***** Fran’s Chicken Haven, 1925 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton, Florida 33432, (561) 395-0781

Let’s just call this- a Jeff Eats’ “Certain Things Bear Repeating” story…

Jeff Eats just has to laugh- when the Sun Sentinel seemingly “year after year crowns” PUBLIX FRIED CHICKEN the best in South Florida! There is an old Irish saying- “Give Me A Fu@king Break.”

Long story short, Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats have been- on and off (see below-as to why “on and off”) “taking-out” fried chicken and “various” sides from Fran’s Chicken Haven in Boca Raton for something like 23 years!- and I gotta tell you -that this joint’s fried chicken/sides are absolute dynamite! Trust Jeff Eats on this one – trying to rank the “best” in the food reviewing game- is a dumb no win game…with that in mind, what I do know, is that Fran’s fried chicken is off-the-chart good and that after you eat it- you will never-want to voluntarily buy or eat Publix fried chicken ever again!

If you want to eat outrageously delicious fried chicken…Fran’s Chicken Haven is a must try.

You can check menu/info at franschickenhaven.com.

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Fran’s Chicken Haven (Boca Raton)
Posted on July 5th, 2013 · American Fast Food Boca Raton

***** Fran’s Chicken Haven, 1925 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton, Florida 33432, (561) 395-0781.

Got something terrific for you…

That’s assuming that you aren’t a “follower” of NYC Mayor Bloomberg–in that you don’t need “Big Brother” (and no, I’m not talking about Janis’ group) to tell you what you can and can’t eat…

Real fast… from 1964-2000 a woman named Fran (thus the name Fran’s Chicken Haven) and her husband Joe, operated a “hole-in-the-wall” fried chicken joint—Fran’s Chicken Haven in Boca Raton. Maybe 3 tables and 4-5 counter seats. In a nutshell, amazing fried chicken and assorted sides. In 2000 the couple retired and sold the business—for the past 12-13 years Fran’s has had 3-maybe 4 different owners who slowly but surely wrecked the business. Jeff Eats may not be the sharpest pencil in the box, but I do know that when something ain’t broke, you don’t try and fix it…one owner changed the batter-mix and added latin sides, another made the joint a kosher chicken restaurant-closing on Friday nights and all day Saturday—hopefully you get the picture.

Since Fran and Joe sold the joint, Jeff Eats who had previously been a real-steady customer, has maybe picked-up chicken 7 or 8 times in the ensuing years.

Now the news…two brothers- Jake Stuart (aged 19) and Chris Stuart (aged 32) both born and bred—Boca Ratonians—bought Fran’s a month or so ago…and have literally “brought” it back to where it was taste-wise during the Fran & Joe era. How does Jeff Eats know all this? Because…Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats ala Marvin Gaye heard it through the grapevine—and yesterday, picked up an 8 piece fried chicken, French fries, onion rings, fried corn nibblets order—and I gotta tell you, the food tastes just like we “remember” Fran making it…the “boys” told us that the sale/purchase of the business had included all of Fran’s original recipes and that they had visited with Fran and Joe (who still live in Boca Raton) to get a feel on how to run the joint.

Let me leave you guys with this…if you like fried chicken, fries, onion rings, fried corn nibblets—-then you gotta get over to Fran’s Chicken Haven.

One final thought…

Jake and Chris— When the crowds start pouring in, which they will—don’t even think of renaming the joint- Stuart Brothers Chicken Haven or some such variation!

Down below is the original June 20, 2006 Jeff Eats’ review for Fran’s Chicken Haven:

***** “Fran’s makes some of the best fried chicken that you have ever tasted. This joint has been around something like 40 years and is an absolute hole in the wall. Basically a take-out joint, there are a few tables and a counter for those who want to “dine in.” FRIED is the word here…shrimp, corn, french fries, onion rings. Everything is absolutely delicious.

Don’t tell your cardiologist about this joint.

Fran’s is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.”

***** DISH OF THE WEEK (Sunday- 12/27/15)

One of Jeff Eat’s favorite menu items

GRILLED AMERICAN CHEESE WITH BACON ON RYE
$6.50

Time To Eat Diner
716 US Highway
Tequesta
(561) 747-4263
timetoeatflorida.com
Latest Review: 8/30/14

Simple tale to tell you guys, this is about as close to a real NY Diner- as you will find in Florida. Jeff Eats absolutely loves this joint. If you are into the whole “NY Diner Thing”- you will really enjoy Time To Eat Diner!- and even if you aren’t, there is no way that you won’t love the delicious Grilled American Cheese With Bacon On Rye that it cooks-up!

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Posted August 30, 2014
***** Time To Eat Diner, 716 US Highway 1 North, Tequesta, Florida 33469, (561) 747-4263.

The only difference between Tequesta’s -Time To Eat Diner and the New York/New Jersey diners that many of us grew up-on…is that Time To Eat is open Monday-Saturday 7am-10pm and Sunday 7am-9:30pm and the New York/New Jersey joints were/are open 7 days a week 24 hours a day.

With the above in mind, let me tell you that Jeff Eats absolutely loved Time To Eat Diner…if we forget its business hours…THIS IS A REAL DINER!!! Perfect-diner food, diner decor, diner service, diner prices.

Rather than Jeff Eats telling you about Time To Eat Diner’s in house baked pies/cakes, all day breakfast, Greek dinner specials, chunky chicken salad on toasted rye-go check timetoeatflorida.com and take a gander at its menu…it sure looks like A REAL DINER MENU to me.

Time To Eat Diner is the real deal.

Like I said 5 seconds ago, Jeff Eats loved this joint.

***** J. Mark’s Restaurant & Bar, 1490 Copans Road, Pompano Beach, Florida 33062, (954) 782-7000.

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. Marks with 1-location in Pompano Beach and 1-location in Fort Lauderdale is a terrific reasonably priced American-Style joint to feed everybody at!

Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats have been eating at the Pompano Beach joint for years- and the food and service have always been right on the money! For what it’s worth, we’ve also eaten in J. Mark’s Fort Lauderdale location (1245 North Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33304, (954) 390-0770) a good handful of times- same great food and service- just a much bigger drive from the Jeff Eats’ Boca Raton Homestead- so Pompano gets most of our action!

You can check menu/prices/locations/info at jmarksrestaurant.com.

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Posted December 7, 2008
***** J. Mark’s Restaurant & Bar, 1490 Copans Road, Pompano Beach, Florida 33062, (954) 782-7000.

Last night I had dinner at J. Mark’s which is an “American-Style” joint located in Pompano Beach. Take a look at J. Mark’s website at www.jmarksrestaurant.com for menu/prices/photos…so you will have some idea of what I am yapping about.

J. Mark’s reminds me of Houston’s which has five South Florida locations (Palm Beach, Boca Raton, North Miami Beach, Coral Gables and Winter Park) in decor/menu…so, if you are a fan of Houston’s or know anything about it, you now have a point of reference to work with. By the way, J. Mark’s menu-prices are far more reasonable than those charged at Houston’s

Now let’s get down to brass tacks…I think that J. Mark’s is an absolutely terrific restaurant. J. Mark’s is a very handsome looking joint, doing the “stone-wood” look… bar area, dining room, out-door patio for dining. This joint is not a sports bar, but there are enough flat screen tvs to keep you updated on your favorite team.  On Saturday nights a small jazz band works the joint.

J. Mark’s menu is loaded with appetizers, salads, pastas, burgers, sandwiches, meat/seafood/chicken entrees and desserts. Now for the taste test…fabulous, no make that sensational mini-cheeseburgers, delicious baby back ribs-roast chicken-orange chicken and grilled tuna steak. The shoe-string french fries were okay, but nothing to write home about. As for service, Clint our waiter was terrific and didn’t miss a beat.

Just so we are straight…over the years, I must have eaten in Houston’s something like 10 times. I consider Houston’s and for that matter The Cheesecake Factory to be the “middle ground” between the “just borderline passable” T.G.I. Friday’s-Applebee’s-Duffy’s-Ale Houses and the “upscale-over priced-pretentious” steak/seafood joints like New York Prime- Morton’s- Ruth’s Cris-Abe & Louie’s.

The bottomline is this…J. Mark’s is a terrific restaurant. It looks upscale, but tee shirts/shorts are just fine…the food is very good, the service is excellent…and the prices are extremely reasonable…appetizers run $7.95-$10.95, salads $8.95-10.95, burgers-sandwiches $8.95-$9.95, entrees $10.95-25.95. By the way, those sensational mini-cheesburgers that I previously mentioned, run $9.95 for 4 with french fries…each burger is topped with cheddar cheese-ketchup-pickles-fried onion ring and they are not to be missed.

You now know about J. Mark’s. Give this joint a try…I really think that you will enjoy this restaurant. By the way, J. Mark’s is open Sunday-Thursday 11am-10pm and Friday-Saturday 11am-11pm.

This article first appeared on August 5, 2015. Jeff Eats just checked with the folks at PopRockDooWopp.com and there are only a handful of tickets left for this event! So if you wanna go, no time to waste! I’m thinking that this is gonna be a tremendous New Year’s Eve Party! Check PopRockDooWopp.com for further info and tickets

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Posted August 5, 2015
* New Year’s Eve- The Motortown All-Stars.

This is the 3rd go-round for…”New Year’s Eve- The Motorman All- Stars” at The Delray Beach Marriott Beach in Delray Beach. Years #1 & #2 were complete sell-outs!

THIS IS GOING TO BE A GREAT AND I DO MEAN A GREAT…NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY!

Check PopRockDooWopp.com for further info and tickets!

From can catch tickets at

It’s never too early!
(Our New Year’s Eve celebrations always sell out.)

Comedy CabanaThe early bird gets the worm AND $10 off per person. (Just use the code EARLY to save $10 each on your New Year’s Eve reservation. This is a limited-time offer.)

Join us and the Motortown All-Stars on Delray Beach’s enchanted Gold Coast for an unforgettable New Year’s Eve of dining and dancing to the greatest Motown 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 music of The Temptations, The Miracles, The Four Tops, The Jackson Five, The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Martha & the Vandellas and The Capitols. 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 FOR ON-LINE SALES ONLY. PHONE SALES WILL OPEN ON SEPTEMBER 1. THIS EVENT WILL SELL OUT.

All the details are here. Just click!

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. Drums thumping, bass pumping, saxophones and trumpets blaring just like on those great original Motown recordings. It’ll be just the right volume and just the right groove for a discerning audience that knows what good music is.The Motortown All-Stars

The Motortown All-Stars… The real deal! They rocked the house last year and our survey revealed an overwhelming majority of you prefers to rock, roll and ring in the New Year with these amazing entertainers again! It will be a brand new show and – tough to believe but true – even better than last year. Every vocalist and musician you will see and hear is flying in from Detroit for this exciting event. Assembled from members of the Capitols, the Miracles and former members of the Temptations, this super-group of Hitsville stars will sing all your favorites live, just the way you remember them – “My Girl”, “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg”, “Signed, Sealed, Delivered”, “Get Ready” and those slow dances – “Ooh Baby, Baby”, “The Tracks of My Tears” and “Just My Imagination.”

The tickets… are priced at $159 and $179 which includes reserved seating, live entertainment throughout the evening, dinner, dessert, a champagne toast at midnight and a live broadcast from Times Square. We’ve even included your parking, for which there is usually a charge.

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

We’ll see you there!
THIS IS A PRE-SALE FOR ON-LINE SALES ONLY. PHONE SALES WILL OPEN ON SEPTEMBER 1. THIS EVENT WILL SELL OUT!

* Merry Christmas!

* Festival Flea Market Mall Open Christmas Day.

Movie Theaters Are Also Open! 🙂

***** Wei’s Long Gong Chinese, 11920 Southwest 8th Street, Miami, Florida 33184, (305) 553-4644.

It’s the day before Christmas- Jeff Eats knows that a whole bunch of you guys- me included, are gonna be eating a ton of Chinese food over the next 2-days 🙂 – that said, here’s a real good Chinese joint for you guys in Miami!

Merry Christmas!
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Posted November 12, 2014
***** Wei’s Long Gong Chinese, 11920 Southwest 8th Street, Miami, Florida 33184, (305) 553-4644.

Look!

Jeff Eats is a simple (left myself open there, didn’t I?) guy-who was born in Brooklyn in 1949. I was raised on “American” Chinese food…you know- wonton soup, bbq ribs, steamed dumplings, roast pork fried rice, egg rolls, sweet & sour pork, General Tso’s chicken, pepper steak, chicken chow mein, shrimp in lobster sauce with a drop of black bean sauce mixed in, pineapple chunks, vanilla/strawberry/chocolate/pistachio ice cream, fortune cookies. Like I said, I’m a simple guy!

Long story short,

I got friends-my age- who were born in Brooklyn, who for some reason think that- the “American” Chinese food we all grew up on-is now beneath them…when they eat Chinese, they have to have- REAL CHINESE stuff like…pepper salted quail, lambchoy minced with green bean, spicy fish with tofu, yam in sour sauce.

Being a pretty easy going guy, Jeff Eats is willing to try almost any restaurant “recommended” by friends to “accommodate” friends.

With the above in mind, Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats and three “former” Brooklyn couples recently- did Wei’s Long Gong Chinese. Real simple- the wonton soup, egg rolls, steamed dumplings, General Tso’s chicken, roast pork fried rice, shrimp in lobster sauce with a drop of black bean sauce mixed in- were all delicious. I have absolutely no idea how the pepper salted quail, lambchoy minced with green bean, spicy fish with tofu, yam in sour sauce- tasted…but Jeff Eats’ Brooklyn friends said to tell you, these dishes were terrific. By the way, the pineapple chunks and the fortune cookies-were, pineapple chunks and fortune cookies!

Trust Jeff Eats with this one, Wei’s Long Gong Chinese’s “American” Chinese food is very-very good…if this joint was in my neighborhood, I’d be a real steady customer. Just a gut call, but I’m thinking that you guys who like REAL CHINESE FOOD will also- really enjoy Wei’s Long Gong Chinese.

You can check menu/prices at weislonggong.com.

Wei’s is open Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 11:30am-9:30pm, Friday 11:30am-10pm, Saturday 11:30am-11pm, closed on Tuesday.

***** Grimaldi’s Coal-Brick Oven Pizzeria, 11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Avenue, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33410, (561) 625-4669.

Jeff Eats knows that this week-a ton of you guys, got a ton of out-of-town friends and family visiting…

If you’re looking for top-notch coal oven pizza/salads…Grimaldi’s Coal-Brick Oven Pizzeria in Palm Beach Gardens is a great place to feed them at-or take out from!

In addition to the Palm Beach Gardens’ joint that Jeff Eats frequents, Grimaldi’s has 5-other Florida locations…Clearwater (27001 US Highway 19 N., Clearwater, (727) 725-1200),
Fort Myers (13499 S. Cleveland Ave Ste. 201, Fort Myers, (239) 432-9767), Miramar Beach (780 Grand Boulevard, Miramar Beach, (850) 837-3095), Tampa (7990 Citrus Park Town Center, Tampa, (813) 920-5858), Tampa (218 West Shore Plaza, Tampa, (813) 287-2500)

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Grimaldi’s Coal-Brick Oven Pizzeria (Palm Beach Gardens)
Posted on November 16th, 2015 · Italian Pizza Palm Beach Gardens

***** Grimaldi’s Coal-Brick Oven Pizzeria, 11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Avenue, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33410, (561) 625-4669.

No bs- people are always asking Jeff Eats where they can get terrific coal oven pizzas/wings and salads…

Now- you guys and Jeff Eats know that there are a handful of Sunny South Florida joints that fit-the bill…

With the above in mind, seeing that Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats just got back home from eating at Grimaldi’s Coal-Brick Oven Pizzeria in Palm Beach Gardens- I’m thinking, actually I’m knowing- that “it” is definitely one of the best coal oven pizza joints in South Florida!

For all you guys who have never eaten at Grimaldi’s- trust Jeff Eats when I tell you…if you’re into delicious coal oven pizza/wings and salads, then you gotta try Grimaldi’s stuff- absolute dynamite!

Here’s Jeff Eats’ 9/19/11 “review” on the joint…

Grimaldi’s Coal-Brick Oven Pizzeria (Palm Beach Gardens)
Posted on September 19th, 2011 · Italian Palm Beach Gardens Pizza

***** Grimaldi’s Coal-Brick Oven Pizzeria, 11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Avenue, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33410, (561) 625-4669.

Grimaldi’s Coal-Brick Oven Pizzeria is a “coal oven” pizza chain…there are currently locations in Arizona, Florida, Nevada, New Jersey, New York and Texas. For our purposes, there is currently 1-location in South Florida (Palm Beach Gardens) with announced plans to open a second spot at 1 North Clematis Street, West Palm Beach.

You can check menu/prices/locations at www.grimaldispizzeria.com.

Over the years, I’m gonna guess- that I have eaten in the Brooklyn location 10 times and the Tucson joint 8…Last night, I had dinner at Palm Beach Garden’s restaurant…same menu, same delicious pizza. The only problem I have with Grimaldi’s is that its menu is extremely limited…like try- pizza, a handful of salads, handful of calzones, handful of desserts…end of story. So–if pizza and salad ain’t your bag, you’re in for a serious problem while the rest of your party stuff their faces.

The Palm Beach Gardens’ joint is located in DOWNTOWN AT THE GARDENS…a gorgeous white elephant outdoor mall, which has more empty stores than there are Chins in a Chinese phonebook.

Grimaldi’s pizza is outstanding…it’s right up there with the best of breed. The joint’s caesar and caprese salad are also delicious. The Palm Beach Garden’s joint has a full bar, indoor and outdoor patio seating.

So what we got here…one of the best coal fired pizza/salad joints in South Florida albeit with a very limited menu…great looking indoor wood decor/outdoor patio seating…full bar—in a huge ghost town complex.

Grimaldi’s is open Sunday-Thursday 11am-10pm and Friday-Saturday 11am-midnight.

***** Pizza Time, 1001 Southwest 2nd Avenue, Boca Raton, Florida 33428, (561) 391-9240.

Real simple story to tell you guys…

Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats got some family (two cousins on Mrs. Jeff Eats’ side of the family) visiting from New York. Now, I’m not counting anybody’s money but- they must have some cash, because they are staying 5 nights in a huge suite at the Boca Raton Resort and Club in Boca Raton (which ain’t exactly a chopped liver “situation”) during “Christmas Week” down here in Sunny South Florida…

Anyway, last night “we” got together and Jeff Eats knowing I/he was going to be picking up the check- took them to Pizza Time which is one of my favorite-reasonably priced “mom and pop” red sauce Italian joints (which by the way is 3 minutes from the Boca Raton Resort and Club) for dinner!

Not much more to tell you guys, other than Jeff Eats has been eating at Pizza Time since 2008, the joint makes outrageously delicious food and it’s probably no more expensive than your favorite “mom & pop” red sauce Italian joint! For those of you who maybe wondering- large cheese pizza, veal parmigiana, chicken parmigiana, veal marsala and meatballs & spaghetti- and like I said before, outrageously delicious food- and Jeff Eats didn’t have to “consult”- an ATM Machine to pay the bill!

If you haven’t eaten in Pizza Time in Boca Raton…GO! You will really-really enjoy this joint!

Pizza Time is open, Monday-Saturday 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM, Sun 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM.

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Pizza Time (Boca Raton)
Posted on November 24th, 2008 · Italian Boca Raton Pizza

***** Pizza Time, 1001 SW 2nd Avenue, Boca Raton, Florida 33428 (561) 391-9240.

Do me a favor and read the writeup (June 30, 2008) that I did on Pizza Time (Coral Springs). Go ahead, I’ll wait…

Rather than rehashing the details…suffice it to say, that the guy who originally owned the Pizza Time in Coral Springs sold the joint and has now “resurfaced” in Boca Raton (in what was formely Sal’s Italian Restaurant) in a new Pizza Time.

This “newest” Pizza Time is terrific. It is as good as the original Coral Springs’ joint. Great pizza, pastas, meat/seafood/chicken entrees.

Pizza Time is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.
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Pizza Time Italian Restaurant (Coral Springs)
Posted on June 30th, 2008 · Italian Pizza Coral Springs

***** Pizza Time, 11504 West Sample Road, Coral Springs, Florida 33065 (954) 753-7828.

If you live in Coral Springs you probably know all-about Pizza Time…the joint is or should be a landmark.

Rather than beating around the bush, Pizza Time is one of the best “mom and pop” Southern Italian Red Sauce joints in all of South Florida. There is nothing fancy whatsoever about Pizza Time…terrific pizza, pastas, fish-seafood, chicken and veal-meat entrees. Good prices.

This joint is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner. While you are waiting to get in, checkout the takeout business that Pizza Time does. Pizza Time’s website is at www.pizzatimeinc.com.

By the way, in Parkland there is a joint called Pizza Time Caffe, 6620 Parkside Drive, Parkland Florida (954) 345-8665. Rather than going into lengthy detail (because I have forgotten the whole story), this joint was in the past somehow connected/related to the original Pizza Time Italian Restaurant, but isn’t anymore. Anyway…I just wanted to let you know, that this Pizza Time Caffe isn’t half-bad. As a matter of fact it was pretty good the 2 times that I tried it. So you now have two joints for pizza etc., in the Coral Springs/Parkland area to choose from…the Pizza Time Caffe website is at www.pizzatimecaffe.com.

***** Uncle Joe’s Chinese Restaurant, 4367 Northlake Boulevard, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33410 (561) 799-9883.

Just in case you guys were wondering- following the Old Jewish Christmas Eve Custom… tonight- Jeff Eats, Mrs. Jeff Eats, Daughter Jeff Eats, Son Jeff Eats and a whole bunch of friends- will be “dining” at Uncle Joe’s Chinese Restaurant in Palm Beach Gardens!

By the way, if you haven’t been to this joint- GO! Jeff Eats has been eating there for years and the food is dynamite!

Merry Christmas!

Posted August 1, 2008
***** Uncle Joe’s Chinese Restaurant, 4367 Northlake Boulevard, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33410 (561) 799-9883.

If you live in the Palm Beach Gardens’ area, I got a real good Chinese joint for you…Uncle Joe’s Chinese Restaurant. No frills decor…No frills prices. Very good Chinese food…The joint passed my… wonton soup/egg roll/spare ribs/pan fried dumplings/roast pork fried rice/sweet and sour chicken/moo shu pork/shrimp in black bean sauce/pineapple chunks test with flying colors.

You can check menu/prices at unclejoeschinesefood.com

By the way, I drove a total of 69.4 miles (from my home to Uncle Joe’s) round-trip to eat at this joint. Call me a wild and crazy guy, but the food was worth the ride.

Uncle Joe’s is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.