Tickets: aventuracenter.org (also check goldstar.com for discount tickets)

from bocablackbox.com

Let’s make this the greatest Chanukah ever! Come join us for a very special holiday show by one of America’s favorite entertainer / comedians and his all star band. With all new “Just for Chanukah” material and music performed with the chutzpah Sarge is known and loved for.

Sarge is an entertainer who has performed worldwide to adoring audiences. His side splitting comedy, touching vocals and stunning display of dexterity as a pianist have wowed crowds for decades. He is one of the highest energy, multi talented acts in show business today.

Sarge has worked in film, television, and has worked with some of the biggest names in show business. He is an extraordinary piano player, hysterical standup comedian, and phenomenal singer… Sarge is a Triple Threat. You haven’t laughed this hard since the last time you saw Sarge!

This show may contain material not appropriate for children under 13 years old.

* Win a $50 Lucille’s American Cafe Gift Card.

Yesterday Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats had lunch at Lucille’s American Café, 2250 Weston Road, Weston, Florida 33326, (954) 384-9007….and I got to thinking that maybe I should give one of you guys 50 bucks to spend on Lucille’s outrageously delicious grilled hot dogs, cheeseburgers, meatloaf, French fries and shakes!

So with the “above” in mind, just be the first reader to correctly tell Jeff Eats the REAL NAMES of the 3- WALKER BROTHERS pictured above and the gift card is yours! I’ll make it 60 bucks if that “first reader” also tells me the names of the 2- composers of The Walker Brothers’ 1965 hit record “Make It Easy On Yourself”! You guys now know why WIKIPEDIA was invented!

Posted December 12, 2014
***** Lucille’s American Café, 2250 Weston Road, Weston, Florida 33326, (954) 384-9007.

This is what you might call an “out of sight, out of mind” story…

Way back on June 27, 2008 Jeff Eats told you guys about a terrific- American Style joint named Lucille’s American Café in Weston. For our purposes, the operative word in the last sentence is WESTON…nothing for nothing, trust me, Weston is a “big” ride from the Eats’ Boca Raton residence…thus the “out of sight, out of mine” tag.

Anyway, yesterday-after a tough day of shopping with Mrs. Jeff Eats at Sawgrass Mills in Sunrise, we ate dinner at Lucille’s American Café which is about 10 minutes south. Suffice it to say, Lucille’s is the same terrific joint that it was back in 2008…I’m telling you, that if Lucille’s was closer to my home-Jeff Eats would be a real-and I do mean-real steady customer. But what is, is!

You guys who live or work in Lucille’s neighborhood- have a winner on your hands…if you haven’t eaten there, make it your business to catch lunch or dinner…my money says you won’t be disappointed.

You can now read Jeff Eats’ 7/27/2008 writeup, but before you do…

Lucille’s is open Monday-Thursday 11am-9;30pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-10:30pm, Sunday 10am-9pm.

You can check its menu/prices at lucillescafe.com.

Posted June 27, 2008
***** Lucille’s American Cafe, 2250 Weston Road, Weston, Florida 33326, (954) 384-9007.

Before I start yapping about Lucille’s American Cafe, do yourself a favor and check its website at www.lucillescafe.com for menu/pricing and other details about this 1940’s style diner.

This joint is terrific. It looks like a real 1940’s in-line diner. It has all of the “blue plate specials” that 1940’s diners had plus a “million” other things. It has great food. Large portions. Terrific wait-staff. Very reasonable prices. I absolutely love this joint’s meatloaf, chicken pot pie and country fried steak.

Lucille’s is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner